MLB News

Yankees, Mariners Swap Young Stars
(By rotoWIN January 13, 2012 7:01pm PST)


ALERT! Blockbuster Deal! 


Report: The New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to trade C/DH Jesus Montero for SP Michael Pineda. Also in the deal, the Yankees will receive RHP Jose Campos and the Mariners will receive RHP Hector Noesi. 

The Yankees needed pitching for this year, and they got one of the better young arms in the game. Last year, Pineda posted a 3.74 ERA and 9.1 K/9 rate in 28 starts as a rookie and All-Star in 2011 for the Mariners. Pineda will be under team control until 2016, but look for the Yankees and the pitcher to work out a deal in the next year or two. 


Pineda figures to be the number two or three starter behind C.C. Sabathia and Ivan Nova. With the acquisition of Pineda, pitchers A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, and Freddy Garcia will compete for that 5th starter's spot. Odd man out looks to be Phil Hughes.

As for the Mariners, they acquired a pure hitter in C/DH Jesus Montero. Montero posted 69 plate appearances last year for the Yankees with a .328 BA, with 4 homeruns and 12 RBI. The Yankees had to think of something for Montero with both C Russell Martin and C Francisco Cervelli under contract. Look for Montero to split time with C Miguel Olivo in his first full year in the big leagues, with the rest of the time in the DH role. 


The Mariners pitching staff looks to take a hit from this trade, though RHP Hector Noesi looks to competer for a spot in the rotation. However, the Mariner lineup continues to look better and better for the future as it has big prospect hitters already with 2B Dustin Ackley, 1B Justin Smoak, and OF Mike Carp. Look for Montero to hit 4th or 5th in a Mariner lineup that will need some seasoning before being able to compete with AL West teams like the Rangers and Angels. 



Cubs and Kerry Wood Agree to Contract
(By rotoWin January 13, 2012 5:58pm PST)

The Chicago Cubs and RP Kerry Wood have agreed to a one-year deal which includes an option for 2013 for an estimated $3M (with the option being worth the same). 


Last year, Wood posted a 3.35 ERA and 10.1 K/9. He also ranked 21st in the league with 21 holds for closer Carlos Marmol. With Sean Marshall gone to the Reds, Wood looks to see most of his action in the 8th inning this year setting up for Marmol. If Marmol sees any ups-and-downs, Wood would be next in line to close for the Cubs. 


The Cubs have been active this offseason, acquiring OF David DeJesus, SP Travis Wood, 3B Ian Stewart, SP Paul Maholm, SP Chris Volstad, 1B Anthony Rizzo, and letting go of names like SP Carlos Zambrano and RP Andrew Cashner. Still on the market is OF Alfonso Soriano who holds a full no-trade clause and would only like to be dealt to a contender. The Cubs will probably have to eat more than half of his salary due to him this year to move him. 

Rays and 1B/DH Luke Scott Agree to Deal
(By rotoWin January 12, 2012 1:53pm PST)

The Tampa Bay Rays and 1B/DH Luke Scott have agreed to a one-year deal that has been reported worth $5M plus an option for 2013. Scott figures to see the most time at DH.


Scott posted a .220/.301/.402 line in 2011, but his season was shortened by shoulder surgery in July. Look for Scott's numbers to improve in 2012. With the move, Scott will see most of his time at DH, while Ben Zobrist moves over to 1B if Elliot Johnson is given the job at 2B. 


Look for Scott's RBI totals to improve this year with guys like Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria all hitting in front of him on a daily basis. 




Giants and Vogelsong Ink A Deal
(By rotoWIN January 11, 2012 5:13pm PST)

Photo Courtesy: USA Today

The San Francisco Giants and pitcher Ryan Voglesong have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth somewhere in the $2.5M range. This story was released by the team earlier today.


Last year, Vogelsong posted a 2.71 ERA after not pitching for in the majors for five years. This move sures up the back end of the Giant rotation, which is looking good with guys like Lincecum, Cain,  and Bumgarner.


The Giants have been active this offseason, trading for Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan to sure up the already solid outfield defense. 




Reds Sign Ryan Madson
(By rotoWIN January 10, 2012 5:37pm PST)

Photo Courtesy: MLB Reports

Report: The Cincinnati Reds have signed closer RHP Ryan Madson to a 1 yr/$8.5M. This report comes about after the talks between Madson (and agent Boras) and the Philadelphia Phillies broke down weeks ago. The Phillies went on to sign Jonathan Papelbon.

With this deal in place, the Reds now have their 8th and 9th innings sured up with Sean Marshall taking over 8th inning duties and Ryan Madson closing out games. This all comes about after the Reds had originally slated Aroldis Chapman to move to the rotation in 2012.

With the signing of Madson, the Francisco Cordero market seems to be getting smaller and smaller, and now Cordero finds himself in the same situation that Boras and Madson were facing.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was the first to report on the Madson deal.