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Hells Bells in Los Angeles?

By Mike Scioscia's tragic illness | January 7, 2009 | Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness

Not that this isn't an idea that hasn't already been kicked around for months, but Yahoo's Tim Brown says that the Dodgers have actually acted upon it... The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered Trevor Hoffman a one-year contract with a club option for 2010, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, also has discussed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and is likely to have received a formal offer from them, as well. Discarded by the San Diego Padres, Hoffman is thought to prefer Southern California, having spent 15 ½ of his 16 big-league seasons in San Diego. Now, let me say this: I don't believe the Dodgers need a closer, at least not in the sense that they need a starting pitcher or needed to get rid of Andruw Jones. Despite the likely losses of Joe Beimel & Takashi Saito and the already-gone...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, San Diego Padres, Trevor Hoffman

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Burrell's Flight, Jones's Limbo, Padres' . . . Relief?

By Jeff Kallman | January 5, 2009 | Community

UPDATE: There went that idea. While early Monday reports said he'd been on the threshold of going perhaps to Toronto (and I'd heard weekend speculation along similar lines as well), Pat Burrell ended up going no further than the opposite...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Andruw Jones, Jake Peavy, Jeff Moorad, John Moores, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pat Burrell, San Diego Padres, Sandy Alderson, Toronto Blue Jays, Trevor Hoffman

Links for 1/4: Lowe, Jones, Peavy, Kawakami

By Will Schaffer | January 4, 2009 | Chop-n-Change

Update: Dave O'Brien says that Kawakami will narrow his offers down this week, but talked to the pitcher's agent yesterday and he said that the Braves were still in the mix. It's been a little slow around the blog lately, largely a product of there being little new news to report. Here's a couple links to hold you over until something substantial happens.SI's Jon Heyman listed the Braves as one of the Mets' biggest competitors for free agent starter Derek Lowe. Mark Bowman chimed in also, saying that the Braves aren't liking the price tag, but after missing out on Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett, Lowe may be Frank Wren's only good option. I just can't believe that we haven't yet heard any rumors of the Braves showing serious interest in another top free agent or trade target after missing out on those two.The other news to come out recently...

Read more | 45 Comments | Tags: Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, Kenshin Kawakami, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Josh Bard returning to Red Sox

By Evan | December 28, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Free agent catcher Josh Bard is on the cusp of returning to the Red Sox, sources told the Boston Globe.

Read more | 15 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB, San Diego Padres

Gotta love this guy

By The Southpaw | December 19, 2008 | The Southpaw

Back in October the Jays made a little noticed and lightly regarded waiver wire claim. some guy with the unlikely and yet somehow perfect-for-baseball name of Dirk Hayhurst. A quick perusal of the stats at The Baseball Cube showed us that Hayhurst was a guy who'd pitched very well in the PCL in 2008 (3.75 ERA, over 10 K9 and a 3.5:1 K:BB ratio - all quite good for any league and great, actually, for a notorious hitters league) but that really struggled in 16+ innings with the Padres. He was also quite good at AA in 2007. Thing is, he was 27 and by that time players have often lost the "prospect" tag. Still, Hayhurst had been a starter before and had switched to the bullpen for the 2007 season so maybe he'd found his nitch. As if the Jays needed yet another RH relief candidate. Still, after the...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: MLB, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Light Special

By Fresh (WC) | December 16, 2008 | Cardinals Diaspora

If you're looking for a questionably sound investment this Holiday season, look no further than America's Finest City. The perennially disappointing San Diego Padres are now up for sale.Pads owner John Moores, who looks strikingly like Cousin Eddie (see pic, Mr. Moores is the one who isn't former President Jimmy Carter), is going through a messy divorce and apparently hates his wife of 44 years enough to fire-sell their MLB franchise in the midst of a giant economic shit-storm. The sale will be handled by Goldman Sachs, so keep your fingers crossed that those miserable bastards get some of your tax dollars back. I personally start the bidding at $78.43. Current plans are to HALF last years starting payroll of $73mm. Let's hope left handed reliever and friend of the CD Justin Hampson is well taken care of throughout this whole mess, keep your eyes open for him in 09. ...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: For Sale, It Could Be Worse, Padres, San Diego

Uh, Oh . . .

By Jeff Kallman | December 11, 2008 | Community

Bad enough: The San Diego Padres think it's smart to rebuild without Jake Peavy after insulting Trevor Hoffman in the bargain. Worse: Their likeliest trading partner for their rotation ace may be pulling out of the long-discussed deal that looked...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Jake Peavy, Melky Cabrera, Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

See you in five years, Greg

By Alan Smodic | December 6, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Dave Nelson/Flickr.com

If you're around the same age as I am, then you grew up as a youngster watching baseball in the 90s. And if you were the type of player I was, then you weren't idolizing the long ball. You didn't tune into games to watch Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire.I was a pitcher. I first started pitching at age nine. By that time, Greg Maddux had already entrenched himself as arguably the best in the game. It was around then when Maddux became my favorite player.I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and have always been a Pirates fan. I wasn't on a Braves bandwagon. In fact, I still disliked the Braves for my first MLB memory -- the slide. But I loved Maddux.I tuned into TBS to watch the Braves every time he pitched. My parents got me tickets to Pirates/Braves at Three Rivers Stadium anytime he was scheduled to start. He...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Greg Maddux, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Could Orioles make Peavy trade happen?

By Evan | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Garrett Olson - Evan Brunell

According to Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, (I bet poor Peter got razzed in junior high for that last name) the Baltimore Orioles may be the third team that San Diego Padres' GM Kevin Towers needed in order to ship Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs.Towers is looking for young pitchers and hitters in return for Peavy and while the Cubs can offer third base prospect Josh Vitters, they don't have the pitching needed to make the deal on their own.Enter the Orioles, who last year almost matched up with the Cubs on a deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts heading to Chicago for, amongst other things, centerfielder Felix Pie. Club president Andy McPhail acknowledged that the Orioles are looking at Pie as a way to bolster their depth in outfield.Pie, 23, supposed to be the future long-term centerfielder for the Cubs, has struggled these...Read more

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, MLB, San Diego Padres

Hot Stove Dishes - November 28, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia -- the L.A. Angels "shell game" continues.The Angels haven't made an offer to Mark Teixeira even though they want him but have floated the idea of offering big money to CC Sabathia -- even though it might be tough to match the Yankees' gigantic offer -- and Teixeira's side has countered. Teixeira's agent Scott Boras revealed that Teixeira has had offers worth considering. All of the peripheral talk from the Angels about Sabathia as an alternative target and Teixeira's interest from other clubs stems from a difference in years of service the club is looking to give Teixeira and the 10 years that the slugger is seeking. You got to love the Hot Stove posturing, don't you? Brian Fuentes wants major cash and K-Rod doesn't want...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: A.J. Burnett, Baltimore Orioles, Barry Bonds, Brian Fuentes, CC Sabathia, Detroit Tigers, Francisco Rodriguez, Freddy Garcia, Houston Astros, Jake Peavy, Ken Griffey Jr., Los Angeles Angels, Mark Teixeira, MLB, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Rafael Furcal, Randy Wolf, Roger Clemens, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays

Hot Stove Dishes - November 14, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Yankees out to buy back in to playoffs, offer Sabathia record deal The New York Yankees are tired of missing the playoffs. The one-year absence has driven them to offer CC Sabathia a six-year, $140-million contract to bring his talent to the Bronx. The Brewers want to keep Sabathia but can they afford the price of competing with the Yankees in the free agent market. Better yet, can anyone? Padres go one way with offering Peavy, Braves go the other At some point in the past seven days there was buzz that the Braves and Padres were very close to a deal that would send Padres ace Jake Peavy to Atlanta. After an entire offseason of talks, the Braves announced that they were calling off their pursuit of...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Braves, BBWAA, CC Sabathia, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Dayan Viciedo, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manager, Manny Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Scott Boras, Trevor Hoffman

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

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MVN: Most Valuable Network