Ben Maller's MLB rumors
by FOXSports.com
Twins Delmon Young to Giants?
It wouldn't be surprising if the Twins have trade talks about moving outfielder Delmon Young to the San Francisco Giants, from whom they acquired pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. The Giants' leading home run hitter this season was catcher Bengie Molina with 16. -- Pioneer Press
Rays B.J. Upton needs shoulder surgery after playoffs
Rays CF B.J. Upton's left shoulder will still require surgery "soon after the season's over," but it's feeling better enough that he's able to take a full swing again, to pull the ball to leftfield again and to hit home runs again -- five in his first 28 at-bats of the postseason. He is the first player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to hit at least five homers in the postseason after hitting fewer than 10 in the regular season; he had nine in 531 at-bats. -- St. Petersburg Times
Braves going after Pads Jake Peavy
The Braves would love to have Jake Peavy, and are exploring what it will take to get the hard-throwing right-hander. Now, I don't know if they discussed with Padres GM Kevin Towers the parameters of a proposal yet; I don't think they have. But they've let Towers know they're interested, and he's made it clear Peavy can be had for the right price. The man is 27 years old, was a unanimous winner of the 2007 NL Cy Young Award, has averaged 192 innings and 194 strikeouts in six full seasons in the majors, and is under contract through 2011. Ace in prime. Plain and simple. Peavy will make $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. There's also a big $22-million team option for 2013, with a $4 million buyout. Other teams will surely make strong offers, too. But as I said before, the Braves have a potentially significant advantage in that Peavy is an Alabama boy, born and raised, and he and his wife and kids make their offseason home in 'Bama, not in San Diego. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Mets and A's coach Peterson up for Rangers job
Rick Peterson, who oversaw drastic pitching turnarounds with Oakland and the New York Mets, called the thought of taking on a similar challenge with the Rangers "intriguing." Peterson will interview Friday to become the club's eighth pitching coach since 2000. General manager Jon Daniels will also speak with former Rangers coaches Perry Hill (infield instructor) and Jackie Moore (bench coach) this week about rejoining the staff. In addition, former Seattle manager John McLaren (bench coach) and former Oakland coach Brad Fischer (bullpen coach) will be interviewed. The Rangers rank last in the majors with a 5.14 ERA since 2000, and a 5.37 ERA in 2008. -- Dallas Morning News
Willie Randolph headed back to Bronx?
The Yankees need a third-base coach, and Willie Randolph needs a job. So there is a chance the former Mets manager might return to The Bronx. In a move that shows the honeymoon between Joe Girardi and the Yankees is officially over, Bobby Meacham, a close friend of Girardi's, is out as third-base coach, a move that was announced yesterday. Meacham, who with bullpen coach Mike Harkey lived with Girardi in his Westchester County home during the season, was dismissed, as was special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone. Meacham was informed by GM Brian Cashman. "Joe took it like a pro," Cashman said about dismissing Girardi's friend. "He wants what is best for the team. He understands." Immediately, Randolph and Larry Bowa jumped to the top of the list as possible replacements. -- NY Post
Mets David Wright getting ready for '09
Losing a playoff berth on the final day of the season for the second straight year doesn't sit well with David Wright. The "bitter taste" of failure, as he described it, is why he's already begun his offseason workout regimen and has watched only about five innings of postseason baseball. "It's going to be a long offseason, no doubt," Wright said. "But when you fail, it pushes you and motivates you to work that much harder to make sure the same thing doesn't happen next year. You try to better yourself as much as possible." -- Newsday
Former GM John Hart doesn't get call from Mariners
It was confirmed that John Hart, the former general manager of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers and a member of several lists of potential Mariners candidates, has not been contacted by the team. Hart is a senior adviser to the Rangers, and the Mariners would have had to seek permission from the Rangers to interview him. No such permission has been sought. -- Setatle P-I
Marlins stadium deal in trouble
Some stadiums themselves are in jeopardy, opposed by taxpayers and public officials who don't think investments in sports facilities are justified in the current climate. In Florida, construction of a new ballpark for Major League Baseball's Marlins that was supposed to start this fall probably will have to wait for better economic times. Katy Sorensen, one of the commissioners of Florida's Miami-Dade County, said she expects support for the $515 million Marlins ballpark to dissipate. Florida's real-estate market is one of the hotspots in a foreclosure crisis that helped to bring down several major banks and spark a selling frenzy in global markets. Financing for the proposed stadium relies partly on bonds financed with hotel and tourism taxes. Ms. Sorensen said in the current economy it isn't clear whether the county would have enough money to cover the debt. -- Wall Street Journal
Royals paying for Dodgers Berroa
The Dodgers got enough money in the swap to pay Angel Berroa's contract. The Royals are even on the hook for the $500,000 buyout this winter if the Dodgers, as expected, decline to pick up a $5.5 million option for 2009. -- KC Star
NBC Sports boss wants to be next MLB Commish?
The buzz at the West Street Grill in tony Litchfield, Conn., is that local resident Dick Ebersol, the uber-chief of NBC Sports & Olympics, would chuck it all to be commissioner of Major League Baseball, the job now held by Bud Selig. Ebersol has been spotted lately in Connecticut for just about the first time since being tied up with the summer Games in Beijing. He's been driving the red retro-Chevy he bought last year for wife Susan Saint James to buy the newspapers each morning. -- NY Post
Indians expect Hafner to be ready for opener?
The Indians said Travis Hafner underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. James Andrews performed the 45-minute arthroscopic surgery, in which Hafner's right shoulder joint was cleaned out. Hafner will begin physical therapy at Progressive Field on Thursday, and according to the Indians, he is expected to make a full recovery by opening day 2009. The Indians open the 2009 season on April 6 in Arlington, Texas. -- News-Herald
Tigers won't let exec Avila talk with M's
Two names that had been speculated as being part of the Mariners' pool of general manager candidates are off the board. The Mariners asked for permission to interview Al Avila, the Detroit Tigers assistant GM, but were denied by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, a Mariners spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. It's not clear when the Mariners made the request. Dombrowski declined to comment, except to tell the Detroit Free Press that "Al is very happy in the Tigers organization." Avila, who has interviewed for at least three other general manager jobs, was a finalist five years ago when the Mariners hired Bill Bavasi. After the 2006 season, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch made an effort to lock up his top executives, including signing Avila to a new deal that runs through 2009. -- Seattle P-I
Brewers Maddux to Texas staff?
Texas is also considering Andy Hawkins, who replaced Mark Connor in August, and may approach Dave Wallace, now in Seattle's front office. Another option may be Mike Maddux, the brother of Greg Maddux. Maddux is now Milwaukee's pitching coach, but coached for Nolan Ryan-owned Round Rock in 2000. -- Dallas Morning News
Cards bring back entire coaching staff
The Cardinals have maintained continuity within manager Tony La Russa's coaching staff for at least another season while addressing two defections among general manager John Mozeliak's circle of advisers. The club announced Tuesday the signing of La Russa's entire staff through the 2009 season, the fifth consecutive year the staff has returned intact. A week after announcing pitching coach Dave Duncan's one-year extension with a mutual option for 2010, the Cardinals have similarly retained bench coach Joe Pettini, third-base coach Jose Oquendo, first-base coach Dave McKay, bullpen coach Marty Mason and hitting coach Hal McRae. Assistant hitting coach Mike Aldrete will also return. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Rockies' Weathers sidelined for 2009 by injury
Right-handed reliever Casey Weathers' fast track to the majors has been put on hold. The Rockies' 2007 first-round draft pick was diagnosed with "an acute tear of the ulnar collateral ligament" in his right forearm, minor league director Marc Gustafson said Tuesday. Weathers is expected to require ligament transplant surgery, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, and would miss the 2009 season in a rehabilitation program. Weathers, drafted out of Vanderbilt, was considering getting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. -- Rocky Mountain News
Reds OK despite economy
The global financial crisis and some financial challenges in Goodyear, Ariz., site of the Reds' future spring training facility, haven't affected the team's baseball operation - at least not yet. "It has not impacted anything we're doing strategically," said Dick Williams, the director of the baseball business operation. "We're just going through the final budget. Nobody's said you can't hire someone, or you can't travel here. We're making the same baseball decisions." That includes the plans for the new spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to the builders. A public groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for late November. "There are no hurdles left to clear," Williams said. "We're moving forward." -- Cincinnati Enquirer
Rays take tarps down for remaining ALCS games and World Series
Removing the tarps covering portions of the upper deck and putting some 5,700 more fans in Tropicana Field for any remaining ALCS and possible World Series games will lead to longer lines at the concessions and more crowded hallways and bathrooms. Plus, some of the seats have obstructed views and are on benches and without backs. The Rays initially resisted, saying the building "operates better" with a capacity of about 36,000, but decided, based on the intense demand for tickets and input from fans, that the tradeoff was worth it and they would benefit from the extra support. "We had put the fan experience first," team president Matt Silverman said. "We decided that the priority is to allow as many people as possible to cheer on the Rays and be part of this special season." -- St. Petersburg Times
Red Sox Big Papi 0-8 with runners in scoring position
In all eight games this postseason, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has come up to bat with at least one runner on base each game. He has one hit in 14 at-bats with one RBI. With runners in scoring position, he is 0-for-8. Ortiz hit a triple in the 13-4 loss to the Rays, breaking his 0-for-12 slide in this series. He has not hit a home run in his last 57 ALCS at-bats. -- Boston Herald
Gonzalez mulls future with Marlins
In his final at-bat of 2008, Luis Gonzalez stepped up as a pinch-hitter and tapped a routine groundout to second base in the seventh inning of the Marlins' last game of the year. Even though the five-time All-Star went down quietly, the numbers he's compiled in 18 MLB seasons speak loudly. And indications are the 41-year-old outfielder has every intention to return for a 19th season. The question is: Where? After the World Series, Gonzalez will file for free agency. He certainly would be open to returning to the Marlins, but both sides may end up moving in different directions. Asked if he plans on playing next year, Gonzalez said: "I'd like to. But I'll sit back and see what kind of options I have, and see what's right for myself and my family." -- Marlins.com
BoSox Lowell will have hip surgery Monday
Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell will have his right hip surgically repaired Monday, the timetable sped up to maximize Lowell's chances of being ready for the start of spring training in February. Lowell was told five days ago by general manager Theo Epstein that there was a 99 percent chance he would not be placed on the World Series roster should the team make it. "Once it was pretty clear that I was a longshot to be on the World Series roster," the decision was made, Lowell said. "I didn't want to drag it out and then see if it would affect me in the latter part of spring training. This allows me to have a full spring training and not be rushed." -- Boston Herald
Phils Taguchi has a shot at another Series
If the Philadelphia Phillies win one of the next three games in the National League Championship Series, there will be only one National League player who will have participated in three World Series in the last five seasons. "Oh, really? Wow!" said So Taguchi, the only current Phillies player who has a World Series championship ring to his credit. "That's not too bad. I'm a very lucky guy. But not yet." Taguchi, 39, said he assumes nothing until the Phillies win that last game, perhaps tonight here in Game 5. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Dodgers fans turning into Raiders fans?
Dodgers fans have long been known for their arrive-late-and-leave-early insouciance. Lately, they have struggled to shake a newer reputation for intemperance. Many say it's largely undeserved, and there is no disputing that security at the stadium has been up and arrests down. But even as they celebrate this season's trip to the National League Championship Series -- an unexpected run that could end with tonight's Game 5 at the stadium -- the Dodgers faithful remain blue over a perceived rise in booze-fueled hooliganism, a problem that team spokesman Charles Steinberg conceded "is not solved." "It is a high priority," Steinberg said Tuesday. "It breaks your heart when the smallest of numbers seem to ruin it for some people." He added Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are "focused" on ridding the stands of trouble-makers. "It's a family ownership and they want a family environment," Steinberg said. "You don't throw your hands in the air, and say, 'Oh well?' " At Monday's game, the Dodgers security staff had its hands full, especially in the late innings, as blood-alcohol levels climbed. Much of the unwanted action was at the "hot corners" -- the stands near the foul poles -- and in the outfield pavilions. -- LA Times
Arliss a fan of Dodger fans
Actor-writer Robert Wuhl, a season-ticket holder who was one of numerous celebrities on hand Monday, also applauded the Chavez Ravine ambience. "Dodger fans are really good fans," said Wuhl, who starred in the sports-themed "Arliss" cable series and played a coach in the movie "Bull Durham." "They're passionate fans." He was heading for the parking lot -- in the eighth inning -- when he paused near the site where Pike's two antagonists were booted. "Out of 56,000 people?" Wuhl said, referring to the attendance. "I'd like to have a crime rate like that." -- LA Times
San Francisco politician upset with Tommy Lasorda
Michela Alioto-Pier, the busybody San Francisco supervisor who called Tom Lasorda "enemy No. 1" and threatened to introduce a resolution calling for his ouster as grand marshal of the city's Italian Heritage Day parade, should be informed that the Dodgers once played host to a Willie McCovey Night at Dodger Stadium. -- LA Times
Frank White may get more air time on Royals broadcasts
Royals fans may be seeing a bit more of Frank White next season on the Royals television network, FSN Kansas City. That's because analyst Paul Splittorff is hoping to cut back on his schedule a bit. Splittorff worked about 120 of the 140-game TV schedule last season. "It'd be nice to get it to 100 or so," Splittorff said. "I don't want it to seem like I'm not interested in working. It's just that I don't want it to feel like I'm at the ballpark all the time. It was nice this season to have some breaks where I could get away three or four days in a row. That helped. "But really, I haven't talked to the Fox people about any of this. We're going to get together and chat sometime in the next week or two, I would expect." White filled in and worked with play-by-play man Ryan Lefebvre when Splittorff had time off this season. -- KC Star
Did You Know?
Nine of the 11 teams that took a 3-1 lead in the NLCS reached the World Series. Only the Cardinals of 1996 and the Cubs of 2003 fell short. -- San Diego Union-Tribune
Who Knew?
Rays are fourth team to have two games in the same postseason in which every player in the lineup got a hit:
Year Team Games
1978 Yanks ALCS 1, WS 5
2002 Giants NLDS 1, WS 2
2004 Bosox ALDS 2, ALCS 7
2008 Rays ALDS 2, ALCS 3 -- St. Petersburg Times
Who Knew?
Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson, who played for Joe Torre when the latter managed the Cardinals, is the only uniformed Phillie who was with the club in its last World Series appearance in 1993. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Steinbrenner Foundation Pledges $1 Million for MIT Stadium
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge received a $1 million pledge from the Steinbrenner Foundation for improvements to Steinbrenner Stadium. The gift will help with construction of a new entrance and pathway from Vassar Street to the stadium, as well as lighting, seating and a new press box, the foundation and the school said in a joint statement. -- Bloomberg
Top five annual average salaries for relievers
Philadelphia's Brad Lidge was signed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract in midseason, giving him the second highest annual average salary among relievers. The top five annual average salaries for relievers:
Pitcher, team Contract
Mariano Rivera, N.Y.Y. ('08-10) $45M
Brad Lidge, Phi. ('09-11) $37.5M
Joe Nathan, Min. ('08-11) $47M
Francisco Cordero, Cin. ('08-11) $46M
Billy Wagner, N.Y.M. ('06-09) $43M -- Rocky Mountain News
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
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