I Am Proud To Announce That My Bo Jackson Player
Collection Is Now Complete!!!

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 27 January 2012 06:04:16 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

I Am Proud To Announce That My Bo Jackson Player Collection Is Now Complete!!! That’s right folks, another player collection from the ’30-YOC’ roster is complete and in the books. Not a bad way to start off the collecting year, … Continue reading →

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Extra game to break division title ties (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 27 January 2012 05:11:02 PM. © MLB News Blog

A person familiar with the talks says baseball players and owners have reached an understanding that ties for division titles will be broken on the field under the new playoff format. Since 1995, head-to-head record has been used to determine first place if both teams are going to the postseason. But with the start of [...]

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Ibanez the top DH target

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 27 January 2012 05:01:24 PM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

From Kevin Kernan:

The Yankees have interest in lefty hitting Raul Ibanez, according to sources. Ibanez?s average dropped to .245 last season with the Phillies, but he hit 20 home runs and drove in 84 runs. Ibanez, who will turn 40 in June, has drawn interest from a number of clubs.

Ibanez recently had a productive workout with hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo and believes he has corrected flaws in his swing. Over the past six seasons, he averaged 24 home runs and 100 RBIs.

If he actually fixed his swing that certainly makes him a much more attractive candidate. Either way, he's a professional hitter and is probably better than anything the Yankees currently have sitting on the bench, so why not?

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Giants Sign SS Ryan Theriot to One-Year Deal

post from The Giants Baseball Blog- A San Francisco Giants Blog and Fan Website on 27 January 2012 05:01:20 PM. © The Giants Baseball Blog- A San Francisco Giants Blog and Fan Website

It took a lot longer than I was expecting, but the Giants finally added a little bit of depth/competition to their middle infield mix this spring by agreeing to terms with Ryan Theriot on a one-year deal worth about $1.25 million.

Now, I really like this move, not because I expect a whole lot out of Theriot, but it gives the Giants depth at shortstop when they really didn't have any. Theriot isn't quite as good defensively now as he was 3-4 years ago, but he's still a serviceable shortstop, and easily the 2nd best defensive one the Giants now have on their roster. This also means that guys like Manny Burris and Justin Christian won't be just handed a roster spot in spring training like it was beginning to appear. Theriot was the starting shortstop for the World Champion Cardinals for most of last season, until they acquired Rafael Furcal because nagging injuries were hampering Theriot's play. But if you check out his first half numbers he put up in 2011 (.285, 91 hits, .331 OBP) they aren't half bad, and would be a huge step up from what the team was getting their in 2011. The last time he spent the full season in one spot and played everyday (with Chicago in '09) he put up very good numbers, to the tune of .284/7/54 with 21 steals and a .343 OBP after putting up a .307 average and .387 OBP the year before. Theriot's a tough out, who rarely swings and misses, and will get on base at a respectable pace. For $1.25 million, the Giants could have done a lot worse. I just would have been a lot more stoked had they inked Cody Ross to a 1 year, $3 million deal before Boston nabbed him.

Theriot was a guy who I mentioned a lot here when I discovered the frugal path the Giants were taking this offseason, because I knew he'd be cheap and he's got the potential to take the shortstop job if Brandon Crawford struggles out of the gate. Now, in a perfect world, Theriot doesn't need to become that starting shortstop cause Crawford will take that next step and become a decent hitter. I expect Crawford to start the year at shortstop no matter what kind of spring he has (unless he really tanks and Theriot shines) but with the Giants really pushing to get back to postseason in 2012, they won't have so much patience with him this time around, especially now that they have a viable backup. Now, I'm curious to see what other names Sabean and Co. are currently looking into. Xavier Nady is one that was tossed out today, but I'd steer clear of him since he hasn't done anything in years. There aren't really any outfielders left on the market, or at least any that make a lot of sense for the Giants to add, but he could be looking at potential fifth starter types. Edwin Jackson and Javier Vazquez are two guys who would be clear upgrades to Zito in the fifth spot, but I don't think Sabean is looking to spend that much. Rich Harden could be a bargain bin type guy, and I'd like him because he could come out of the pen too if need be, but I just don't see Sabean getting that big of a name. If they are still looking at outfielders, the one guy sitting out there who could play some right field for this team, in a backup role, platoon, or possibly even a starter, is Maglio Ordonez. No, he's no spring chicken at 37, but he is just a year removed from putting up a .303/12/59 line in just over a half of play in 2010 and I think still has some thunder left in that bat. For a deal similar to Ross' or Theriot's got, I'd certainly be interested in Ordonez's right-handed bat?

Also, again, if you guys haven't yet tuned into my interview from Thursday night with The Baseball Page's Phil Naessans Show, here's the link to it right here. It was one of the funner interviews I've been a part of during my time doing sports blogs, podcasts and shows, as he does his shows from Greece and it's really good stuff, so be sure to check it out!

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Phillies Pence agrees to 1 year, $10.4M (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 27 January 2012 04:45:52 PM. © MLB News Blog

Right fielder Hunter Pence and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed Friday to a $10.4 million, one-year contract. The deal was at the midpoint between the $11.8 million he had asked for in arbitration last week and the $9 million the Phillies had offered. He can earn additional award bonuses. Pence hit .314 with 22 homers and [...]

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Fish Bites: Cespedes Edition

post from Fish Stripes on 27 January 2012 04:01:35 PM. © Fish Stripes

The Miami Marlins have made it clear they want a deep bench, by signing veteran outfielders Austin Kearns and Aaron Rowand to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.

"I wouldn’t expect him to sign here in the next day, two days, one week, maybe two weeks," Marlins President David Samson said, on his weekly 790 The Ticket radio show Wednesday. "We’ll see. We’re going to try as hard as we can. That said, there’s other teams — maybe some teams thought they were getting Prince Fielder for four years and then all of a sudden they weren’t."

That quote, released by Marlins President David Samson on Wednesday, revealed so much about where the club stands on Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Although Samson assured that Cespedes would not sign with Miami within the next few weeks, he also openly admitted the front office will "try as hard as they can" to try and land the Cuban outfielder. Being realistic about the situation, Samson also acknowledged that there are "other teams" that Cespedes could choose. Miami, although once thought to be, might not be the best location for Cespedes to play even though it is closest to his home in Cuba.

-According to multiple sources, Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. Cespedes' name has been linked to multiple teams, most recently the Cubs and the Marlins, respectively. Cespedes' poor Dominican League numbers were not thought to decrease his value or make him less attractive.

-MLB.com has reported that the Marlins have signed outfielder Austin Kearns to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Kearns, who is familiar with the NL East after two separate stints with the Nationals, hit .200 with two homers and seven RBIs in 2011 with the Cleveland Indians. Kearns will compete with in-house names Scott Cousins, Bryan Petersen, and others for a bench spot.

-Arbitration hearings have been set for the beginning of February for Emilio Bonifacio and Anibal Sanchez. The Marlins' offer only fell $250,000 short of Bonifacio's desired amount, but fell $1.1 million short of Sanchez's desired amount. Both will be key contributors in 2012.

-Pitcher Josh Johnson began throwing off of a mound this week for the first time since early May. Johnson, injured for most of 2011, will throw three bullpen sessions every week from now until the start of spring training. Johnson's health is essential to the Marlins' success.

--MLB.com has also reported that if Chris Coghlan wants to compete for a roster spot in 2012, he will first have to prove he is healthy. After being hurt and inconsistent, Coghlan says that he is "completely healthy and ready for spring training".

Around The League

-MLB.com posted an article saying three stars in Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera, and Mark Trumbo will all be playing third base during the 2012 season.

-Probably the most notable baseball signing of late, the Detriot Tigers have officially signed Prince Fielder to a nine year, $214 million dollar contract. The signing of Fielder will force ex-Marlins Miguel Cabrera to play third base.

-The Washington Nationals have signed RHP Brad Lidge to a one year contract. Lidge, who most recently pitched for the Phillies, has been inconsistent in his career due to injuries.

-Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has recently announced his retirement.

-Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a two year contract.

-Ex-Marlin Cody Ross has recently signed with the Boston Red Sox.

At Fish Stripes

-Christian Yelich and Matt Dominguez have recently made MLB's Top 100 Prospects List.

-The Marlins' new logo has sparked some debate, however their home run feature may be the new topic of discussion.

-How many times will you head down to Little Havana to see the new Miami Marlins play? Vote here.

Poll

Which of the following outfielders do you feel has the best chance of making the team?

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Keppinger signs 1-year deal with Rays (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 27 January 2012 03:50:56 PM. © MLB News Blog

Free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger has signed to a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 31-year-old Keppinger who plays shortstop as well as second and third base split last season between the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants, combining to bat .277. A .281 career hitter in seven seasons with the Mets, Royals, [...]

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Kenshin Kawakami Back To Japan

Glad that's over. Not that he was particularly worse than Derek Lowe, because he wasn't, but the Braves developed some weird aversion to him in 2011, which made his whole existence in any sort of Braves uniform awkward.

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Astros sign Zack Duke to a minor league deal

According to Alyson Footer the Astros have signed Zack Duke to a minor league contract. The lefty spent 2011 with the Diamondbacks and posted a 4.93 ERA last season.

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Reggie Jackson 2009 Topps Legends Of The Game

Reggie Jackson 2009 Topps ‘Legends Of The Game’ Topps did it right with this baseball card of Reggie Jackson!!! As part of their ‘Legends of the Game’ series issued in 2009, this set contained all of the great stars, so … Continue reading →

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