Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays, It will be a short turnaround from the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field for the first of four crucial games between the rivals American League. Burnett and Cobb go head to head.
Tonight at 07:00 ET at Tropicana Field, AJ Burnett (8-17, 415 ERA) toes the rubber for the Pinstripers unbeaten, while Alex Cobb (2-0, 3.41) rides the blow to the Rays. Burnett won the opening betting odds (-125), although the money line is moved to -133 with the full participation of 9.

Red Sox

Red Sox, Red Sox seats for the regular season go on sale tomorrow. Here are the details for the team: To purchase tickets beginning on January 29, fans can log on to www.redsox.com or call the automated ticket line at 888 REDSOX6. Fans can purchase tickets for all games at Fenway Park, with the exception of all games with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs for which a special drawing of lots will take place at a later date

(CP) – The Tampa Bay Rays have signed veteran free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman a minor league contract.

The Rays have announced the signing Friday. Kotchman played last year for the Seattle Mariners, reaching 0217 with nine homers and 51 RBIs.

Over seven seasons, the 27-year Kotchman has a career average of 0259 with 49 homers and 284 RBIs.

It was a project of 2001 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He played for the Angels, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, who traded to the Mariners before last season. He became a free agent in November when he would not accept a minor league assignment.

The Rays also said pitcher Rob Delaney off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. He appeared in a game for them last season.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

After doing a lot of heavy lifting while redoing the [team stats] Red Sox at the beginning of winter, and every recent snow shovel, Theo Epstein is back a little trouble these days.

An escape to the snow-free area Fort Myers should help, but what will the Chief feel better to see a medical staff with little time on their hands.

“I’m just really looking forward to health, the return to health of many of our most important players,” Epstein said during a demonstration of fans at Fenway Park [map] yesterday. “They’re not many position battles in itself, but if you look around the diamond, there are players that want to see you there in good health. “

Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee, The Rangers have been to try to re-sign pitcher Cliff Lee, but a wildfire rumors about the third baseman Michael Young has continued to roar through the winter meetings at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort on Wednesday.

The Rangers insist they are not trading with other youth teams. They insist that there are other teams that arise about it. They keep saying they have serious doubts about Young being traded at all during the offseason, despite the rumors.

“It’s the byproduct of having these meetings,” the Chief Ranger Jon Daniels said. “Ninety-nine percent of players have asked about different conversations. I’m not surprised when a big name to run with. ”

Daniels has not spoken to young people. Daniels spoke to his agent, Dan Lozano, and said it was other clubs who called on young people.

“They ask him,” GM said. “I told him that’s what it was. I told him I was going to keep him informed if something changes.”

Daniels was asked if he expected something to change.

“I’m not, but … I do not speak in absolute terms,” said Daniels. “We will consider all the ways to improve the club. Do understand trade Michael Young? No, it’s not likely.”

Rockies first called the Rangers in the early evening on Tuesday and asked about young people. The conversation was brief and the names were not exchanged. Young is about to make and $ 48 million over the next three years and the Rockies have made it clear they could not cope without Texas picking up much of the treatment. That is why the conversation did not go very far.

But the story filtered Tuesday night and the Rangers have not stopped the flow of rumors. It was reported Wednesday that the Rangers have talked to the youth in the Rockies, Angels, Cardinals and Dodgers.

Texas has no other third baseman to replace youth. The club would probably get one in a trade or go to the free agent market. Adrian Beltre, who is represented by Scott Boras, is the best player of basic free-agent third parties to the contract.

“We’re open to discussions with all teams at Adrian,” Boras said. “We’ve been through a number of negotiations with a number of teams. There were many willing participants. ”

Beltre hit .321 with 28 homers and 102 RBIs for the Red Sox season after reaching last 0265 with eight homers and 44 RBIs with the Mariners in 2009. Beltre, 30, is also a two-time Gold Glove and an excellent third baseman.

Young hit .291 with 21 homers and 91 RBIs this season at the helm of the Rangers to their first World Series appearance in their history. Young is not considered a good defensive Beltre, but he is the captain of the Texas team unofficial team leader and iconic player.

Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford, It seems that Carl Crawford is no longer an option for the Yankees, now that Boston is her signature. I am a little surprised to see how much money the Red Sox are willing to give Crawford this is a very good player, but he is seven years and 142 million? I do not know.

The Sox were charged with Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez (BTW, love that “we’ll pretend he did not sign a contract extension until opening day, so we can save on tax luxury.”Only Boston could get away with this system!) Now, that means the Yankees will have to pay more even for Cliff Lee, and even then I’m not sure they will.

One side – I went to the site of the Boston Globe this morning to read news and Crawford saw a big article about how Tom Brady is doing ads Uggs. Yeah, I’m sure, will men buy these shoes a lot!

But I digress. Anyway, I wrote at the end of the season that I do not think the Yankees Cliff Lee was a sure thing. When all is said and done, could I see Lee’s stint with the Rangers? Absolutely. Nolan Ryan Lee asked the officer to tell him what it would take for him to stay in Texas. If they match the Yankees’ offer, Lee will still end up with more money, thanks to Texas cost of living and lack of income tax to the state.

Gee, I’m glad the Yankees front office has had to spend last month dispute with the new signing Derek Jeter, instead of devoting more time to do things, you know, actually improve the team. Thank you, man, to be all about the stripes!

Red Sox Tickets

Red Sox Tickets:Note: This is, in its entirety, a rant. I may consider it to be true, but that does not change its status as a rant. I know, the sky isn’t falling, but if you don’t want to read a full out angry rant, then turn back now. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The way things have been shaping up, I didn’t have high expectations for the upcoming 2010 season, but I thought the Yankees winning the World Series might motivate the Red Sox into making some big moves this winter. That doesn’t appear to be the case.

Sure, it’s an improved team, sort of. As much as I love Jason Varitek, his time has come and gone, and the team will be much better served with Martinez behind the dish. Lowell was one of my favorite players on the diamond, but I am able to accept trading him, because at this point it is what’s best for the team.

David Ortiz, not just one of my favorites, but one of my all time favorites, is probably going to be playing his last year for the Boston Red Sox in 2010. With Big Papi getting older, the big guy might not be able to hold up for too much longer.

With Lowell gone, I will assume there is substance to the rumors that the Red Sox are planning to add Adrian Beltre, which I have no problems with. His bat is productive (most of the time) and his glovework is stellar.

But on that note– what is this team doing?

The Red Sox have perennially been one of the highest paying teams in all the league, which has led to various levels of success throughout the years. In 2004 and 2007, World Series winning years, the team had spiked levels of payroll compared to the preceding and following years, which has led to many claiming the Red Sox have become what they despise– the New York Yankees.

Watching a Theo Epstein offseason, though, reveals the mere partial truth behind that claim. With no offense meant to Mr. Epstein, his passion for player development (some would say fetish) has led to a consistent influx of talent each year fresh from our own farm. Isn’t it more satisfying when your better players are home grown?

2006 saw the emergence of Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis. In 2007, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury take the league by storm in their rookie campaigns. In 2008, Pedroia grabbed the league by the horns again, and Jon Lester broke out straight as the team’s young ace, notching 16 wins in his first full season since defeating cancer.

2009 saw Daniel Bard and Clay Buchholz bust out of their shells, and nobody knows what the future holds for the rest of these talented young players.

With all the fresh young talent for the team to build around, the Sox were on top of the world, and were able to supplement it with guys like J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo, Mike Lowell, and Jason Bay.

Now that pipeline has dried up. The Red Sox’ best prospects are a group of highly talented 20-year olds who, for the most part, have not seen a game above or even at  AA-level ball. I’m talking about Iglesias, Westmoreland, Kelly, Pimentel, Doubront, Kalish, Anderson, and Rizzo.

They even have a few guys who would benefit in returning to the Portland Sea Dogs (AA) in Tazawa and Reddick.

Sure, most of these guys will be big help for the team in the future, but when? 2011? 2012? If not then, when?

That’s where the trade and free agent markets come into play, where, this winter, most of the available names are just what the team needs. The Red Sox could use a power hitting corner infielder…that’s where San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez or free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre come into play.

The Sox could really use a dependable starting pitcher, someone like, say, free agents John Lackey, Erik Bedard, or Ben Sheets. It is said the Blue Jays are opening to the idea of trading ace Roy Halladay. The team seemed pretty interested in Rich Harden, but he has since gone to Texas.

The team really needs a left fielder, and they can do much better than retaining Jason Bay. The could instead find a much more talented fielder and base runner whose home run totals rest in his actual line drive power as opposed to his pop. His name is Matt Holliday. For a far more complete package, he can be had for a very similar price to Bay, fresh off a career year.

Instead of going out and landing one of the big fish, the Red Sox have made their big splash this winter by acquiring the likes of Ramon A Ramirez (not the same person as Ram Ram), Fabio Castro, Jeremy Hermida, Scott Atchinson, and Boof Bonser.

What the hell? This is seriously the best talent that we can bring in? Are we the Florida Marlins?

No, no we aren’t. We are the Boston Red Sox, the team that in 2007 had a payroll of 143 million dollars. The team that can afford to troll the free agent market for talented players that other teams can’t afford. The team that, until 2008, had no problem doing just that, anything to win.

Theo has come flat out and said for Red Sox fans not to brace themselves for any big moves this winter, despite the fact that the team can acquire any of the players they need to push them over the top to winning their third World Series of the decade.

It is understandable that he doesn’t want to blow up the farm just to get a few players to focus entirely in the now, but come on. Sure some of these guys have pretty bright futures ahead, but it isn’t a sure thing, and that is exactly why they are called what they are. Prospects.

Theo has also recently said that the team isn’t expecting nor planning on competing with the Yankees this year. Yeah, when I read that gem, I did a double-take too. I mean, sure, every team goes through a rebuilding phase, but this team?

It’s not the time, nor the place to be giving us the rebuilding spiel, Mr. Epstein.

The team has a fine, and I mean FINE core in place built around Pedroia, Ellsbury, Youkilis, and Martinez. Scutaro, Drew, and whichever players are brought in to man left field and third base are excellent supporting cast members.

Please, guys, wake up and smell the coffee. The Mets have offered Jason Bay a four year, $65 million contract. Bay’s agent turned down our offer of 4/$60 MM and countered with a contract worth around 5/$100 MM.

If he wants to go play for the Mets in a stadium that will really bring out his offensive and defensive flaws at that price, let him! Don’t overpay for his services just because the Mets want to. Be content to let him go and get two draft picks.

Then you can turn your sights to Holliday, who will probably cost around or a little less than what Bay is trying to get from us. But will he be worth the extra money? You bet he will be.

Letting Bay and Wagner leave brings in four draft picks. Two in the first round, and two in the supplemental round between the first and second rounds. Our first round pick has gone to Toronto for signing Scutaro, but that is still a net gain of three draft picks!

If the Red Sox want to rebuild, that’s fine. But how can they pull that this year? The core has championship potential, the players on the market who would push the team over the top can be had, and this team has plenty of cash to go around.

Just ask John Henry about the money he has laying around. Instead of an eighth wonder of the world of a ballpark like the Yankees just got, the Boston Red Sox fans get crammed into the picturesque but decrepit Fenway Park.

Want to score some Red Sox tickets for a reasonable price? Good luck with that. Chances are you’re not one of the lucky few on the season ticket plan or to get the good seats in advance when tickets go on sale–those tickets unsurprisingly increased in price, again for the 2010 season, so hopefully shelling out the cash to go to a Red Sox game is worth blowing your vacation fund this year!

With those options not working out, you can be like every other fan and buy from ticket scalpers like Stub Hub, where you can find Red Sox tickets ranging anywhere from $40 to well over a thousand bucks a pop. If you buy straight from the Red Sox, you can get tickets anywhere from $12 to $328.

Hell, you have to pay nearly thirty bucks just to sit in the bleachers at Fenway Park. When the Twins played at the Metrodome as recently as last year, for five dollars more you could get seats in the lower deck overlooking the infield.

This is a team with billionaire owners who have plenty of money coming in. If you don’t want to buy that $1,700 dollar ticket from Stub Hub to see the Red Sox play the Yankees, somebody else will. They don’t care who buys it, so long as someone does.

Today, I received a promotional email from the official web page of the Boston Red Sox informing me that for the low, low cost of $299, I can enjoy all the benefits of a citizen of Red Sox Nation, such as a personalized picture, a tour of the Green Monster, a hat, and a neat little card that says “Monster Citizen” on it.

Too bad I own two Red Sox hats already and live in Minnesota. What good will that hat and tour do me? I’m not sure, but damn, those Sox sure are good at making a buck!

In all their words of 2010 being a bridge year to the club’s future stars, the Red Sox brass are simply sticking it to us all. Sure they’ll report to us that they’re looking everywhere to get better. They’ll still tell us they’re discussing that Roy Halladay deal, but that won’t work out so we’ll just have to settle for Boof Bonser.

No, don’t expect any big moves this winter for the Red Sox, because this is a bridge year. You’ll enjoy all our prospects sooner or later, but in the meantime, just take the year off, Sox fans. The front office could care less, they’ll still make their money.