MLB FanHouse

Options Aplenty: Lee, Webb Stay Put, Dye Bought Out by White Sox

Andrew Johnson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Diamondbacks, Phillies, White Sox, MLB Transactions

The champagne is barely dry in the Yankees clubhouse, but the business of 2010 is already well under way. Three trades are in the books, a number of players have already filed for free agency and Bobby Abreu has a new deal with the Angels.

In that vein, three clubs made decisions on contract options Friday as they held on to star players for next year. The Phillies and Diamondbacks both picked up the options they held on ace pitchers Cliff Lee and Brandon Webb, respectively, while the White Sox bought out right fielder Jermaine Dye.

Chicago's World Series MVP in 2005, Dye, who will turn 36 in January, was due to make $12 million in 2010. He'll instead receive $950,000 from the White Sox and hit the open market.

Free agency was not kind to aging corner outfielders last winter (just ask Abreu), and there is a virtual consensus that Dye can not play even an average right field anymore, but his time in Chicago was remarkably successful all the same.

He shed the durability issues that plagued him in Oakland during the first half of the decade, and was, at times (particularly in 2006 and 2008), an imposing force in Ozzie Guillen's lineup. He almost certainly will not equal on the open market in terms of annual salary what he would have made had the White Sox picked up his option, but he shouldn't have trouble finding work.

The Phillies haven't made an official announcement, but MLB.com's Todd Zolecki is reporting that they've picked up Lee's $8 million option for next season, and really there are no surprises there. Lee, who came to Philadelphia in a July deal with the Indians, was a dominant force in the postseason, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts, including both of the Phillies' wins in the World Series.

Lee can become a free agent after 2010, but Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to try to convince him to sign a long-term extension to keep him in the City of Brotherly Love before then, so think of the option as a way station on the way to the team's ultimate goal.

As for Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner was limited to a lone start this season because of ominous shoulder problems, for which he eventually had surgery. Given that Webb's option for 2010 costs $8.5 million -- a sizable chunk of mid-market Arizona's payroll, which was $73.5 million on Opening Day this year -- the Diamondbacks must be feeling pretty confident about the progress of his rehab from the procedure on his right shoulder.

"Since Brandon has recovered well from his surgery, we have decided to exercise his option," Arizona GM Josh Byrnes said in a statement. "His accomplishments for our organization have been significant. We look forward to him returning to the mound."

Options Aplenty: Lee, Webb Stay Put, Dye Bought Out by White Sox originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark Teahen Traded to Chicago

Tom Fornelli — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Royals, White Sox, AL Central, MLB Transactions

The rumors started early on Thursday morning that the Kansas City Royals had agreed to trade Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox for Chris Getz and Josh Fields. Neither team would confirm the deal throughout the day, but 24 hours later it has become official.

Teahen and cash will be heading to Chicago for Getz and Fields. While it can't be known for sure, odds are the amount of cash the White Sox will receive from the Royals for the arbitration eligible Teahen is what kept the trade from being completed for 24 hours.

Teahen could be a useful player for the White Sox as he gives them a couple of options. He can play right field and replace Jermaine Dye who became a free agent on Friday, but he can also play in the infield as well. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said during a conference call with reporters on Friday morning that the team's plan is to use Teahen at third base and move Gordon Beckham to second base.

He'll also provide a left-handed bat in a lineup that is somewhat righty-dominant in the wake of trading Jim Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Royals will be getting two players that they can use to play all the positions they had Teahen try over the last few years, and they will do so at a much cheaper price. Fields was originally supposed to be Chicago's replacement for Joe Crede after he hit 23 homers and drove in 67 runs in 2007. Since then he hasn't been nearly as productive, and it was obvious that his time in Chicago was going to come to an end at some point this offseason.

Getz will be a useful player for the Royals, though their immediate plans for him aren't clear. The 26-year-old second baseman hit .261 for Chicago in 107 games and also stole 25 bases in 27 attempts. Getz is also a solid defender at second base, so it's possible the team is planning on having him play second, with Alberto Callaspo moving to shortstop.

Mark Teahen Traded to Chicago originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ozzie Guillen Is Not a Fan of College Football in the Clubhouse

Tom Fornelli — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:49:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central

The Chicago White Sox have no chance of getting to the playoffs this season as the AL Central is only a two-horse race between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. They do have a chance to play a deciding role in who will win the division, though, since they have a few games remaining against the Tigers.

One of those games came Saturday night as Ozzie's team blew a 5-0 lead and gave up 12 straight runs to the Tigers, who were able to pick up the come-from-behind win and maintain their two-game lead on the Twins. While the loss itself didn't bother manager Ozzie Guillen all that much, the fact that his players were watching college football in the clubhouse immediately after the game sent the Sox manager on a tirade.

"If they think the season's over for them, yes," Guillen said. "If they think it's over for me, no. I want to make it clear: There's a bunch of [expletives] out there watching football games like a piece of [expletive] with no pride. By the way they [expletive] play, that's embarrassing. If you don't have pride about the way you play, get another job.

"I'm not in a pennant race, but at least I have some pride. When you get [to the clubhouse] and turn on a stupid-ass football game when those [expletive] football players don't give a [expletive] about you, that's embarrassing. We've got seven games [left]. They are going to pull their [expletive] together, period. I don't mind losing a game, but when you lose a game and you don't care about it, we are going to have a problem. To get your asses kicked like that and all of a sudden, you're watching football games? That's a bunch of [expletive]."

The White Sox show Guillen's press conferences on the scoreboard after games for fans to watch as they leave the park, but after Guillen launched into this tirade the feed was immediately pulled.

While there will be plenty of changes made to the White Sox roster this offseason, it's highly doubtful that this instance will have anything to do with the decisions made. It's hard to imagine that the White Sox will get rid of somebody just because he wanted to see what happened to Tim Tebow on Saturday night.

These just sound like the words of a man who has reached the end of his rope in a long, disappointing season.

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the clubhouse after defeating the Boston Red Sox on September 27, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won the game 4-2 to earn their 100th win of the season as well as clinching the American League Eastern Division. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mariano Rivera

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Theriot #2 of the Chicago Cubs gets ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Theriot

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants walks to the on deck circle against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pablo Sandoval

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pablo Sandoval

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Randy Winn #2 of the San Francisco Giants stands in the dugout getting ready for his next at bat during the game against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Winn

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Theriot #2 of the Chicago Cubs waits in the dugout to lead off the game before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Theriot

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Sean Marshall #45 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sean Marshall

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Brian Wilson #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Wilson

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jeremy Affeldt #41 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeremy Affeldt

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Aramis Ramirez #16 of the Chicago Cubs gets ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Aramis Ramirez

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 27: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants chases a pop up against the Chicago Cubs during the game at AT&T Park on September 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pablo Sandoval

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Ozzie Guillen Is Not a Fan of College Football in the Clubhouse originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Phils No Closer to Solving Closer Problem

Ed Price — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Brewers, Phillies, Rangers, Twins, White Sox, AL Central, MLB Injuries, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That Brad Lidge problem is back again.

Lidge on Wednesday blew a save for the 11th time -- most in the NL in 11 years -- as the Phillies lost 7-6 to the Marlins.

He entered for the bottom of the ninth, after Ross Gload's leadoff double, got two outs. But Hanley Ramirez walked, Jorge Cantu singled and Brett Carroll singled to hand Lidge the loss.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

Manager Charlie Manuel acknowledged the Phils' dilemma: With so many other contingency plans thwarted by injuries, [Ryan] Madson and Lidge are forced into the setup and closer roles. If those two succeed, the Phillies are a dangerous team. If they perform as they did last night, the team will not win another World Series.

"It's hard for us to close a game out," said Manuel, who conceded that the Madson-Lidge combination "is kind of what we've got."

Lidge spoke with a flat voice and glassy eyes. "It's incredibly frustrating," he said, clearly struggling to explain another loss. "I'm disappointed."

Lidge, who didn't blow a save all last season, has failed on five of his past 15 save chances. He has eight losses and a 7.48 ERA, worst ever for a closer (20 or more saves).

Only one pitcher ever, according to STATS LLC, has had 11 blown saves, eight relief losses and an ERA greater than 7.00: Norm Charlton for the 1997 Mariners (11 blown saves, eight relief losses, 7.27 ERA).

From the Trainer's Room ...
Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has made 97 starts this season, was found to have no structural damage in his sore left wrist, but he will sit out another three-five days after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection. Philadelphia needs Ruiz in the postseason; 37-year-old backup Paul Bako is a career .230 hitter with a .194 average in 17 playoff games.

Numbers Game ...
Milwaukee's Prince Fielder hit a two-run homer to take sole possession of the major-league lead in RBI, with 131. He can become the first Brewer to lead the NL in RBI and the first Brewer to lead the majors outright since Cecil Cooper in 1980. Another Cecil and another Fielder -- Prince's father, Cecil Fielder -- led the majors in RBI in 1990-92 for Detroit.

In Their Own Words ...
"We won our ballgames, but we also got a couple of guys hot so they can go play Detroit. I think Dye, we put him on the right track. Maybe he can take care of the Motown boys." -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team (2 1/2 games out in the AL Central) overcame two Jermaine Dye homers for an 8-6 victory over the White Sox, who face the first-place Tigers this weekend

Advance Scouting ...
Scott Feldman needs a win this afternoon at Oakland (3:35 PM ET) if he is to become Texas' first 20-game winner in 11 years. Feldman is 17-5 with, likely, three starts left. The Rangers' three 20-game winners were Ferguson Jenkins in 1974 (25-12), Kevin Brown in 1992 (21-11) and Rick Helling in 1998 (20-7). With a 12-1 road record, Feldman can become the first pitcher with 13 wins away from home since CC Sabathia in 2001.

Starting Five: Phils No Closer to Solving Closer Problem originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Kenny Williams and White Sox Coaches All Getting Extensions

Tom Fornelli — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:10:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, MLB Rumors

As a whole, the baseball season in Chicago has been a disappointment. The Cubs were expected to contend for a World Series title only to be thrown off track by injuries and Milton Bradley, while on the other side of town the White Sox have failed to exceed expectations. As is usually the case when this happens to large-market teams, wholesale changes are made.

The White Sox parted ways with Jim Thome and 2005 World Series hero Jose Contreras, and it's likely other players such as Jermaine Dye, Bobby Jenks and Paul Konerko could be following them out of town this winter. Still, that doesn't mean everybody in the White Sox organization is leaving.

General manager Kenny Williams and all of the White Sox coaching staff have either received extensions, or are working on extensions at the moment, according to a report the Chicago Sun-Times.

A source confirmed that all of the coaches that had contracts up after this season - specifically hitting coach Greg Walker, pitching coach Don Cooper, bench coach Joey Cora and first base coach Harold Baines - had or were in the process of signing extensions thought to take the staff through 2011.

There was also whispers that Williams recently inked an extension that will keep him the Sox GM through 2012 - the same length of Ozzie Guillen's deal - but Williams replied in a text that he would not comment on that.

While this announcement is not entirely unexpected, it's bound to leave some folks in Chicago upset. After all, these are the same coaches who have been around the last few years as the White Sox struggled on both offense and defense. Of course, save for Baines, they're also the same coaches who were members of Ozzie Guillen's staff when the team won the World Series in 2005.

Having that accomplishment on a resume won't do much for the remaining players from that team.

Report: Kenny Williams and White Sox Coaches All Getting Extensions originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Peavy Wins in Sox Debut

Jeff Fletcher — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Brewers, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Rangers, White Sox, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That the White Sox may be out of the playoff race, but Jake Peavy still gave them something to get excited about. Peavy made his much-anticipated White Sox debut, pitching five effective innings to beat the Royals.

Peavy gave up three runs and his command was shaky, but he consistently threw his fastball in the low 90s. He threw 73 pitches, only 20 in his last two innings.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

"Once you get out there, it's like riding a bike. It comes back to you," said Peavy. "You certainly are comfortable in that surrounding. I did some things well and some things not so well. I got a long way to go to be where I want to be."

Peavy had not been in a game since he hurt his ankle with the Padres on June 8. The White Sox got him in a shocking deal just before the July 31 deadline. Although he came back too late to help them get to the playoffs in 2009, he is signed through 2012.

From The Trainers' Room...
For the second game in a row, the Phillies' starter had to come out of the game with an injury. Fortunately for the Phillies, both pitchers say they will be OK. A day after J.A. Happ was pulled as a precaution because of a lingering side injury, Pedro Martinez came out with a neck injury. Although there may have been some concern that Martinez, who threw 130 pitches in his last outing, had been overworked, Martinez said that he actually tweaked his neck swinging the bat. He said his arm is fine.

By The Numbers...
Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder set the franchise record for RBI in a season with his 127th. Coincidentally, the man whose record he broke was in the ballpark. In the other dugout, actually. Astros manager Cecil Cooper had 126 RBI for the Brewers in 1983.

In Their Own Words...
"Wow," -- Rangers closer Frank Francisco, who could hardly believe the way his ninth inning unfolded in a victory Texas desperately needed. The Rangers led the Angels, 3-2, in the ninth, but the Angels loaded the bases with one out. Francisco went to 3-0 on Howie Kendrick, but he eventually got him to hit into a game-ending double play. The Rangers snapped a five-game losing streak and pulled within 6 1/2 games of the Angels. The Rangers have only 15 games left, but five of them are against the Angels, so they have a heartbeat. Barely.

Advance Scouting...
The Dodgers and Giants will meet for the final time this season (4:10 PM ET). The Giants, who can't afford to lose more than a couple games the rest of the way to have a realistic shot at the postseason, send Tim Lincecum to the hill against the Dodgers' Randy Wolf. The Dodgers' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is six. Depending on what the Marlins do on Sunday, the Dodgers could cut it to four.

Starting Five: Peavy Wins in Sox Debut originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jake Peavy to Start Saturday

Tom Fornelli — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, MLB Injuries

When White Sox general manager Kenny Williams pulled off a late shocker minutes before the MLB trade deadline back on July 31 to land injured starter Jake Peavy, he had two motives in mind. One was that adding Peavy, who is signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013, to his team's rotation leaves the White Sox set to contend in the AL Central for years to come. The other was that should Peavy be able to return from his ankle injury quick enough, he might be able to help the White Sox reach the playoffs this season.

Well, seeing as how it's the middle of September and the White Sox are 5 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central, it's probably too late for Peavy to make a playoff push. Still, the team isn't giving up and White Sox fans can get a sneak peak at the team's future this Saturday in Chicago when Peavy makes his White Sox debut.

''Yeah, how about that?'' Peavy said. ''I'm going to make a start.

'I'm going to get out there and compete. I expect to win on Saturday, and we'll have a few more starts and put to bed hopefully all this injury stuff or whatever it is, and I'll show up and be ready to go for next spring training.

''Stranger things have happened, and if the Sox get to the postseason, I'll be fine and ready for that as well.''

I wouldn't hold my breath on those playoff hopes, but at least Peavy's long anticipated return will give White Sox fans something to be excited about over the last few weeks. It's been pretty frustrating for both Peavy and the Sox as they've awaited his return.

Peavy was on track to return a few weeks ago but after taking a line drive off of his throwing arm in a rehab start his debut was pushed back. Then when Peavy reported no soreness in his arm at all after a bullpen session in Anaheim over the weekend in which Jake held nothing back, the team decided it was time to send him out to the mound.

If nothing else letting Peavy get some starts at US Cellular Field -- a park quite different from Petco Park -- will at least get him acclimated to his new surroundings before next season starts, and who knows, maybe the Sox will shock the world and reach the playoffs.

Yes, they're 5 1/2 games behind Detroit, but they do have six games left against the Tigers. As Peavy said, stranger things have happened.

Related: The White Sox released Bartolo Colon, out with elbow inflammation since July, on Wednesday.

Jake Peavy to Start Saturday originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Teams on Bubble Keep Hopes Alive

Ed Price — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marlins, Rays, White Sox, MLB Injuries, MLB Milestones, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
The White Sox, Rays and Marlins aren't irrelevant yet.

All three teams faced near must-win games Wednesday, and all came through -- late.

Chicago, which would have fallen eight games out in the AL Central and 4 1/2 behind second-place Minnesota, rallied against Twins closer Joe Nathan with four runs in the ninth for a 4-2 victory.

"Hopefully we start playing better and have a little more fun, at least have a little more fun," [Sox manager Ozzie] Guillen said. "You think we're out [of post-season contention]. People think we're out, just go out there and enjoy it. Hopefully things turn around."

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

Tampa Bay entered the night six games behind Boston in the AL wild-card chase. A loss would have dropped the Rays seven out with 30 to play, and they let a four-run lead turn into a tie game in the eighth inning.

Then Carlos Pena doubled, Pat Burrell singled and Evan Longoria homered, keeping alive Tampa Bay's faint hopes of repeating as AL champs.

"Everything's big now, every pitch is huge," Burrell said. "We put ourselves in that situation, and you can't be surprised by anything at this point. We have to go for it every time we step on the field. We've got a lot of ground to make up - some of which I think we're capable of doing, and we might need a little help."

Meanwhile, further south in Florida, the Marlins were letting a ninth-inning lead get away, as the Braves' Yunel Escobar homered to tie the game. But Wes Helms, who had entered in a double switch in the top of the ninth, homered with one out in the bottom of the inning.

That prevented Florida from dropping to six games out in the NL wild-card standings -- tied for fourth with the Cubs -- and three back of Atlanta.

"It felt like we won that game but we didn't," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

From the Trainer's Room ...
The same day the Rangers found out star third baseman Michael Young will be out at least two weeks with a strained hamstring, slugger Josh Hamilton had to come out of their game with a sore lower back.

Hamilton hopes to be in the lineup Friday in Cleveland. He's been receiving treatment on his back all week.

"I'm doing everything I can to make it feel better," said Hamilton, who doubled and scored before leaving. "It seems like the more I run, the worse it feels. It's good we've got a day off tomorrow."

Hamilton had been heating up, it seemed, batting .342 in August and homering Tuesday to snap an drought of 99 homerless at-bats.

Numbers Game ...
Alex Rodriguez got his 2,500th career hit Wednesday, a fifth-inning single at Baltimore. And that means A-Rod is now tied with former teammate Gary Sheffield for the fewest triples by a player with 2,500 or more hits: 27.

In Their Own Words ...
"It's been a horrible season. It's been a horrible season for me and a horrible season pretty much for everybody." -- Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, who left a 10-4 loss to the Athletics with a sore hamstring four innings after starter Brian Bannister had to depart with "shoulder fatigue."

Advance Scouting ...
In his first two starts for the Cardinals, John Smoltz drew San Diego and Washington -- the worst offense and the worst team in the National League, respectively. Thursday night he gets more of a test when St. Louis hosts Milwaukee, third in the league in runs scored (2:15 p.m. ET). Then again, Smoltz has never lost to the Brewers, going 3-0 with six saves and a 2.84 ERA in 15 appearances (five starts) against them.

Starting Five: Teams on Bubble Keep Hopes Alive originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: It's Tribe Time Now, Part 2

B. Thompson Stroud — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Dodgers, Indians, White Sox, NL West, The Dugout

As you may have read yesterday, Jim Thome was awarded to the Los Angeles Dodgers like so much sassy Sapphire, reuniting him with former Indians teammate Manny Ramirez. In the Dugout universe (which is the real universe, because we are somehow still convincing people that these are legitimate transcripts) this is big news, and in yesterday's episode the two realistically-portrayed superstars took off across the country on a bicycle built for two to rebuild the 1997 Cleveland Indians in 2009 Los Angeles and reclaim the World Series ring that was rightfully theirs.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Part 2 is after the jump.

The Dugout

	Online Host Welcome to the Chicago White Sox Chatroom!
	MannyTheTorpedoes: hey jim were in chicago isnt this where u play in riggaly field
	WordUpThome: NO MANNY THAT IS WHERE THE NORTH SIDE GUYS PLAY, WE WERE THE SOUTH SIDED GUYS
	WordUpThome: WE ARE THE WINDY CITY BOHEMIANS, REFUSING TO PERFORM AS JESTERS AT THE WHIM OF A BOURGEOISIE CHEWING GUMS MAGNATE
	MannyTheTorpedoes: do the why sogs play at
	WordUpThome: BEAUTIFUL "IRIDIUM SATELLITE LLC BASEBALL FUNCTION AT DESIGNATED LAND TRUST"
	MannyTheTorpedoes: souns beautiful
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: hey guys whats going on
	WordUpThome: HEY OTHER GUYS NOT MUCH WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP INTO
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: ohh same old same old, bein' fat, bein' the dominican sidney ponson, holding the fat part of the bat and swingin at balls with the skinny part
	MannyTheTorpedoes: were gettin the 97 inians back to gether accept as dodgers do u wan play
	WordUpThome: NO LONGER WOULD YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR OF SOUTHPAW
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: AHHHH he looks like frank thomas drank greedily from the tree of life and sprouted into a big ass dandelion
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: do the dodgers have a mascot
	WordUpThome: YES -- A SAD CLOWN WHO HAS BEEN DEAD FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: that... that's still not as scary as southpaw. i'm in
	Online Host BartoloCaribbeanCool has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers!
	BartoloCaribbeanCool: hey do you guys have any corndogs or chips or anything, i haven't eaten in the last 20 seconds
	WordUpThome: OH GREAT HE'S GOING TO EAT ALL OF OUR G*D DANG CHIPS
	Online Host Later, in the ESPN Analysis Chatroom...
	MoralOrel: What do you guys think about this hand? /shows cards
	LandPhill: uh, well, what do you think about those cards
	MoralOrel: two queens, that's pretty good
	LandPhill: that's right, Orel, and in MY opinion, I'd have to say that your hand is looking pret-ty good, especially those two queens. But the real wildcard is going to be that 4 of clubs.
	MoralOrel: What?
	CaptainMorgan: definitely
	Online Host WordUpThome and MannyTheTorpedoes have entered the chatroom.
	LandPhill: MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY
	MannyTheTorpedoes: helo
	CaptainMorgan: MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY MANNY
	MannyTheTorpedoes: lol i liek this chatrom
	WordUpThome: RELAX EVERYONE, WE HAVE COME TO RECEIVE ORAL
	MoralOrel: What's going on, fellas?
	WordUpThome: THE DODGERS ARE BECOMING THE INDIANS AND YOU ARE THE BEST DODGER THAT BECAME AN INDIAN EVER
	WordUpThome: WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A DODGER WHO BECAME AN INDIAN WHO BECAME A DODGER THAT REMINDS YOU OF INDIANS
	CaptainMorgan: did you say that was Manny? That man is Manny Ramirez? The white one? What is going on, who is that /looks down at table does anybody have any twos
	MoralOrel: Sorry guys, my playing days are long behind me. Right now I've got a busy schedule of baseball analysis to worry about.
	LandPhill: at the beginning of the season they ask you who will be good, and you go "uhhh, the reds!" and they give you money
	MoralOrel: I would not be a good Christian if I ignored my obligations here. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my INCESSANT GAMBLING
	MannyTheTorpedoes: come on oriole be a fren
	MoralOrel: Can't you just dress up John Olerud in a Dodgers uniform and say he's me?
	WordUpThome: YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT JOHN OLERUD WAS BRUTALLY SHOT IN THE HEAD
	WordUpThome: WHAT IF WE MAKE LIKE JOHN CARSON AND WOO YOU WITH A GENTLE HYMN
	MoralOrel: oh come on, that wouldn't-
	WordUpThome: I MAY NEVER MARCH IN THE INFANTRY RIDE INTO CALGARY SHOOT THE ARTILLERY I MAY NEVER SLEEP WITH THE ENEMY BUT I'M IN THE LORD'S ARMY
	WordUpThome: MANNY HELP ME OUT DO YOU KNOW ANY HYMNS THE ONLY OTHER ONE I KNOW IS ABOUT GOATS BLOOD AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE
	MannyTheTorpedoes: wade in the water
	MoralOrel: okay i'm in
	Online Host Orel Hershiser has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers!
	LandPhill: ESPN can now report that Orel Hershiser has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
	WordUpThome: NICELY DONE MANNY BUT SAVE SOME OF THAT MAGIC FOR ERIC PLUNK
	MannyTheTorpedoes: im sorry to here abou the passing of jon olaroot
	WordUpThome: JOHN OLERUD DIDN'T DIE, NO BULLET CAN PENETRATE HIS PLASTICINE EXOSKELETON
	WordUpThome: JOHN OLERUD CAN NEVER DIE, WHAT ARE YOU, NEW
	CaptainMorgan: excuse me, can one of you boys give me a lift home, i have been lost and confused for several years
	MannyTheTorpedoes: no sry tandam bike only seats 2 byeeee

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: It's Tribe Time Now, Part 2 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ChiSox Send Jose Contreras to Rockies

Andrew Johnson — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:37:00 EST

Filed under: Rockies, White Sox, MLB Transactions

A month after they shocked the baseball world by adding Jake Peavy at the non-waiver trade deadline, the White Sox dismantled part of their 2009 club, sending Jim Thome to the Dodgers and pitcher Jose Contreras to Colorado.

FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher has the details on the Thome deal and more.

As for Contreras, he represents rotation insurance for the Rockies, who have been without stalwart Aaron Cook since he injured his right shoulder on Aug. 21.

Cook figures to return at some point in September, but with Colorado knotted with the Giants atop the NL wild-card standings, it needs someone reliable to make starts in the coming weeks.

Contreras is a veteran with playoff experience. He won a World Series with Chicago in 2005, and he even has limited experience out of the bullpen. He has struggled this year, though, going 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA. The right-hander has been moderately better since the beginning of June, when he returned from a stint in the minors, going 5-8 with a 4.45 ERA.

Of course, with any pitcher moving to Colorado, there is also the Coors Field factor to worry about.

The White Sox will receive pitching prospect Brandon Hynick, who is 10-9 with a 3.83 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 155 innings this season at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

ChiSox Send Jose Contreras to Rockies originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodgers Snag Jim Thome, Jon Garland

Jeff Fletcher — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:26:00 EST

Filed under: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, White Sox, MLB Transactions

The Dodgers bolstered their rotation and lineup by acquiring Jim Thome from the White Sox and Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks, squeezing the deals in just before the deadline for both players to be eligible for Los Angeles' postseason roster.

The Dodgers reportedly sent infielder Justin Fuller to the White Sox in exchange for Thome and cash considerations. Fuller, a former 11th-round pick, was hitting .254 with four homers as a 26-year-old at Single-A, so he's not much of a prospect. The move amounts to a dump for the White Sox, while the Dodgers are looking for Thome to provide some pop to their lineup.

They acquired Garland for a player to be named.

More Coverage: Rockies Land Contreras From White Sox

Thome, 39, has hit .249 with 23 homers for the White Sox. He was the designated hitter in Chicago, so he'll obviously have to play first for the Dodgers. Thome has not played regularly in the field since 2005 with the Phillies. The Dodgers will also have to figure out how to split time with Thome and James Loney at first. Loney, 25, was hitting .275 with nine homers prior to Monday's game.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said that Thome will come off the bench.

The Garland deal was less of a surprise. The Dodgers have been looking to add a veteran presence to their rotation for a couple months. Garland, who will turn 30 later this month, is quietly one baseball's most dependable pitchers. He's 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA for the Diamondbacks, including a 3.45 ERA over his past 12 starts.

Garland ranks sixth in the majors in starts since 2002, and he's on his way to his eighth consecutive season of 30 or more starts and 190 or more innings.

Dodgers Snag Jim Thome, Jon Garland originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: Always Look On The South Side Of Life

B. Thompson Stroud — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, The Dugout

In surprisingly out of character news, Ozzie Guillen is losing his ability to remain positive in light of the unfortunate, existential things happening to the White Sox lately. They've suffered fourth walk-off losses in the last two and a half weeks, the percentages are failing, lineup changes are fruitless... basically Ozzie is standing on the dugout steps while everything else cracks and breaks and is swallowed into the Earth.

Today's Dugout takes a step back to examine the psychological reasons behind the Chicago collapse. Hey guys, it's the examined life!

The Dugout

	FrogsCrossALillibridge: /looks at index cards "Wrong."
	WordUpThome: RIGHT
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Bark."
	WordUpThome: BIGHT
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Shark."
	WordUpThome: HEY M
	Online Host OzzieOzzieOzzie has entered the chatroom.
	WordUpThome: MAN JAWS WAS NEVER MY SCENE AND I DON'T LIKE STAR WARS
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: What? What's going on in here? Jim, what has the chihuahua from Oliver and Company been telling you?
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: It's me, coach, Brent Lillibridge.
	WordUpThome: ISN'T HIS SCREEN NAME A GUT BURSTER
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: We were just doing a little word association, trying to figure out what is going on psychologically with the team.
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: I already know what's going on with the team... Murphy's Law. "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: Nothing is working and everything is falling apart. I just look at it and shake my head and say "wow, what's next."
	WordUpThome: I THOUGHT MURPHY'S LAW WAS ABOUT REVERSING NEGATIVES
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: No, that's DALE Murphy's Law.
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: I'm willing to try anything at this point, I don't want to turn into a nihilistic John Leguizamo voice
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: You haven't reached nihilism, or "Big Hurt's Law" yet, where baseball becomes anarchic and we stop wearing numbers
	WordUpThome: OR ITS COROLLARY "THE BILL RIPKEN PROPOSITION" WHEREUPONIN WE CARVE SWEAR WORDS INTO OUR BATS
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: Since when did you know so much about psychology, Rory Gilmore? All you ever do is talk
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: I'm Brent Lillibridge, skip.
	WordUpThome: WHAT BARRY PEPPER IS TRYING TO SAY IS THAT YOU SHOULD TRY WORDED ASSOCIATION
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: How does it work?
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: I say a word, and you tell me what it makes you think about, or how it makes you feel.
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: okay, let's give it a try
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: /looks at index cards "Minnesota"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: metrosexuals and trash bags
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Detroit"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: metrosexuals IN trash bags
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Cleveland"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: I should call them and see if they'll give us Grady Sizmore for a box of trash bags
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: but the wimpy ones, not the Hefty Hefty sinch sacks
	WordUpThome: DEAR LOORD NO THOSE ARE OUR BEST SACKS
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Kansas City"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: where I'm gonna go if I ever get fired from here
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: I could drag Buck O'Neil's corpse to the mound in the middle of the game, piss on his face, and they'd give me a 3 year contract extension
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Lou Piniella"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: a north side guy who I hope burns in Car Noise for all eternity
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Brian Anderson"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: stupid spear chucker
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Chicago White Sox"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: SON OF A [beep] PIECE OF [beep] sucking [BEEP] who [beep, beep] can kiss my [beep] and juggle my [beeping] [beeps]
	WordUpThome: HEY MY HOT POCKET IS READY... WAIT, NO, WAIT, YES, WAIT, NO, WAIT, YES, OKAY, YES WAIT NO, HOLD ON
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: "Ozzie Guillen"
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: seems like a nice, level-headed guy
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: /stares at index cards for several seconds
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: I'm not sure anything on these cards can help us.
	WordUpThome: PUT YOUR CHIN UPWARD, COACH -- LIKE DOO-DOO, SLUMPS HAPPEN; IF WE PULL UP OUR SOX AND PLAY HARD WE SHOULD BE OUT OF IT BY NOVEMBER
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: You're right, Jim. I'll try to stay positive. With great players like you and Roger Maris here, we're sure to come out of it.
	FrogsCrossALillibridge: my name is Brent Lillibridge, coach
	OzzieOzzieOzzie: How long did you stay in the womb before you were born? It looks like you have a teacup for a head

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: Always Look On The South Side Of Life originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Rangers' Feldman Still Rolling on Road

Jeff Fletcher — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Rangers, Rockies, White Sox, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That Scott Feldman is having a big season for the Rangers, especially on the road. Feldman beat the Twins, 3-0, on Saturday in Minnesota. Although Feldman lasted just 5 2/3 innings, the scoreless outing helped him improve to 10-1 with a 2.92 ERA on the road. Feldman has won his last six road starts, equaling Adam Wainwright for the longest streak in the majors this season.

For the season, Feldman is 14-4 with a 3.72 ERA. He has a chance to be the first Rangers pitcher to win 15 games with an ERA below 4.00 since Ken Hill went 16-10 with a 3.63 ERA in 1996.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

From The Trainers' Room...
An MRI exam of Cubs' outfielder Alfonso Soriano's left knee was negative. Soriano may have a cortisone shot, which would cost him the next three games, but he will not be placed on the disabled list.

By The Numbers...
Manny Ramirez snapped a 56-at-bat homerless drought, his longest in a Dodger uniform, with his first-inning two-run dinger on Saturday in Cincinnati. The last time Ramirez went longer without a homer was two years ago. He went 70 at-bats without a homer in August 2007, with the Red Sox. Ramirez has hit .264 with three homers in his past 34 games.

In Their Own Words...
"I watched Little League this morning -- they were playing better than we did.'' -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, after his team lost 10-0 to the Yankees. The White Sox have lost six of the past seven games, falling into third place.

Advance Scouting...
The Giants will go for the sweep of the Rockies (4:05 PM ET), which would pull them back into a tie for the wild-card lead for the first time since Aug. 9. Matt Cain takes the ball for the Giants against Jason Hammel. Cain hasn't won in his last eight starts, despite a 2.72 ERA. Hammel has pitched seven strong innings in each of his past two starts.

Starting Five: Rangers' Feldman Still Rolling on Road originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With White Sox Fading, Ozzie Guillen Can't Stay Positive Much Longer

Ed Price — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:15:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox

NEW YORK -- After the Chicago White Sox on Friday fell to third place for the first time since the morning of July 31, manager Ozzie Guillen said he is "confused."

Robinson Cano's 10th-inning, three-run homer for the Yankees sent the White Sox to their fourth walk-off loss in 16 days, Guillen said he is on the verge of no longer being "positive" about his club.

"We change lineups every night, for different reasons," Guillen said. "We try to get a lot of people playing time -- not working. I try to be positive. But meanwhile, you can't be positive too long.

"We've got a lot of games left. You never know what's going to happen. But if we continue to play the way we are, it's going to be shorter than people think -- or going to be longer than people think. It's going to be a long month for us."

Chicago is 1-4 with six games left on an 11-game trip. In Friday's loss they managed to rally from a 2-0 deficit against CC Sabathia to tie the game in the seventh, but the rally ended when Ramon Castro was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Gordon Beckham's two-out single (photo).

"Never in my life," Guillen said, "I don't remember, somebody got thrown out at the plate [running on a ] 3-2 count with two out. If you're a manager, you wonder what is going to be next. When you see that [stuff], you're shaking your head like, 'Wow. That's amazing.'

"That's the way we roll right now."

The Sox -- who in nine days have fallen from two games behind the Tigers to five out -- have gotten nothing from their big acquisitions, Jake Peavy (still on the DL) and Alex Rios (.204, three RBI, 14 strikeouts in 13 games). But their biggest issue is the bullpen.

Over the past 12 games, Chicago relievers are 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA. Lefty Randy Williams came in for the 10th inning Friday and, with two out and nobody on, walked left-handed hitter Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher on eight straight balls. Then Cano homered on a 2-2 pitch.

"I feel confused," Guillen said, "because you try to get the guys a chance to have success when you bring [them in] and evidently we don't have that. It seems like every time we go to the bullpen we scratch our heads and try to figure out [how] to match up as best we can [and] the matchup we're looking for is all wrong.

"I've got to bring [Matt] Thornton in to pitch two innings every freaking night. I'm going to kill that kid. We try to stay with the best."

With Peavy still not ready to go, Jose Contreras -- who was yanked from the rotation -- will start Saturday at Yankee Stadium (weather permitting). Contreras is 1-5 with a 6.16 ERA in his past eight starts.

"I don't have any choices," Guillen said. "Our choices in the minor leagues were not that good."

With White Sox Fading, Ozzie Guillen Can't Stay Positive Much Longer originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Phillies' Lidge Falls Off Ledge Again

Ed Price — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dodgers, Marlins, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Royals, White Sox, NL West, MLB Injuries, MLB Milestones, MLB Transactions, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That the Phillies' weakest link is Brad Lidge.

Repeating as World Series champs is going to be near impossible without an effective closer. And Lidge, perfect last year in converting save opportunities, is a mess.

Asked to hold a one-run lead last night against the Pirates, Lidge gave up a single, a wild pitch, a single and Andrew McCutchen's walk-off homer.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

Lidge had maintained through many bad outings that his pitches felt good, but tonight was different. "I didn't have anything on the ball tonight," he said.

Lidge has a 0-6 record, a 7.33 ERA and has blown three of his past seven save chances -- nine of 34 this season.

"He's our closer," [manager Charlie] Manuel said. "I've said it all over the place. That's the guy who we've got."

Lidge has surrendered 11 homers in just 46 2/3 innings, which would rank as the worst rate ever for a closer. (Rick Aguilera is the only pitcher to record 20 saves and allow more than 2.00 homers per nine innings; he did so for the 2000 Cubs and it was the last year of his career.)

From the Trainer's Room ...
For the ninth time in his career -- but the first time this year -- Nick Johnson is on the disabled list. Johnson, hitting .308 with a .962 OPS since being traded from Washington to Florida, has not played since Aug. 16 because of sore right hamstring.

Numbers Game ...
The Rockies have gained 13 1/2 games on the Dodgers in 83 days, climbing within two games of the NL West leaders with Tuesday's 10-inning, 5-4 victory. On the morning of June 4, L.A. was 37-18 and Colorado was 20-32 and in last place. Since then, the Dodgers have gone 37-34 while the Rockies have gone 52-22 to get 18 games over .500 for the first time in team history. Three weeks ago, Los Angeles had the largest lead of any first-place team; now the NL West is the tightest division.

In Their Own Words ...
"I don't know why, but I thought [Luke] Hochevar had 15 and no walks [on June 25, but it was actually 13]. So I couldn't figure out what was going on. I was wondering, 'Why are they cheering so much?' It didn't really make sense to me. I thought Hoch had 15. Obviously, I was wrong." -- Zack Greinke on the ovation he got from the Kansas City crowd when he got his 15th strikeout Tuesday night, breaking Mark Gubicza's team record

Advance Scouting ...
Tim Wakefield is scheduled to come off the disabled list tonight to start for the Red Sox against the White Sox (7:10 PM ET). Wakefield was 11-3 before going on the DL with back problems, and while his 4.31 ERA wasn't great, Boston sorely missed him in the rotation as it saw John Smoltz and Brad Penny struggle. Big question: Who catches the knuckleballs? Jason Varitek has worked with Wakefield once since 2005, but can Victor Martinez handle the floaters any better?

Starting Five: Phillies' Lidge Falls Off Ledge Again originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jake Peavy Close to Chicago Debut

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:36:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, MLB Rumors

Ever since the Chicago White Sox traded four pitchers to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy in a trade deadline shocker, they've been pretty cautious with their newest acquisition. Even though adding him to their starting rotation would be a nice boost for a team trying to reach the playoffs, they don't want to risk injuring Peavy's ankle, which he strained in June, any further.

However, after another successful rehab start in Charlotte on Monday night, Peavy's time may be drawing near.

Jose Contreras had a horrible outing for the White Sox on Monday night in Boston -- the fourth time in his last five starts in which Contreras failed to last five innings -- and it's cost him his job in Chicago's starting rotation. Which means that they have an opening this Saturday when they face the Yankees in New York. An opening which may be filled by Peavy.

Jake Peavy received plenty of work Monday night that should help achieve his goal of joining the White Sox -- perhaps as soon as Saturday at New York against Yankees ace CC Sabathia.

Peavy put runners on base in each of the five innings he worked in his third minor-league rehabilitation appearance for Triple-A Charlotte. He also absorbed a hard single off his right pitching arm on a ball hit by Wes Timmons with two out in the fifth.

"I don't know how sore my elbow will be," Peavy said. "Obviously, that could be a factor. We'll see.

In his three rehab starts Peavy has gone 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA, allowing 10 hits in twelve innings and striking out 13. Sure, it's been against minor league competition, but that's still better than what the White Sox have gotten from Contreras or their newest fifth starter, Freddy Garcia.

The White Sox may be reluctant to bring up Peavy if he can't commit to at least six innings of work in his first start, but I'm not sure how much time they can afford to waste waiting for him. They can either bring him up for Saturday and make a run at the Detroit Tigers -- Detroit leads the Central by 3.5 games -- or they can take their time and start planning for 2010.

Jake Peavy Close to Chicago Debut originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Rockies Hand Giants Crushing Defeat in 14th

Jeff Fletcher — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Giants, Mariners, Phillies, Rockies, White Sox, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That most of you probably missed one of the biggest, most entertaining baseball games of the season late Monday night. The Rockies and Giants, the top two teams in the NL wild-card race, played deep into the night, with the Rockies scoring five runs in the bottom of the 14th to win 6-4. Ryan Spilborghs' walk-off grand slam -- the first in Rockies history -- came just after Giants reliever Justin Miller had walked pitcher Adam Eaton with the bases loaded.

With the victory, the Rockies took a four-game lead in the wild-card race, their biggest of the season, and also pulled within three of the first-place Dodgers, just before Los Angeles comes to Denver to start a three-game set on Tuesday.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

For the Giants, this was arguably their toughest regular-season loss since Steve Finley's walk-off grand slam capped a seven-run ninth to eliminate the Giants and clinch the division for the Dodgers in 2004. After losing two of the first three games of the series, the Giants needed a victory to stay within close range of Colorado.

Not only did the Giants blow a three-run lead in the 14th, including that unforgivable walk to the pitcher, but they also lost Pablo Sandoval with a tight calf. He said he'd been dealing with the nagging injury for a few days, and he isn't sure if he'll play Tuesday.

Oh, the Giants also shot through seven relievers. Closer Brian Wilson, who worked 2 2/3 innings, probably won't be available for Tuesday's game against Arizona. Of course, they may not need Wilson. They're facing Dan Haren.

From The Trainers' Room...
White Sox righty Jake Peavy, rehabbing from an ankle injury, may have made his last rehab start before his White Sox debut. Although Peavy got hit in the arm by a line drive during his five scoreless innings at Triple-A, he said he was fine. That, coupled with Jose Contreras' shaky outing, has the White Sox talking about Peavy starting for Chicago on Saturday in New York.

"If (Peavy) says he's ready to give us five, six, seven (innings), that might be enough in Kenny's mind," said White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, referring to general manager Ken Williams. "But if he can't say that, we'll have to go for someone else."

By The Numbers...
The Phillies keep looking better for getting Cliff Lee instead of Roy Halladay. Both pitched on Monday. Lee improved to 5-0 with an 0.68 ERA in his five starts with the Phillies, pitching seven innings without allowing an earned run in a victory over the Mets. Meanwhile, Halladay had one of the worst starts of his career, losing to the Rays. Halladay gave up 12 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in six innings. Halladay has lost two consecutive starts, and four of his past six.

In Their Own Words...
"We were in the dugout just shaking our heads like 'this guy is unhittable.' It was just one of those days," -- A's designated hitter Jack Cust, on Mariners righty Ian Snell. Snell gave up one run in six innings. He's had three quality starts in five outings with the Mariners.

Advance Scouting...
There are four mid-week series involving two contenders. Besides the Rockies and Dodgers, who open a three-game series in Denver (8:40 PM ET), the Rangers open a series against the Yankees in New York (7:05 PM ET), and the White Sox-Red Sox (7:05 PM ET) and Tigers-Angels (10:05 PM ET) will continue their series. The best bet is the Dodgers-Rockies, since those teams are actually fighting each other, and only three games apart.

Starting Five: Rockies Hand Giants Crushing Defeat in 14th originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Smoltz Dominates In Cardinal Debut

Jeff Fletcher — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, Red Sox, Rockies, Tigers, White Sox, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That John Smoltz proved he hasn't lost it. Either that or the Padres' offense is much worse than anything Smoltz faced in the American League. Actually, it's probably a little of both.

Smoltz, in his first start with the Cardinals after being released by the Red Sox, pitched five scoreless innings to beat the Padres. He struck out nine, including seven in a row.

"I felt really good," Smoltz said. "I made a conscious decision coming into this start to forget everything else, totally wipe out everything else, and try to go have a little bit of fun and not be caught up in story line and impressing everybody, and it worked."

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

From The Trainers' Room...
Rockies' outfielder Carlos Gonzalez made a catch that cost him a game, but ended up helping the Rockies win. Gonzalez caught a steak knife as he fell off a counter in his kitchen on Saturday night, but the blade cut the palm of his hand, resulting in a wound that required one stitch to close. With Gonzalez out of the lineup, perhaps for a week, Seth Smith got the start in left field. Smith hit a go-ahead two-run homer to lead the Rockies to a 4-2 victory over the Giants.

By The Numbers...
Red Sox righty Josh Beckett had an unusual start against the Yankees. He gave up runs in each of the first five innings for the first time in his career, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He'd given up runs in 10 consecutive innings, dating to his previous start. Still, Beckett lasted eight innings. He became the first pitcher since Carlos Silva in 2006 to allow eight runs and pitch eight innings. The last Boston pitcher to do that was Tim Wakefield in 1996. Beckett also allowed five homers for the first time in his career.

In Their Own Words...
"It's just one of those little funks I'm in. Obviously, I need to come out of it sooner than later." -- White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle, after losing to the Orioles on Sunday. Buehrle is 0-4 with a 6.21 ERA in six starts since his perfect game.

Advance Scouting...
The Tigers and Angels, a pair of teams steaming toward the playoffs, will start a three-game series in Anaheim (10:05 PM ET). Detroit ace Justin Verlander faces the Angels' Jered Weaver. The Tigers, who just lost two of three in Oakland, have a 25-38 record on the road, worst in the majors among teams that are over .500 for the season.

Starting Five: Smoltz Dominates In Cardinal Debut originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: Jim Passes Reggie

B. Thompson Stroud — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: White Sox, AL Central, MLB Milestones, The Dugout

URL-eponymous Dugout star Jim Thome reached another in a series of milestones last night, when he launched a Jeremy Guthrie pitch 412 feet to dead center. That home run was number 564, moving him ahead of Reggie Jackson on the all-time list. Thome, a week shy of his 39th birthday, passed Mike Schmidt earlier this season and continues hitting balls as high and as far as they will go in the patented AL Central "losing effort."

To us, nothing Jim Thome does is a losing effort. We love you, Jimbo, congratulations! Today's Dugout is after the jump.

The Dugout

	OctobersGuy: Maybe you heard... just a little crack is okay. Maybe you heard, cocaine can't really hurt you.
	WordUpThome: WHERE WOULD I HAVE HEARD THOSE THINGS
	OctobersGuy: Well you heard wrong.
	WordUpThome: HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE, I HAVE ALWAYS DARED! TO RESIST DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
	WordUpThome: COULD THIS OLD DARE BEAR HAVE BEEN MIS-LEAD BY THE CARTOON ALL STARS TO THE RESCUE; WOULD GARFIELD CAT AND MICHAEL ANGELO LIE TO ME
	OctobersGuy: There's no home run on cocaine. Y'get me? Are you listening?
	WordUpThome: I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY THE CARTOON RESERVES DID NOT ALSO COME TOWARD THE RESCUE
	WordUpThome: DID BOSKO AND COOKIE AND CHANCE FURLONG FROM SWAT CATS THE RADICAL SQUADRON NOT CARE ABOUT MICHAEL'S SMOKING
	OctobersGuy: Just a little bit of crack, or cocaine, can be addictive or even kill you. That's the real truth. The lie is: it's the OTHER guy who's going to die.
	WordUpThome: NO DISRESPECT MEANT REDGE BUT DIDN'T YOU TRY TO ASSASSINATE THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
	OctobersGuy: that was just a movie, Jim.
	WordUpThome: BUT IT WAS BASED ON REAL EVENTS, LIKE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 1 THE LEGEND BEGINS
	WordUpThome: ARE YOU AWARE OF HOW YOUR ACTIONS INADVERTENTLY RUINED THE DAY OF RENOWNED OPERA SINGER ENRICO PALLAZZO
	OctobersGuy: What did you want to talk to me about?
	WordUpThome: WASN'T OJAY SIMPSON IN THE FILM AS WELL, THE TALL FROSTY ALLEGED SLAYER OF NICOLE BROWNED SIMPSON AND WRONG OLDMAN
	WordUpThome: I HAD NO IDEA THE NAKED GUN WAS SO FULL OF MURDERS
	WordUpThome: OH
	WordUpThome: HEY REGGIE JACKSON THIS IS JI
	OctobersGuy: Hi, Jim. What did you want to talk to me about?
	WordUpThome: JIM THOME
	OctobersGuy: Does this have anything to do with you passing me on the all-time home run list?
	WordUpThome: INDUBITABLY OLD CHAMP, DINGER 564 WAS DONGED LAST NIGHT, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WEREN'T GOING TO SHOOT A GUN AT ME ABOUT IT
	OctobersGuy: No, of course not. I was just talking to Jim Rice about this the other day.
	OctobersGuy: Today's players are so disrespectful... we didn't have the baggy uniforms, or the dreadlocks. The guys playing now just couldn't compare to us.
	OctobersGuy: you see guys like A-Rod, guys like Manny... bottom feeding, bohemian loudmouths like Derek Jeter with their bongos and patchouli and devil may care attitudes
	OctobersGuy: No, the list of players I will not fall under the control of Ricardo Montalbán and shoot for passing me are two Mariners and you, Jim.
	WordUpThome: THAT IS NICE BUT, UH, HAVE YOU EVER ACTUALLY SEEN DEREK JETER
	WordUpThome: THAT GUY IS SO WHITE BREAD AND BORING HE MAKES EVEN A DOWN-HOMER LIKE MYSELF FEEL LIKE DOLERMITE
	WordUpThome: I AM PRETTY SURE YOU COULD EAT SODA OFF OF HIS NETHER-REGIONS AND NOT GET SICK
	OctobersGuy: Jeter is the one with the skateboard, yes?
	WordUpThome: WHAT
	WordUpThome: WHY NOT CAST ASPERSIONS ON DAVID WRIGHT, THAT GUY IS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE MULAN ROGUE
	WordUpThome: HE IS ONE CLOWN MAKEUPS AWAY FROM BEING TOULOUSE LAUTREC
	OctobersGuy: when you're as old as me, everything seems awful and inflammatory, even the stuff you're used to... 2 + 2 = 4 comes off like the soundtrack to "HAIR" to me
	OctobersGuy: just keep hitting your dingers and pass as many of us as you can before you're through
	WordUpThome: I WILL, JACKO, THANK YOU
	WordUpThome: ALL RIGHT, WHO IS NEXT /types in AOL keyword: "all-time home run list"
	Raffi: I have never used cocaine. PERIOD.
	WordUpThome: OH GREAT, THIS GUY

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: Jim Passes Reggie originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Fifth Team in 7 Years, Has Javier Vazquez Finally Found Home?

Ed Price — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Braves, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Yankees

NEW YORK -- Maybe Javier Vazquez has finally found a home.

Despite remarkable consistency, Vazquez has been traded four times in the past six years and has made 100 starts for just one of the five franchises for which he has played.

The latest is Atlanta, where Vazquez is having a strong but somewhat overlooked season.

"I love it here," Vazquez told FanHouse. "It was always a place that I saw myself playing one day. It never happened until this year, but I'm happy it did."

The Braves seem just as happy to have him.

"I always thought that he would look good in a Brave uniform," Chipper Jones said. "I always wanted to have him on this club because he knew how to pitch. He's not a guy with overpowering stuff but he knows how to pitch. He can get big strikeouts when you need it, which is important. I've been very impressed.

"People have said, with the Yankees and with the White Sox that he just wasn't getting the job done, but man he's done nothing but pitch lights out all year for us."

Pitchers with most consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and 150-plus strikeouts:
Pitcher	Seasons
Steve Carlton	18 (1967-84)
Don Sutton	13 (1966-78)
Tom Seaver	12 (1967-78)
Walter Johnson	11 (1908-18)
Jim Bunning	11 (1957-67)
Mickey Lolich	11 (1964-74)
Don Drysdale	10 (1959-68)
Gaylord Perry	10 (1966-75)
Roger Clemens	10 (1996-05)
Javier Vazquez	10 (2000-09)
Source: Elias and baseball-reference.com

Vazquez, scheduled to start Friday night against the Marlins, is 10th in the National League in ERA (2.99), second in strikeouts (178), eighth in innings pitched (162 1/3) and eighth in average allowed (.225). But he is also just 10-8 because the Braves have scored two runs or fewer in nine of his 24 starts.

Said Atlanta manager Bobby Cox, who's had a few good pitchers on his staffs: "He's got everything going for him -- great athlete, he hits, he fields, he hold runners, every pitch is above average, he's always been among the strikeout leaders and he's a professional. He's focused and goes to the post every fifth day."

His 1,358 strikeouts since the start of the 2003 season are more than anyone but Johan Santana. And Vazquez is just the 10th pitcher ever with 10 straight seasons of double-digit wins and 150 or more strikeouts, and the other nine includes eight Hall of Famers and Roger Clemens (see chart).

"The consistency, I guess, is something that I pride myself in," Vazquez said.

And Vazquez's character has never been questioned. He is intelligent, well-respected by teammates and, as agent Seth Levinson put it, "truly one of the very best people we have ever known."

So why has Vazquez bounced around so much?

"You always want to stay in a place," Vazquez said. "Also you understand that you can get traded at any time. Sometimes you get traded and you don't want to be traded. Sometimes you get traded and you want to be traded.

"People see us making lots of money but they never realize you've got a family, you've got kids. You'd like to stay in a place. But when you want to be a professional athlete you understand that is something that's going to come with the territory."

Vazquez came up with the Expos, who traded him to the Yankees after the 2003 season, a year before he was eligible for free agency. The trade included a four-year contract for Vazquez.

But after the 2004 ALCS collapse and Vazquez's rough second half, the Yankees dealt him to the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson. Except Vazquez didn't want to be that far west; he felt it was important to be on the East Coast so he could get home to Puerto Rico as often as possible.

After a year with Arizona, Vazquez exercised his right to demand a trade, and that got him to the White Sox in December 2005. After one year in Chicago, he signed another extension, for 2008-10 (with a no-trade clause that allowed him to veto any deal sending him to the West).

But the White Sox wanted to move his salary last winter, so they sent him to the Braves for a package of minor-leaguers.

"I liked Chicago and I still do," Vazquez said. "But now I'm here and hopefully I'll be here for a few years."

Maybe so. Atlanta general manager Frank Wren declined comment, and Levinson said in an e-mail, "Javy loves Atlanta but it remains to be seen whether he will be with the Braves long-term."

Said Vazquez: "I've never been a free agent. ... I've never really chosen a place myself. But definitely Atlanta was always a place I was interested in playing.

"So far I think I've had a pretty good career. And we'll see what happens."

On Fifth Team in 7 Years, Has Javier Vazquez Finally Found Home? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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