MLB Trade News

After months of rumors and speculation, the Marlins finally traded Jorge Cantu. They sent him to the Rangers for AA righties Evan Reed and Omar Poveda in a deal that became official this evening. The Marlins will pay $600K of the $2.2MM remaining on Cantu's salary. MLB Trade Rumors

I like this move for the Rangers whom are desperately seeking offense especially now that Ian Kinsler just hit the DL. Jorge Cantu is still reasonably young at 28 and is a solid offensive contributor (10 HR, .259 BA, 54 RBI) and can play almost every infield position. He has a lot more bats to protect him in Texas and should be a decent player. Plus my boy Scott finally gets a crack at his boy in our prestigious AL only fantasy baseball league.

Twins stabilized their bullpen by acquiring Matt Capps and $500K from the Nationals for left-hander Joe Testa and highly touted catching prospect Wilson Ramos.

Capps is a very unknown reliever due to him playing in Pittsburgh and Washington, however, he's extremely effective and is a hell of a player (3-3, 25 SV (4th), 2.80 ERA, 37 SO). John Raucsh just wasn't doing the job and is more fit for a set up man, so this should really help the twins in their final playoff push. I think they gave up a little much for a reliever. Ramos is a hell f a prospect, but obviously blocked due to Mauer. But you can't blame the Twins for going for it.

The Padres and Orioles agreed to a deal that will send Miguel Tejada and cash to San Diego for minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer. MLBtraderumors

The Padres are silently putting together a good year, and needed another bat in thier line up so getting a cheap rent a bat in Tejada isn't a bad pick up or long term investment. So far this year Tejada is hitting .260s, but going from hitting in the Orioles line up to hitting in front of Adrian Gonzalez should be beneficial.

Wynn Pelzer is seventh among all Padres prospects before the season. The 24-year-old is a power pitcher whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. As a starter, he has a 4.20 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in AA this year, but BA said he could become a closer in time.

Tejada Tipping Pitches?

"A report in the New York Times says that series of events on the field led several players to believe Tejada had been helping friends on opposing teams by tipping off pitches and by allowing balls they hit to get past him occasionally during games with lopsided scores (Sportsline)."

To me this is worse then any steroid allegation. This is direct cheating to the game. I can't pass judgement yet, because I don't have any proof to back it up other then this New York Times article. Tejada denies it...

"I've never tipped pitches," Tejada said. "I love this game and that's not the way I play it. I'm a proud player. I would never do such a thing."

I really hope he is telling the trust, but I have to admit I wonder at times. Similar allegations were made at A-Rod, so maybe this happens more then we think. Once again, I really hope this is all false...

Tejada Gets 1 Year Probation

"With an apology to Congress, baseball and the kids who looked up to him, All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada received a sentence of one year of probation Thursday for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Tejada faced possible prison time, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay issued a sentence of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine. Kay waived drug testing often required of other convicts on probation and said he wouldn't restrict the Houston Astros player's travel (Sportsline)."

Well now we know the minimum that these players that lied to Congress will get. The reason Tejada was let off easy was because he only lied about his teammates drug use and not his own. The have no evidence to say Tejada used steroids, only that he got them (which he admitted). I applaud Congress for giving him a slap on the wrist, but still making it obvious that you can't just lie to them. Now comes the big dogs with Clemens and Bonds...if convicted they will not be getting off so lightly.

Miguel Tejada Charged With Lying To Congress

"Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League MVP, has been charged with lying to Congress about steroids (Sportsline)."

Another day, another former star in trouble with Congress. Though I don't believe Congress should be wasting it's time on this kind of stuff, they do have a job to make sure that people don't lie under oath. If you aren't going to make people feel the consequences of doing so, then "being under oath" really doesn't mean anything.

**UPDATE** "Tejada is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday where he is expected to plead guilty (sportsline)." This will be the first of many...

Miguel Tejada To Sox?

ESPN Insider reports, "ESPN's Enrique Rojas writes that the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros have had conversations about shortstop Miguel Tejada.
Rojas' sources indicate that the talks have just started. Tejada told ESPN in a phone interview, "I feel good in Houston, but I wouldn't be afraid to accept the challenge of playing in Boston."

Well I would absolutely love that if that happened. Miguel Tejada is my favorite SS in the league and would make the sometime stalled Red Sox lineup that much more dangerous. I would easily give up Lowrie and Masterson for him. I don't care if Tejada is 78, the guy can still rake.