Breaking News: Yankees' Ivan Nova to the DL

Jamie Squire

New York Yankees’ starting pitcher Ivan Nova is the latest in a very long list of pitchers to land on the 15-day disabled list. He exited Saturday’s loss, to the Tampa Bay Rays, in the fifth inning with elbow soreness. We’ve learned by the many pitchers this season to have elbow soreness that this is almost always a very bad sign. 

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My Prediction Comes True: AJ Burnett Signs with the Phillies

Honestly, I can actually say that I saw this one coming. Not to "toot my own horn" or anything, but I called the Philadelphia Phillies signing AJ Burnett just after he announced that he planned to pitch in 2014. In a previously published article, written on January 30, 2013 titled Could the Phillies be Burnett's Third Suitor?, I wrote, 

"Also possibly throwing their hat in the ring for Burnett are the, out of nowhere, Philadelphia Phillies. With a fifth spot left open in their rotation ready to be fought for at spring training, the Phillies could fill that role with Burnett, a proven starter and workhorse...Burnett could fit in not only as their much-needed reliable fifth starter, he could end up in the number two role to break up lefties Lee and Hamels."

It appears that my prediction has come to fruition. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday that Burnett, 37, had reached an agreement on a one-year, $16 million deal with Philadelphia.

Burnett had been mulling retirement for most of the off season until late January. When the announcement came out that he was not going to retire, most baseball fans and critics thought he would end up with the Baltimore Orioles. Burnett does reside in Maryland and the Orioles definitely could have used another proven, seasoned starter.

The other club reportedly in pursuit of Burnett at the time was the Tampa Bay Rays. According to a tweet by Peter Gammons on January 30, 2013,

@pgammo Orioles "all in" on AJ Burnett, Rays in, early in process

Since then the right-hander had also been linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who he played for in 2012 and 2013. He told reporters at the end of last season that he would most likely return to the Pirates as a free agent or retire. When he announced that he would pitch again, he made it clear that the team needed to be relatively close to his Maryland home. Philadelphia certainly fits that bill.

This signing couldn't have come at a better time for the Phillies as just Tuesday the team's ace, LHP Cole Hamels, told reporters that he will not be ready to start on opening day due to bicep tendinitis. He did say he remained confident that he would be able to pitch sometime in April.

Burnett is a perfect fit for the Phillies. Joining Hamels and Cliff Lee at the top of the rotation, Burnett will be able to break up the two lefties and provide extra stability in the rotation, especially now after Hamels' announcement. 

Read The rest of my article on Sports Unbiased - Your Alternative Source for Sports

So He's Not Retiring! Where will AJ Burnett end up? Maybe not where you think!

Been MIA the last couple of days due to the passing of my beloved and only son, Harry James Potter Rainwater.

Haven't felt like writing or even staying awake or staying ... how to put it delicately - or more like bluntly - not drunk. But I still have my girls - Hermione Jean Granger Rainwater, Little Kitty and my dog, Bebe - so all is not lost and I woke up this morning missing baseball with a vengeance. 

I mean it feels like in two days (where in reality I didn't miss all that much) I missed EVERYTHING ... was gonna write first about Big Papi and I will get to that eventually today. For now we are gonna go with AJ Burnett who as most know had been mulling the idea of retirement that was until yesterday. The 37 year old does intend to pitch in 2014 the question is where ... Baltimore most likely, Tampa Bay yes is in the mix ... but the Phillies? Where did that come from ... oh just a Philadelphia reporter but it makes so much sense it's scary. Well not really scary in that I'm worried about the Phils coming after my A's in the World Series, scary in the sense that it makes so much sense ... so here's a little piece I did for MLB Nation on the subject: 

Pitcher A.J. Burnett, 37, had been mulling retirement until an announcement yesterday that changed a few teams' minds on which of the handful of free agent pitchers remaining that they were looking to sign. Wednesday Burnett announced that he is still planning to pitch in 2014.

Thought by many to be a lock for the Orioles if he were to change his mind regarding retirement Burnett, who resides in Maryland after all, it now appears may have a couple other interested suitors. Another obvious team in the mix is the Tampa Bay Rays, even after avoiding arbitration and re-signing LHP David Price to a 1-year $14 million deal. The Rays actually have the capacity to keep both pitchers if they were to sign Burnett. However, a trade for Price would be more lucrative as he will become a free agent in 2015. They also have the option to wait till mid-season to shop Price for possibly an even better deal. So as the Rays have options, they are still making up their mind.

A tweet by Peter Gammons confirmed that the

Orioles are "all in" on AJ Burnett, Rays in, early in process

But also possibly throwing their hat in the ring for Burnett are the, out of nowhere, Philadelphia Phillies. With a fifth spot left open in their rotation ready to be fought for at spring training, the Phillies could fill that role with Burnett, a proven starter and workhorse. Already their rotation consists of Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick and Roberto Hernandez, all locks for the 2014 season, but to have a proven 5th starter could help solidify the aging Phillies team for at least another year.

As of Monday Phillies' general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Ryne Sandberg, were "keeping their eyes open" according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. But as of yesterday it seems they may have a vested interest in A.J. Burnett, as reported by Ryan Lawrence at PhillyNews.com.

He's got a point. Burnett could fit in not only as their much needed reliable fifth starter, he could end up in the number two role to break up lefties Lee and Hamels. Burnett who went 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, also led National League starters in strikeout and ground ball rates which would work well in Philadelphia's home run friendly ballpark. Not to mention the fact that since the Pirates let him go without a qualifying offer whichever team picks him up would be not have to give up a draft pick as compensation, unlike some other free agent starters like Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez.

With their opening day payroll still well below the $189 million luxury tax threshold the Phillies might very well be in the running with the the Orioles and Rays to be the first to try and snatch up A.J. Burnett.

Any thoughts?!?

Is Fernando Rodney the Last Hope for the Orioles, Mets? Who Will Win Out?

**IF YOU ARE READING THIS ON YOUR MOBILE & CANNOT SEE IT - TRY SWITCHING TO "VIEW ON WEB" OR "WEB VIEW" & YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IT!** (Sorry about that)

With pitchers and catchers set to report to Spring Training in just weeks, there are still teams in need of key players and the free agent pool is getting smaller by the day. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have this problem and both need to fill the same key role. They need a late-inning reliever, preferably an experienced closer.

Grant Balfour

The Orioles traded their closer Jim Johnson to Oakland then proceeded to blow off a what seemed like done-deal with former Oakland closer Grant Balfour due to medical concerns about his wrist and knee. The Mets, who have basically ignored their bullpen needs this off-season, seemed to have suddenly remembered that their closer, Bobby Parnell, is coming off of neck surgery and may be a liability in the closer role. With just a group of youngsters to back up Parnell, it seems they need a

Fernando Rodney

plan “B” as well.

For more and to find out how Fernando Rodney fits in this situation go to Sports Unbiased! - Your Site for all Sports, News, Polls and Predictions!

Garza Signs 4- year Deal with Brewers

Dominoes Start to Fall; Brewers Sign Garza to 4 Year Deal

28-year-old right-hander Matt Garza is the first domino to fall after the Tanaka signing. Everyone’s been ready for it to start happening and happening quickly as the free-agent pitchers need homes and all the teams waiting out to see if they would get Tanaka are now scrambling to get their starting rotations in order.

Honestly, the Brewers were a huge surprise in the Garza signing as they were not in the race to sign the Japanese phenom and were until today the only big league club to have yet to sign a free agent. So Garza has agreed now to a four-year, $52-million deal, pending a physical. It  is a good fit for them though to bolster their rotation. Garza started 24 games for the Texas Rangers last season and posted a 3.82 ERA.

With those numbers though do come concerns about his health. He’s had trouble the last few seasons battling a rib cage strain in 2013 and elbow issues in 2011-2012. But the physical should answer any questions there. But there are still the questions of his temper and sometimes erratic behavior. A quick and poignant example would be the tirade Garza took to on Twitter after Oakland Athletics’ second baseman Eric Sogard bunted in a run. He openly disrespected and violated the privacy of not only Sogard but of Sogard’s pregnant wife Kaycee making Garza look at best, a bit unstable. But the key factor is that they guy can pitch, period. And that is what the Brewers need.

Garza was in Milwaukee Thursday apparently to take a physical and when the contract is confirmed by the club, he will become only the fourth pitcher in Brewers history signed for at least four years. The others were Jeff Suppan, Yovani Gallardo and Ben Sheets.

Garza will join the Brewers expected starting rotation of Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Wily Peralta,Marco Estrada and Tyler Thornburg. Thornburg is likely going to be the depth in the rotation, ending up in a relief role as he is relatively new and unproven. Gallardo is entering the final year of his contract in Milwaukee and with the addition of Garza could be used as trade bait.

Garza started out his career being drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Twins in 2005 and made the big league club by 2006 after the departure of Lohse to the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007 where he was highly successful in the tough American League East Division. In 2008 he was named MVP of the American League Championship Series and in 2010 he threw a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers.

Garza is a surprising yet good addition to the Brewers. In his 3 seasons in the National League with the Chicago Cubs he went 21-18 with a 3.45 ERA. Overall in his career which includes last season with the Texas Rangers, Garza, is 67-67 with a 3.84 ERA. Hopefully for the Brewers this surprising turn of events will be beneficial as long as Garza stays healthy and off of Twitter. 

For more news check out MLB Nation

Balfour to Sign with Tampa Bay Rays

Is the " Grant Balfour Saga" Finally Over? Can the All-Star closer RAGE again? 

Fortunately for the former Oakland Athletic it appears the answer is yes! After first being rejected by the Orioles for medical reasons and just last week being in talks the Washington Nationals to possibly become their eighth-inning set up man, it was announced today that the Tampa Bay Rays are most likely the team that Balfour will end up with and he will not have to take a set up role. He will be able to pitch the inning he loves. Balfour is a closer through and through and he loves to RAGE in the ninth! According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal the contract with the Rays is for two years and $12 million, only $3 million less than his potential contract was going to be with the Baltimore Orioles.

Read more at Sports Unbiased - your site for all Sports News, Polls and Predictions

Memories of a Perfect Game!

Oakland Athletics’ pitcher, Dallas Braden, officially retired from baseball last week at only 30 years of age. Braden told the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser,

“There is nothing left in there, it’s just a shredded mess, “I left my arm on the mound at the Coliseum, and I’m OK with that. …

Upon the announcement of his retirement last week Oakland Athletics’ pitcher, Dallas Braden, reminded me of one of the best days of my life (and most certainly the best of his). While Braden had good numbers and was a solid part of the A’s starting rotation in 2010 no one expected what happened on that May afternoon in Oakland.

 It was Mother’s Day. The weather screamed baseball, it was not too hot, not too cool, a couple of clouds floated in the sky and a light breeze wafted through the Oakland Coliseum keeping those of us in the sun pleasantly comfortable. Compared to those hot days in July one might say the weather was perfect. The stadium wasn’t full, it hardly ever is in Oakland, but there was a good crowd, a lot of kids there to celebrate with their moms.

Read the rest of the story on Sports Unbiased - your site for all Sports News, Polls and Predictions (and apparently memories! LOL!)

A's Sign Free Agent Lefty Scott Kazmir to 2 Year Deal

In a surprise move the Oakland Athletics signed free-agent LHP Scott Kazmir to a two year $22 million deal Monday.  This is a gutsy move for Oakland but it is the type of acquisition Billy Beane is almost expected to make. In Kazmir, Beane found a potential star player who's market value is low. Once a promising All -Star starting pitcher, Kazmir was released by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2011 seemingly ending his baseball career.

Kazmir had a promising career debuting in 2004 at the age of 20 with the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Tampa Bay Rays), making the All Star team in 2006 and again in 2008. After a string of injuries and a drop in velocity he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in August 2009. After a decent showing for the Angels in 2009 and part of 2010 his production dropped and he was released in 2011. Not picked up by any other teams he was thus out of the major leagues at the young age of 27.

During 2012 Kazmir still clenched tightly and diligently to his major league dreams. He played independent ball that year and moved on to play in the Puerto Rican League that winter. In December 2012 he signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians, giving him an outside opportunity to make Cleveland's starting rotation.

Surprisingly, Kazmir made Cleveland's 2013 roster as their number five starter. Kazmir was 10-9 in 2013 with a 4.04 ERA, not stand out numbers but it did make him an intriguing free-agent this off season and one that the A's could afford. Not only that in 2010 Kazmir's velocity had dropped from the mid 90's to barely being able to hit the 90 mph mark. But with Cleveland in 2013 his velocity was back up to 95-96 mph, the same form as when he led the American League in strikeouts in 2007 with 239. At only 29, he is young but with two All-Star games under his belt he could be the, albeit young, veteran that they Athletics' have been seeking to lead their young rotation. The A's rotation consists now of Kazmir (29), Jarrod Parker (25), A.J. Griffin (25), Dan Straily (25) and Sonny Gray (24) with Tommy Milone (26) also in the mix for the fifth rotation spot

This of course changes a lot for the Athletics and the many predictions of what they were planning this off season. It was as recently as this week still rumored that Oakland was going to try and re-sign 40 year old Bartolo Colon who despite his age and being suspended 50 games for PED use in 2012 had two good years for the A's ending 2013 second in the American League in both wins(18) and ERA (2.65). Colon, however, was asking more than the Athletics were able to pay and it was looking as though they would lose out to other interested clubs like the Angels. The acquisition also answers the questions surrounding trading starting pitcher Brett Anderson to another team in need of good pitching who is also willing to gamble on a player with a long history of injuries. Hopefully for the Athletics that team in need will have a strong bat that they will be willing to part with.

Signing Kazmir seems like the perfect Billy Beane move. If Kazmir remains healthy and consistently reaches his optimum velocity the Athletics may just have found a young veteran and key southpaw starter to lead their young rookie rotation at a price that Oakland can afford.

Read the rest of my article on Sports Unbiased, your website for all Sports News, Polls and Predictions! (and my articles! lol)