MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[alpha]

I hope any team other than the Cards get him. I am so sure if he signs with the Cards he will become an effective starter again.

[Coach]

<!--quoteo(post=56326:date=Aug 7 2009, 04:11 PM:name=alpha)-->QUOTE (alpha @ Aug 7 2009, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56302:date=Aug 8 2009, 12:05 AM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Aug 8 2009, 12:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56300:date=Aug 7 2009, 03:03 PM:name=biggz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (biggz @ Aug 7 2009, 03:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Alex Rios claimed off waivers by unknown team.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/08/alex...trade-next.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What teams are in position to take on $60 MM in future salary?
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It would be really surprising if it is any team other than the Red Sox or the Yankees.
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The Mets and Red Sox have each denied claiming Rios.
No word yet from the Yanks

[Gad]

Lots of speculation that it's the White Sox...

[Giff]

<!--quoteo(post=56350:date=Aug 7 2009, 05:31 PM:name=Gad)-->QUOTE (Gad @ Aug 7 2009, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Lots of speculation that it's the White Sox...<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To block the Tigers? I don't see any reason they would actually want him.

[Gad]

The stuff I've seen is just blog posts and twitter updates so I'm not saying that it's reputable information. It's pure speculation but the logic is that Thome, Dye, Contreras and others come off the books this year so it would be a move for the future in addition to giving them a boost for this year.

[Destined]

<!--quoteo(post=56352:date=Aug 7 2009, 03:35 PM:name=Gad)-->QUOTE (Gad @ Aug 7 2009, 03:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->The stuff I've seen is just blog posts and twitter updates so I'm not saying that it's reputable information. It's pure speculation but the logic is that Thome, Dye, Contreras and others come off the books this year so it would be a move for the future in addition to giving them a boost for this year.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The motive is definitely there, I just don't see Rios being the answer for them. Sure, a change of scenery would be huge for him, but his numbers aren't that of Dye's and his production isn't that great.

[Baron]

<!--quoteo(post=56351:date=Aug 7 2009, 05:32 PM:name=Giff)-->QUOTE (Giff @ Aug 7 2009, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56350:date=Aug 7 2009, 05:31 PM:name=Gad)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gad @ Aug 7 2009, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Lots of speculation that it's the White Sox...<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To block the Tigers? I don't see any reason they would actually want him.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Jermaine Dye can't move in RF, Podsednik doesn't play a good CF and Quentin has struggled this year. Dye's salary comes off the books this year and so does Thome... I could see it.

[Gad]

From Olney's latest update...

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->MLB sources indicate the White Sox are most likely the team awarded the claim on Rios, but the Blue Jays have not confirmed it. In any case, it may well be that Rios is on his way out of Toronto, because the Blue Jays may embrace the opportunity to shed his contract -- much in the same way that the Blue Jays unexpectedly allowed the San Diego Padres to take reliever Randy Myers in a waiver claim more than a decade ago<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Destined]

A fan fell onto field during the Pirates-Cards game tonight, and cut open his forehead to where Albert Pujols was to his rescue.

[Kid]

Deadspin has a post supposedly from somebody in the know that Josh Hamilton will "admit everything" based upon pictures Deadspin posted showing Hamilton in a bar.

[Kid]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Josh Hamilton admitted that he suffered a lapse from his sobriety in January and that the photos posted on deadspin.com are indeed him in an Arizona bar drinking and carrying on with women who aren't his wife. He had gone to Arizona before spring training to prepare for the season at Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz.

No disciplinary action will be taken by the Rangers, who were told about the incident by Hamilton the day after it happened. Hamilton is in the lineup today. He has not failed a drug test, so while he doesn't remember all the details from that night, it's apparent that he didn't take any banned substances that would lead to a suspension from MLB in violation of the policy that allowed him to return to baseball.

"I'm embarrassed about it. For the Rangers, I'm embarrassed about it. For my wife, my kids," Hamilton said. "It's one of those things that just reinfornces about alcohol. Unfortunately, it happened. It just reinforces to me that if I'm out there getting ready for a season and taking my focus off the most important thing in my recovery, which is my relationship with Christ, it's amazing how those things creep back in.

"Honestly, I hate that this happened. But it is what it is. You deal with it. I realized that, obviously, I'm not perfect, in this on-going struggle, battle, that is very real. A lot of people don't understand how real it is.

"As soon as it happened, I called my support system -- my wife, the Rangers, MLB and told them what had happened. I was absolutely open and honest about it.

"I went to get something to eat. Obviously, I eat at restaurants that have bars in them all the time. I wasn't mentally fit to go in there, spiritually fit, and it just crossed my mind, 'Can I have a drink?' Obviously, I can't."

Hamilton said he was surprised that it took so long for word to spread that he had been spotted drunk in public. General manager Jon Daniels said a cloud hung over those who were contacted by Hamilton for about a week.

Hamilton also said that he doesn't feel like a hypocrite for preaching about sobriety and the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

"I don't feel like I'm a hypocrite. I feel like I'm human," he said. "I got away from the one thing that keeps me straightened out and going in the right direction."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link

[Destined]

What a cheater. He cheated on his wife AND Jesus.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=56345:date=Aug 7 2009, 04:19 PM:name=1060Ivy)-->QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Aug 7 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Boston DFAd John Smoltz.

Any chance he would go to the bullpen for a team?

Sounds like he knows he's done but would be nice if Cubs could use him every 3rd day for an inning or 2.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Cards tried to pick him up.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4384410<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not interested... he's done. Maybe he gets a little more velocity out of the pen, but 59 hits and 37 runs in 40 innings is alarming to say the least.

[cigar]

The White Sox got Alex Rios for nothing. Other than the contract of course.

[biggz]

White Sox get Alex Rios. Toronto gets out from under his contract.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/08/whit...-alex-rios.html