Red Sox Looks to Build Depth

Peter Gammons reports that the Red Sox are close to signing Rocco Baldelli. The added right-handed bat will also give the Sox more depth in the outfield.

The Boston Globe has now chimed in the John Smoltz situation and also feels the Sox are close to inking him to a 1 year, $5.5 million deal.

UPDATE 2:33 EST 1/8 - It's official, the Red Sox have brought in Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli. The former Ray is believe have received a minimal amount of guaranteed money with large incentive clauses.

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Around the Horn - 6/11

From the injury front:

Braves pitcher John Smoltz's shoulder surgery revealed a torn labrum. It will be a long road back if he decides to return. The Braves got more bad news when starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens stumbled on a stairway and sprained his ankle. He's been scratched from his start today. And Tom Glavine has been put on the 15-day DL with a sore left elbow.

Mariners closers J.J. Putz had to leave this afternoon's game with the Blue Jays in the 9th inning due to a sore arm. Putz missed significant time earlier this season with a rib cage injury.

Blue Jays outfielder Shannon Stewart will be out at least a couple of weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The Padres will get Jake Peavy back from the DL tomorrow.

The Dodgers will be without Rafael Furcal for all of June due to a bad back.

Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki is set to begin rehab at Single-A as part of his recovery from a torn quad muscle.

Game News

Hideki Okajima had a pretty easy time of it in his 2007 rookie campaign, but that has not been the case this year. Okajima lost his 2nd game of the season last night in a 10-6 Orioles win. More importantly he was credited with his 6th blown save of the season and 2nd in his last 4 games.

Orioles veteran pitcher Steve Trachsel was designated for assignment. It could spell the end of his 17-year career.

White Sox starter Jose Contreras was on the losing end of a 6-4 game with the Tigers last night. It was the first time in 8 starts that Contreras allowed more than 2 earned runs.

The Royals bullpen was at it again last night. This time they blew a 5-1 lead against the Rangers, who eventually won 6-5. Josh Hamilton drove in his major league leading 70th RBI in the game.

Willie Randolph could only watch in horror as his awful Mets pitching staff got pounded by the Diamondacks, 9-5. Four different Dbacks went deep in the game.

C.C. Sabathia moved down the Twins last evening with a complete game 5-hit shutout. After posting a 7.88 ERA in April, he's put up a 2.42 ERA since.

With the Rockies playing so poorly this year, Aaron Cook's season has gone mostly unnoticed. The right-hander improved to 9-3 last night in the Rockies 10-5 win over the Giants. Cook, who has a 3.21 ERA, has more than one-third of the team's 25 wins.

Hanley Ramirez continued his torrid June with a solo home run in the Marlins 5-4 win over the Phillies. In 10 games this month, Ramirez has slugged 6 home runs, drive in 9 runs, scored 11 runs, and stolen 3 bases. He's also hitting .350 for the month.

Lance Berkman's been on a tear all season, though he entered last night's game in a 2-14 skid that dropped his average to .372, the lowest it's been since May 8. He responded with 3 hits, including a home run, and drove in 5 runs. He's 3rd in the NL with 53 ribbies for the season.

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Breaking News: Smoltz Career May Be Over

The Atlanta Braves have placed John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list, but Smoltz's season, and possibly his career, may be over. Smoltz pitched out of the pen Monday night, but woke up Tuesday with increased pain in shoulder. He's headed to see surgeon Dr. James Andrews and may opt for season ending surgery.

"I can't compete against my body anymore," Smoltz said on Wednesday during a news conference at Turner Field, where he was accompanied by executive vice president Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox.

"Yesterday, when he came to the ballpark, it was evident to all of us that it couldn't continue this way," Wren said.

"I said I would retire if the desire was gone," Smoltz said on Wednesday. "I'm not there yet. I'm not there emotionally. Physically, [that's] still to be determined."S

Smoltz has 210 career wins and 154 saves.

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Around the Horn - 6/3

The Red Sox received shocking news when it was learned that David Ortiz will miss at least a month with a torn tendon in his hand. For now he's got his wrist immobilized in a cast for the next 2 weeks. According to the Boston Globe, it is unlikely that he'll need surgery.

Boston's first game without their big slugger didn't go to well due a rare blow up by Hideki Okajima. The Orioles reached him for 4 runs in the 8th inning for a 6-3 win. Jim Johnson won his first major league game.

Bobby Crosby's 9th inning single gave the A's a 3-2 win over the Tigers, sending Detroit to 9 games below .500. Rich Harden and Kenny Rogers both pitched well in their starts, but neither figured in the outcome. Harden has made 5 consecutive starts without interruption for the first time in over 2 years.

Casey Blake had the kind of night that hitters dream of. Two home runs, a 3-run double, and 7 RBI. The Indians out scored the Rangers 13-9, though not before blowing an 8-3 lead. Josh Hamilton celebrated his choice as AL Player of the Month for May with a home run in 3 consecutive games.

Jeff Mathis slugged a 2-run home run and Ervin Santana won his 8th game in the Angels 4-2 victory over the Mariners. Vlad Guerrero missed the game with a sore knee.

Brian Horwitz hit his first major league home run, and along with Ray Durham, drove in 3 runs as the Giants bombed the Mets 10-2. Mets starter Oliver Perez only retired one batter before being pulled in the 1st inning. Bengie Molina also picked up his 1,000th hit in the game.

John Smoltz's return from the DL to the closer role was an unsuccessful one, but the Braves beat the Marlins 7-5 in 10 innings. Smoltz allowed 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but Jeff Francoeur scored on a wild pitch to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, and Yuniel Escobar hit a walk-off 2-run shot in extras.

Carlos Zambrano is doing it all these days. He went 3-3 yesterday to raise his average to .366 and pitched 5 innings for his 8th win. Zambrano's won his last 7 decisions. The Cubbies are now 15-2 against the NL West.

The Rockies (20-38) rocky season continued last night as the Dodgers pounded them 8-2. Matt Kemp had 3 hits and one of the Dodgers 3 hits to help Derek Lowe earn his 3rd win.

The Pirates came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Cardinals 5-4. Jason Michaels hit a game tying grand slam in the 7th and Jason Bay drove in the go ahead run in the 8th.

Prince Fielder homered for the 3rd time in 4 games to give the Brewers a much needed 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Doug Davis allowed just 1 earned in 6 innings for AZ.

Chase Utley hit his major league leading 21st home run and the Phillies held off the Reds 5-4. Pedro Feliz and Chris Coste each added home runs for the Phillies. Jay Bruce hit his 3rd home run for the Reds and went to 2-4 to "drop" his average to .577.

The Nationals have lost 3B Ryan Zimmerman indefinitely with a partial tear of the labrum in his left shoulder.

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The Rotations - NL East

Mets

Guaranteed Spots: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez

The Mets made huge news when they dealt for, arguably, the best pitcher in baseball in Santana. It didn't cost the Mets much in talent, but they are going to have to fork over about $140 million. But the Mets and their soon-to-be new ballpark needed an ace and drawing card, and they got them both in one fell swoop.

Martinez came back from arm surgery to appear in 5 games, and posted a 2.57 ERA with 32 K's in 28 innings. He may not have the velocity he once had, but with Santana's arrival, he no longer has to be the ace.

El Duque has been injury prone, he missed the '06 post-season, but he has made 53 starts over the last 2 years. He did a great job for the Mets last season, posting a 3.72 ERA while holding opponents to a .206 batting average. El Duque is a winner, pure and simple.

Maine blossomed in his 2 seasons in Flushing, after having an up and down time in Baltimore. He wore down in the final months of the season as he far exceed (190 IP) his highest innings total for his career. Maine posted a 15-10 mark and was huge in the 2nd to last night game of the season, went he brilliantly pitched the Mets back into contention with a win over the Marlins. There's no reason to think he won't keep getting better.

Perez has been an enigma throughout his major league career. Early on, it looked like he and Jake Peavy would make a remarkable 1-2 tandem for the Padres for years to come. But during a poor sophomore season, the Pads shipped him to Pittsburgh where he battled control and attitude problems. He was brilliant in 2004, striking out 239 in 196 innings, and posted a 2.98 ERA to go along with a 12-10 record. Maybe it was the huge increase in innings pitched - we'll never know - but Perez pitched his way out of Pittsburgh with miserable '05 and '06 seasons. Though he sometimes backslid, he put up a very good season for the Mets last year - 15-10, 3.56, 174 K's. The Mets will need him to do it again in 2008.

Mike Pelfrey and Tony Armas Jr., who the Mets just signed to a minor league deal, will be among those waiting for an injury or prolonged ineffectiveness to get some starts.


Phillies

Guaranteed Spots: Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton

Myers was moved to the closer role when Tom Gordon went down last year. He remained in that role when Gordon returned, giving the Phillies a stronger bullpen. But with the off-season acquisition of Brad Lidge, Myers was returned to the rotation. He averaged 206 innings the prior 2 years and should be the rotation's workhorse.

Moyer is beginning his 23rd season in the majors and his 2nd full season in Philly. The 45-yr old isn't what he once was, but he has still thrown 200+ innings for 7 straight seasons. His 5.01 ERA was his highest in 3 years, and strangely, he pitched worse away from the Phillies' hitter-friendly ballpark. He should do fine as the middle man in the rotation.

Hamels is the young stud every team hopes they will develop in their farm system. And he's left-handed to boot. Having just turned 24, the Phillies are looking for even bigger things this year from their soon-to-be ace. Hamels went 15-5, 3.39 last year while striking out 177 in 183 1-3 innings.

Kendrick burst on to the scene last year, making 20 starts in his rookie year. His 10-4 record and 3.87 ERA gave him a 5th place finish in the ROY voting.

Eaton came back from injury to make 30 starts last year, with not very good results. He finished .500 (10-10) and posted an ERA just over 6. The Phillies will hope someone can push him out of that final spot.

One of the pitchers hoping to step up is Chad Durbin, who was signed as a free agent. The 30-yr old had some moderate success as a spot starter for the Tigers in '07. Another candidate for the final spot will be another Durbin- J.D., no relation to Chad. J.D. is another swing man who can either start or relieve, though he has not had success at the major league level.


Nationals

Guaranteed Spots: Shawn Hill, Matt Chico, John Patterson, Jason Bergmann, John Lannan

That should be the starting 5 barring injury- but that's a big "what if". Patterson, Bergmann, and Hill missed large chunks of last season.

Hill was 4-5, 3.42 in a major league career high 97.1 innings pitched. The Nats hope to see the pitcher who posted a 2.68 ERA at Harrisburg ('AA') in 2006.

Chico, just 24, had a semi-successful rookie season, throwing a team-high 167 innings. His 4.63 ERA was slightly better on the road.

After an outstanding 2005, Patterson made just 15 appearances over the next 2 years after having season-ending arm surgeries. He's ready for spring training and the Nats are hoping for a return to prior form.

Bergmann had a decent year, going 6-6, 4.45 in 21 starts. But the native of Neptune, NJ (and a Rutgers attendee) must cut down on his walks and gopher balls allowed. He was hampered last year by hamstring and elbow injuries.

The Nats hope that their young, big lefty, Lannan asserts himself in the 5th spot. The 6'5" rookie made 6 starts, posting a 4.15 ERA, but walked more batters than he struck out. Lannan was very successful pitching at 3 different levels in the minors in '07 and now must translate that success to the majors.

Former Yankee Tyler Clippard along with Collin Balester, Ross Detwiler and Garrett Mock will be trying to make their mark during spring training.


Braves

Guaranteed Spots: John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, Chuck James

The soon to be 41-yr old Smoltz led the team with a 3.11 ERA and struck out 197. The right-hander (14-8 last season) has put up three straight 200+ inning seasons after returning from the closer role. Barring an injury there's no reason to think he won't put up similar numbers this year.

The prodigal son has returned home, but Glavine is not the same pitcher he was in his Atlanta glory days. Glavine still puts up 200 inning seasons, but walks more hitters and gives up more home runs. He had no fully consistent seasons during his time as a Met. And of course, his final start with the playoffs hanging in the balance was a complete disaster.

Hudson led the team with 16 wins and 224.1 innings pitched. It's hard to believe this will be his 10th season in the majors. His success will help make or break the Braves this season.

James is a solid back end rotation guy; his 11-10, 4.24 mark can be improved upon, but the Braves would probably take the same season this year.

The Braves are hoping that Mike Hampton is healthy enough for a spot in the rotation, but if not, Jo Jo Reyes, Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Bennett and Buddy Carlyle will do battle for the final spot.



Marlins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Olsen, Andrew Miller, Sergio Mitre, Mark Hendrickson

Olsen just turned 24, and has shown a lot of promise in his 1st two years in the majors. Unfortunately, his maturity level still has some catching up to do. The Marlins need more of the '06 version of Olsen, rather than the '07 model.

Miller was one of the keys in the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis deal. Miller, still just 22 when the season opens, had mixed results in his 13 starts for the Tigers last year (5-5, 5.63, 56K's in 64 IP). But the kid is only in his 2nd full pro season after a standout career at the U. of North Carolina.

Mitre has a world of talent, but has been oft injured. He made 27 starts last year, eclipsing 100 innings for the first time, and posted a 4.65 ERA. The fish hope he improves upon those numbers this year.

Hendrickson came over as a free agent after 1+ seasons as a Dodger. He split a mediocre season between the pen and rotation, making 15 starts out of this 39 appearances. He's a good back of the rotation guy if you have a good front end. That remains to be seen in Florida.

The 5th spot in the rotation is really up in the air. Josh Johnson is coming off Tommy John surgery and probably won't pitch this season. Anibel Sanchez had surgery for a torn labrum and will probably be starting the season in the minors or extended spring training. Ricky Nolasco had elbow problems that may push him to the bullpen.

That leaves inexperienced prospects to make the rotation or the Marlins could sign a low price free agent that is still available to fill the final spot.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Mets
2. Braves
3. Phillies
4. Marlins
5. Nationals

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