Pedro Martinez on video at cockfight?

First Michael Vick now Pedro Martinez? According to a story in the AP, Pedro Martinez is shown, in a video, at a cockfight in his native Dominican Republic.

In the Dominican, cockfighting is legal and popular, though it is banned in the United States. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sent a letter to both Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal, who invited Martinez, asking them to publicly applogize.

In a statement released through the Mets, Pedro Martinez responded: "I understand that people are upset, but this is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic. I was invited by my idol, Juan Marichal, to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant."

Padres, Clark close to a deal?

2.7.08 2:51pm PST

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the San Diego Padres are deep in contract negotiations with Clark.

2.6.08 2:52pm PST

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the San Diego Padres are in talks with former DBack Tony Clark.

Clark grew up in San Diego County and would be a great addition to the Padre clubhouse, not to mention that right-hander Chris Young wouldn't have to face Clark again. He's 4-9 against Young, all 4 hits were HR's.

Will Roberts follow Bedard, Tejada out the door?

With Erik Bedard, seemingly, a Seattle Mariner pending him taking a physical in Seattle and with Tejada now in Houston as an Astro, will Brian Roberts be the next one to go?

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles should try to get the best deal possible for the 2nd baseman. Only one problem, owner Peter Angelos has been reluctant to approve any deal involving Roberts. There was a rumored deal, last month, that was vetoed by Angelos that would have sent both Roberts and Erik Bedard to the Chicago Cubs.

Ken Rosenthal had a tid-bit about a Roberts deal yesterday afternoon, saying the Cubs and Orioles have had talks, though infrequently, over the last month but that the Orioles are asking for Felix Pie who the Cubs will not entertain moving.

Yankees Showing Interest in Kevin Mench.

The Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that the New York Yankees have interest in signing Kevin Mench to a minor league contract. Mench has spent the past season and a half in Milwaukee after getting traded by the Texas Rangers as part of the package for Carlos Lee.

Mench would serve as the 5th outfielder for the Yankees and give them a right-handed bat with pop in an outfield filled with lefties Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Bobby Abreu and switch hitter Melky Cabrera.

If signed, Mench will give new manager Joe Girardi another bench option with the newly signed Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane. Previous Manager Joe Torre was notorious for playing favorites and refusing to use bench players in certain situations. With Girardi at the helm Cashman is giving the new skipper more options and a more diverse bench to use throughout the season.

Interview with Ray Rotto

Ray Rotto covers the Giants for the San Francisco Chronicle, he stopped by to answer a few questions on the Giants and their upcoming season.


Baseball-Rumors: A lot of people seem to think that Aaron Rowand's numbers in 2007 were "ballpark created" and won't translate in a pitcher's park like AT&T Park. Do you buy into that at all?

Ray Rotto: That isn't knowable until he's played out the year. The Giants play in a park with huge gaps and only one really friendly corridor for power, and that's down the left field line.

Bonds skewed the way the park played in a number of ways, but I can't say whether Rowand will find a way to benefit or be punished by it.


Baseball-Rumors: There had been rumors floating around that the Giants had been considering a trade that would have sent Tim Lincecum to Toronto for Alex Rios. Was that deal ever close to getting done?

Ray Rotto: No, the Giants balked at the mention of Lincecum throughout, according to my sources.


Baseball-Rumors: The bullpen seemed to be a big problem for the Giants last season, is that something the Giants will address internally or could they possibly make a trade during Spring Training?

Ray Rotto: They have so little to trade, I think they'll have to troll the free agent pond and develop what they already have.


Baseball-Rumors: With Zito, Cain, Lowry and Lincecum occupying the first 4 spots in the rotation, who will be battling for the 5th spot?

Ray Rotto: Kevin Correia is the leader in the clubhouse at the moment, with Jonathan Sanchez and Pat Misch the best alternatives.


Baseball-Rumors: The negotiations with Pedro Feliz, it was rumored that the Giants had actually offered more money than the Phillies. What was the breaking point in the negotiations and who do you expect the 3rd baseman to be when 2008 opens?

Ray Rotto: I think Feliz just wanted to go, and the Giants made no real effort to stop him. He was a symbol, albeit a small one, of the old failed strategies, and bringing him back suggested a status quo nobody seemed very interested in perpetuating.

Phillies have high interest in Benson

The Philadelphia Phillies may have more interest in right-hander Kris Benson than they're saying.

According to the Philadelphia Enquirer, Benson has thrown twice in the last week for Phillies scout Chuck LaMar. Benson's agent, Greg Clifton said "Kris worked out for the Phillies, and initial reports are they were pleased. He'd love to continue discussions with them, and he'd love the chance to be part of that staff in '08. He really likes that team."

MLB Notes: Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp: Kemp is apparently very happy that the Dodgers did not trade him the past offseason. He said the rumored rift in the clubhouse that could lead to his departure was a result of "frustration" and "miscommunication."

When asked about the his thoughts about the possibility of him being traded this past offseason, he said "It's a little bit flattering, but I don't want to be on any team other than this one. This is the team that drafted me. This is the team that had faith in me to get here and this is where I want to be for the rest of my career."


Takashi Saito: The Dodgers' closer is close to signing a 1-year deal with the team and should be under contract by the time pitchers and catchers report next week.


Russell Martin: GM Ned Colletti claimed that the agent for catcher Russell Martin (Bob Garber) declined to discuss a multi-year extension with the Dodgers. When asked, Martin responded "It's not up to me and Bob, it's up to the team. If the team wants to offer something legitimate, it'd be idiotic not to look at it."


source: LA Times

Padres in talks with Tony Clark

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the San Diego Padres are in talks with former DBack Tony Clark.

Clark grew up in San Diego County and would be a great addition to the Padre clubhouse, not to mention that right-hander Chris Young wouldn't have to face Clark again. He's 4-9 against Young, all 4 hits were HR's.

David Cone to join YES Network

Former Yankee right-hander, and 4 time World Series Champion, David Cone will join the Yankees YES Network as an analyst in the final season at Yankee Stadium.

Not only will he be in the broadcast booth, but Cone will also host the "Yankees on Deck" series as well as participating in weekly chats on YESnetwork.com.

Nolan Ryan named Team President of Texas Rangers

According to a report in the AP, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan has agreed to become the Texas Rangers' Team President.

An official announcement from the Rangers has yet to be made. Until that announcement is made, it's unclear at this point how much control Ryan is going to have in personell decisions, though Ryan told a local tv station in Houston that he would have control "over all of the Rangers baseball operations."

Brewers avoid arbitration with RHP Bush

The Milwaukee Brewers came to an agreement with right-hander Dave Bush on a 1-year $2.55M contract, avoiding arbitration.

The signing of Bush leaves just one more arbitration eligible player left, SS J.J. Hardy.

Looking Forward to 2008: Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies will report to camp as the defending National League Champions for the first time in their history. The more impressive thing you ask? They've made just 1 change defensively, that was at 2nd base, signing former San Diego Padre and Atlanta Brave Marcus Giles, but he's not a lock for the job, he'll have to contend with young prospect Jayson Nix.

The one thing that the Rockies won't do next season is sneak up on anyone. They were the surprise of baseball down the stretch in 2007, making a run that noone saw coming. To say they could possibly be just as good as last season isn't much of a stretch. Though, they will have to deal with a division that is, arguably, one of the best in the bigs.

The rotation still has a potent 1-2 punch with Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis along with Jason Hirsch and Ubaldo Jimenez who will round out the front four. The 5th spot will be an interesting battle between Kip Wells, Josh Towers, Mark Redman and possibly Franklin Morales, but don't count out young right-hander Taylor Buchholz as well. Not a bad problem to have if you ask me.

The bullpen was addressed as well, adding right handers Jose Capellan and Luis Vizcaino. With those two guys in the mix, the Rockies bullpen should be just as strong as 2007, especially having a guy like Manny Corpas in the 9th inning.

Arrivals:

RHP Jose Capellan (trade with Tigers)

RHP Jose Vizcaino (free agent from Yankees)

RHP Kip Wells (free agent from Cardinals)

Departures:

RHP Denny Bautista (traded to Tigers)

INF Jamey Carroll (traded to Indians for a player to be named)

RHP LaTroy Hawkins (signed with Yankees)

2B Kazuo Matsui (signed with Astros)

Offensively, the Rockies will be able to put up runs and keep themselves in a lot of games. Led by veteran and lifetime Rockie Todd Helton, MVP Matt Holliday, SS Troy Tulowitzki (fresh off signing a 6-year extension), and returning free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba who was very close to joining the NY Mets back in December.

The Rockies have shown that you don't have to sign high priced free agents to be successful, you can build within and still be the National League Champions.

Prediction Time:

The Rockies are going to be in the hunt for the NL West title all year, no question about it. As long as Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis can pitch the way they did in 2007 and the offense keeps clicking, this is going to be a scary team to deal with.

Rockies - 93 - 69

Rockies ink Podsednik, Zambrano

The Colorado Rockies are close to finalizing their list of Spring Training invitees, their last 2 coming today as they signed both outfielder Scott Podsednik and pitcher Victor Zambrano to minor league deals.

Podsednik had 40 or more steals every year from 2003 - 2006, but injuries limited him to just 62 games in 2007, finishing with a .243 batting average and a .299 OBP. He will make $700,000 if he makes the club and $13,000 a month in Triple-A.

Zambrano came into 2007 just 2 seasons removed from Tommy John surgery, finishing 0-3 with a 10.17 ERA in 13 games including 4 starts, with the Blue Jays and Orioles. He also pitched in the minors with the Jays and Pirates as well.

Orioles have interest in Josh Fogg

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports, the Baltimore Orioles have interest in free agent right-hander Josh Fogg, especially since a void will be left if or when left-hander Erik Bedard is dealt to Seattle.

The other team that has interest in Fogg is the Minnesota Twins, especially since they dealt Johan Santana to the NY Mets.

Padres claim Nationals' Gonzalez off waivers

The San Diego Padres continue to add depth to their pitching staff with just 9 days until pitchers and catchers report to camp on February 14th.

The Padres claimed right-hander Enrique Gonzalez off waivers from the Washington Nationals. The Nationals had claimed Gonzalez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks back in September. Gonzalez finished the 2007 season in Triple-A Tucson with an 8-10 record and a 5.14 ERA in 27 starts.

Jason Bay: "I'm not saying we're terrible"

According to a story in the Chicago Tribune, Jason Bay is less than thrilled at the lack of moves made by 1st year GM Neal Huntington, especially when the team finished the 2007 season with a 68-94 record.

When asked about it, Bay said "It's pretty obvious that this group of guys is not going to get it done. "Some people think if we get to .500, that would be great, and that would be a nice pat on the back. I'm not saying we're terrible, but it's going to take a lot of things going right to do some things."

Nothing says confidence like "I'm not saying we're terrible, but."

Jays avoid arbitration with OF Rios

The Toronto Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration by signing OF Alex Rios to a 1-year $4.835M contract on Tuesday.

Rios finished the 2007 season with career highs in HR's (24) and RBI's (85), finishing with a .297 batting average.

Pirates, Sanchez agree to 2-year deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates and infielder Freddy Sanchez came to an agreement on a 2-year $11M deal, on Tuesday, with an option for 2010 that could bring the deal up to $19M total.

Sanchez got off to a very slow start in 2007 due to a knee injury that kept him out almost the entire exhibition schedule. He finished the first month batting only .224, but finished the season strong, hitting .304 with 11 HR's and 81 RBI's.

Looking Forward to 2008: Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are coming off a 2007 season that saw them tie the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the majors, knocking off the New York Yankees in the ALDS before losing to the eventual World Series Champion Red Sox in 7 games.

Will the 2008 season be much different? On paper, the Indians don't look that much different with the exception to the departures of outfielders Kenny Lofton and Trot Nixon as well as infielder Chris Gomez and the additions of Japanese pitcher Masahide Kobayashi and infielder Jamey Carroll.

Arrivals:
RHP Masahide Kobayashi
IF Jamey Carroll

Departures:
LF Kenny Lofton
RF Trot Nixon
IF Chris Gomez

With exception to that, not much has changed. The rotation still has ace and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, right-handers Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook as well as veteran Paul Byrd occupying the front 4 with Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Offensively, not much has changed either. Victor Martinez, Casey Blake, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Garko are all familiar names in the Indians' batting order. There's no question that this team has definite pop, but is also very good defensively, one of the reasons they had the kind of season they had in 2007.

The Indians will definetely face a big challenge in the AL Central from the Detroit Tigers who made some big moves in their roster, adding left-hander Dontrelle Willis and 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera who they obtained in a trade with the Florida Marlins. It should make the race for the AL Central title an interesting one between these 2 teams.

Prediction Time:

The one thing I question is, will the Indians' pitching staff make the same impact that they made in 2007, enough to keep them in front of the Detroit Tigers. Answer, yes.

Indians - 94-64

Dodgers re-sign Seanez

The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed right-handed reliever Rudy Seanez to a 1-year $550,000 guaranteed as well as $750,000 in possible bonuses.

This deal surpasses the $1.2M he made in 2007, which turned out to be a good deal for the Dodgers. Seanez appeared in 73 games, going 6-3 with a 3.79 ERA.