Sports Rumor Mill - MLB General Discussion http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/ en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:00:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/images/sports_network/misc/rss.jpg Sports Rumor Mill - MLB General Discussion http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/ Pujols upset over Rasmus trade request http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26249-pujols-upset-over-rasmus-trade-request.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:23:14 GMT Albert Pujols Irked by Colby Rasmus' Reported Trade Request -- MLB FanHouse

ST. LOUIS -- Tony La Russa may be trying to squelch talk of a rift between him and Colby Rasmus, but the Cardinals' outfielder isn't doing his part.

In response to a report in Sunday's St. Louis Post Dispatch that Rasmus had asked for a trade earlier this season, La Russa said that he had spoken to Rasmus about it and was convinced that he had a change of heart: "He realized the grass isn't always greener."

When reporters approached Rasmus, his answers were cryptic and non-commital. Asked about La Russa's contention that Rasmus was happier now with the Cardinals, Rasmus said: "If that's what he said, I don't have a comment on that."

Albert Pujols, the team's unquestioned star and leader, had plenty to say on the Post-Dispatch report, bristling at the idea of Rasmus' trade request.

"I'm a leader on this ballclub," Pujols said. "If I hear somebody on this ballclub saying they don't want to be here, then, you know, they shouldn't be here."

The three-time NL MVP said he would speak to Rasmus in the near future about having respect for his teammates and the Cardinals organization.

"This is something that should be between him and the manager and the GM, and plus he needs to get more years in the league before he says something like that and disrespect the players (here)," Pujols said.

"If you don't want to be part of this special organization ... then you know what, you need to go and figure out a place to play.

"It is a privelege to play in this organization ... to be in the postseason almost every single year, it's pretty special"

Rasmus, for his part, did little to illuminate the situation.

Asked if he was happy with the Cardinals, he said: "I'd rather not answer that if I don't have to."

Asked if he wanted to be back next year, he said: "I'm not going to say either way. I come in and play hard either way."

So there you have it. Clear as mud. Rasmus has frustrated the Cardinals with inconsistency, which La Russa said stems from the times that he loses the strike zone. The Post-Dispatch also reported that the Cardinals have questions about his "toughness and willingness to accept criticism."

A former first-round pick, Rasmus is a center fielder with five-tool potential, so there will certainly be a handful of clubs willing to take a shot at him if the Cardinals decide to move him.

That doesn't sound too likely, if you listen to St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak.

"Colby is young and may not always understand how to handle the media," Mozeliak told FanHouse after a 4-2 win over the Reds on Sunday. "He is a tremendous talent and we are going to give him every opportunity to do it here." ]]> MLB General Discussion BiggyBoda http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26249-pujols-upset-over-rasmus-trade-request.html A-Rod sets record http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26248-rod-sets-record.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:19:16 GMT Alex Rodriguez Sets Record With Latest 100-RBI Season -- MLB FanHouse... Alex Rodriguez Sets Record With Latest 100-RBI Season -- MLB FanHouse

A day after coming off the disabled list, Alex Rodriguez made some more history Monday.

With a solo homer in the fourth inning off Brian Matusz and a sacrifice fly in the sixth, Rodriguez reached 100 RBI this season. It's the 13th consecutive year he's reached the century mark and the 14th time overall -- a major league record.

Rodriguez had been tied with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx, three Hall of Famers who posted 13 seasons of at least 100 RBI during their careers.

Rodriguez' homer was his 22nd of the season, but he'll have to go on quite a run to reach 30 homers for the 13th consecutive year and 14th overall. ]]> MLB General Discussion BiggyBoda http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26248-rod-sets-record.html Boras no longer represents Alex Rodriguez http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26216-boras-no-longer-represents-alex-rodriguez.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:40:02 GMT ---Quote--- Alex Rodriguez(notes) is no longer represented by Scott Boras, the power agent who negotiated for him the two highest-paid contracts in...
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Alex Rodriguez(notes) is no longer represented by Scott Boras, the power agent who negotiated for him the two highest-paid contracts in baseball history, USA Today reports.

The Yankee slugger now is working with Pittsburgh sports attorney Jay Reisinger and Washington lawyer Jim Sharp, who have been handling his legal and government affairs since February 2009. The USA Today report says Reisinger confirmed the relationship.

Reisinger represented A-Rod last year when he admitted using performance-enhancing drugs. The attorney also was part of the legal team that represented Sammy Sosa and Andy Pettitte(notes) when they testified before Congress about PEDs.
Alex Rodriguez, Scott Boras part ways - MLB - Yahoo! Sports ]]> MLB General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26216-boras-no-longer-represents-alex-rodriguez.html Marlins-Nationals Brawl http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26212-marlins-nationals-brawl.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:50:17 GMT Apparently Nyjer Morgan and the Marlins don't like each other. Gaby Sanchez landed an epic clothesline. One of the better brawls Ive seen in a while.

MLB just took all the stuff off youtube as I was posting the vid... Assholes. ]]> MLB General Discussion kofanis0880 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26212-marlins-nationals-brawl.html Nats fire Dibble http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26203-nats-fire-dibble.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:53:12 GMT
Quote:
Rob Dibble Fired by Nationals in Wake of Stephen Strasburg Comments
9/01/2010 6:24 PM ET By Milton Kent

Former "Nasty Boy" Rob Dibble's comments about Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg were apparently too nasty for the club to handle, as it announced Wednesday that it had severed ties with the former Cincinnati Reds reliever.

Dibble, a color analyst on Nationals games, criticized Strasburg during his Sirius XM Radio show last month for not pitching while hurt, as the Washington rookie had two stints on the disabled list with arm ailments.

"So for me, a little bit has to be put back on Strasburg here," Dibble said. "OK, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow. ... Stop crying, go out there and pitch. Period."

Those comments were delivered before Strasburg was diagnosed last week with a ligament tear in his elbow, which will force him to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery Friday. The surgery and the subsequent rehab will likely keep Strasburg, the first overall choice in the 2009 draft, out for 12-18 months.

The Nationals had brought Strasburg along slowly, limiting his innings to build up his arm strength. Dibble's comments came two days after Strasburg was pulled from a game, complaining of soreness in his elbow. It was the last time he would pitch this year.

Dibble, who formerly worked at ESPN Radio, had been shelved from the booth last week after making sexist comments about two women having a conversation while sitting in the stands. Ironically, Dibble was criticized in a Washington-area magazine for being a homer during telecasts, frequently saying "we" when describing game action. Dibble will be replaced at least temporarily by former New York Mets third baseman Ray Knight, a pregame analyst on Nationals telecasts.
SOURCE: MLB FanHouse ]]> MLB General Discussion FSUViking http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26203-nats-fire-dibble.html Rangers acquire OF Francouer from Mets http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26193-rangers-acquire-francouer-mets.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:08:22 GMT ---Quote--- ATLANTA (AP)—The first-place Texas Rangers acquired outfielder Jeff Francoeur(notes) for their playoff push Tuesday night, just hours...
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ATLANTA (AP)—The first-place Texas Rangers acquired outfielder Jeff Francoeur(notes) for their playoff push Tuesday night, just hours before the deadline for players to be eligible for the postseason roster.

The New York Mets traded Francoeur and cash to Texas for infielder Joaquin Arias(notes), who was designated for assignment last week when Alex Cora(notes) was called up by the Rangers.

“I have an opportunity to go with a team that will be in the playoffs,” Francoeur said. “I feel comfortable going out there.”


The strong-armed Francoeur is hitting .237 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs and leads the NL with 11 outfield assists. Arias batted .276 in 50 games for the Rangers, including 22 starts. He had two stints on the disabled list.

Texas had been looking for a right-handed hitter to come off the bench for the final month of the season and its expected postseason appearance.

“He’s another right-handed bat that we can get in the lineup against lefties,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “We needed another right-handed bat and he’ll give us that so that we don’t have to keep sending up left-handed bats against the lefties. And he’s a guy we know will drive in runs.”

The deal had to be completed by midnight Tuesday in order for Francoeur to be eligible for the Rangers’ playoff roster. Texas has an 8 1/2 -game lead in the AL West.

“I’m looking forward to it. I played with Frenchy in the WBC. He’s a gamer. He always plays hard. He’ll fit in well here,” Rangers third baseman Michael Young(notes) said in Kansas City, where Texas lost 10-9 to the Royals.

In an interesting twist, the deal was completed while Francoeur was in Atlanta (he grew up in the suburbs) facing his original team, the Braves.

He looked like a hometown star during his first couple of seasons with the Braves, making the cover of Sports Illustrated as a rookie and twice driving in more than 100 runs.

But his production tailed off badly in 2008 and he was dealt to the Mets for little-used Ryan Church(notes) midway through last season. Francoeur had a promising half-season in New York, hitting .311 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs after the trade, but he slipped again at the plate this season and his playing time decreased despite his excellent defense in right field.

With the deadline approaching for playoff eligibility and the Mets out of contention, Francoeur was mentioned frequently in trade talk.

“Things happen for the best,” he said. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for me. It just hasn’t happened for me (with the Mets). People expect different things.”

In addition to trading Francoeur, the Mets announced after a 9-2 loss to the Braves that two players, right-handed pitcher Jenrry Mejia(notes) and outfielder Lucas Duda, have been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.

Mejia made 30 relief appearances for the Mets this season, going 0-2 with a 3.25 ERA. Duda hit .304 with 23 homers and 87 RBIs splitting time between Double-A Binghamton and Buffalo.

Teams can expand their rosters on Wednesday for the final month of the regular season.
Francoeur traded to Rangers for playoff push - MLB - Yahoo! Sports ]]> MLB General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26193-rangers-acquire-francouer-mets.html August 30th No-Hitter Alert http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26183-august-30th-no-hitter-alert.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:31:41 GMT Hiroki Kiruda (Dodgers) has not allowed a hit through 6 innings. One hit batter and one walk allowed..... Hiroki Kiruda (Dodgers) has not allowed a hit through 6 innings. One hit batter and one walk allowed..... ]]> MLB General Discussion smoney http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26183-august-30th-no-hitter-alert.html <![CDATA[Report: Scout clocks Reds' pitching prospect Chapman at 105 mph]]> http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26167-report-scout-clocks-reds-pitching-prospect-chapman-105-mph.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:52:23 GMT Already posted.......sorry. Already posted.......sorry. ]]> MLB General Discussion Str8KillinEm http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26167-report-scout-clocks-reds-pitching-prospect-chapman-105-mph.html Ramirez likely headed to the White Sox http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26163-ramirez-likely-headed-white-sox.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:21:08 GMT ---Quote--- Manny Ramirez(notes) likely has seen his final day in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. The club has determined it will move Ramirez to...
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Manny Ramirez(notes) likely has seen his final day in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.

The club has determined it will move Ramirez to the Chicago White Sox, either by granting the White Sox’s waiver claim of last week or trading him, according to sources.

In order to facilitate a trade, Ramirez would have to waive the no-trade provision in his contract. He is due about $4 million for the remainder of the season, money the White Sox are willing to assume.

Ramirez’s final plate appearance for the Dodgers will be, like most everything he did in Los Angeles, memorable. Pinch-hitting Sunday afternoon in Colorado with the bases loaded, Ramirez saw one pitch. He believed it to be ball one. It was called strike one.

Ramirez was ejected from the game arguing his point, leaving the at-bat and a critical moment for someone else.

(Reed Johnson(notes), batting in place of Ramirez and starting his at-bat in an 0-and-1 count, grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Dodgers lost, 10-5.)

In an odd weekend in which the Dodgers measured Ramirez’s achy calf, Coors Field’s expansive outfield, the White Sox’s waiver claim and their own diminishing playoff hopes, Ramirez was given 1½ at-bats. Manager Joe Torre opted for Scott Podsednik(notes) instead.

Unable – or unwilling – to push the Dodgers any further, Ramirez returns to the American League and a White Sox team trying to keep pace in the AL Central. Losers Sunday, they have won two series since early August and are 4½ games behind the Minnesota Twins.

Details of the Ramirez exchange are still being determined.

While Ramirez helped drive the Dodgers to consecutive National League championship series, he has been far less productive since his drug suspension last season. In 66 games this season, fractured by three trips to the disabled list, Ramirez batted .311 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. Presumably, he’ll be the everyday designated-hitter for the White Sox, who begin a 10-game road trip through Cleveland, Boston and Detroit on Monday.

Ramirez returned to Boston with the Dodgers earlier this season and received a mostly mixed reaction.
Deal with White Sox will end Mannywood era - MLB - Yahoo! Sports ]]> MLB General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26163-ramirez-likely-headed-white-sox.html Aroldis Chapman hits 105 MPH on radar gun http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26157-aroldis-chapman-hits-105-mph-radar-gun.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:50:07 GMT ---Quote--- Reds pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman(notes) hit 105 mph on the radar gun during his outing at Class AAA on Friday night, according to...
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Reds pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman(notes) hit 105 mph on the radar gun during his outing at Class AAA on Friday night, according to AOL Fanhouse.

A scout in attendance called it the "best fastball I have ever witnessed."

Chapman, who is expected to be among the Reds' major league call-ups in September, began the season as a starter but was converted to a relief role in hopes that he would be able to contribute out of Cincinnati's bullpen during the season's final month.

The Cuban defector, who signed a six-year, $30.5 million deal with the Reds this past offseason, is 9-6 with a 3.57 ERA in 39 games (13 starts) at Class AAA. He has 125 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings

Reds' Aroldis Chapman hits 105 mph in minor league appearance - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
Please tell me I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing this guy pitch. ]]> MLB General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26157-aroldis-chapman-hits-105-mph-radar-gun.html Strasburg May Need Tommy John Surgery - Out 18 Months - http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26151-strasburg-may-need-tommy-john-surgery-out-18-months.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:56:17 GMT cbssports.com is reporting this and the Nationals are seeking a 2nd opinion before surgery. I read an article in SI with I believe it was Nolan... cbssports.com is reporting this and the Nationals are seeking a 2nd opinion before surgery.

I read an article in SI with I believe it was Nolan Ryan talking about how these pitchers are monitored too much with ends up causing arm trouble. Don't know if he's right but you see arm problems more often now than you did back when these guys were throwing 7-8 innings nonstop.

A story in it said that in the minor leagues there was a pitcher who was facing some problems and the manager came out and asked him if he was tired and he said I don't know, what's my pitch count? ]]> MLB General Discussion JShow34 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26151-strasburg-may-need-tommy-john-surgery-out-18-months.html A feel good story about Father/Son.. http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26147-feel-good-story-father-son.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:25:21 GMT This is a tough one to read without getting a tear in your eye... Cancer-stricken dad sees son Logan Morrison play with Florida Marlins - ESPN... This is a tough one to read without getting a tear in your eye...

Cancer-stricken dad sees son Logan Morrison play with Florida Marlins - ESPN ]]> MLB General Discussion The Rattler http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26147-feel-good-story-father-son.html Pictures of Every Section of New Yankee Stadium http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26146-pictures-every-section-new-yankee-stadium.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:14:17 GMT Just posted this for the Giants and Jets new Meadowlands stadium, but Seathound (sponsor site) just posted pictures of every single section in the... Just posted this for the Giants and Jets new Meadowlands stadium, but Seathound (sponsor site) just posted pictures of every single section in the New Yankees stadiums. As with the Meadowlands stadium, you can use these pictures for free. Just copy and paste the links from the pictures into your ebay ad or stubhub ad. Looks pretty nice.

Yankee Stadium Section Jim Bean Suite 320B View for Baseball at Seat Hound

Scroll to the bottom the event list to get to any and every other section in Yankee stadium. ]]> MLB General Discussion dizzle498 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26146-pictures-every-section-new-yankee-stadium.html Nyjer Morgan Suspended for Throwing Ball at Fan http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26142-nyjer-morgan-suspended-throwing-ball-fan.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:12:31 GMT Nyjer Morgan Suspended for Throwing Ball at Phillies Fan, Being a Douchebag - Crossing Broad... Nyjer Morgan Suspended for Throwing Ball at Phillies Fan, Being a Douchebag - Crossing Broad

Nyjer Morgan is a prick.

The Washington Nationals outfielder has been suspended seven games by Major League Baseball for throwing a ball into the stands at Citizen’s Bank Park on Saturday. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Morgan, who was jawing with a fan in right field, faked like he was going to casually toss a ball into the stands, then apparently chucked it at the fan he was arguing with. He missed and hit another person in the face. A Facebook user seems to confirm the accusation:


best part of the Phils game: guy in front of us getting in the head hit by a ball Nyjer Morgan threw into the crowd...if i had been a little quicker that ball would have been mine

Don't worry dude, he's fine.
We got a .gif after the jump, but it cuts away before you see him throw the ball. Trying to get more video.
He’ll be back in Philly on September 17th. Who’s got batteries? (kidding)

]]> MLB General Discussion smoney http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26142-nyjer-morgan-suspended-throwing-ball-fan.html Mannywood to the South Side http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26120-mannywood-south-side.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:16:45 GMT
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White Sox Reportedly Plan On Claiming Dodgers' Manny Ramirez
8/24/2010 1:47 PM ET By Tom Fornelli

The Los Angeles Dodgers are yet to place Manny Ramirez on waivers, but the prevailing thought throughout baseball is that it's only a matter of time before the team does just that. The Dodgers trail San Diego by 12 games in the NL West -- with San Francisco and Colorado between them -- and the ongoing divorce between the team's owners has them in a money-shedding mood.

So it makes sense for the Dodgers to see if they can get anything for Manny, and it seems they already know there will be at least one suitor interested in his services. Numerous tweets say that Kenny Williams and the White Sox are itching to place a claim on Ramirez.

Both Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times say that Williams plans on placing a waiver claim on Ramirez if he gets the chance, with Cowley saying a major league source told him that Williams "is pushing all his chips on getting Manny Ramirez."

It's not a bad move for the White Sox to make, though you do have to wonder if Ramirez would have a large enough impact on the Sox that they'd be able to overtake Minnesota. Still, considering they'd only owe him $4.46 million -- with $3.34 million of that deferred without interest -- it's not a terribly pricey move for the White Sox to make.

That being said, Ramirez has to be placed on waivers first, and he'd have to get through the entire National League and most of the American League before Williams would even have a chance to claim him. Though odds are that a National League team won't have much interest in Ramirez playing left field for them at this point, and among contenders in the American League right now, Chicago would get the first chance at him.

Plus it's Kenny Williams. He has a tendency to make a decision on something he wants and then do whatever it takes to get it. So it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Manny Ramirez in a White Sox uniform on or before Sept. 1.
SOURCE: MLB FanHouse ]]> MLB General Discussion FSUViking http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/mlb-general-discussion/26120-mannywood-south-side.html