CHICAGO

Closer Jumbo Jenks left the Sox first spring training game on Wednesday with “tightness” in his right shoulder.  “I’ve been working all spring on loosening the back of my shoulder because I had no internal rotation,” explained Jenks. “The combination of that and just using bad mechanics, leaking a little bit and dropping my elbow ... those two things together are not good.  Stretching is all I can do for it,” Jenks said. “I can get that extension. I can’t accelerate through the ball because I’ve got no range right now.  I’m still on the same schedule. There was no pain at all.  I was over-amped, and using bad mechanics was the biggest thing,” Jenks said. “I can only blame myself for that.” “He has to be careful because every time his mechanics are not in the right place, he’s going to be sore at least for the beginning of Spring Training,” said manager Ozzie Guillen who knew of Jenks problems before the game.  “I know he’s not lying to me,” Guillen said. “I believe him, trust him.” Doing their best Tony Snow impersonation, the Tribune declared that Jenks injury “ gives Guillen a chance to look at Mike MacDougal and Matt Thornton as potential closers. 

Rotation mainstays Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland were both roughed up in their first spring training appearances of 2007, but neither was terribly upset with their performances.  “I was hitting my spots and velocity was there,” Buehrle said. “That’s all you can look for right now.” Garland explained, “I’m out there throwing all fastballs so it’s pretty easy to pick up on that if you’re a hitter.”

RHP Gavin Floyd’s sprained right ankle is feeling better.  Is it 100% better? “Well, not 100 percent, but 75 percent better,” said Floyd.

Catcher/wrestler A.J. Pierzynski continues to “favor” the right ankle that he injured in an off-season workout.  ‘’I can go out there, I can play, but it hurts,’’ Pierzynski said. ‘’I don’t know what it is. I sprained it working out, and it just doesn’t seem like ... I mean, I’m here every day for an extra two hours [of treatment].  Herm [Schneider, team trainer,] keeps telling me it’s going to get better, so that’s all I can hope for.’’

Every player on the Sox 40-man roster is under contract, after the team agreed to terms with Jenks, Floyd, RP David Aardsma, P Nick Masset, LHP Andrew Sisco, LHP Matt Thornton, LHP Boone Logan, knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, fast-guy Jerry Owens, slugger Josh Fields, fly-catcher Brian Anderson and Iowan Ryan Sweeney. 

CLEVELAND

Cleveland G.M. Mark Shapiro is having Chris Antonetti, Assistant G.M., negotiate with starter Jake Westbrook since the pitcher’s agent, Michael Maas, works for the same firm as Shapiro’s father, Ron.  Both Shapiros have recused themselves from the proceedings to avoid ethics violations.  Hear that, Justice Scalia?  “I’d like to get something done this spring, if possible,” Westbrook said of the negotioations. “I’m very comfortable here.” “The numbers they threw out there were surprising and exciting to hear about,” he added in a masterful display of understatement.  “It feels good to be in the situation I’m in.”

Following the Indians’ signings of RHP Fernando Cabrera, RHP Edward Mujica, LHP Juan Lara, C Kelly Shoppach, IF Joe Inglett, 3B Andy Marte, OF Shin-Soo Choo, OF Ben Francisco and OF Franklin Gutierrez only four players from the 40-man roster remain unsigned – 2B Josh Barfield, LHP Rafael Perez, RHP Tom Mastny and RHP Fausto Carmona.

Jason Davis has lost weight this off-season.  Apparently, he has taken to eating properly while he kills things for fun. 

Travis Hafner wants to play first base about once a week this season, but the Indians logjam at first (Blake, Garko, VMart) may make that difficult.  “He’s done a good job and worked hard over there, and it’s really paid off for him,” said manager Eric Wedge of Pronk’s fielding. 

New outfielder Trot Nixon has been participating in all team workouts, including batting practice, but will not play in a spring training game for another week or so due to his off-season back surgery. 

RF Shin-Soo Choo remains upbeat despite the Indians bizarre signing of Nixon during the off-season.  “Trot Nixon is a good player,” said Choo. “He’s a veteran player who is going to help this team a lot. As for me, I just have to take care of myself. I’m staying as positive as I can.” Apparently, Wedge is taking away the 24-year old Choo’s job as the LHed half of the RF platoon for his own good.  “I want him to be an everyday guy,” explained Wedge. 

So far this spring, the team has signed 1,542 balls, bats and jerseys for Cleveland Indians charities. 

DETROIT

Detroit News’ Lynn Henning expects that the Tigers will trade several pitching prospects, including guys like Zach Miner and/or Jordan Tata, before the season starts.  They need a young stud catching prospect to replace Pudge Rodriguez in another year and a good shortstop that can replace or fill in for injury-prone Carlos Guillen.  Chad Durbin, out of waivers, is the most likely to be traded this spring. 

One of the reasons that the Tigers can move even more pitching prospects this spring (after trading three to the Yankees during the off-season) is because they have several excellent prospects that are clearly ready for the majors now.  One of those is southpaw Andrew Miller.  The Tigers first round draft pick in 2007 (#6 overall) out of the University of North Carolina, Miller pitched very well against the Mets.  In two innings, he struck out four batters (Franco, Beltran and Green swinging at fastballs; Wright looking at a curveball) and induced two weak groundouts to third base (Alou and LoDuca).  The only hard hit ball off his was a line drive to left center by Delgado. 

Will we see more leadoff at bats this season from Ivan Rodriguez?  It’s possible.  Think Pudge’s .310 OBP (from 2005-2006) isn’t good enough for the top of the order?  Tell that to Leyland, who put Chico Lind’s .290 OBP in the #2 spot more than 1100 times in 1988-1989.

Manager Jim Leyland wants CF Curtis Granderson to use a “two-strike approach” – simply put the ball in play and avoid a strikeout – throughout his at bats.  “That’s smart, in my opinion,” said Leyland.  “That’s smart hitting.” Granderson: “One of the things I’ve heard a lot of people say is that a lot of the guys who hit two-strike home runs, they choke up, and all they’re trying to do is just make contact.  And that’s when you end up squaring a ball up pretty well. . . . I don’t think you’re going to sacrifice a lot of power with it. If you get a pitch that you can drive with two strikes, you’re still going to be able to do that.”

The Tigers are happy to have 72-year old Jose Mesa on the staff.  “He’s always been a manager’s dream,” says Leyland.  “He takes the ball whenever you want him to take the ball, and he’s got good stuff. That’s a pretty good combination.”

KANSAS CITY

The Royals are going ahead with their sad plan to destroy most of Mark Teahen’s value by moving him to the outfield.  “We have got to be patient about it,” Bell said. “The only way you’re going to get better is experience it.  I think he has got the ability to play anywhere on the field. Mark is going to have some issues out in the outfield. Arizona is a tough place to play the outfield. If he can get it done down here, he shouldn’t have really any problem with any ball park in the American League or National League.”

What are the qualities that Buddy Bell is looking for from John Buck and Jason LaRue, who are engaged in fierce competition for the Royals’ starting catcher job?  “I want to see a little bit of arrogance and a lot of confidence,” Bell suggests. “A lot of tempo. A lot of energy.” Remember, as Nook LaLoosh told us, you have to play this game with “fear and ignorance” and no one knows that more than Bell. 

Jorge De La Rosa is the most likely candidate to fill the team’s #4 starter slot.  “He’s got a 90 percent shot of being in the rotation,” Bell said. “We saw enough of him last year that we’d like for him to be in the rotation.”

Apparently, the Royals have decided that if they don’t allow Mike Sweeney to play in any games then he can’t miss any games due to injury.  “We’ll limit his at-bats, so come April 2, he’s ready to go and he has no problems,” said manager Buddy Bell.  “I think it is really important that he gets through this spring without any mishaps.” Does Bell have any hard-and-fast rules for Sweeney this spring?  “He’ll never go to Tucson,” said Bell. 

Aches and Pains: RHP Joel Peralta is recovering from a nasty case of food poisoning that put him in the hospital for two days.  “At one point, when I got to the hospital, I didn’t know where I was,” Peralta said. “It was very scary. I never felt that way before.” “He lost eight or nine pounds, so he’s got to get his energy back,” Bell said. . . . OF prospect Mitch Maier is on the mend from a pinched tendon nerve in his right wrist.  “It is not a big deal,” Maier said. “It is inflamed. I just taped it and iced it. I took some swings afterwards. I don’t expect to miss any time.” . . . Much to Bell’s dismay, IF Angel Guzman has a stiff arm that has held him out of recent infield drills. . . . RHP Zack Day, who had rotator cuff surgery last summer, threw off the mound again. . . . RHP Brandon Duckworth, who had bone chips removed from his elbow in August, is slated to throw three innings on Monday.

Royals’ players hate their new synthetic caps.  “These are just terrible,” veteran hurler Steve Kline says. “They fall back over your face, they’re too big, they stretch out too far, they don’t stay on. They’re terrible.”

MINNESOTA

The Twins reached a contract agreement with “potential closer” Jesse Crain.  Crain will earn $3.25 million over the next three years, including two arbitration years.  “If he becomes a closer, there are incentives,” said Rob Antony, director of baseball operations and contracts.  Crain’s salary will escalate from $500K this year to $1.05 million to $1.7 million with incentives based on games finished.  “I think whenever you have some security, it makes you feel more comfortable and takes the pressure off,” said Crain.

An MRI exam has shown that OF Lew Ford has a slight meniscus tear in right knee.  He had a cortisone shot and will miss a few days; surgery is a possibility.  Ford had off-season surgery to repair the cartilage in his left knee. 

Uber-prospect Matt Garza is excited that he has been given an opportunity to win a spot in the Twins rotation.  “I know my stuff is good and I know it’s ready to go,” Garza said. “I’m just ready to see it live and get it going when I’m 95 percent or 100 percent.” In his first appearance of the spring, Garza held the Red Sox regulars hitless in his two innings of work.  ”I got to the point last year where I was using all arm, and that’s where you got the lofty curveballs and floating sliders,” Garza said, analyzing his outing. “Tonight, I could just feel the changes in my body. I felt like I could throw all day, but it ain’t that time yet.”

Sir Sidney Ponson is not able to pitching until at least March 9th due to visa problems. 

Ken Harvey left Wednesday’s game with a pulled chest muscle and should remain on the sidelines for three or four days. 

Manager Ron Gardenhire is all about “hustle” and “attitude” but he has learned to accept 2B Luis Castillo’s more “laid back” attitude.  “That’s just his makeup,” Gardenhire said. “He’s giving pretty much everything he has. Sure, you’d like to see everybody full bore all the time. But that’s just not his gig. I can live with it, because I know he has a lot of heart.”

The health of hard-hitting Jason Kubel, 24, has forced the Twins to look for additional options in left field.  Kubel underwent arthoscopic surgery in November to clean up the cartilage in his right knee.  The outfielder nearly completely destroyed his left during the 2004 fall league, forcing him to miss the entire 2005 season.  Soreness in both joints bothered him significantly for most of last season.  “Kubel may be better suited to DH right now,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “But we can mix and match out there.” And, even ignoring the knees, the team was also unhappy last season about Kubel’s general conditioning and overall fitness in 2006.  “He’s been told enough now, so it’s on his shoulders,” Gardenhire said of Kubel’s commitment to conditioning. “He’s got to do a lot of work this winter, and he needs to go down to Spring Training early. He needs to come prepared to play.” Ryan, who has been trying to re-up 2006 DH Rondell White seemed confident about his team’s left field situation.  “Between [Jason] Tyner, [Lew] Ford, Kubel and Rondell, we should have enough people if any sort of ailments occur.”

However, contract negotiations between the Twins and their 2006 LF/DH Rondell White have reached a deadlock, but a deal may still get done soon since both parties want it to happen.  But, can White, who doesn’t like to DH, play left field, where the Twins seem to have a hole?  “You know, he doesn’t throw great, but he ran the balls down and made the plays,” Gardenhire said, making a silk’s purse out of a sows ear. “That’s all we ask.” White, of course, is wildly optimistic about his health.  Ryan struck the same upbeat note.  “When we did put him out there, he did stay relatively healthy,” Ryan said, while to explain whether he meant “relative” to other major leaguers or just “relative” to White’s own dreadful injury history.  White was sidelined for almost a month last August last season by a lingering hamstring injury that severely limited his mobility.  “This is the best my legs have ever felt in December,” White said. “I’m going to go (into next season) feeling like I’m in my 20s. I’m not a cocky guy, but I’ll make the plays.” White earned $2.5 million from the Twins last season and became a free agent after the club exercised a $750,000 buyout of his option.  The Phillies are also believed to be interested in White. 

Trying to add to their collection of good right-handed National League hitters from the late-1990s, Twins are expected to offer a contract to infielder Jeff Cirillo. Speculation is that the contract will be for approximately $1 million plus incentives.  “I’m not going to get into specifics,” Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. “We’re looking for a little righthanded production around the infield.” Back in Milwaukee, Cirillo hit .400/.484/.636 and .413/.451/.493 against lefties in 2005-2006.  The Brewers and Reds also are interested in Cirillo. 

Why is Gil Meche is going to make $55 million dollars?  Ask the Twins, who are having trouble plugging several big holes in their rotation, while not spending tons of money or trading any of their own pitching prospects.  So, what are they going to do?  “Next question,” Gardenhire laughed. “I don’t even know the first three [starters] yet.” According to Gardenhire, Johan Santana, Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva “are in” but “we got the kids from there on out.” The best candidates of the kids are Matt Garza, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and, dark horse prospect Oswaldo Sosa.  Coming of an injury, former prospect J. D. Durbin will also be in the mix since he is out of options. “He’s very talented, another great arm,” Gardenhire said of Durbin, “and if he’s healthy and throwing the ball like he did when he went down, he’s pretty good.” Apparently, Minnesota has ruled out moving Matt Guerrier from the bullpen to the rotation, but may use Dennys Reyes there, if necessary.  “We don’t want to mess with Reyes,” Gardenhire said. “But you always start looking and thinking about all your possibilities, especially because starting pitching is a commodity right now that everybody is looking for.”

The team is eyeing about a half-dozen pitchers that would “be a good fit for the club.” “I’m very confident,” Gardenhire said of the Twins’ ability to add another starter or two. “Another veteran would be nice, and then you’re looking at one slot for one of those young pitchers. Right now, we’re just looking to see what we can find.” Apparently, Aruban knight/drunken brawler/”pitcher” Sir Sidney Ponson is one of those Dirty Half Dozen whom the Twins have targeted.  Ryan spoke to the Ponson’s representative on Thursday, although it is not clear if the team offered him a contract.  The Twins are also interested in southpaw Bruce Chen. 

They also have been begging Brad Radke, 33, to reconsider his stated decision to retire.  Gardenhire expects that the Radke, a 12-year veteran with the Twins whose arm is held in place by horribly ravaged rotator cuff, will not return for 2007.  “We’ve all said, (we hope he stays) one more year,” Gardenhire said. “Brad has pretty much done what he had to do in the game, I think. And until he makes his official announcement in front of you guys, we still got options with him. We are still talking, but it doesn’t look very good, let’s put it that way.”

The Twins are interested in adding a second left-hander reliever to provide help for Reyes.  Gardenhire will not use Perkins in this role.  They did sign lefties Mike Venafro and Carmen Cali to minor league contracts with invitations to the clubs spring training digs.  Venafro, 33, has played with five teams in his seven-year major league career.  Cali, 28, has pitched poorly in two brief stints with the Cardinals and logged an uneven minor league career.

Minnesota claimed shortstop Alejandro Machado, 24, from Washington in the Rule 5 Draft.  “He’s a middle infielder and a veteran player, which is a different sort of player than we usually take in the Draft,” said the Twins pro scouting coordinator, Vern Followell. “He has a lot of experience and is more of a defensive guy. But we are looking for backup help at the Major League level and we’re hoping that he can fit. He’s played a lot in Triple-A and been through a lot of organizations,” Followell said of Machado who has been traded four times in the last five years, “so he’s doesn’t have a problem hanging in there and fitting in on a Major League roster.” In the 2004 Rule 5 draft, Boston claimed Machado, but returned him to the Nationals.  In the minor league part of the draft, the Twins raided the Giants’ organization, taking pitcher Jesse Floyd and third baseman Brian Buscher.  Other teams took advantage of the Twins minor league depth though.  Minnesota lost pitchers Kevin Cameron to San Diego and Levale Speigner to Washington in the major league portion of the draft, while losing outfielder Erold Andrus to Tampa Bay and pitcher Justin Jones (who came to Minnesota from Boston in the Mientkiewicz deal) to the Nationals in the minor league session. 

The club heaped more responsibility on the plate of Rob Antony, director of baseball operations, giving him responsibitly for contract negotiations. The move fills the void that was left when Wayne Krivsky departed last winter to become the Reds GM.  They also named Perry Castellano to be the Major League strength and conditioning coach. Castellano has held the same role for the Twins minor league system for the past six years.  Adding to their scouting department, the Twins brought on board Lee MacPhail and Kenny Compton.  MacPhail, nephew of former Twins G.M. Andy MacPhail, has served as the director of baseball administration and a special assignment scout with the Nationals.  Compton was director of professional scouting with the Mariners.

The Twins and Hennepin County showed off plans for the team’s new ballpark this week.  Designed by HOK, the park will be about the same size as Pittsburgh’s PNC and Cincinnati’s GAB with around 40,000 seats, only 10,000 of which are slated to be in the upper deck.  “This will be the most compact ballpark that HOK has built,” a representative of the firm said. “In fact, it would fit inside most of the ballparks we’ve built. But the concourses will be twice as wide as the Metrodome, and there will be twice the number of bathrooms.” The field dimensions haven’t been finalized, but the power alleys will be deeper than the Metrodome’s.  “Most of the wall is about eight feet high, and the reason for that is we want to see Torii Hunter jump up and catch a home run over the wall,” said Jerry Bell, president of Twins Sports, Inc. “It can’t be so low that it’s easy, but it can’t be so high that it’s impossible.” The Twins hope to develop a supporting community around the ballpark.  “Principles for good urban design have been applied to this project,” said Chuck Lear, the chair of the design advisory committee.  “We want to make getting to the game as exciting as the game itself.” The new park is scheduled to be ready for the Opening Day, 2010.

Part of the reason for the Sox lack of commitment to acquiring Wells stems from the fact that they are still very much committed to their current centerfielder, Brian Anderson.  “I probably have more confidence in Brian than he has in himself, and that isn’t easy to do, trust me,” Williams said. “He’s the guy we’re still very high on. He is going to be challenged this year. He’s going to have to step it up.” There is speculation that Wells’ agents, Brian Peters and Greg Genske are intent upon “making their mark” with Wells’ upcoming free agency and want to make their client a $20 million dollar annual salary.  The Dodgers, Phillies and Angels also have shown interest in Wells’, allegedly. 

But, contradictions are rampant during any Winter Meeting session, and the Sox have, at least, some interest in upgrading their centerfield situation. “If you don’t have an everyday center fielder, your team isn’t going to be that good,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said in his best Casey Stengel impersonation. 

Another rumor concerning the Sox interest in acquiring a replacement centerfielder also seems to lack traction.  On Tuesday, Williams was careful not to specify any interest in his former centerfielder, fan favorite Aaron Rowand.  Thanks to the notoriously unreliable “baseball insider” Bruce Levine who devoured the chum that the Phillies front office was throwing, rumors had circulated through Chicago talk radio on Tuesday that the White Sox had discussed bringing back Rowand with pitching prospect Gavin Floyd in tow return for starting pitcher Freddy Garcia. 

Another rumor has the White Sox pursuing the Tampa Rays’ young centerfielder Rocco Baldelli.  The Sox are apparently one of several teams, including the Dodgers, Braves and Tigers who are interested the Rays’ outfielders—Baldelli, Carl Crawford and Delmon Young and Johnny Gomes.  And moving one of their outfielders sits well with the Rays also. “The one area where we’re covered is in the outfield,” manager Joe Maddon said.  “If something like [a trade] were to happen, we feel that’s the one spot we can handle internally.” One way that they would handle that is by moving their defensively-challenged by very promising young infielder B.J. Upton to centerfield.  Tampa has indicated that they’d like acquire a veteran starting pitcher to back Scott Kazmir and their young staff.  And another report suggest that the team wants “premium young pitching” in any deal. 

And, yet, over the last several days White Sox G.M. Ken Williams has downplayed the team’s interest in trading any of their five starting pitchers this off-season. “Pitching was what made us successful two years ago,” Williams said on Tuesday “We are committed to building with pitching, and I don’t want to do anything to compromise that. We never want to be in that position again where we can’t find a fifth starter,” he said of the lessons that he has learned.  Throwing cold water on speculation then, he added “Anything you hear about [the Sox adding a top hitter] is just a rumor.” Motivating Williams stance are reports that he is receiving from his minor league scouts.  “You’re seeing the price for pitching jump, and people are asking me if this is just a cycle,” one Sox scout said. “I don’t think it is. I think quality pitchers are just going to get more valuable, more expensive. It is shocking how few good pitchers there are in the minor leagues.  Some organizations have some pitching . . . but there are some that don’t have a single pitcher. You watch a [minor-league] team for a week, every day you’re thinking, OK, I’ll see somebody today, and you never do.” So, Williams is intent upon trading Garcia or Vazquez in for a much younger pitching prospect, like the Angels’ Ervin Santana, the Rangers John Danks or Jason Hirsh of Houston. 

One Sox pitching prospect that has baseball writers, or at least Rob Neyer, talking is knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.  “I’ve been promoting this guy since last spring, and I’m going to keep promoting him until he gets the chance he obviously deserves,” says Neyer.  “Haeger looks to me like the best young knuckleball pitcher any of us have seen.” Neyer continued, “If I were Kenny Williams, I would trade one of the guys who throws 90—because they have more trade value than the guy who throws 70—and give Haeger a slot in the rotation next spring. If I were not Kenny Williams, I would sidle up to him in Florida and try to find out exactly what he thinks about Charlie Haeger.” Haeger looked alternately fantastic and dreadful in his one start (against the Angels in May) last season, but was very sharp working out of the bullpen (7 hits and 7 walks with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings) upon his recall from Charlotte in September. 

Also, cooling the rumors that the Sox may trade pitching for a hitter are comments that the organization has made over the last several days, hinting that they will do whatever they feel is in the best interests of the organization, including sending Brandon McCarthy back to AAA Charlotte to be a starter.  On Tuesday, Guillen went so far as to suggest that, unless something happens involving one of the Sox current starters, McCarthy should start looking to renting a house in Charlotte since the team currently “five starters better than you.”

Part of the reason that the much discussed Sox/Angels trade is now on hold is because the White Sox have been asking for starting pitcher John Lackey, and not Ervin Santana as head been reported. 

Joe Crede who is likely to be part of any trade between Chicago and Los Angeles.  Crede, however, would prefer to stay on the South Side.  “I know Joe enjoys playing in Chicago. It’s a very fine franchise,” said Crede’s agent Scott Boras said.  Looking to mend fences with the Sox (who have been hostile to him since the agent cost the Sox 1996 first round draft pick Bobby Seay), Boras said, “He likes his manager. He likes his teammates. Obviously, we follow the direction of what Kenny [Williams] or Jerry [Reinsdorf] want to do with the players. If they want to talk about [an extension], we are willing to. If they don’t, we understand the rules of the game and go forward. We are fine.”

White Sox signed “valuable utility player” Pablo Ozuna, 32, to a one-year, $800,000 contract on Tuesday.  Everyone likes to point out how Ozuna hit .328 for the season, but he had a .655 OPS in the second half after a .971 OPS first half of the season.  His lifetime OPS is .703, so anyone want to play the old Sesame Street game, “One of these things is not like the other?”

You can rule out the possibility that Barry Bonds will be joining the White Sox anytime soon.  “When you hear that, I don’t know what people are drinking,” said Guillen of the New York Times article that suggested Bonds would be a good fit on the Sox or Twins. “I don’t think Barry fits good with the piranhas,” said Guillen, using his pet name for the feisty Twins.  “Barry is a shark. He’s not a piranha. I don’t see Barry there.”

Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is having second thoughts about his sport’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). “I’m already lamenting it,” Reinsdorf told Yahoo! Sports, expressing fears that low-revenue teams might not be able to afford to sign free agents in the future.  “They still have problems,” said Reinsdorf, acting, perhaps, as a stalking horse for his close friend and ally Commissioner Bud Selig.  “Revenue sharing has helped somewhat, but not enough. We need a system of salary restraint. Until there’s a system of salary restraint, the players are going to get all incremental revenue.” Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan echoed Reinsdorf.  “It is unfair how it is structured. And it’s something we do have to live with,” Dolan said. “The new CBA is a significant accomplishment in that it’s created labor peace. At the same time, it did not take on some of the ongoing structural issues.” So why did they all sign on to the unanimous owners vote?  Basically because The Union made them do it.  “In my view, the cost of making meaningful changes would’ve been extraordinarily high – in the form of a work stoppage,” said Dolan.  There was a general feeling on both sides that this was not the time for a work stoppage,” said Reinsdorf. “I know I’m happy because we kept peace”

However, another report has it that while Ryan has said that while he doesn’t want to weaken the team’s excellent bullpen, he admits that he’d move young starting pitching in the right deal.  ”No one is off limits,” said Ryan.  Personally, if the Twins can land Jason Jennings by dealing a combo of Rincon or Crain along with minor league prospects Scott Baker or Glen Perkins, then I’d do it in a minute.  Rincon’s agent has said that Twins G.M. Terry Ryan went out of his way to assure Rincon that the reliever would not be shopped around. The Cubs, Astros, Cardinals, Mets and Yankees are reportedly also in on the Jason Jennings sweepstakes, with the latest rumor swirling around a Cubs-Rockies-Pirates three-way thing. 

Ryan is not interested in acquiring either Steve Trachsel or Jason Marquis to fill the rotation holes. 

Free agent former-catcher Mike Piazza may be on the Twins radar, although most of the rumors have already pegged to as an Oakland Athletic in 2007. 

And the Twins are laying the groundwork for long-term deals will Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer, although this won’t get done immediately. 

Minnesota’s 2006 designated hitter Rondell White, 34, would like to be back with the club in 2007. “If they have me back, they’ll get the real Rondell, not the ‘Undell,’ “ White said.  “I’m going to be 10 pounds lighter and quicker than last season.  I felt I showed the Twins the real me the second half.  Hopefully, they’ll bring me back.” When healthy in the second half of last season, White hit .373/.407/.608 in July and .351/.392/.568 in September.  Ron D.L. missed all but two games between July 31st and August 24th with a bad hamstring. 

Elsewhere, Will Young’s obsession with the 1962 Twins continues on his blog. 

Sox fans can breathe easier as ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Devil Rays are interested in signing clubhouse-presence/out-maker Darin Erstad. 

Crasnick and other sources have chronicled the Twins talks with Colorado about Jason Jennings.  Crasnick suggests that the Rockies would ask for Matt Garza and more, which makes the deal a non-starter. 

Other Cranick bits include: The Royals are interested in Ryan Franklin, in addition to Gil Meche and Miguel Batista; and the Indians are chasing Octavio Dotel (more on this below). 

In a minor move (minor for any pitching staff except the Royals), Kansas City has signed former first round pick Dewon Brazelton to a minor league contract.  Royals Review and DRays Bay suggest that Brazelton’s problems may be mechanical and, therefore, correctable.  I have my doubts, but this is still an excellent risk by the Royals. 

The lobby scuttlebutt suggests that former Twins (and less-notably the Cubs) executive Andy MacPhail is the front-runner to replace Commissioner Bud (Zilla) Selig, when Selig retires in 2009.  MacPhail’s baseball lineage stretches back more than 75 years and both his father, Lee (who ruled the American League in the 1970s), and his grandfather, Larry (who initiated night baseball and tried to kidnap Germany’s Kaiser during the Great War) are in the Hall of Fame. 

Using the recent work of Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver, Dan Rosenheck of the New York Times has concluded that non-tendered Barry Bonds is best suited to play for A.L. Central contenders the White Sox or Twins.  As Silver explained at last year’s SABR convention in Seattle, the team most in need of a player like Bonds would be one that is on the cusp of the playoffs while drawing only a middling number of fans to a big stadium.  As Silver explains, Bonds could boost the Sox or Twins chances of making the playoffs from about 30% to about 50%.  This opinion has been roundly derided by the chosen few who are allowed to walk through locker rooms with microphones in their hands.  XM-radio host and Dodgers play-by-play man Charlie Steiner laughed at the notion for being the product of stat-crazed writer. La Velle E. Neal III, Star-Tribune beat writer / Gilligan’s Island castaway, stoops to Barry Bashing in his criticism of Rosenheck’s article, explaining that the Twins “don’t have enough room in their clubhouse to give Bonds five stalls.”

One A.L. Central beat writer sensibly suggests that we shouldn’t expect Sox G.M. Ken Williams to trade any of his starters until after free agent hurlers Barry Zito, Gil Meche, Ted Lilly, Jeff Suppan et. al. begin to sign contracts.  That way the wily Williams will be able maximize his leverage over his desperate fellow general managers. 

As The Cheat in his fine White Sox blog pointed out, Ken Williams backing of Joe Crede is a formidable piece of double-talk. “I have not approached anyone in trying to trade Joe Crede,” said Williams, “and I don’t plan to approach anyone.” He then added, “In a completely unrelated matter, I’ll be staying in room 1215 this week just in case any other general managers want to know from where I will be NOT approaching them about trading Crede.”

Speaking of The Cheat’s South Side Sox blog, he’s scooped everyone (sort of) by reporting that the White Sox have signed 20-year old Korean starter Po-Yu Lin for $300,000.  He also provides YouTube video footage of the 6’0”, 215 pound Lin.  Chris Dial will be pleased to know that Lin is a Big Ass pitcher.  Dial’s theory is that there is a direct correlation between the size of a pitcher’s ass and his ability to prevent arm injuries. 

Jim Margalus, founder of the Sox Machine, has the perfect gift for the White Sox fan in your family. 

Jake Berlin of The Bard’s Room has broken out his T-Square and laid down plans to “fix” the White Sox Outfield.  The most interesting suggestions for acquisition include Tampa’s Rocco Baldelli or Carl Crawford, the Nats’ Ryan Church or Austin Kearns and Matt Holliday of the Rockies.  Frankly, I think that Berlin is understating what the demands of teams like Colorado and Washington might be, but it’s still very interesting. 

Indians G.M. Mark Shapiro, who looks remarkably like Michael Rappaport on a bad day, has resigned himself to the fact that the Indians are going to have to take risks to fill their bullpen vacancies.  With Borowski slated to sign (assuming the Indians are satisfied with his medical reports), the Tribe are, allegedly, considering refugees from the Cedars-Sinai League, like Keith Foulke, Octavio Dotel and Eric Gagne.  How about a return engagement from Eric Riske, whom the White Sox non-tendered? 

Dotel’s agent says that there is “no question” that the pitcher is now fully healthy.  If Dotel comes to the Indians, it will be on the condition that he is crowned the team’s closer.  Jayson Stark says that Dotel is being “hotly pursued” by many suitors and has decided to only sign with those that would let him be a closer.  In addition to the Indians, that list includes the Red Sox, Royals and Devil Rays. 

Tigers’ G.M. Dave Dombrowski left the door open for Detroit to trade lefty Mike Maroth, who is rehabbing from mid-season surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow.  “I would say there’s a real strong chance that we wouldn’t trade the four guys who started for us in the postseason,” Dombrowski said, silencing the trade buzz that has circled around Jeremy Bonderman since mid-season. “And then beyond that, I’d have to say that you listen to what people have to say, but I can’t give you any odds on that.” How does Maroth feel about his future with the Tigers?  “I don’t worry about it. It’s out of my control.”

Detroit had brief discussions with the Florida Marlins on Monday, possibly about their hard-throwing rookie southpaw Renyel Pinto.  Dombrowski put his team’s pursuit of a lefty bullpenner in perspective, however.  “Really, if we didn’t do anything with our bullpen—with Jones, Zumaya, Rodney, Ledezma, Grilli . . .—we’d be fine with that. It’s not that we’re not going to try to do something, but if we had to go there, we would be fine.”

Rumors are that the Baltimore Orioles are in interested in slugger-extraordinaire-turned-Mudhen Chris Shelton.  “Normally when they inquire about him,” Dombrowski said of the Orioles and other two teams that have inquired about Shelton, “they’re thinking that they’re just going to get him for very little, because they think that it’s a good time to try to get him. . . . But we’re not just going to be in a spot where somebody comes by and gets him for an A-ball fringe guy. We like Chris Shelton.”

With the acquisition of Gary Sheffield, the Tigers are willing to move Craig Monroe or Marcus Thames and superfluous infield reserve Omar Infante (someone has to be worse than Neifi) in a trade.  Now, now, don’t all rush up at once, there’s plenty for everyone.  Wait, wait, why are you all asking about Ledezma?

Still looking for bullpen arms, the Indians are in the midst of serious discussions with Joe Borowski.  After failing his physical with the Phillies last week, the 35-year old Borowski is close to inking a one-year pact.  Even after signing ‘penners Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to one-year deals over the weekend, mlb.com’s Anthony Castrovince declares that the Indians are still “in need of some back-end relief,” which sounds like something they should see a proctologist about. 

Dan Labbe of the PD online doesn’t understand why he should be excited about the Indians’ signing of David Dellucci.  But that’s mostly because Labbe is kind of dense. “Is this guy really that different from Jason Michaels?” Labbe asks, “Sounds like the Tribe just signed up for a platoon.” Uh, yeah, that’s exactly what they did.  Now they have a great production in LF to go with what should be an excellent RF combo of Blake and Choo.  Depth is good, Dan.  Shouldn’t you have learned that last year? 

Kudos to Major League Baseball for scheduling the Cardinals and Indians to play in the inaugural “Civil Rights Game” on March 31, 2007 in Memphis, Tennessee.  Thanks to Bill Veeck, the Indians were the foremost American League team in integrating the sport.  Cleveland’s fabulous 1954 team had so many great ballplayers (many acquired cheaply because of their pigmentation) they literally couldn’t find room for them.  Any team that doesn’t have room for Minnie Minoso or Dave Pope or Luke Easter because you already have Larry Doby, Harry Simpson and Bobby Avila has done a fine job of mining the Negro and Caribbean leagues.  After Auggie Busch bought the Cardinals, his St. Louis franchise took immediate steps to reverse their history of poor race relations.  Not all those early decisions were good (minor league stars with the Padres, Tom Alston was kind of well, crazy, and Memo Luna hurt his arm even before reporting to the Cards), but the acquisitions of Brooks Lawrence and, especially, Big George Crowe laid the groundwork for the great, integrated Cardinals teams of the 1960s. 

The Indians have brought Buck “Mr. Fun” Showalter on as a senior advisor to baseball operations.  Showalter will assist the Indians brass in player evaluation and instruction.  He will be in uniform, but is allegedly no threat to steal manager Eric Wedge’s job.  That whooshing sound you hear is the entire Indians roster breathing a collective sigh of relief.

As much as I’d like to see the White Sox consummate the big Santana-Contreras-Crede-Figgins deal, I don’t see it happening in the long run for one huge reason—the demand for pitching is just too huge right now.  If the Angels are really willing to trade one of their dirt-cheap starters, like Santana or Saunders or Escobar, then someone will be willing to offer them much more than a slugging, good-glove third baseman with a weak eye and a weaker back.  The deal is much more sensible for the White Sox, who would still be left with six starting pitchers, allowing them to trade Javy Vazquez or “California Jon” Garland. 

According to G.M. Ken Williams, The White Sox are not going to be chasing any of the “big-name” free agents.  So, that rules out Mientkiewicz.

Something tells me that the Chisox will still bring in the rehabbing Darin Erstad. Erstad is a White Sox kind of guy—good clubhouse prescence, we-team, plays multiple positions.  The odds are that Erstad will probably return to the Angels and Scioscia (especially since Erstad is one of the few players that doesn’t hate Mad Mike). 

In DisneyWorld this week, the Royals are in search of a couple reliable starters (to add to their current crop of zero reliable starters) and an experienced closer.  Oh, and other pitchers too.  Having just passed through the nadir of the success cycle (isn’t jargon fun?), the Royals really don’t need to be picky.  Royals recipe this winter:
1) Find a couple of mediocre innings eaters/rehab projects
2) Mix them in the open slots on the staff
3) Allow to simmer until Gordon, Maier, Butler and Lubanski save the organization in 2008. 

With $18 million to spend, Gil Meche and Miguel Batista are the club’s top priorities.  However, since so many other teams are looking at the same guys, the Royals are open to making some kind of trade for pitching.  They won’t trade away their “youthful core,” so, KC would like to move Emil Brown, Reggie Sanders or Angel Berroa (please, please).  As I suggested this spring, last season’s much poo-pooed free agent signings look much better now since they (more or less) filled gaping holes in the lineup and their $20 million in contracts will come off the books after 2007, just in time for the team to boost the club as they bring in the young ‘uns. 

Coming to your local theater: How Sisco Got His Groove Back, starring Andrew Sisco, the studly Taye Digs, and Whoopi Goldberg as the crazy Mexican version of Annie Savoy.  And you thought that Apocalypto was going to be scary.

The Twins would like to add a veteran innings-eater to fill their rotation.  With Radke still slated to retire, the rotation is really much thinner than most people realize.  They are also without a LFer, although they will probably fill that from within the system, and a designated hitter.  Insert joke here about how they were without a LFer and DH for most of last season as well.  They may be interested in finding a replacement for Nick Punto at 3B also. 

All would be quiet on the Twins front had Batgirl not unearthed the top secret love letters of Derek Jeter and Jessical Biel.  Not only are they both dreamy to look at but they also write longingly romantic Victorian letters.  Who knew? 

Thank you all for bearing with me during my hiatus.

If anyone would like to contribute a short, but regular (ideally daily), synopsis of the news from of one of the division’s teams, then please drop me a line. 

Despite playing the sluggish Orioles, the Sox had to rally in the ninth on Friday (a game that Orioles announcers dubbed the most important win of the year for the Sox) and then weather a huge Baltimore rally on Saturday after leading 11-4.  “It was a really bad game,” Manager Ozzie Guillen said of Saturday’s contest, a 3 and ¾ hour affair in 97-degree heat. “When you score 13 runs and have your closer on the mound, it’s not a good sign. Good thing we won and swung the bat well.” The Sox good fortune could not hold in the final game of the series, however, as Jumbo Jenks lost the team’s one-run ninth inning lead and then lost the game.  “Our bullpen is doing a good job. It’s hard for the bullpen when it’s 104 degrees and the starter gives you five innings the last two days in a row,” Guillen said. “Those guys have been pitching literally without rest.”

During Saturday’s 13-11 barnburner, catcher A.J. Pierzynski went 5-for-5, making him the first Sox player to get five hits in a game during the 2006 season.  “Obviously, I had a nice game today, but the biggest thing is we won,” he said. “Getting five hits in a game is nice, obviously I’ve never done it before, but the biggest thing is when I got them. I got them with guys on base to drive in runs to give us a chance to win the game.” Pierzynski homered and drove in four runs in the game. 

The White Sox lead the majors in home runs (157) and in runs scored courtesy of the homer (47%).  “All year, the way the middle of the lineup has been is amazing,” Guillen said. “They are built to hit home runs . . . But it bugs me all year long that the rest of the guys don’t play the game consistently the way it should be played.” With 47% of their runs coming off the homer, the Sox total is 5% higher than last year’s total. 

Starter Jon Garland was ineffective on Saturday, thanks to a nasty sinus infection.  “I’ve thrown sick before,” Garland said. “The thing I don’t like about it is being on medication. You can’t really feel your body. You don’t know how good you feel or how bad you feel.”

First baseman Paul Konerko returned to the lineup on Sunday, after sitting out a game and a half with a bruised left shin.  His replacement, Ross Gload hit a grand slam to win Friday’s game. 

Ehren Wasserman of the AA Birmingham Barons lowered his ERA to 1.40 and picked up his 20th save on Saturday, but if history is any indicator then the Sox will trade the Wasserman before he makes the big club.  Wasserman is a funky side-arming right-hander, a commodity which the White Sox have tended to scorn in recent years.  See, Bradford, Chad and Bajenaru, Jeff. 

As part of the changes to their infield, the Twins recalled Jason Bartlett from AAA Rochester on Tuesday to where they banished him at the end of spring training.  Bartlett was hitting .306/.336/.443 at Rochester, but has he learned to be a “more vocal leader” of the infield as Gardenhire wished?  “He’s doing everything, being a leader in the infield, talking to pitchers, doing all the things we’ve asked of him, and now we just hope he carries it over up here.” Bartlett will be the Twins starting shortstop.  The previous starter, Juan Castro learned of his demotion by reading Wednesday’s paper.  “It’s kind of disappointing a little bit, but that’s the way baseball goes,” Castro said.  “We signed Juany to be one of our role guys,” Gardenhire said. “The circumstances put him out there as the everyday shortstop, and he did a very good job. Now, we’re getting back to this young man (Bartlett).”

The Twins have organized a “Vote Joe” campaign to try to get Twin City fans to get out the all-star vote for the team’s starting catcher.  At upcoming games, the team will distribute 10,000 buttons per game as part of the campaign.  “I’d be the president,” Gardenhire said. “I’m 100 percent behind this young man, he’s a great catcher.” After a .386/.432/.554 May and a ridiculously-hot June in which he’s hitting .467/.529/.667, Mauer has raised his PPS of .965 (.376/.442/.523).  That figure leads the AL’s second best hitting catcher (Jorge Posada) by 0.64 and he’s over a 100 points better than Victor Martinez and Ramon Hernandez, however, he is not one of the top five AL vote-getters and trails the vote-leader Jason Varitek by over 300,000 votes.  “If he were with the Yankees, he’d be No. 1,” center fielder Torii Hunter said. “He’s killing Varitek and he’s killing Posada. He’s out-playing Rodriguez, and Pudge is playing pretty good. But they are in the big markets and the names that people already know.”

It’s starting to sound like the Twins are thinking about cutting Designated Hitter Rondell White, who is hitting just .190 with nary a homer on the season.  “It just isn’t working out,” general manager Terry Ryan said. “(Manager Ron Gardenhire) has gone with Rondell a long time, and there are consequences when you don’t produce. All of us are accountable; I am, and he is.” But Ryan added that he thinks that White will “ultimately is going to be OK. . . . I haven’t given up,” Ryan said. “He hasn’t changed his work ethic. He hasn’t changed being a positive teammate. He still possesses bat speed.”

After a week that featured game winning grand slams by Morneau and Kubel (is it pronounced KOOB-ul or Koo-BELL?), the Twins are within two of the franchise record of most grand slams in a season.  The 2006 team has six (Cuddyer 2, Morneau, Hunter, Kubel, Batista) to tie the 1962 and 1970 teams (Brant Alyea and Rick Renick?).  The franchise record is eight set in 1961. 

Injury News . . . Designated Hitter Ruben Sierra, on the shelf with a torn biceps, reported to AAA Rochester for a rehab stint.  He will play three of an anticipated eight games for the Red Wings in the outfield.  “When we get ready to come back home [from six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Houston], we’re going to see how he’s doing, and if he’s handling himself and ready to come back,” Gardenhire said. . . . Left fielder Shannon Stewart, DLed with a sore left foot, has performed plenty of running drills in the outfield but has yet to run the bases.  The team has not yet decided on dates for a possible rehab assignment.  Some team officials believe that Stewart will be able to play as soon as early as next week’s inter-league road trip. 

With Moore sitting out the draft due to contractual stipulations, the Royals took Luke Hochevar (pronounced HO-chay-vur) with the first pick of the draft.  A Scott Boras client, Hochevar refused to sign with the Dodgers last season, then changed his mind agreeing to a deal in September, then hired Boras and changed it again, finally opting to reenter the draft.  The University of Tennessee grad pitched for the independent Fort Worth Cats last season. Hochevar features a sinking fastball that touches 97 mph and an above average slider and curveball.  His changeup is average.  One would expect that the organization will have him dump the curve, but time will tell.  “We didn’t feel like there was a position player even remotely that would be in (Hochevar’s) category,” Royals Scouting Director Deric Ladnier said. “When it was all said and done, we took the best pitcher.” “I’m going to bust my tail to make them extremely happy,” Hochevar said. The contract “is in Scott Boras’ hands and obviously mine as well. We want to be treated fairly and the Royals are a great organization and they’re willing to get it done so we’re excited to proceed and move forward with this.” The Royals talked with Boras both Monday and Tuesday before choosing Hochevar, but, according to the agent, they did not discuss any specifics about dollars and cents.” Instead of choosing North Carolina’s Adam Miller and a possible protracted bonus fight, the Royals believe that Hochevar will sign quickly since it’s not in his best interest to pass up the bonus associated with a #1 pick and sit out another year.

In the second and third rounds the Royals took Virginia Beach prep outfielder Jason Taylor and Georgia Tech pitcher Blake Wood.  Baseball America did not have ether player in their top 200 prospects.  In the fourth round, they took another prep outfielder, Derrick Robinson from Gainesville, Florida, who was ranked 33rd by Baseball America. 

Buddy Bell took a few minutes to lobby for his job discuss the team with his new General Manager on Thursday.  According to Robert Falkoff of mlb.com, Bell’s message was that there are several players on the team’s current roster that the manager believes in.  Really?  Who?  Okay, I’m being snarky.  I guess that I believe in DeJesus, Buck, Costa, Peralta, Wood, Burgos, Howell and Gobble (sort of), but why do I have the feeling that Bell’s list is radically different?  “It’s a tough situation for him to get into right now in the middle of the season,” Bell said of Moore. “I can’t imagine what he has to go through in terms of putting an organization together.” Keep puckering, Buddy. 

In their continuing efforts to waste a rebuilding year by featuring no players under the age of 30, the Royals demoted right-handed starter Denny Bautista yesterday.  The team sent him down so that he could get enough innings to work out his delivery problems.  “He wasn’t going to get the kind of innings he needed working out of the bullpen,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said. “We still want to get him in the rotation at some point. Hopefully, he’ll straighten himself out.  It’s just about being able to repeat his delivery,” Bell said. “We’re hoping that he can understand the situation, slow down and stay in his delivery.” Kyle Snyder, 28, will take Bautista’s rotation spot.  I have little or no faith in Snyder, but he has shown some remarkable control at AAA Omaha this season. 

Zach Greinke pitched a solid rehap outing for AA Wichita on Wednesday, allowing three runs in six innings while striking out five.  “It was pretty good, better than the previous [outing],” Bell said. “He was 88 to 95 [mph] and used all of his pitches. They hit a homer off him and he kind of got out of his delivery for a hitter or two. But he was able to regain it.”

Mike Sweeney is finally ready to swing the bat again, that is if anyone shows up to throw to him.  “I got here ready to go,” said Sweeney, but when he arrived at the park nobody was around “I could have swung (Tuesday), but I’m still a ways away from being on the field. One day is not going to make or break me.”

The Royals recalled right-hander Leo Nunez from AAA Omaha and sent out Seth Etherton. 

Uberprospect Alex Gordon is day-to-day after cutting his foot while taking out the garbage. 

Several Royals voiced support for Jason Grimsley, their friend and former teammate.  “To my knowledge, I knew nothing about Jason or anyone he hung with doing steroids or human growth hormone,” Sweeney said. “I was shocked. I just want to support Jason through this because it obviously is a very tough time for him.” “He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had in Kansas City,” Sweeney said. Jeremy Affeldt echoed Sweeney’s sentiments.  “He will step out and turn this around for the good,” Affeldt said. “He’ll talk to kids about what it can do to you.” Actually, telling them that might not be the best idea, Jeremy.  We are going to have to face it, the stuff works, so it’s better to tell the kids things like that their testicles will explode or that they will become addicted to heroin and murder a family of baby seals if they take the stuff.