Late Night Hot Stove with Conan O'Brien

No clue why we called it that, but does NBC really think Conan O'Brien can bring in ratings at 11:30? Or even think he's funny?

Not too High for Lowe
Anyway, back to the hot stove. Jack Curry of the NY Times is reporting that the Mets have made an offer to Derek Lowe for $36 million over 3 years. Lowe has reportedly been looking for 5-year deal, in the neighborhood of $90 million. We've never thought much of Lowe, but after seeing what A.J. Burnett got, you can understand him wanting a similar deal.

We doubt that the Mets get Lowe with those years and that annual salary.

Marquis de Mediocre
The Cubs are sending starting pitcher Jason Marquis to the Rockies for former Yankees reliever Luis Vizcaino. That news according to the Denver Post, which stated the deal won't go through until next week. Marquis is one of the poster children for mediocre pitching.

Didn't You Get My Message?
Scott Boras has put in a call to the Dodgers regarding Manny Ramirez. Boras hadn't heard from GM Ned Colletti since December 10. With talks at a standstill, the Dodgers have been reportedly thinking about Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn as other options.

Oh, Danny Boy
The Nationals have officially inked Daniel Cabrera to a 1 year, $2.6 million contract. Cabrera had been non-tendered by the Orioles.

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Holiday Hot Stove

My Pinstripes would like to wish a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and any other holiday greeting we left out, to our loyal readers (and any newbies).

As we mentioned yesterday, we already got a great gift in the signing of Mark Teixeira. But where does that leave the rest of the market right now?

According to several sources, the Mets are deep into talks with Derek Lowe, the best starting pitcher left on the free agent market. Unable to come to an agreement with their own free agent Oliver Perez, the Mets would be wise to sign Lowe even if they have to overpay by a bit. Lowe is a much more consistent pitcher than Oliver Perez has ever been.

The Mets' current rotation consists of stud Johan Santana, John Maine, who showed a lot of wear and tear this past season, and Mike Pelfrey, who was outstanding in the second half. In addition to Lowe, the Mets should be trying to sign Ben Sheets to a 2-year deal as well unless they want to count on youngsters like Jon Niese.

Manny Being Where?
The Mets meanwhile will also not seek to sign Manny Ramirez (perhaps owner Fred Wilpon's losses in the Ponzi scheme are affecting this team more than we know) according to a team source. So where does that leave Manny?

Ramirez certainly won't be returning to Boston though the Red Sox will be looking for another bat. The Dodgers still remain the favorites to keep the "Manny being Manny" show going, but we have to think the Nationals will throw some big money out there as they are in desperate need of a crowd draw. One team we don't hear mentioned when Ramirez's name comes up is the Baltimore Orioles. Peter Angelos has always thrown money around like there's no tomorrow, and usually not in the smartest way. But if he can bring in Manny for say 3 years, it would be a great signing. Ramirez would absolutely destroy Camden Yards. He would also be able to exact vengeance on the Red Sox 19 times a year.

Who'll Don the Sox?
So where do the Red Sox turn now? Perhaps to slugging outfielder Adam Dunn. Though not the player that Teixeira is, Dunn would appeal to the Red Sox philosophy of high on-base percentage guys in the lineup. Dunn has only played 127 of his 1000 games at first base, but he could slide in there with Kevin Youkilis moving to third base. The Red Sox are concerned about Mike Lowell's hip and may try to move him, which they definitely would have done had they signed Teixeira. Youkillis meanwhile will not get a long term deal prior to spring training, according to his agent Joe Bick.

Halo there
The Angels have inserted Kendry Morales as their first baseman, for now. (Remember when Andy Phillips was "supposed" to be the Yankees regular first baseman or when Bubba Crosby was to be their regular center fielder?) We can't imagine the Angels relying on Morales to hit on a regular basis, but stranger things have happened. We also don't expect the Angels to stay out of the Manny Ramirez tug of war, even if they publicly say otherwise.

GM Tony Reagins has decided to "go with the kids" after saying the Angels would not only go after Ramirez, but wouldn't pursue Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu either. That also means that long time Angel Garrett Anderson will have to find a new home.

Anybody Home?
There are plenty of free agents out on the market that still aren't getting big time offers. Be it the economy, the wait for the bigger names to sign, or something unforeseen, there are plenty of good bats still available to all the teams in baseball.

Abreu, Burrell, Milton Bradley, Orlando Hudson, and Dunn are the top tier bats still out there. At the next two levels you have Rocco Baldelli, who feels a change in diagnosis and meds could make him more durable, Anderson, Jim Edmonds, Jason Giambi, Jeff Kent, and Ken Griffey Jr.

The two top relievers out there are Trevor Hoffman, who we see still somehow returning to the Padres, and left-hander Brian Fuentes. The Cardinals rescinded their offer for Fuentes after feeling that Fuente's reps were jerking them around.

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The Pennant Race - 9/19

Fortunes changed in both the AL East and AL Central last night when the Twins met the Rays. Tampa had a 7-4 lead and led 8-6 in the 9th. Joe Maddon used Troy Percival as a set up man in the eighth before turning things over to Dan Wheeler in the ninth. Maddon would now like a do over. Alexi Castilla hit a game tying home run and the Twins scored three more times for an 11-8 victory.

The win moved the Twins back to 1.5 games of the White Sox, while the Rays lead, over the idle Red Sox, shrunk to 1.5 games. Lost in the loss with a monster, 3-home run night by Evan Longoria.

The Dodgers maintained their 3.5 game lead in the NL West, with a 3-2, 12 inning win over the Pirates. James Loney knocked in the game winner. The Diamonbacks kept pace with a 3-2 win over the Giants, as Randy Johnson and the Dbacks pen out pitched Tim Lincecum, who went the distance for San Fran. Adam Dunn singled in the game winner in the bottom of the eighth.

The Phillies nipped the Braves 4-3 on the strength of a 2-run home run by Pat Burrell and six strong innings from Cole Hamels (14-9). Ryan Howard picked up RBI #138.

The Mets remained a half-game back, behind a big game from Johan Santana (7 IP, 1 ER), with a 7-2 win over the Nationals. Santana's battery mate, Brian Schneider, provided the power with a pair of home runs.

The Mets also added a game on their wildcard lead when the Brewers blew a 4-run lead in the ninth to the Cubs. Rookie sensation Geovany Soto hit a game tying 3-run home run and Derrek Lee singled in the game winner in the 12th for a 7-6 Cubs win. Somewhere Harry Caray was yelling, "Cubs win, Cubs win.".

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The Pennant Race - 8/13

AL EAST

The Red Sox gained a game on the the Rays with a win in one of the wildest games in recent memory. The Sox jumped out to a 10-0 first inning lead with David Ortiz hitting a pair of 3-run home runs. As the Fenway faithful were yelling, "This is wicked awesome!", the Rangers started chipping away and put up an eight spot in the fifth inning. Trailing 12-10, the Rangers responded with a 5-run sixth inning. Suddenly the Rangers had a 16-14 lead. But no lead is safe in Fenway and it always helps to bat last. The Sox battered the Rangers bullpen for four more runs in the eighth, capped off with Kevin Youkilis' second home run, a 3-run shot. Texas got one back off Jon Papelbon in the ninth, but the Red Sox held on for a 19-17 win.

The Red Sox look like they have one more loss though, Mike Lowell to the DL with a strained oblique. Shortstop Julio Lugo isn't expected back until September, so Youkilis will probably move to third base, with Sean Casey taking over at first.

Meanwhile A's rookie Gio Gonzalez picked up his first major league victory with five innings of work in Oakland's 2-1 win over Tampa. The Rays have to be concerned about their offense now with Evan Longoria out until approximately September 1, and Carl Crawford done for the season with a tendon tear in his finger. One month of Barry Bonds? A deal for Gary Sheffield?


AL CENTRAL

The White Sox leaped over the Twins and back into first place with a 9-0 white washing of the Royals. Javier Vazquez struck out 10 in eight innings to improve to 9-10. The home run happy Chisox got blasts from Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzyinski, and Nick Swisher.

Tigers owner Mike Illitch had enough of Gary Sheffield's mouth and ordered the team to put him on waivers. Sheffield responded by hitting two home runs. The Tigers look like they may also shut down Joel Zumaya with continuing arm problems.


AL WEST

The Angels won for a change, 7-3 over Seattle. K-Rod picked up his 44th save. Mark Teixeira has 10 RBI in 12 games with the Halos.


NL EAST

Mets fans and radio talking heads have been getting on Johan Santana for his habit of giving up leads as soon as the Mets get them. The two time Cy Young winner blew two leads last night, but the Mets pulled out a 4-3 win when Damion Easley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Santana earned his 10th win.

The Mets picked up a game on the Phillies, whose bullpen blew a lead late to the Dodgers. Cole Hamels departed the game with a 3-2 lead after seven innings, but Chad Durbin gave up the tying run in the eighth and J.C. Romero was tagged for a walk-off single by LA's Andre Ethier for a 4-3 loss.

The Phillies pen took another hit when it was learned that they will probably be without Tom Gordon for the rest of the year.

Hanley Ramirez's second inning 3-run home run withstood the Cardinals and a lengthy rain delay, in the Marlins' 4-3 win. Rookie Chris Volstad outpitched 13-game winner Kyle Lohse for his fourth win.


NL CENTRAL

With the Cubs and Braves rained out, the Brewers were able to gain a half-game in the standings with a 5-2 win over the Padres. Jeff Suppan pitched 4-hit ball for eight innings and Mike Cameron and Prince Fielder went deep.


NL WEST

The Diamondbacks retained their one game lead on the Dodgers with a 4-2 triumph over the Rockies. Randy Johnson earned his 10th win of the season and career win number 294. Newcomer Adam Dunn was 1-3 with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

The Arizona Republic reported that Micah Owings may be one of the players going to Cincinnati in exchange for Dunn.

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Breaking News: Diamondbacks are Dunn

The Diamondbacks have acquired outfielder Adam Dunn and cash from the Reds for pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be named later. Dunn, set to be a free agent after this season, is hitting just .233, but has 32 home runs and 74 RBI. He's also walked 80 times.

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Yankees vs. Reds - June 20

The Cincinnati Reds come to the Bronx tonight for the first time since 1976 and that forgettable (except for the fact we finally got back there) World Series. The 3-game series is the first time the two teams have met since 2003 when they played at the Great American Ball Park in Cincy. The Yankees lost the first 2 games of that series, 6-2 and 4-3, before winning in a laugher, 10-2, in the finale. Al Osuna and Mike Mussina took the losses while Jose Contreras picked up the lone win.

On to today- the Reds are struggling. They sit 8 games under .500 and 12.5 games back of the Cubs in last place in the NL Central. They are currently mired in a 5-game losing streak. This comes a season after they finished 72-90 and cost Jerry Narron his manager's job. Dusty Baker was hired to turn things around, but so far that has not happened, mainly because of the same problem most teams have. A lack of pitching.

The Reds do have some good young players to build with though. Pitcher Edinson Volquez, who starts tonight's game, was acquired in the Josh Hamilton trade. He leads the NL in ERA and strikeouts. Fellow pitcher Johnny Cueto opened the season with a 10 strikeout performance, but has had the ups and downs of most rookie seasons. And then there's super prospect Jay Bruce, who made a fantastic splash in his first dozen games in the bigs- a .457 average with 3 home runs and 11 RBI, and a 1.293 OPS. But he's come back a bit to Earth since then, going 7-42 (.167) with 1 HR and 1 RBI. They also have highly touted pitcher Homer Bailey who struggled in a brief call up.

As for the veterans, Ken Griffey Jr. is struggling with some aches and some poor hitting. He attained his 600th career home run, but is hitting just .244-7-30 and has a .746 OPS. The Reds would love to find a taker for him, but Jr. may not want to be moved, even if its a contender.

Adam Dunn is having his typical year. Mediocre average, lots of strikeouts, and lots of home runs (.228, 18, 72). So much so that Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi insulted him the other day. Dunn's 43 RBI lead the ball guy club, while Joey Votto has the highest average for a regular at just .278.

The Reds also have former Yankee Andy Phillips on their squad.

Pitching Probables for the Series

Friday: Edinson Volquez (9-2, 1.64) vs. Mike Mussina (10-4, 3.87)
Saturday: Daryl Thompson (0-0, 0.0) vs. Dan Giese (1-1, 1.23)
Sunday: Johnny Cueto (5-7, 5.19) vs. Andy Pettitte (7-5, 4.29)


Tonight's lineup via Peter Abraham:

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF

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Around the Horn - 5/20

Quite a night for the Red Sox Jon Lester. The cancer survivor had already been the winning pitcher in last year's World Series clincher, but last night he accomplished something for his own game- a complete game no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. Lester threw a career high 130 pitches, issuing 2 walks while striking out 9 as the Sox won 9-0. He walked the lead off man, Estaban German to start the 9th, but retired Tony Pena Jr. and David DeJesus on ground outs, and struck out Alberto Collaspo to seal the deal. He was mobbed his teammate and coaches while a jubilant Fenway Park crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Evan Longoria's 2-run home run in the 13th inning gave the Rays a 7-6 win over the A's. Daric Barton tripled in a run in the bottom of the 13th, but was left stranded at 3rd.

Howie Clark, A-Rod's "HA" guy, singled in the game winner in the Twins 7-6 win over the Rangers in 12 innings. Joe Mauer tied the game off of closer C.J. Wilson in the 9th with an RBI single.

Alfonso Soriano didn't drive in any runs, but rookie stand out, Geovany Soto came through with an inside the park 3-run home run against the Astros. Replays showed the Soto's should have been called a home run (seems to be an epidemic of this going on), but he made it the hard way anyway. The Cubs won it 7-2.

Yorvit Torrealba's 2-run double in the bottom of the 6th rallied the Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Giants. Jason Grilli earned his first win since being acquired by Colorado.

Blake DeWitt came up with a walk off RBI single in the Dodgers 6-5 win over the Reds. Adam Dunn homered for the 5th straight game for Cincy.

Tim Redding and 3 relievers shutout the Phillies 4-0. Lastings Milledge drove in 2 runs for the Nationals.

The Cardinals banged out 16 hits in an 8-2 win over the Padres. Red hot Ryan Ludwick hit his 4th home run in the last 3 games, and Albert Pujols smacked a pair.

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