MLB News and Rumors

Yankees fans across the globe have been debating on how the 2013 rotation will go. Last night, most of you read my predictions on how it will go; but there was one key factor in our organization that I left out, and his name is David Phelps. 
Phelps, 25, pitched off and on in the big leagues during the 2012 season for the Yankees. Going 4-4 with a 3.37 ERA was spectacular. But if you read my predictions on the rotation, you will notice that there is not much leeway room to shoe Phelps in. If it was up to me, Phelps would work in the pen throughout the season and be designated as a reliever. His ability to consistently start games really pressures me to give him a chance, but in my opinion i feel he would be more successful working out of the pen. The only way I could see management starting him again is if one of our existing rotation pitchers (Sabathia, Kuroda, Pettitte, Hughes, Nova) either gets hurt or starts to lose control on the mound during multiple outings. 
Overall, David P…

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Ibanez returns for another go
As if Jason Bay and Kendrys Morales weren’t enough, now the Mariners have gone out and signed Raul Ibanez. The 40-year-old returns to Seattle for his third stint with the M’s, and first since 2008.
What does Ibanez bring to the table?
Just like with Bay, Seattle is hoping Ibanez will bring some much needed power to its lineup.
Ibanez’s second stint with the Mariners—2004-2008—was an era in which Seattle was spending on free agents that “should have been something,” but weren’t. Ibanez was one of the few that “was.”
Over those five seasons Ibanez hit .291/.354/.477 with 113 home runs and 489 RBI. He was one of the few Mariners of that era that could actually hit at Safeco.
So in theory he should be even better now that the fences are moving in.
But Ibanez is still a 40-year-old, and hasn’t hit higher than .245 over his last two seasons. In that same time he’s seen his walk rate drop about 3.0 percent.
But he’s kept his power numbers up, averaging 22 home

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Edwin Jackson has chosen to sign with the Chicago Cubs. Four-years and $ 52 million are pretty good reasons. Multiple teams had interst in the 29-year-old but yesterday the bidding was between the Cubs and Texas Rangers.
In Chicago, Jackson will join a staff that includes Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija, Scott Feldman and Travis Wood. The team also has Scott Baker who should return in May.
It is quite an increase for Jackson after he took a one-year deal worth $ 11 million from Washington last season. He finished the year 10-11 with a  4.01 ERA. He was the only member of the Nationals staff to have a losing record and his ERA was the highest among anyone who made more then six starts.
The Cubs are in the second season of a rebuilding plan with general manager Jed Hoyer and team president Theo Epstein. Last season the Cubs lost 101 games, finishing with their worst record since 1966.

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The exodus of players out of Texas continues. Mike Adams has signed a two-year deal worth $ 12 million with the Philadelphia Phillies. The deal will be finalized following a physical.
Adams has been one of baseballs best relief pitchers. Over the last five seasons Adams has a 1.98 ERA while serving primarily as a setup man. He will continue that role in Philadelphia ahead of Jonathan Papelbon.
The Rangers have lost Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli and Adams this winter. Michael Young was traded by the team to the Phillies a week ago. Ryan Dempster, who was picked up in a trade last year, signed with Boston.
Philadelphia also signed pitcher John Lannan, formerly of the Washington Nationals. The contract with Lannan is for one season and is worth $ 2.5 million. Lannan spent the majority of 2012 at Triple-A but did make six starts late in the season going 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA.
Lannan will compete for the fifth rotation spot in Philadelphia which was to be filled by Vance Worley. Worely was trad…

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You can scratch the name of Hisashi Iwakuma from those who will complete in the World Baseball Classic. Instead of pitching in the WBC the Mariners’ pitcher will prepare for his second season in the major leagues. Iwakuma had a fine season for the Mariners finishing with a 3.16 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 101 strike outs in 125 1/3 innings. Recently, Iwakuma agreed to a two-year deal worth $ 14 million extension with an option for 2015. Iwakuma will make $ 6.5 million in 2013 and 2014, and his option for 2015 is worth $ 7 million with a $ 1 million buyout Iwakuma began the 2012 season in the bullpen for the Mariners but made his final 16 appearances as a starting pitcher.

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After getting traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Los Angeles Angels last season, Zack Greinke posted a 6-2 record with a 3.53 era.  Solid number for a backend rotation starter, however, he struggled at times with his command and had trouble keeping the ball low in the strike zone, which led him to give up 11 home runs in less than half a season.

His performance left some questions surrounding his ability to perform in pressure situations, but overall, he did prove to be a solid Number 3 starter for the Angels last season.

Despite some struggles, Greinke is considered one of the top free agent pitchers this offseason and will demand top dollar.

Rumors have been circulating that Greinke is reportedly seeking a 6-year, $ 150 million contract or to be commanding no lower than a 5-year, 120 million dollar contract, there is hesitation mixed with guarded optimism that Brian Cashman may diligently attempt to place him in Yankees pinstripes.

According to David Lennon of Newsday via…

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The Los Angeles Angels hold options on right handed pitchers Dan Haren ($ 15.5 million with a $ 3.5 buyout) and Ervin Santana ($ 13 million with a $ 1 million buyout) and they will have to make a decision whether to exercise it or not by Wednesday. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports, the Angels are trying to trade both pitchers instead of buying out the options. Even though both pitchers are pricey and didn’t perform well in 2012, a source close to Heyman says that trade talks are “very real.” “We’re exploring a variety of different opportunities,” Angels GM Jerry Dipoto said. The Angels will try to re-sign Zack Greinke who was a mid-season acquisition, but since he’s the top free agent starter they will probably face some fierce competition. Haren, 32, went 12-13, with a 4.33 ERA, 1.4 HR/9, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.2 SO/9 in 176.2 innings with the Angels last season. Santana, 29, went 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA, 2.0 HR/9, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.7 SO/9 in 178.0 innings for the team in 2012. Image…

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MINNEOLIS Not surprisingly, the Minnesota Twins announced Monday that they have declined the 9.25 million option on right-hander Scott Baker’s contract for the 2013 season.

Baker missed all of 2012 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He began experiencing elbow discomfort during spring training and was later shut down for the season before it even began.

During the Twins’ 99-loss season in 2011, Baker was the team’s best starting pitcher. He went 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 21 starts — including 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA before the All-Star break. But he missed time with a right flexor strain that landed him on the disabled list twice.

Even with his injury concerns last year, the Twins had hoped that Baker could help solidify an otherwise unstable starting rotation in 2012. But the 31-year-old right-hander never threw a pitch this season, and Minnesota’s rotation was shaky from Opening Day to the last game of the year.

Last week, the Twins also declined a 6 million option on relie

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