It's the Day Before TGIF Hot Stove

As we move closer to next week's winter meetings, things are starting to move a little bit. Here's a quick run down.

The Braves and White Sox have officially announced the Javier Vazquez deal. As expected, the White Sox will receiving shortstop Brent Lillibridge, but Jo-Jo Reyes is not included as was originally speculated. Chicago instead will get prospects- third baseman Jon Gilmore, catcher Tyler Flowers, and left-handed pitcher Santos Rodriguez. In addition to Vazquez, Atlanta picks up reliever Boone Logan.


The Shortstops are on the Move

The Padres sent Khalil Greene to the Cardinals yesterday in exchange for two minor league pitchers who have yet to be named.

Dan Graziano reports that the Tigers have acquired shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pirates. No word yet on who is going to Pittbsurgh. Both the Tigers and Wilson's agent have denied there's a deal in place.

The Giants have NOW agreed to a 2-year deal with Edgar Renteria. It comes about a month after it was originally reported and then denied.


Screw Tradition

The Red Sox are expected to hold a news conference today to announce the signing of Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa to a 3-year, $4 million deal. That according to the Boston Herald.


Burnett the Candle at Both Ends

Braves GM Frank Wren has confirmed that Atlanta has made a contract offer to free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett. Rumors have it that it's a 5-year deal, but the Atlanta Constitution speculates it's a 4-year, $60 million offer.


Rumors

The Associated Press reported that the Giants and Marlins are talking a Jonathan Sanchez for Jorge Cantu swap. Cantu's value is high again after having a bounce back 2008 season.

Casey Blake says the Twins or Dodgers can have him if they add a guaranteed third year to any new deal.


Other Signings

The Red Sox have given newly minted AL MVP Dustin Pedroia a brand spanking new 6-year, $40.5 million contract.

The Giants have finalized a deal with reliever Bob Howry, who was most recently with the Cubs. The Giants are also said to be preparing a $100 million plus offer for CC Sabathia.

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Breaking News: Giants Ink Renteria

WFAN is reporting that the San Fran Giants have signed free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria to a 2-year, $18 million deal. Renteria spent the past season, his 13th in the bigs, with the Tigers. Hit .270-10-55, scored 69 runs, and stole just 6 bases, the lowest total of his career.

Renteria is one player who seems to play, both offensively and defensively, in the National League. It looks like he'll get that chance again.

UPDATE 9:35 PM - Earlier this evening Edgar Renteria's agent Barry Meister shot down reports that Renteria and the Giants had agreed to a deal. Meister said the two sides have talked, but are not close to any deal.

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Around the Horn - 4/17

The Tigers bats have come alive. The team that was shut out 4 times already, has scored 30 runs on the last 3 games. Last night it came at the expense of reigning Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia, who has been nothing short of awful this season, and the Indians. He was banged around for 9 runs in 4 innings last night and now has a 13.50 ERA. Edgar Renteria hit a grand slam, and he and Miguel Cabrera drove in 5 runs each.

Felix Hernandez scattered 8 hits in picking up a complete game victory in the Mariners 4-2 win over the A's. The King struck out 8 and lowered his ERA to 1.47.

Gil Meche picked up his first win as the Royals held off the Angels, 3-2. The top 3 batters in the Royals lineup-Joe Gathright, Mark Grudzelienak, and Mark Teahen- went a combined 8-14.

Jim Thome broke out of his slump with career home run #510 in the White Sox 3-1 win over the Orioles. Thome's blast accounted for the all Chisox runs and gave Jose Contreras his first win of the season.

The Rangers took 14 innings to beat the Blue Jays 7-5. Former Jay, Frank Catalanotto scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. A.J. Burnett, the 9th Jays pitcher used, made his first relief appearance since 2004 and was saddled with the loss.

Mike Lamb's sac fly in the 8th inning broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Twins a 6-5 win over the Rays. Shawn Riggans, Carl Crawford, and Eric Hinske homered for Tampa.

The Cubs blasted the Reds 12-3. Geovanny Soto drove in 3 runs and Derek Lee homered to help Carlos Zambrano pick up the win. Zambrano has cut down on caffeine to help stop the muscle cramps he's been getting during games. The Cubs placed Alfonso Soriano on the 15-day DL with a strained calf.

Adam Wainwright homered and picked up his 2nd win in the Cards 5-4 triumph over the Brewers. Skip Schumaker also homered as the Cards improved to 11-4.

Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes each hit their first home runs of the year in the Mets 5-2 over the Nationals. John Maine picked up his first win and sent the Nationals to their 11th loss in 12 games.

Brandon Webb had a 2-run single and became the majors first 4-game winner in the Diamondbacks 4-1 win over the Giants. Mr. Mediocrity, Barry Zito, turned in another mediocre performance with 4 runs (3 earned) and 5 walks allowed in 6 innings.

Michael Bourn homered and Roy Oswalt picked up his first victory in the Astros 2-1 win over the Phillies.

Mike Jacobs and Luis Gonzalez homered in the Marlins 6-5 win over the Braves. Tim Hudson lasted just 3 innings in picking up his loss. Mark Hendrickson improved to 3-1 with the win.

The Dodgers thumped the Pirates 8-1. Rafael Furcal went 4-4, including a home run.

Mark Redman and four relievers limited the Padres to 3 hits in the Rockies 10-2 drubbing of San Diego. Garrett Atkins lead a 15-hit Rockies attack with 4 hits.

News and Notes

The Rays expect starting catcher Dionner Navarro to be back next week. Navarro has been on the DL since the first week of the season after cutting his hand in the Yankee Stadium visitor's dugout.

Tigers reliever Fernando Rodney got some good news. His arm has no structural damage and he can begin throwing in 3-5 days.

Mariners closer J.J. Putz threw a 41-pitch bullpen session yesterday, but there's still no target date for his return from a rib injury.

The Twins will have to wait longer for outfielder Michael Cuddyer's return than his scheduled Sunday eligibility date. His broken finger has been slow to heal.

Angels starter John Lackey is on schedule to be back in about 3 weeks.

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Breaking News: Floyd No-No Broken Up in 8th

White Sox starter Gavin Floyd took a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the Tigers, but Edgar Renteria just broke it up with a bloop single to right. Floyd came back from a 3-1 count to strike out Jacques Jones, before Renteria took a 1-1 pitch the opposite way for the Tigers first hit of the day.

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Break up the Royals

No one outside of Kansas City, and maybe not even there, picked the Royals to win the AL Central. But they're well on their way to a 162-0 season. They beat the Detroit Tigers for the 2nd straight time today, coming Edgar Renteria short of pitching a no-hitter. "Huh?", you ask.

Renteria had all 3 Tigers hits on the day, 2 of them allowed by starter Brian Bannister, who dominated the Tigers through 7 innings in a 4-0 win.

Kenny Rogers pitched well for Detroit, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings, but the Royals reached the Tigers shaky pen for 2 more.

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Tigers Acquire Renteria

The Detroit Tigers, according to Buster Olney, are players in the Alex Rodriguez sweepsstakes, but it would not include a move back to shortstop. The Tigers acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria from the Braves for rookie starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

The Braves will be handing the full time shortstop job to Yuniel Escobar.

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