Mets Skipper Willie Randolph Shown the Door

Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired early Tuesday morning along with pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto.

Randolph had been widely criticized this year following New York's monumental collapse last season. Inconsistency has plagued the Mets and Randolph only made the situation worse, fanning the flames of controversy by insinuating that criticism by the New York media was racially motivated.

The Mets were preseason favorites in the NL east, but currently sit 6.5 games out of first place. Jerry Manuel will manage the team on an interim basis.

Harden May Be Next A's Ace to be Dealt

A's righty Rich Harden is quickly becoming one of the more coveted arms in baseball. His 4-0 record and sparkling 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings have led many to speculate that he could be moved to a contender if General Manager Billy Beane gets the right offer.

ESPN commentator Peter Gammons is already touting Harden as the most dominant pitcher in the AL right now.


While Beane is sure to demand a king's ransom in line with the Dan Haren and Mark Mulder deals, the abundance of injured and underperforming starters around the majors makes for many intriguing trade partners. While teams will no doubt be reluctant to part with the type of high-end prospects it would take to pry Harden from the A's, the winds of desperation are beginning to swirl for several teams struggling to stay in contention.


Omar Minaya's desperation could lead him to try to add another legitimate top of the rotation arm. The Yankees, faced with the emergence of the Rays and the recent freak injury to Chien-Ming Wang, might be willing to take a gamble on Harden's overpowering fastball, even with the injury concerns. The Tigers are a major disappointment to this point. With the loss of Jeremy Bonderman and the disaster that is Dontrelle Willis, General Manager Dave Dombrowski has to be feeling the pressure. Depending on the results of Brad Penny's MRI, the Dodgers could also be in the market for a quality starter.


All trade talks involving Harden are tempered by the fact that Oakland currently sits only 3.5 games behind the first place Angels. If Oakland can hang close to the Angels, Beane could very well decide to stand pat and make a run at the division. However, should the A's falter, look for a heating up of talks to deal Harden, starter Joe Blanton, shortstop Bobby Crosby, and second baseman Mark Ellis.

Update Brightens Paul Konerko's Outlook

An updated report on the condition of White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko considerably brightens his outlook for avoiding the disabled list, as his injury is now described as an intercostal muscle strain rather than an oblique.

Because of the difference in function between the two types of rib muscles, an oblique strain might have pointed to a need for several weeks of rest, whereas the intercostal muscle injury could mean as little as a few days, according to medical experts.

Still, it will be up to Konerko to tell when and if he can return to play, his decision based on how much pain he must endure. Disabled status remains a possibility.

Konerko sustained the injury in the batting cage during pregame practice Sunday, and is listed as day-to-day. He is to be re-evaluated Tuesday. Konerko sustained another, entirely different muscle strain in his back about two years ago, and missed only two games.

Konerko is commonly regarded by insiders to be psychologically indisposed to miss time for any reason.

Tony Gwynn Jr., 'Chip Off Old Rock,' Leading Team

Brewers prospect Tony Gwynn Jr. -- 26-year-old son of the Hall of Fame former Padres singles hitter -- is starting to show why Milwaukee General Manager Doug Melvin selected him as the 29th overall pick in the 2003 draft.

Gwynn's .310 average leads the Triple A Nashville Sounds among players with 75 or more at-bats, staging Gwynn's rendezvous with a major front office decision on whether the Brewers should promote or trade him.

Ordinarily, trading Gwynn might be considered unthinkable. But the possibility becomes closer to reality as Melvin must determine whether the team has a realistic shot at competing for a wild card berth this year, thus creating a need to deal Gwynn or other young players to acquire pitching for the playoff run.

Further complicating the issue is that Gwynn is blocked in Milwaukee by left fielder Ryan Braun, center fielder Mike Cameron and right fielder Corey Hart. If Gwynn continues to be held as a deep reserve, the team risks losing him altogether as he will soon be out of options and must be exposed to other teams should he be called up then sent down again next season.

White Sox Seen Parting with SS Orlando Cabrera

It might be wise to expect the White Sox to part company with 33-year-old shortstop Orlando Cabrera next season now that he is in his walk year.

Cabrera and his $9 million contract has become expendable on Chicago's South Side in part because General Manager Ken Williams and Manager Ozzie Guillen have quietly concurred that rising young second baseman Alexei Ramirez will be capable of taking over Cabrera's position next year, according to an MLB rumor quoted by Boston Globe columnist Nick Cafardo.

The White Sox also have first round pick Gordon Beckham under contract. A second baseman who can hit with power, Beckham is expected to advance quickly through the minor leagues and he and Ramirez could soon become the team's newest double-play cornerstones, Cafardo said.

Mariners Finally Address Bill Bavasi's Incompetence

Bill Bavasi's amusing run as general manager of the Seattle Mariners has ended. Hired before the 2004 season, Bavasi managed to assemble only one team that did not finish last in the AL west -- the 2nd place finishing 2007 team. The current squad is not only in last place, but its 24-45 record is the worst in baseball.

Some of Bavasi's questionable moves during his tenure:

• Signing Richie Sexson for four years $50 million
• Trading top prospect Adam Jones, George Sherrill (now Baltimore's closer), and three pitching prospects for Erik Bedard
  
• Signing Carlos Silva for 4 years $48 million. Silva is 3-7 with a 5.79 ERA

This list is kind of a waste of time because you can trace just about every Mariners player to a questionable signing or trade. The Tacoma News Tribune has Bavasi's lengthy rap sheet here.

The Mariners are going nowhere this year and probably nowhere next year or the year after, but this firing could set the stage for an Erik Bedard trade.

The new GM will have no attachment to Bedard and it would make sense to trade the team's most valuable commodity. The Yankees might be interested, now that Chien-Ming Wang is out for six weeks. The Cubs and Blue Jays have also shown interest in the past.

Prognosis Disquieting for Chicago's Paul Konerko

A disquieting rumor circulating among the ubiquitous dram shops, dogstands and tee boxes of Greater Chicago holds that observers near the batting cage literally winced Sunday when first baseman Paul Konerko swung his mighty bat during a pregame warmup, and a discernible popping noise emanated from beneath the 6-foot-2 slugger's pinstriped tunic.

Only so much credence can be assigned to such MLB rumors, of course, but the Major League Baseball Information Highway being what it is, these and various other manifestations of gossip, hearsay and canard are unfortunately the sole conduit for information about potential injuries in the early going.

If true, this MLB rumor potentially portends of serious trouble for Konerko, who in all probability would be assigned to the disabled list for a minimum two weeks -- more likely four or more -- if the rib muscle he supposedly strained turns out to be significantly torn as would be the case in the instance of an audible popping noise.

In any event, an added incentive to sideline him would be the fact that Konerko has been dealing with an injured right thumb for six weeks, and both injuries might heal faster with rest.

However, no number of radiographs, CAT scans, sonograms or magnetic resonance images at this time will tell anyone anything any more about his rib muscles than will Konerko himself after his having the advantage of 48 hours rest, at the conclusion of which he will simply inform team physician Dr. Chuck Bushjoseph just exactly how he feels.

In other words whether he returns to play or not is this simple: If Konerko can swing the bat without pain or discomfort, he will be back; and if he can't, he will simply be forced to sit out for however many days are required, no more; no less.

Until then, only God knows the outcome.

Brian Anderson to Pick Up Slack for Paul Konerko

Expect outfielder Brian Anderson to pick up most of the slack for the White Sox if first baseman Paul Konerko misses significant time with a rib cage injury -- a trip to the disabled list being a distinct possibility.

Anderson will be given extra playing time as outfielder Nick Swisher moves to first base until Konerko returns.

Though Konerko is listed as day-to-day for now, Manager Ozzie Guillen said during his post-game media conference Sunday that he is "not too optimistic" that Konerko can keep from missing several days, perhaps much more. Guillen was doubtful whether team's idle day on Monday would be enough to make a difference.

"Hopefully, with the day off it will be better," Guillen was quoted as saying in Monday's editions of the Chicago Sun-Times. "...You hope for the best."

Konerko felt a sharp pain near his ribs while swinging a bat before Sunday's game, with preliminary indications that it might be an oblique tear or strain. Konerko has been playing poorly all year, with his batting average mired at .215.

Reds Superstar Ken Griffey Jr. To Rays?

The Tampa Bay Rays, trying to shake their reputation as MLB's version of the Los Angeles Clippers, are rumored to be a potential destination for Ken Griffey Jr., should the Reds decide to move him. According to ESPNEWS and Si.com, Griffey, who lives in Orlando, has privately told friends that he would consider waiving his no trade clause for a trade to the Rays.

But do the Rays want him? Griffey is only hitting .245 with seven home runs and 30 RBI. He makes $12.5 million this year and his contract calls for a $4 million buyout of his $16.5 million club option for 2009. The Rays would be on the hook for at least $10 million unless the Reds pick up part of the tab.

This does not sound like a favorable deal for the Rays, especially if they have to give up any significant prospects.

A more logical choice for the Rays would be to sign Griffey as a free agent in the offseason, if they are in fact interested.

Troy Tulowitzki Plays Nine in Single A Rehab

Recovering Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki appeared energized and refreshed after taking the previous night off to be with Los Angeles area friends, going 3-5 with a run scored for Single A Modesto as the Nuts defeated Rancho Cucamonga 12-10 in Tulowitzki's first full game since going on the disabled list with a torn quadriceps muscle last month.

Having played five innings in his first rehab start at Visalia Wednesday, and six Thursday, the young star was granted permission to leave the team and rest Friday night after starting the game at designated hitter, batting once and then departing with his acquaintances.

Tulowitzki has been moving with relative fluidity, though he occassionally appears to be slightly favoring his injured knee, which is normal.

"Other than that, he looks pretty good," said Greg Young, play-by-play broadcaster for KESP Radio in Modesto.

Barring setbacks, Tulowitzki is to make his last appearance with the Nuts tonight, then travel to Triple A Colorado Springs for another week of rehab starts.

The 22-year-old former Long Beach State standout -- second runner up in last year's Rookie of the Year balloting -- signed a six-year, $31-million contract extension last year and is expected to be eased back into the Rockies lineup as soon as possible, perhaps by June 20.

Jody Gerut Underscores Indians Coaching Failure

Former American League Rookie of the Year Jody Gerut -- now with the Padres -- returned to Cleveland for his first game there since being cast aside by the Indians in 2004, going 3-5 with a homer and two RBI to raise his average to .289 and help defeat his former team 8-3.

The re-emergence of the 28-year-old Gerut -- named top rookie by the Sporting News after hitting .279 with 22 homers and 75 RBI in 127 games with the Indians in 2003 -- continues to draw attention to seeming inadequacies in the Indians coaching and scouting staff, which willingly let Gerut get away three years ago.

Gerut's separation from the Tribe is slightly complicated, having been excellerated by his torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2004, and his struggles to recover while playing for Triple A Buffalo.

And yet the fact remains that while Gerut was on the comeback trail he was traded for Cubs outfielder Jason Dubois, the Indians having failed to recognize not only Gerut's remaining potential but his strength of character, tenacity and determination to revive his career.

Ironically, after acquiring Dubois for Gerut the Indians also failed to develop Dubois, who like Gerut had been regarded as a potential star.

If it had been only Gerut whom the Tribe let get away, or just Dubois, that would be one thing. But rightly or wrongly a peculiar pattern can be discerned when one considers that no sooner than the team had acquired top prospect Andy Marte last year -- for instance -- coaches began tinkering with his swing to the point that he hasn't been the same either, though he remains with the team.

Add the cases of Gerut, Dubois and Marte to the Indians handling of second baseman Brandon Phillips, now a star in Cincinnati, and second baseman Josh Barfield, who has spent most of this season in Buffalo, and one cannot help but wonder.

Not only has Barfield failed to succeed under Indians tutelge, but the player traded to acquire him -- third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff -- has done quite well for himself in San Diego, the Indians having nothing to show from that deal either.

Angels Kelvim Escobar Progressing Well

Kelvim Escobar's career was thought to be in jeopardy at the beginning of the season, but he now might return before the All-Star break. Escobar threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday and will throw to live batters for the first time on Tuesday. He could begin a rehab assignment soon.

Despite winning 18 games as a starter in 2007, Escobar will not necessarily return to that role. The Angels think his injured shoulder may respond better to pitching in relief, but no decision has been made.  If the Angels decide to continue using him as a starter, an August return is most likely because he will need to build endurance.

Victor Martinez Wastes No Time Starting Rehab

Injured catcher Victor Martinez wasted no time in beginning a post-surgical limbering and motion workout at the Indians training and weight room, then suited up and joined newly acquired backup catcher Yamid Haad in the bullpen as they watched the Tribe fall to the visiting Padres 8-3 at Progressive Field.

Martinez underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove chips from his throwing elbow only 24 hours earlier at the Cleveland Clinic, where Dr. Mark Schickendantz pronounced the procedure successful.

Martinez is expected to be out for up to two months, then undergo an evaluation as to whether he can resume play behind the plate on a limited basis, finish the year mostly at first base, at designated hitter or merely come off the bench.

The possibility -- however remote -- that he would sit out for the remainder of the year has not been ruled out. The performance of catcher Kelly Shoppach -- widely recognized as an outstanding all-around replacement potentially coming into his prime at 28 -- likely will figure prominently in evaluating the best course for the team when Martinez finishes his rehabilitation program.

Fans had been suspicious for weeks after Martinez -- who normally can be counted on for 20-30 homers a year -- had failed to hit a single ball over the fence in more than 200 plate appearances since spring.

Martinez also prompted MLB rumors by sitting out immediately at the end of spring with what he described as a "sore hamstring," even though hamstring injuries are very rare for catchers because catchers stretch in a squatting position for extended periods.

Few have speculated whether the hamstring issue was a cover story to hide the fact that Martinez was having trouble with his throwing arm, a possibility that would tip off opposing base runners that they could steal with impunity. Martinez already had been cited among the weakest throwing catchers even before his elbow trouble was confirmed by a magnetic resonance image.

Though apparently uncomfortable when the season began, Martinez managed to hit enough singles to maintain a .350 average over the next 30 days, yet refused to complain for another two weeks. Finally mounting pain while swinging the bat became more conspicuous as he hit .221 in May and .200 in since June 1, prompting the MRI exam.

Brad Penny Is a Mess

Add Brad Penny to the list of injured former all-stars on the Dodgers roster.

After giving up 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings in today's loss, Penny will fly to Los Angeles tomorrow to have an MRI on his right shoulder. It is hard to say whether Penny is actually hurt or if this is just an excuse for his 5.88 ERA, but the latter is more likely.

Penny, the Dodgers former staff ace, claims to have been suffering from shoulder discomfort since the beginning of the season, which begs the question: why the hell didn't he have an MRI in April? A better question is: why does Penny weigh 260 pounds?

Is it possible to fire a trainer? You see coaches on the hot seat all the time. The Mets are not winning and Willie Randolph is rumored to be on the way out. The Mariners are not hitting, so they fired their hitting coach. If Penny goes on the disabled list, that will make SEVEN Dodgers on the DL. So why are there no rumors of the Dodgers trainer getting the axe? He should be fired -- if for nothing else, allowing Penny to pack on so much weight.

If Penny does go on the DL, the Dodgers may call up top pitching prospect James McDonald, who is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA at Double A, or go with veteran Chan Ho Park.  Another option is Jon Meloan, who was recently converted from closing to starting. Meloan is 4-5 with a 4.13 ERA in 13 starts at Triple A Las Vegas.  Hong-Chih Kuo is likely to stay in the bullpen, but has started in the past. Given all those options, knowing the Dodgers, they will probably sign a washed up veteran who was recently released by another team. Decision forthcoming.

Tigers Jim Leyland Denies Smoking Seven Packs

As his team weaved and bobbed throughout the early part of the season, an often agitated, surly and defensive Jim Leyland was observed lighting up one cigarette after another, furiously straining hot, toxic smoke through his yellowed teeth and generally disregarding any sort of reasonable outlook for his long-term health.

But six or seven packs a day? No, says the 67-year-old Tigers manager, not even close.

"It's only about a pack and a half, and I don't smoke all of those (completely), so it's only about a pack," Leyland said in an interview with WSER Radio .670 during a recent stopover in Chicago.

Leyland, whose team has been playing well lately, said the Tigers problems -- though mysterious to many -- are common in baseball and have more to do with blocks of personnel going through momentary sluggishness simultaneously than fundamental shortcomings of the whole. It's part of a normal process to rotate individuals -- either through attrition, need for development or injuries -- throughout the year to react to productivity declines, Leyland said.

"It's all just part of the process," Leyland said.

Having just demoted reliever Clay Rapada to Triple-A Toledo, Leyland must now find room for relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, who will considerably brighten the team's outlook as they come back from injuries. Reliever Freddy Dolsi likely will be ticketed to Toledo to make room for the two budding bullpen stars, one of whom will sooner or later replace veteran closer Todd Jones.

Red Sox Catcher Jason Varitek Misses Game

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek was held out of Saturday's game in Cincinnati with what a team spokesman described as a sore throat and related symptoms, none serious. Varitek was due for a rest anyway.

Varitek, 36, continues to travel with team and act as captain, and is listed as day-to-day. Likely as not, Varitek will resume play within the next few days if not immediately.

Carl Crawford-Hideki Matsui Deal to Rekindle?

A carefully guarded secret MLB News on Line uncovered directly from the Yankees offices in The Bronx indicates that for more than a year the team has been trying to acquire Tampa Bay outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford, though the talks cooled after neither team could reach an accord coming out of spring camp.

Now with the Rays having flirted with first place and the Yankees having flirted with last, could the two teams' potential reversal of fortunes result in the deal being turned upside down?

It is far to early to write off the Yankees as contenders for a playoff berth, but given numerous problems with the starting rotation it is conceivable that the team might reach a point at which Managing Partner George Steinbrenner or his son Hank Steinbrenner may decide that the Yankees best long term outlook would be to position the team to win next year, when contending will be far more critical with the opening of the new Yankee Stadium.

Either way, the Yankees are in need of a youth movement and the Rays are in need of experience, so don't be surprised if circumstances intensify the need to consumate the long considered, on-again, off-again deal for Crawford, with someone like 35-year-old star outfielder Hideki Matsui -- according to knowledgeable sources -- in the bait.

The Braves Almost Had a Huge Problem

The Braves came dangerously close to losing Larry Jones (Chipper Jones for those with an unfortunate sense of humor) for an extended period of time when he hit a foul ball that ricocheted off the batting cage and hit him just below his left eye.

He was immediately taken to the hospital, where a CT scan showed no fracture. He is listed as day to day and is likely to look like he got socked in the face tomorrow.

Larry leads major league baseball with a .414 batting average.

Mets Acquire Trot Nixon from D'Backs

The Mets acquired Trot Nixon from the Diamondbacks for cash or a player to be named. He had been hitting .309 with 10 homers at Triple A Tucson and will be in uniform in time for tomorrow's game.

Injuries to Moises Alou and Ryan Church left the Mets thin in the outfield, so Nixon should significant playing tisee me.

Prince Fielder And Miguel Cabrera Should Switch Diets

The Brewers Prince Fielder and the Tigers Miguel Cabrera both received National League MVP votes in 2007. It is questionable whether either will even make the All-Star game this year. A comparison of their 2007 and 2008 stats:

Fielder
2007: .288 AVG 50 HR 119 RBI
2008: .278 AVG and on pace for 27 HR 83 RBI

Cabrera
2007: .320 AVG 34 HR 119 RBI
2008: .276 AVG and on pace for 22 HR 95 RBI

What happened to these guys? The answer is simple: Fielder became a wimp and Cabrera turned into a blimp.

Before the season, Fielder announced that he had gone vegetarian after reading a book given to him by his wife, Chanel (wtf). "After reading that, [meat] just didn't sound good to me anymore," Fielder said. "It grossed me out a little bit." What a pansy. This is a guy who starred in a McDonalds commercial as a kid and now he's screwing up the circle of life by abstaining from meat.

A comparison of his home runs per at-bat in 2007 and 2008:
pre-hippy: 1 HR per 11.46 at-bats
as a hippy: 1 HR per 21.54 at-bats.

A significant decline. Perhaps this will spur some "must eat like a man" clauses in free agent contracts this winter.

On the other end of the spectrum sits Cabrera, who clearly eats anything put in front of him. His weight and fitness problems have been well documented in the past, but they just keep getting worse.

Cabrera came up as an outfielder, but the Marlins moved him to third base because of mobility problems. Several weeks into this season, the Tigers moved him to first base for the same reason. Now, there is talk of moving him to DH. The next step is presumably to ask for a courtesy runner every time he gets on base.

The solution is clear. Fielder needs to substitute some steaks for the tofu and Cabrera needs to mix in a few salads and some running in between games, or just stop eating altogether.