Chone Figgins To A's?

"The A’s are trying to acquire Chone Figgins for Kevin Kouzmanoff and perhaps a pitcher, according to Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa Times. Figgins, 33, could play third base for the A's, who missed out on free agent Adrian Beltre (MLBTradeRumors)."

Kind of interesting. It was only a year ago that Figgins was a coveted free agent after leading the league with 101 walks in 2009, stealing 42 bases and posting a .298/.395/.393 for the Angels. Yet, he fell back to Earth after signing with the Mariners (who doesn't?). His batting average went down to .259, and he walked about 30 less times (he did steal the same about of bases though). A lot of this could be due to the talent around him. Lets be honest Seattle is not exactly known for their offense. Then again, neither are the A's.

The Mariners owe Figgins $26MM through 2013 and the infielder's contract includes a vesting option for 2014, so I am a bit surprised the A's would wan to take that on. Maybe they wan Seattle to pick up some of that deal, but the A's were offering Beltre some serious cash, so maybe they got money to burn.

I have never been a Figgins fan. It could be because I hate his first name, but I also just never thought he was as good as everyone made him out to be. Plus he is now 33 years old, and so much of his game is based on speed, so I wonder how much longer he'll be good.

Figgins Going Back To Angels?

That is the rumor that rolling around today. Figgins has been somewhat of a letdown for Seattle, but he was a hell of a player for the Angels, so maybe this would be a good fit. The Mariners are obviously pretty far off from being a good team, so if they can land more prospects and get rid of the $26 million he is owed over the next three seasons that could let them go out and get some kind of power hitter in the future.

This just makes sense on so many levels. Top Seattle prospect Dustin Ackley could slide into that open spot. On top of that the Angels really wanted Crawford, but Figgins could fill that gap (at least for base stealing). Anyways, there is nothing officially, but this has to be something the Angels are looking at.

Mariners "Clear Frontrunners" For Figgins

"The Seattle Mariners have emerged as the "clear frontrunners" to sign free agent Chone Figgins, according to a reports on FoxSports.com. The website cautioned that nothing was completed, but it would not be a surprise if a deal of at least four years is completed over the next several days. The Los Angeles Angels reportedly have not offered more than a three-year deal so far, but owner Arte Moreno may authorize a late push to land Figgins (ESPN)."

In an odd way this could be good news for the Red Sox. Seattle (as DP wrote earlier) is rumored to be in the running for Bay. If they sign Figgins to a 4 year deal, they will most likely not then go out and spend top dollar for Bay's services (especially with guys like Felix about to become free agents). I could be wrong, but if he signs there I think they are out of that race, which can only improve Boston's chances of bringing their left fielder back (which I think they will).

Lowell Could Be On His Way Out

"Sunday, FoxSports.com reported that the Boston Red Sox are willing to trade third baseman Mike Lowell and eat as much as half of his $12 million salary for 2010, the final year of his contract -- citing big-league sources for the information. The news is cause for great speculation as to what is in the works for the Red Sox. This could mean they have a plan to sign Chone Figgins or Adrian Beltre, or may be willing to trade premium young players for San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, which would push Kevin Youkilis to third base. Clearly, this is a story that has many sides and could take all winter, but stay tuned, we're all over it (ESPN)."

During this time of year there are so many rumors it is hard to know what is true. That being said, this is very logical. We have been hearing the Adrian Gonazalez rumors for awhile now, but Figgins could be a very nice fallback option. I would rather have Lowell then Beltre, but Figgins would give the Sox a an extremely fast team, which I don't think they have ever had before. You would still need to bring Bay back, but if the Sox are serious about spending they can absolutely put together a better deal for Figgins then the Angels are going to be able to offer. I love Lowell, but you have to go with Figgins or Gonzalez over him.

Longoria Drops Out Of All-Star Game

"Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is out of the American League starting lineup for the All-Star game because of an infected right ring finger. He is being replaced in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game by Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who will bat seventh. Chone Figgins of the Anaheim Angels is taking Longoria's place on the AL roster (ESPN)."

I know they needed to add a 3rd baseman, but how pissed is Kinsler right now. He hands down deserves to be in this game and is passed over time and time again. Anyways, this injury isn't anything serious, so not a big deal.

Sox Take 2-0 Series Lead With 7-5 Win

The Sox came into this game with a lot of questions. How hurt is Lowell? Why is Cora playing? Will Dice-K prove he is truly an elite pitcher? Can Masterson hold down the setup spot?

A lot of those questions are still unanswered, but we did find out that J.D. Drew is still a difference maker, even after missing 6 weeks. Many (including myself) thought that his season might be over, several times during those 6 weeks. The Sox had blown the lead it was the top of the 9th. Ortiz had doubled, but Youk failed to move him over. It was a tie game, and maybe one of the more unlikely heroes comes to the plate, and hits a shot to right field, and in a blink of an eye everything the Angels and K-Rod had done all year was on the ropes. The single season save record had blown a tie game, at home, against a team that had now beaten them 11 straight times in the postseason.

The Sox jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, after a Drew RBI double, Jason Bay added a 3 run shot. It seemed like the Sox were going to be able to easily run away with this game, but Dice-K wasn't an ace. He was solid, but not an ace, and the Sox bullpen is just not good enough for anything less than 6-7 innings. Dice-K went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 8 hits with 3 walks and 5 Ks. Like I said not bad, but many Sox fans were hoping to see him take it to the next level. Thank god no one other than Teixeira, Guerrero, and Hunter can hit the ball. Those 3 combined for 8 of the Angels 11 hits. What Dice-K and the Sox bullpen did do is not give up that big inning (Dice-K is been amazing at that all season). The Angels never scored more than a run in any inning, but the chipped away at the lead. Okajima came in and the Sox were still up by 2, but Okajima let up a run, but Masterson bailed him out with a strikeout. The Sox seemed like the dodged a bullet, but in the very next inning Masterson let up a leadoff triple to Figgins. So, Papelbon came into the game (I think he should have been in there to start the inning). He got Anderson to pop out, but Teixeira hit the game tying sacrifice fly.

J.D. Drew had his heroics, but it was great to see Papelbon dominate the likes of Hunter, Matthews and Kendrick. I still have not figured out why you would have Hunter try to bunt in the 9th, but I guess the Angels are just desperate. The Sox now own a 2-0 lead in the series with Josh Beckett pitching at Fenway on Sunday. Mike Lowell will be back in the lineup, and the Sox seemed poised to put this series away.

-BMack