Marlins and Cubs Agree on Deal for Zambrano
The Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs have agreed to a deal sending Carlos Zambrano to Miami in exchange for Chris Volstad, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
Nationals Acquire Gio Gonzalez
The Washington Nationals have acquired left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez and minor league righty Robert Gilliam for four of the Nationals top minor leaguers. The trade will include three of the Nationals top ten prospects including A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone and Derek Norris.
Jimmy Rollins to re-sign with Phillies
According to MLB.com, Dan Lozano and Icon Sports Group have come to an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies on a $33 million contract to keep Jimmy Rollins in Philly for the next three years with an option for a fourth year at $11 million.
Marlins Sign Aaron Rowand
The Miami Marlins (I’m still not used to saying that) have signed outfielder Aaron Rowand to a minor league deal, according to Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal. The San Francisco Giants released Rowand in September after he only batted .233 in 351 plate appearances with a .274 OBP and .347 SLG. Rowand will make $12 million from the Giants less the MLB minimum salary he will make with the Marlins in 2012. The $12 million is from the last year of a $60 million five-year deal Rowand signed with the Giants back in 2007.
Mets and Giants Reach Deal to Move Carlos Beltran
The New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants have reached a deal to move Carlos Beltran to the Bay area for Giants pitching prospect Zach Wheeler. Wheeler is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Giants system by MLB.com as well as being ranked No. 33 overall.
Beltran should be in Philadelphia tonight for the Phillies vs. Giants game. It is still not 100% that he will be in the lineup, but Tim Kurkjian of ESPN is reporting he will be in uniform.
Nationals Bryce Harper Blows Kiss to Pitcher after Homerun
The Washington Nationals Bryce Harper is tearing the cover off the ball his spring. The # 1 prospect in Major League Baseball is batting .342 with a .435 OBP and .623 SLG. That, along with 14 homeruns, 14 doubles, 42 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases in Single A Hagerstown is showing he is certainly ready to move up to Double A and possibly up to the big leagues very soon. Being the # 1 prospect for your organization, the # 1 prospect in the Majors and killing the ball every time you step up to the plate is one thing, but does that give you the right to do whatever you want? Some people are wondering the same thing.
Bryce Harper hit his 14th homerun Monday night. But he didn’t just hit it, run around the bases and touch home. He hit it, watched it for a couple of seconds, flipped his bat and started his trot around the bases. That’s not all he did. Halfway to home plate, after rounding third base, he looks over at the pitcher and blows him a kiss. Really? Did he really just do that? Yes he did. And does he really care what anyone else thinks about it? I’m not thinking so.
Mike Schmidt was on ESPN and had his own thoughts on the matter, saying that Harper should just play the game and not act like that was the first homerun he has ever hit. He also mentioned that if he didn’t tone it down, these type of actions would be policed by the players once he arrived in the big leagues. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports said this is exactly what baseball needed. I’m not sure exactly what the game needs, but I’m pretty sure it’s not that.