According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Angels are in hot pursuit of Cuban LHP Aroldis Chapman. He tweets, Angels “trying like crazy” to sign Chapman. Additionally, Juan Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel reported that Chapman told one associate that he expects to sign a new contract within the next three to four days. Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Mets are not pursuing Chapman at all. There’s no telling how much truth [...]

December 7th 1984 -  Poking hot coals from Hot Stove History The guy pitched well, but there were so many arms “on the come” throughout the Mets minor leagues and majors that Frank Cashen dealt away a good young arm in Walt Terrell on December 7th 1984. Walt Terrell had arrived via a trade from April 1, 1982. I think the Texas Rangers organization and fans realize the “April fools” joke was on them that [...]

According to Yahoo! Sports Troy Glaus and the Atlanta Braves have both agreed to a $1.75 million, one year contract Tuesday that will allow Glaus to earn an additional $2.25 million in roster bonuses and performance. After missing most of the 2009 season with the St. Louis Cardinals following right shoulder surgery, Glaus says that he is now ready to return to the field and move from third base to first for Atlanta. “I have no concerns about being able to [...]

With today’s press conference, Jason Bay has now been introduced to the New York media and to Citi Field.  So who is this man who’s supposed to be the big offensive addition to the New York Mets? Jason Raymond Bay was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2000 amateur draft by the Montreal Expos.  He was traded by then-Expos GM Omar Minaya to the Mets in 2002, although he didn’t last a full season [...]

Randy Johnson, the dominant lefthander who scared hitters and low-flying doves alike, announced his retirement from baseball after 22 seasons.  Johnson finished his career with the San Francisco Giants, the team with which he achieved his 300th career victory on June 4, 2009.  Ironically, his 300th win came against the Washington Nationals, who used to play in Montreal, which was the team Johnson made his major league debut for in 1988. Johnson’s blazing fastball and [...]

Andre Dawson finally received the call he’s been waiting nine years for.  However, he won’t be celebrating by going to Disneyworld.  Instead, he’ll be going to Cooperstown as the newest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In one of the closest votes in Hall of Fame history, Dawson was named on 77.9% of the 539 ballots cast by the members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.  His 420 votes were fifteen more [...]

I have to be honest, I didn’t think GM Omar Minaya had it in him to land Jason Bay.  I was ready to chalk up the 2010 season to rebuilding and maybe finishing in fourth place, but Minaya’s pursuit and subsequent landing of Bay to play left field for the Mets and possibly bat cleanup has changed my outlook of this team.  Not entirely, of course, but this is a solid move that injects a [...]

I fear the Fish . As currently constituted the the Marlins are a very good ball club.  They finished 87-75 in 2009 and have the potential to do better in 2010.  This is quite a feat considering they have the lowest payroll team in all of baseball.  Last year they started the season at $36M.  They have a great lineup with solid top of the rotation starting pitching.  Their main weakness is relief pitching. Starting [...]

When Jason Bay runs out to play left field for the Mets on Opening Day in April, he will be doing so with a #44 on his back.  It is the same number he wore during his season and a half in Boston.  Here’s a brief history for you on his uniform number choices. Before being traded to the Red Sox in 2008, Bay wore #38 during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He changed [...]