Wednesday, February 29, 2012

2/29 Morning Buzz: Ryan Braun, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Hanson

Top Story:
Statements from Dino Laurenzi, the Ryan Braun sample collector.

Braves Bits:
Braves.com - Freddie Freeman to miss time with knee injury.
Braves.com - Tommy Hanson to retake concussion test Thursday.
ESPN - Brian McCann extension talks "premature."
MLBTR - The Braves' offseason in review.
Talking Chop - Reviewing Javy Lopez's book.

MLB News:
Nationals - Lost Sammy Solis to Tommy John surgery.
Mariners - Franklin Gutierrez suffered a pectoral injury.
Astros - Named Brett Myers the closer. He had a 4 fWAR in 223 IP in 2010. But yes, relegating him to one inning on a Houston team that needs all the extra value it can get is always the best idea.

MLB Bits:
A good source for extension news.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2/28 Morning Buzz: Chipper Jones, Salvador Perez, Yadier Molina

Top Story:
Chipper takes shot at drug cheaters.

Braves Bits:
Talking Chop - Terry Francona Interviews Fredi Gonzalez.
Braves.com - News and notes from the MLB site.

MLB News:
Royals - Signed Salvador Perez to a five-year extension.
Royals - Signed Vin Mazzaro to one-year deal.
Athletics - Scott Sizemore out for the season with a torn ACL. I would expect Josh Donaldson to get first crack at third base.
Cardinals - Expected to sign Yadier Molina for five years at around $75 million. It's just too much money for him. Work out your $/WAR all you want, whatever it comes out to be. But it's too much.
MLB - Danys Baez is retiring.
Red Sox - Jason Varitek will retire Thursday.
Reds - Signed Sean Marshall to three-year extension.

Monday, February 27, 2012

2/27 Morning Buzz: Ryan Zimmerman, Joel Zumaya, Ryan Braun

Top Story:
Ryan Zimmerman signs six-year extension worth $100 million. He will be the second richest third baseman annually behind Alex Rodriguez. He also gets a full no-trade clause beginning in a couple years. This type of money was bound to happen for Zimmerman, so good job by the Nationals to get it done quickly.

Braves Bits:
Capitol Avenue Club - Medlen and Vizcaino Boost Bullpen.
AJC - Tommy Hanson could return by Tuesday.
AJC - On Michael Bourn and Tyler Pastornicky. "Uncle Tyler."
AJC - On Freddie Freeman.
Braves.com - On Brandon Beachy.
Braves.com - On Joe Terdoslavich, Hanson and Jonny Venters.

MLB News:
Twins - Joel Zumaya threw all of 13 pitches before needing another surgery. Not to be insincere about Zumaya's situation, but the worst part of this is he was the Twins' bullpen move this winter. For a pen that finished last year with a 4.51 ERA and 4.43 FIP, that's not good news.
MLB - Hideki Matsui can't find a job.
Athletics - Scott Sizemore went down with an apparent knee injury.
MLB - Bengie Molina officially retires.
Angels - Torii Hunter wants to play two or three more years.

MLB Bits:
Brewers - Will Carroll's details on the Ryan Braun case.
Red Sox - Bobby Valentine bans alcohol in Red Sox clubhouse. This will get a lot of play, obviously, but it should be a normal occurrence, in my opinion.
Rays - Rays' rotation quietly among MLB's best.
Mariners - Entertaining intrasquad game recap from Lookout Landing.