MY BASEBALL BIAS

I know I don’t have many readers as of yet but I hope 2007 will be the start of something special here at My Baseball Bias. I’m starting to put the player pages together which will become a wonderful reference tool when your reading and browsing the site. More on that to come. Anyway, Happy New Year, be safe, and see you in 2007.

Philadelphia Phillies slugger and National League MVP Ryan Howard has fired his agent.  The only news here is the Phillies better hope he doesn’t sign-on with uber-agent Scott Boras.  Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr had this to say:

“I guess one thing that seems to be underlying here is that there was some kind of imminent deal, but that is not the case at all. There have been no discussions as part of a long-term deal or a short-term deal.”

I’m almost certain a deal will get done at some point because they have exclusive negotiating rights with Howard for the  next five years.  But having said that, you better get discussin’ Ruben.   If you let this guy go I wouldn’t want to be around Philadelphia when the fans burn down Citizen’s Bank Park.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have an agreement in place with free agent IF/OF Aubrey Huff.  Terms of the deal are said to be three years/$20 million.  Huff, who last year played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Houston Astros, is expected to play either third-base, first-base or left-field.  He will also provide Miguel Tejada with some much needed protection in the middle of the line-up.

I think it’s a good signing.  I followed Huff much of last year because he was on two of my fantasy teams and while he frustrated me for much of the season there is no doubt the guy can hit.  Coming back to the American League where he will be able to DH if need be is also a plus for a guy who often plays with nagging injuries.  He hit very well at Camden Yards while playing for the Devil Rays and many of the current Orioles are ecstatic to have him on board.

Here is what Kevin Millar had to say regarding Huff:

“He brings a true baseball player’s personality and the guy can hit. He has driven in 100-plus in the big leagues. I’ve always thought that he was underrated. If we sign him, it would be huge for the ballclub.”

Melvin Mora had similar things to say about Huff:

“I am excited if we can sign him. I think [Huff] can put up the same numbers as a $70 million player. He can hit over 20 home runs, plus he can drive in 100. This is the perfect guy to hit behind Miggy.”

If he can stay healthy there is no doubt he could easily put up 20-30 HR’s and 80-100 RBI’s.

According to an article in this morning’s New York Daily News, a deal that would send Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks has hit a “snag”. The “snag” is a contract extension if he returns to Arizona, something the D-Backs may not want to give him because he is still owed $40 million in deferred money from his previous contract with the club.

The Yankees on the other hand seem to be unwilling to send a huge chunk of cash to them for Johnson’s contract. I still expect this deal to get done because it makes total sense for Johnson. He could go back home, be with his family and have a  chance to win 300 games. It’s a no-brainer. Money is always the hang-up in any deal.

Expect the deal to get done after the New Year.

Dice-K mania continues as pictures began to flood the internet yesterday of him in a Red Sox uniform.  Had he forgotten when spring training actually started?  Were the Red Sox holding an intramural league game somewhere and didn’t tell anyone?  No, it was nothing that dramatic.  He was just shooting a beer commercial for Asahi Dry.

The Red Sox are going to jump all over this marketing angle with Dice-K according to a great article by Keith Reed in the Boston Globe.   Here is how Sam Kennedy, Red Sox’ senior vice president of sales and marketing described how the team wants to be seen in Japan:

“We want to be the team of Japan. The Yankees are very popular over there because of [Hideki] Matsui, but now we think we can get in over there as well,”  adding, “The more endorsement deals he does in Japan, in cooperation with Major League Baseball, the more brand exposure the Red Sox will receive. . . . We hope to significantly grow our fan base there. “Hopefully you will see a few Japan-based companies advertising at Fenway Park.”

I however would be very cautious up there in Beantown as to how much they market this guy.  He hasn’t even thrown a pitch yet.  What if he doesn’t live up to the hype or he’s hampered with injuries?  Just playing devil’s advocate here a bit.  The Red Sox Brass have wasted no time and used every resource to make this guy seem like the second coming of Cy Young. We shall see.

To be continued…

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports today that the Red Sox and Drew’s agent Scott Boras will talk again after the new year regarding the free agents contract.  After agreeing to a 5 year/ $70 million deal at the winter winter meetings, a snag occurred over conflicting doctor reports on Drew’s shoulder.

The two sides continue to say a deal will get done and the main issue is how much guaranteed money Drew will receive over the life of the contract.

Here is the recent mugshot of Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis after he was arrested for an alleged DUI in South Beach on December 21, 2006.

Hopefully we will see less of those photos and more of his high leg kick:

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have made an offer to free agent OF/IF Aubrey Huff. Industry sources say the deal is for three years at 6 million per. The Orioles are hoping that he could play multiple positions and provide power in the middle of the lineup.

One Oriole, Melvin Mora, would love to see Huff hit for them at Camden Yards next year:

“I like that guy, he’d have like 200 homers at Camden Yards. Every time he goes to Camden Yards, he comes back with two or three.”

While player endorsement of another player is never a bad thing, it rarely if ever helps out in the signing process. And I wouldn’t expect Orioles owner Peter Angelos to increase his offer either. They might go to 7 million a year over three years but I think that’s as high as they will go.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly also after Huff.

According to an article in this mornings Newark Star-Ledger, Randy Johnson could be shipped to Arizona as early as today. There are some complicated details that need to be worked out but it looks like this is nearing an end.

The Yankees are still hoping to get a few young pitchers from the Diamondbacks in return.

Also,  www.mlbtraderumors.com is all over this story.  Click HERE for the link.

The Cleveland Indians, along with the Cards and Rangers, are said to be among the finalists for signing free-agent pitcher Mark Mulder. The left-hander was injured most of last year while pitching for the Cardinals.

Here is what Mulder’s agent, Gregg Clifton, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer about the Indians pursuit of him:

“Mark Shapiro does a great job selling what the Cleveland Indians have to offer. I think he’s in a good spot to get Mulder to come to Cleveland.”

Mulder recently had rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder but he’s only 29, so a comeback is promising. He’s reportedly looking for a two year deal.

UPDATE:

I’m not sure how much anyone should trust ESPN baseball analyst and former Mets GM Steve Phillips but he thinks Mulder will end up in Arizona with the D-Backs. His reasoning is based on where Mulder’s agent lives which is in Arizona. He thinks that will impact Mulder’s decision.

The Marlins added veteran 3B Aaron Boone today to back up Miguel Cabrera. Its a one-year deal and he’ll probably be used as a utility man also.

Sorry for the above picture Boston fans, I couldn’t resist.

Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez strained his left shoulder when he tripped rounding a base in a Dominican Winter League game. The 2006 NL Rookie of the Year is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the Marlins spring training. Said Marlins GM Larry Beinfest:

“We got word from the Dominican that he kind of tripped when he was sliding. He slid awkwardly on the left shoulder. We got the call yesterday morning. We didn’t want to waste any time. It was precautionary and we also wanted to make sure it wasn’t serious, and it doesn’t appear to be so.”

I hope there are no lingering problems for Ramirez. He’s an electric player.

Former Yankee legend Bobby Murcer had surgery yesterday to remove a brain tumor and is now on the mend at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

We all wish Bobby and his family well and hope to see him at spring training come March.