What's the Buzz? 8/22/06
The Mets are making their move. While maintaining a double digit game lead in the NL East, the boys from Queens are still showing that they can always improve. Understanding that Lastings Milledge just isn't ready for full time major league duty, the Mets acquired OF Shawn Green from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for lefty pitching prospect Evan MacLane. Solid deal for the D-Backs as they've been looking to get rid of Green for some time. Carlos Quentin's and Chris Young's stocks just jumped a bit. Also, Arizona is off the hook for more than half of Green's salary, their main incentive. They'll only pay $6.3 million of the $13.25 million he's owed. Green waived his no-trade clause so one would have to assume that he's happy about playing in New York. He should do well in the New York lineup and, don't worry Mets fans, Yom Kippur does not overlap with the playoffs this year.
Now for the news...
The Phillies also made a move as they picked up infielder Jose Hernandez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a fistful of cash. I guess they don't trust Abraham Nunez at third all by himself as they try to sneak their way back into contention. The two will likely platoon with Nunez getting the better end.
Also, as expected, the Phillies placed OF Aaron Rowand on the DL with a fractured ankle. They say four to six weeks, so it's pretty much season ending for Rowand. Shane Victorino becomes the new centerfielder and it's definitely recommended that you pick him up in NL only leagues. He's been solid for them all year and he thrived as Rowand's replacement earlier in the year.
And going back to player movement, guess who's not going anywhere...again. That's right, Alfonso Soriano. Apparently he had been claimed of waivers by the Astros and when the two sides broke off negotiations, the Nationals pulled him back. Soriano is officially ineligible to be traded this season.
Well if you're a Ryan Garko owner, look out. You might need a replacement soon. It looks like Casey Blake, who's been out almost this whole month, is coming back on Friday according to manager Eric Wedge. Blake will also play the outfield some , so Garko should still see some at bats. Just not as many as we'd all like.
As suspected, the Padres put pitcher Chan Ho Park on the 15 day DL with his...intestinal bleeding. I still can't believe this was almost not an option.
Orioles OF Nick Markakis gave his stock a bit of a boost today when he jacked 3 home runs in his first 3 at bats. He's having a nice second half so far and may warrant some consideration if he remains consistent over the next week.
It became official today as the Red Sox put SS Alex Gonzalez on the DL with his strained oblique and called up rookie Dustin Pedroia. He should definitely have some value playing regularly in the Sox lineup...how much value should depend on his bat and Gonzalez' recovery time.
The Sox also swapped out some relief help as they sent down Javier Lopez and brought up Kason Gabbard. While normally a starter, they will begin Gabbard in the bullpen and maybe try him out for a start in a week or two if he performs well.
Since the move will be retroactive, the Cardinals will wait to put David Eckstein (strained oblique) officially on the DL on Wednesday when they call up pitcher Mark Mulder who will get the start against the Mets. This is a potential matchup for the NL Pennant so both teams should be on their game -- round 1 to the Mets tonight on Carlos Beltran's game winning home run.
The Admiral's back!! The A's recalled lefty Brad Halsey today and gave him the start against the Blue Jays tonight. He went 6 innings giving up 4 runs in the loss, but it wasn't a terrible start by any means. If he stays in the rotation, and he most likely will, he should have some decent value in AL only leagues.
And lastly, I almost forgot....more good news for the Mets as it was learned that Tom Glavine's got a blood clot in his shoulder and it can be treated with aspirin and a blood thinner. He should only miss a little more than a week which means he should only miss one start. Baseball aside, it's good to see that it wasn't the worst end of the spectrum. Season ending surgery may have been career ending as well. Good to see Glavine can still go out the way he wants.
Catch you next time...
Now for the news...
The Phillies also made a move as they picked up infielder Jose Hernandez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a fistful of cash. I guess they don't trust Abraham Nunez at third all by himself as they try to sneak their way back into contention. The two will likely platoon with Nunez getting the better end.
Also, as expected, the Phillies placed OF Aaron Rowand on the DL with a fractured ankle. They say four to six weeks, so it's pretty much season ending for Rowand. Shane Victorino becomes the new centerfielder and it's definitely recommended that you pick him up in NL only leagues. He's been solid for them all year and he thrived as Rowand's replacement earlier in the year.
And going back to player movement, guess who's not going anywhere...again. That's right, Alfonso Soriano. Apparently he had been claimed of waivers by the Astros and when the two sides broke off negotiations, the Nationals pulled him back. Soriano is officially ineligible to be traded this season.
Well if you're a Ryan Garko owner, look out. You might need a replacement soon. It looks like Casey Blake, who's been out almost this whole month, is coming back on Friday according to manager Eric Wedge. Blake will also play the outfield some , so Garko should still see some at bats. Just not as many as we'd all like.
As suspected, the Padres put pitcher Chan Ho Park on the 15 day DL with his...intestinal bleeding. I still can't believe this was almost not an option.
Orioles OF Nick Markakis gave his stock a bit of a boost today when he jacked 3 home runs in his first 3 at bats. He's having a nice second half so far and may warrant some consideration if he remains consistent over the next week.
It became official today as the Red Sox put SS Alex Gonzalez on the DL with his strained oblique and called up rookie Dustin Pedroia. He should definitely have some value playing regularly in the Sox lineup...how much value should depend on his bat and Gonzalez' recovery time.
The Sox also swapped out some relief help as they sent down Javier Lopez and brought up Kason Gabbard. While normally a starter, they will begin Gabbard in the bullpen and maybe try him out for a start in a week or two if he performs well.
Since the move will be retroactive, the Cardinals will wait to put David Eckstein (strained oblique) officially on the DL on Wednesday when they call up pitcher Mark Mulder who will get the start against the Mets. This is a potential matchup for the NL Pennant so both teams should be on their game -- round 1 to the Mets tonight on Carlos Beltran's game winning home run.
The Admiral's back!! The A's recalled lefty Brad Halsey today and gave him the start against the Blue Jays tonight. He went 6 innings giving up 4 runs in the loss, but it wasn't a terrible start by any means. If he stays in the rotation, and he most likely will, he should have some decent value in AL only leagues.
And lastly, I almost forgot....more good news for the Mets as it was learned that Tom Glavine's got a blood clot in his shoulder and it can be treated with aspirin and a blood thinner. He should only miss a little more than a week which means he should only miss one start. Baseball aside, it's good to see that it wasn't the worst end of the spectrum. Season ending surgery may have been career ending as well. Good to see Glavine can still go out the way he wants.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:51 PM
