Arizona Fall League

Later this month the rosters for the AFL will be announced. Below is a basic description of how the league is structured:

Each August MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Single-A player. Only one foreign player is allowed, but only if that player does not come from a region that participates in winter ball. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game. Play begins shortly after the end of MLB's regular season in early October, and ends in mid-November. The Arizona Fall League teams are not exclusive affiliates of any one team; instead, each Major League team provides six players who team up to fill the 30-man roster of each team. MLB teams also send coaches. The affiliations generally change every year.

Pirates and Pedro Talking

The Pirates have restarted contracted talks with #1 pick Pedro Alvarez. His agent is Boras and he wants more money then the "slot" calls for. Why would the Pirates Draft a guy with Boras as an agent and not be willing to deply the capital to sign him. Did they think that Boras would take it easy on them becuase they are a small market club. Thery also traded for 3B LaRoche. I guess they could move Any to 2B, Freddy Sanchez blows, and have Pedro play 3rd. The article below is from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette talking about how the management of the Pirates has to sign him to send a positive message to the fans. The trade deadline is August 15th.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08218/901899-63.stm

Other News:

Tommy Hanson (Russ) has recored back to back 10 K performances.

David Price (Sperl) remains unbeaten at 11-0.

Travis Snider (Korn) was promoted to AAA

Matt Wieters (Jim) remains the hottest hitter in the universe hitting over .420 in his past 10 games.

Gio Gonzalez Gets the Ball

The old "Prize" prospect of the Phillies, Gio Gonzalez (Kyle), will make his first MLB start tonight for the A's. I hope he fails becuase the Phillies lost him and Gavin Floyd to the White Sox in 2006 for Freddie Garcia. He was later traded to the A's as a part in the Swisher deal.

JOBA NEWS:

When you get a MRI and the next doctor's appointment you have is with Dr. Andrews, then you know that the MRI sent up a major red flag. This would elimnate the Yankees from the post season and put a mjor question in the fantasy value for Joba in the up coming years. Ian Kennedy will replace Joba in the roatation for the short term. Hughes (Sperl) is about 2-3 weeks away from being MLB ready.

Carlos Carrasco is an Iron Pig

With Rudy Seanez going on the DL, the Phillies have a roster opening at AAA and prize prospect Carlos Carrasco (Sc0tt) got the call. I would not be surprized to see him this season in Philly when the rosters expand. Top catching prospect Lou Marson for the Phillies, who is currently playing for the USA in the Olympics, will probably get the call as well which would give the Phillies the ability to pinch hit Coste and not worry about using an emergency catcher (Jason Werth). If he doesn't get the call Jason Jaramillo from AAA could feel the viod but he is not the same caliber of a prospect as Marson.

Other News:

Jerry Manuel, NY Mets coach, is a graduate of Yale University

Triple Crown Watch: Luis Montanez who plays for the Bowie Baysox which is the AA team for the Baltimore Orioles is leading the Eastern League is Avg (.332) HR (25) and RBI (94). He is red hot rifght now going 21 for his last 42 and on August 1, he went 5-6 with 8 RBI and hit for the cycle!

This season Victor Martinez has hit 0 HR in 198 ABs while hitting .278 and Slugging .333. While his replacement, Kelly Shoppach, has hit 11 HR in 203 ABs while hitting .276 and Slugging .527. To put the lack of VMART's power in perspective, Juan Pierre has a slugging % of .319 which is only 21 basis points lower then Victor.

Kendry Morales may be the big winner in the Teixeria trade because he was blocked by Kotchman at 1B and Garret Anderson at DH. The Angles will probably not re-sign Teixeria and get their 2 top draft picks and move on.

Brad Ziegel

Brad Ziegel, a RP for the Oakland A's, has pitched 32 straight scoreless innings this season. He has a .84 WHIP with 15 Ks and 8 BB. He has only surrendered 19 hits in the process. He attended the same college as Ryan Howard, SW Missouri St, and he lived in the same dorm.

Other News:

Only 33.33% (15 of 45) of Krods's saves this season have come of the 1-2-3 variety. Also, the sermon he gives on the mound after a save is a prayer to his late Grandfather who rasied him.

Howard Eskin has speculated that Cole Hamels has an elbow injury.

Clayton Kershaw has surpassed the 50 IP threshold and has graduated from the Farm System. My luck!

Andy LaRoche to the Pirates

This deal really doesn't make sense to me for the Dodgers or the Pirates. The Dodgers have a glut of outfielders and they sent their #2 prospect (LaRoche) to the Pirates. I know the Dodgers have picked up Casey Blake but it is obvious that GM Ned Collotti is playing this year to keep his job. The Pirates selected 3B Pedro Alveraz with the #2 pick in the this season's draft and some scouts think he is major league ready (He spent 4 years at Vandy). I guess you can't count on prospects and the more the merrier but I thought the Pirates could have filled another hole in this deal. LaRoche is the winner in this 3 way deal because he will play a lot this season and he was blocked by Blake in LA. No other Prospect of note were moved but the waiver wire deals could have some guys switching cities. Stay tuned