Jake Peavy is Working to Start by Opening Day

Jake Peavy underwent season-ending surgery on July 14th, and spoke about his return today at a press conference. A focus of the conversation was where Peavy stands on his return after following a rare procedure to repair a detached latissimus dorsi muscle in his right posterior shoulder. The ultimate goal for Jake Peavy is to be with the White Sox for Opening Day in Cleveland on April 1, but if management and his physicians feels as though he is not ready, it will be their decision. Peavy had a very busy offseason trying to be a part of Opening Day, and told interviewers that its been a tough winter with no down time. "Every day, I've been in rehab or going through my throwing program. I've pushed it as much as I can, while listening to my body not doing anything to jeopardize the chance to get me back. I want to come into camp and be ready for Opening Day like the other guys," Peavy said. "What we are going to do is have an MRI and let our doctors look at it and evaluate where we are from there." It does not look like there will be any injury reoccurrence in the near future, but it will take plenty of time to get his arm strength back. Pitching sessions have been on and off and is looking to have his full potential and speed back around mid-March. Another thing Peavy has done to get back to his full potential is watching hours upon hours of previous film. He can lock into what went well in the 2010 season before injury, what he can do to get that back in moderation, and make sure to warm-up and stay loose to prevent further injury. Jake Peavy used to be one of the best pitchers in baseball and wants to get back his reputation that he had with the Padres. But I hope Jake Peavy gets to pitch on Opening Day and wish him luck in the process. 

Michael Young Wants Out of Texas

After many days of trade talks, Michael Young has officially requested a trade. "Nothings imminent" but   Michael Young has reminded the Rangers that they traded high-end prospects to the Mariners for Cliff Lee last summer, so he would assume that they would be willing to trade with any team. Rangers GM Jon Daniels states: "It's not our first choice, We'd like to go to camp with him ... If we can accomodate his request and upgrade the club he would like to do that." The team stated that they are going to do what is best for the interest of the ball club. But the Rangers state that getting Young would not come cheap, if he is to be traded, they would want a decent compensation for the third baseman. Michael Young requested a trade back before the 2009 season, but obviously stayed. It has been speculated that Young wants a trade due to the possible lack of playing time. With the addition of Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli, he will have to be a part time infielder and part time DH. The 34 year-old has been mentioned in trade talks all winter, but it looks like the Colorado Rockies are the front-runners. But Texas would have to pay about $20 million of the $48 million on Young's salary to make it happen. Young has a limited no-trade clause that will allow him to block all but eight teams, and the Rockies are one of those eight. Young will stick to his no-trade clause, even if teams have expressed interest in him. The Athletics and the Angels both missed out on acquiring Adrian Beltre (who apparently is the most important third baseman ever?) and are still looking for someone to fill the gap. And the Rockies would not use Young in the "hot corner" but have him in at second base. But with whatever team Michael Young plays with in the 2011 season, he is a great ballplayer and deserves to play everyday, so I wish him good luck with his trade request.

Cardinals and Pujols Struggling With Contract

Albert Pujols gave the St. Louis Cardinals a deadline for when they would be able to negotiate a deal. Apparently, they are nowhere close to striking any sort of deal at the moment. Many sources have stated that contract talks are heading in the wrong direction. Pujols presented the Cardinals with a 10-year, $300 million contract last year and the Cardinals have yet to counter, or even really acknowledge the offer. But St. Louis is reluctant to close all connections and negotiations with Pujols in fear that he would go to free agency. With Pujols' self-imposed deadline for an agreement, being less than two weeks, St. Louis may have to scramble to reach an deal. The Cardinals' position players are to report on the 18th, so whether or not they can strike up a contract is on them, Pujols, and his agent, Dan Lozano. The 31 year-old first baseman is looking to get a deal similar to Alex Rodriguez's 10-year, $275 million contract. Also branching off the Ryan Howard 5-year, $125 million contract, only to see what other first basemen are getting in today's market. If Pujols will go to free agency, front-runners for pursuing him are the Cubs, Rangers, and Angels. It is a possibility that the Mets and the Dodgers could move around funds to fit the contract he is looking for. Both the Yankees and the Red Sox are set at first base, but don't put it past them not to put their hands into the mix. Especially with big-ticket first basemen they are able to trade, plus they are known to be creative with players they want. Albert Pujols, I wish you luck on acquiring $300 million across 10 years, because I know you deserve it. The most consistent player out there, year after year, and if the Cardinals pass on paying you, good luck with another team, but honestly you probably won't need it. 

Orioles to Sign Vlad

Ask and you shall receive. Which is exactly what Vladimir Guerrero did with the Baltimore Orioles today. It was approximately one week ago that the Orioles made Vlad a one-year $3-5 million contract. But it has been stated that at 5:11 P.M. that the Orioles and Vladimir Guerrero have agreed to terms on a one-year, $8 million deal. This agreement states that Vlad has to pass a physical before the deal becomes official, but has many incentives if he does. Earlier this week there was a "mystery" team that offered the 36 year-old an $8 million deal, and that was either a boldface lie, or it was the O's. This is unlikely because they originally said that they would go no higher than $4.5 million. General manager Andy MacPhil was even reported saying that he was going to let Guerrero go elsewhere if they could not acquire him for the right price, but the front office was very persistant. It looks like the Orioles are done signing players after the Guerrero deal finalizes, since they previously signed Derrek Lee, Kevin Gregg, Justin Duchscherer, and traded for Mark Reynolds. Signing Guerrero adds some "deep ball" qualities to the club with Mark Reynolds, since he won the Silver Slugger award this season. Plus he belted 29 homers and carried a .300 batting average in 152 with the Rangers. Guerrero will without a doubt take on the DH role because, that's what he does best, and what each team interested in Vlad has needed. I've already done it, but I wish Vlad luck in the 2011 season with the Orioles and I also wish the Orioles luck because of the acquisitions they've done in the postseason.

Andy Pettitte Retires

Yankees' pitcher Andy Pettitte told the Yankees earlier today not to count on his return to Spring Training. Pettitte stated that he will officially announce his retirement on Friday at 10:30 A.M. at Yankee Stadium. The 38 year-old is the all-time leader in postseason wins with 19, 42 starts, and 263 innings pitched. I must say, that these are very respectable numbers for any pitcher to take the mound. Pettitte has pitched with the Yankees for 13 seasons, played in the Majors for 16. He won five World Series Championships with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009. Not only is he an amazing pitcher in the post season, but has 240 career wins total, 13th-most by a left-hander in Major League History. "Andy played with a competitive spirit that brought out the best in the teams he played for, and he exemplified this franchise's commitment and will to win. He was an anchor for the tremendous success our team has achieved since the mid-1990s," Hal and Hank Steinbrenner said in a statement on Thursday. Pettitte was a very valuable asset to the Yankees' organization giving him the ever-so-popular nickname, "Andy Pennant." But it is very fitting, because in his career he has pitched for 8 pennant winners and 12 postseason teams. Joe Torre recalls Andy Pettitte's performances, "He liked the fact that he wasn't the No. 1 guy even though I trusted him like a No. 1 guy. But he didn't have an ego that dictated he needed all that attention." Many speculate that Pettitte's loss to Cliff Lee in the 2010 postseason and late injury turned him off coming back for the 2011 season. Others state that it could be the fact that he has to testify as a prosecution witness in the upcoming government perjury trial of Rodger Clemens, teammate in New York and Houston. Pettitte told Congressional investigators that Clemens admitted to HGH use in 1999 or 2000.  But Pettitte has stated the main reason is that he misses his family and would like to return to his home. Andy Pettitte, you had an amazing career and I respect you as a pitcher and a person. I wish you luck with anything you do in the future and hope your records hold strong.

Ryan Doumit: Step Up to the Plate

PNC Park is a small place, I know, I've been there. But it doesn't stop Pirates from having "small" performances. Ryan Doumit had an amazing season in the 2008 season with a .318 batting average in 465 plate appearances. So why is it that they Pirates are looking to get rid of him after the 2011 season? Mainly because of his injury plagued 2009 and 2010 season as well as a significant drop in batting average. Especially after having a .728 OPS in 760 plate appearances. But it is the Pirates who have the club options worth $7.25 million in 2012 and $8.25 million in 2013, and must decide on both after this season. It's obvious that Pittsburgh will go to the $500K, rather then go to $15.5 million, considering Doumit's previous two seasons. Without this heavy salary, the Pirates are looking for someone to fill the salary that Doumit would leave behind, but as of now, no one has been found. The 29 year-old is looking to go against a slightly revamped Pirates lineup, with Matt Diaz, Steve Pearce, Chris Snyder, Lyle Overbay, and other Pirates such as Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen. Doumit is also has to go against his lack of defensive skills, which is why the Pirates have tested the waters with him at first base. If Doumit were to go to another team, he probably wouldn't have much trouble, because teams are always looking for catchers with high batting average over defensive skills. He could leave Pittsburgh before the trade deadline and could become a possible DH with an American League team. But his defensive skills really aren't all that great to play everyday behind the plate. There are circumstances on both sides to pick up, or drop Ryan Doumit and I believe that he is a solid catcher who should play. I hope he proves himself with the Pirates in the 2011 season and I wish him luck in his future baseball career.

Chad Durbin Not Coming Back to Philadelphia?

Rubin Amaro Jr. stated that the Phillies are primarily done with their winter offseason. This means the Chad Durbin's return to the Phillies is very unlikely. Amaro Jr. even stated, "I would say that we're probably not going to resign [Durbin]." The Phillies and Durbin talked about possible contracts a few weeks ago, but Durbin is looking for a pay raise and a 2-year contract. The Phillies are looking to do one, or the other, not both. The Phillies front office already passed on offering Chad Durbin arbitration in November, and didn't want to risking paying him more than $2.15 million that he earned in the 2010 season. It's no wonder that the two cannot strike a deal. It may be for the better for Durbin because he would be competing with Kyle Kendrick in the bullpen, due to the crowded rotation. The Phillies don't necessarily need Chad Durbin for this reason, Kendrick is a right-handed pitcher who is willing to fill in the mid-innings relief spot. Chad Durbin has been with the Phillies for three years and posted a 3.63 ERA and a team-leading 194 games pitched. Durbin has been rumored looking at starting positions with other teams, but hasn't started for a team since 2007. The Phillies have stated that they need to examine their team, figure out their weaknesses during Spring Training, and have them fixed by Opening Day. Unfortunately for Chad Durbin, pitching is possibly now the Phillies' strongest asset. "Right now, like I've said before, I think we're pretty comfortable with where we are coming into spring," Amaro said.  "We have some decisions to make. But I think that we're -- I never like to say we're pretty well set -- but I think we kind of have to go with what we've got and start to make assessments as to what we may need as we go through the spring." I'm sorry to see you leave Chad Durbin, hopefully you'll find a place within another team's rotation, and with that, I wish you luck in the 2011 season.