Starting pitcher Curt Schilling is mulling a comeback. Schilling has not pitched since 2007 due to a shoulder surgery he underwent last season. The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs are believed to have interest in the right-hander. Schilling does not expect to be on a roster by opening day.
Chances are, Schilling has a chance to contribute again in the majors. Taking a flyer on the veteran would not be a terrible idea, though Tampa Bay and Chicago should be fine with or without Schilling.
The Los Angeles are going to let infielder Blake DeWitt take a shot at shortstop this spring. DeWitt spent time at third and second base last season. Before the Orlando Hudson signing, DeWitt was in-line to be the starting second baseman this season. DeWitt will attempt to learn shortstop to make the team as a utility infielder.
DeWitt was already a stretch at second base. He won’t have any value on defense, but he can bring more of an offensive punch than Juan Castro or Chin-lung Hu.
The Kansas City Royals and reliever Juan Cruz have agreed to a tw0-year deal worth $6 million. Cruz, 30, had a 2.61 ERA in 51.2 innings last season.
The deal makes the Farnsworth signing even worse (not that it wasn’t terrible already). Cruz and Soria pitching in the eighth and ninth looks pretty good. Too bad the Royals won’t have very many leads going into the late innings.
Who are the best general managers of the past decade? Beyond the Boxscore makes there picks.
The Philadelphia Phillies released pitcher Adam Eaton on Friday. Eaton, 31, is owed $8.5 million for 2009 and $500,000 to buy-out his 2010 option. Eaton had a 5.08 ERA in 107 innings last season.
Eaton was not an option for the fifth starter spot in Philly.
Free agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra will decide between either signing a one-year contract with the Oakland A’s or retiring. Garciaparra, 35, hit .264/.326/.466 last season in 181 plate appearances.
Garciaparra still has plenty to offer as a bench player. Nomar could provide versatility and a solid bat off the bench, that is if he can stay healthy.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a third offer to outfielder Manny Ramirez. The offer would earn Ramirez $25 million in 2009, with a player option for 2010 worth $20 million.
Third time a charm? Manny should just get things over with and take the offer. He is probably better off taking a one-year deal, and the option doesn’t hurt.
UPDATE: Manny and Boras rejected the offer.
Beyond the Boxscore has a video of San Diego Padres minor league pitcher Mark Worrell and his funky delivery.
Eric Wedge just became my new favorite manager. Rob Neyer posts an excerpt from an article which details Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge’s understanding of the unimportance of batting average, as well as Grady Sizemore’s outstanding performance on the field.
Baseball America has the draft order, as of right now, for the 2009 Amateur Draft. Remember, the top 15 will not change.
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