Baseball News

Here is the latest from around the MLB...

- The Rangers (as noted before) are shopping around Michael Young, who has asked for a trade. The problem is finding a suitor this late in the offseason. The rumors that was going around the most was that he was going to head to the Rockies, but that changed today, as the Rangers were not happy about what they were going to get back in the deal (Eric Young Jr) and the Rockies don't see to want to give anything more. The Angels were also rumored, but all they have to offer is Scott Kamir and the Rangers are said to have no interest in him. Another team was the Astros, but they have also dropped out because of the price of his contract. So right now there isn't much news on where he WILL go, only where he WON'T go. One team that I think should get involved is the Blue Jays. That just makes a lot of sense to me.

- Speaking of the Blue Jays they are looking to unload Juan Rivera. He was really traded for only to get rid of Wells contract. No word yet on who might be interested. My guess is not many.

- CC Sabathia lost 30 pounds, which should help his surgically repaired right knee.

- The Red Sox signed Alfredo Aceves for about $650K, and is basically just some starting rotation depth and he will most likely be sitting in AAA most of the year.

Michael Young Demands Out Of Texas

"After hearing his name in countless trade rumors and seeing his infield position filled by Adrian Beltre, Michael Young has "grown disillusioned with his diminished role" on the Rangers and wants out of Texas, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. According to Brown, Texas has told Young that they will push to trade him in the coming days (MLBTradeRumors)."

There had been rumors ever since the Rangers signed Beltre that Young was going to be moved. Most rumors suggest that the Rockies are the most likely landing spot, but today there are also rumors that the Angels have jumped into the mix. The Angels have had a terrible offseason, so adding a bat like Michael Young on top of Vernon Wells would certainly soften the blow. Yet would the Angels be willing to take on another overpaid player (Young is owed $48MM over the next three years)? That seems like a lot for the Angels to take on, but after then taking on Wells silly contract I guess nothing would surprise me.

Another Sign Beltre Is Going To Rangers (2 UPDATES)

Yesterday we had a post about how rumors were going around that Adrian Beltre was getting close to a deal with the Rangers. Well, it seems to have more legs today after reading what Michael Young had to say...

"Michael Young told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News "I'm willing to move to DH," so the club can sign and play Adrian Beltre at third base, a change from the veteran's original approach to switching positions for the second time in three years (ESPN)."

I hope Texas fans really love Young, because this is now the 3rd time he has had his position changed (if this is true). He has played 2nd, SS, 3rd, and now will be a DH utility guy. It really does give the Rangers some awesome depth, and if Beltre plays well this will once again be a hell of a lineup.

If Beltre does sign with the Rangers then Vlad's days there are over, and since we haven't really heard much about him in awhile it seem to point that there is something to all of this.

***UPDATE***

The Rangers are close to a six-year deal with Adrian Beltre, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Rangers are making progress and that a deal would be in the $90-100MM range (MLBTradeRumors)."

***UPDATE 2***

Done deal.

"As expected, it's a six-year deal worth $96MM according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Rangers will be able to void the sixth year if Beltre falls short of a specific number of plate appearances in years four and five combined, or just year five (MLBTradeRumors)."

Red Sox 3 Rangers 6

The Sox were up 2-1 going into the bottom of the 6th, but that is when the wheels came flying off for John Smoltz and the Red Sox. Smoltz let up 3 HRs and a total of 5 runs in the 6th inning and with the way the Red Sox offense is playing that ended the game. Before the 6th Smoltz was looking really good, but he seemed to run out of gas, and then got lit up. Michael Young, former Red Sox David Murphy, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia all went deep in the 6th.

The Red Sox have lost three in a row, the latest loss allowing the Yankees to tie them for the AL East lead. Boston has scored only six runs in those losses, and you really have to wonder what the Sox are going to do going into the trade deadline. Do you trade one of your starters? Is Smoltz going to get it going? If you trade for a bat where does he play?

All interesting questions that will be answered over the course of this month, but I have to say that the Sox are going to need to do something, because this team does lack a spark on offense...

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.

Red Sox 3 Rangers 6

Well I guess we found out what happens if Dice-K throw strike. Dice-K let up 10 hits 5 runs over 5 2/3 innings, but had 0 walks. So far Dice-k really hasn't pitched a good game this season, and with so many pitchers looking for a spot in the rotation (Smoltz, Buchholz, Bowden) you have to wonder how long the Sox are going to wait for this guy to pick up his game.

Michael Young got the Rangers off to a fast start with a solo homer off Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first inning. Cruz led a 12-hit attack with a double, triple and home run, helping the Rangers beat the Sox 6-3 on Sunday and bounce back from Lester's 6 1/3 innings of perfect pitching.

Dice-K being mediocre was not the Sox only problem. Once again this offense was painfully slow. Boston only put 4 hits on the board all game. Ortiz continue to struggle, even though he did have a hit in this game, he was immediately thrown out on a botched hit and run play.

The only real highlights in this game for the Sox were Ellsbury awesome running catch in CF (which then he had to leave with a shoulder prain), and Kotsay's HR. The loss takes the Sox out of first place in the AL East, as the Yankees are now 1/2 game up.