Posts belonging to Category Teams

On Tuesday, rumors began to circulate regarding Justin Upton and the Arizona Diamondbacks willingness to hear offers for their right fielder.  Thus far, the teams that have expressed an interest in the 23-year old include the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and as of a few minutes ago, the New York Yankees.  Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Upton — who, on The Golden Sombrero, is commonly referred to as JUpton — signed a 6-year/$50 mil deal with the Diamondbacks that will make him a free agent after the 2015 season.

In 2010, he posted a .799 OPS that included 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 69 RBI, while playing in 133 games.  There are very few players in all of baseball who possess the strength and bat control that Upton does, and I expect that nearly every team will inquire about his availability.  Here is a video of him taking batting practice during Spring Training in 2010:

Do you know what divine intervention is, Garrett Olson?

In the upcoming issue of ESPN The Magazine, Felix Hernandez and Garrett Olson of the Seattle Mariners decided to cut loose, trading in their gloves for guns, and their own pride for laughs.  Dressed as Vincent Vega and Jules — with King Felix playing Jules, naturally — from Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction,” the two Mariners’ pitchers clearly embraced the rare opportunity, as you will see in the remaining photos.

My only question: Garrett Olson? Really? Does that mean Ryan Rowland-Smith was unavailable?

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The San Francisco Giants selected Buster Posey 5th overall in the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft.  After being called up on May 29th, Posey played a major role in the Giants’ late-season surge to reach the playoffs, and ultimately win the World Series.  In just 108 games, he hit .305 with 23 doubles, 18 home runs and 67 RBI.  On Monday, the 23-year old was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year after receiving 20 1st-place votes.  Here is a video of the always-impressive Posey taking batting practice as a California League All-Star in 2009:

• Rumors continue to swirl regarding Paul Konerko’s potential suitors…..even if the White Sox resign him, they would still like to acquire a major left-handed bat…..Dayan Viciedo could be the homegrown solution to a void left by Konerko. [MLB.com]

• Ozzie is preparing himself for a team and life without free agents A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko…..Bobby Jenks career with the White Sox is looking like it’s over…..team might have interest in American League’s top closer, free agent Rafael Soriano. [ESPN]

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In late September, with only a few games remaining in the regular season, I wrote a column that highlighted Alexei Ramirez’s outstanding season at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox.  More importantly, I contended that he should be the recipient of the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop.  However, after Tuesday’s disconcerting announcement that Derek Jeter had won the Gold Glove over Alexei Ramirez, I became perturbed by the thought that the Rawlings Silver Slugger Award might ultimately be just another popularity contest.

Thankfully, logic prevailed on Thursday as Ramirez was awarded the first Louisville Silver Slugger Award of his career, ending Jeter’s four-year stranglehold over the honor.

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