In 144 games, Scutaro set career-highs in batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.379), slugging percentage (.409), homers (12), RBIs (60), runs (100), doubles (35), walks (90) and stolen bases (14). That was an impressive feat considering that he’s gotten regular at-bats the previous five seasons.

Although he was primarily a shortstop for the Blue Jays, he’s able to play multiple positions. As a result, certain teams are going after him with the idea that he’ll be a full-time player at a different position — such as third base.

Teams interesting in Scutaro include the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Even though he’s 34, Scutaro is likely to get a multi-year deal worth a good amount of money. It’ll be interesting to see if the native of Venezuela can build off his career year.

Marco Scutaro will be a sought after free agent (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Here’s a look at possible destinations for Matt Holliday in free agency:

St. Louis Cardinals
Matt Holliday finished the 2009 baseball season with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, since the Cardinals aren’t in a huge market and will have to break the bank to keep Albert Pujols around, many experts believe Holliday will end up elsewhere.

New York Yankees
The Yankees are coming off yet another championship but they are looking to get younger and more athletic. Holliday fits that bill and we all know the Yankees have enough money to make a play at him.

New York Mets
Since Holliday seems to play better in the National League, the Mets might make the most sense. They need another bat and Holliday could finally help the Mets reach the postseason.

Boston Red Sox
Another big money team, the Red Sox need a slugger to replace David Ortiz if Ortiz continues going downhill. For that reason, Holliday makes a lot of sense.

Matt Holliday is the big fish (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

After establishing residency in the tiny country of Andorra, Chapman is now a free agent. There has already been talk that a big league team may be interested in paying him upwards of $50 million. Which teams are possible destinations for Aroldis Chapman? Let’s take a look:

New York Yankees
The Yankees always like to spend money. Considering that starting pitching depth was their weakness this season, signing Chapman makes a lot of sense if they believe he’s a future starter.

Boston Red Sox
Like the Yankees, the Red Sox can use more starting pitching depth. Boston hasn’t backed down from going after international players and Chapman is yet another intriguing prospect.

New York Mets
The Mets need another top of the line pitcher if they hope to become playoff contenders in the National League. Plus, their pockets are deep enough to snag Chapman.

Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have one factor that may make Chapman happy — warm weather. Chapman already said he’s not a fan of the cold. Oh and yeah, the Angels need more starting pitching help.

Florida Marlins
It’s an extreme longshot but the Marlins would be able to keep Chapman close to Cuba. Plus having Chapman on board would likely draw more fans to their ballpark, which is always a concern for the Marlins.

Aroldis Chapman has many possible destinations (Image: Zuma Press)

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For the second straight game, starting pitching was the key for the Angels. That fact is ironic considering that the Angels’ weakness all season long was supposedly their lack of starting pitching. Friday’s star was Jered Weaver, who went 7.1 innings while giving up only two hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out seven.

After the Red Sox struck first in the fourth inning, Kendry Morales tied it with a sac fly in the bottom half of the inning. Maicer Izturis put the Angels up with a single and then Erick Aybar put it away with a two-run triple in the seventh.

The Angels will try to wrap up the series on Sunday when Scott Kazmir takes on Clay Buchholz.

Erick Aybar Celebrates After His Key Triple (Image: Zuma Press)

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On the mound, John Lackey was dominant for Los Angeles. In 7.1 scoreless innings, he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four batters. Darren Oliver pitched the final 1.2 innings and didn’t allow a baserunner.

For the Red Sox, it wasn’t the way the team wanted to start their 2009 postseason. They had only four hits while racking up three errors. David Ortiz, he of playoff heroics in the past, struck out three times in four at-bats.

In Game 2, the Angels could take a commanding lead in the series. However, the Red Sox should have a good chance to pull out the win due to Josh Beckett being on the mound. The Angeles will counter with Jered Weaver in Friday’s Game 2.

Torii Hunter - Los Angeles Angels (Image: Zuma Press)

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On Tuesday, they were officially eliminated after losing to the Los Angeles Angels by a final count of 5-2. Bobby Abreu homered in the first inning and the Angels never trailed again. Angels starter Sean O’Sullivan pitched five innings to improve his record on the season to 4-2.

With the Rangers out of the picture, that means that the Boston Red Sox have clinched the wild card. With a record of 91-66, the Red Sox are considered by many to be the favorite in the American League — even though they will be the wild card.

The only race in the American League that is still up for grabs is the AL Central. Currently, the Detroit Tigers lead the Minnesota Twins by two games.

There will be no playoffs for Josh Hamilton and the Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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On Sunday, the Rays saw their losing streak extend to 11 games when the Boston Red Sox won by a final count of 4-0. The Rays are no only 72-71 and they are already looking forward to next season.

In their latest loss, Jon Lester dominated. The Red Sox starting pitcher threw eight innings in which he only gave up two hits while striking out seven.

James Shields, who started the game for the Rays, isn’t impressed with the losing streak.

Said Shields: “It’s embarrassing. Eleven straight losses. Not fun at all. Whether we’re in the race or not, we’ve got to play better baseball.”

As for the Red Sox, the win pushed them four games ahead of the Texas Rangers in the AL Wild Card race.

Evan Longoria and the Rays aren't happy these days (Image: Zuma Press)

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While Hamilton has talked about missing a few weeks, the Rangers believe he can be back sooner than that. In fact, Texas is holding out hope that their slugger can return by this weekend.

On the season, Hamilton is hitting .270 with ten homers, 49 RBIs and 43 runs. Compared to his near MVP season last year, his numbers this year are disappointing. That said, the Rangers are desperate to get him back in the lineup. As of late, scouts have commented that Hamilton has looked better than he has all season.

Without Hamilton, it’ll be difficult for the Rangers to make the playoffs. As it stands, the Rangers are 76-60 and trail the Boston Red Sox by 2.5 games in the AL Wild Card race.

Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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“For them to tell me there’s a good chance I’ll be available the last two weeks,” said Young, “that’s great news to me.”

Arguably the best player on the Rangers, Young has hit .322 with 22 homers, 67 RBIs and 76 runs this season. The loss of Young goes beyond the numbers.

“There’s no way to replace Michael,” explained outfielder Marlon Byrd. “He’s the leader.”

For the Rangers to stay alive in the AL Wild Card race, they will have to find a way to replace their third baseman. Currently, they are 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox. If Texas slumps at all, they could be met with the end of their 2009 baseball playoff chances.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

And all things considered, Green ended up doing a great job. In his two innings of work, he walked three but gave up no hits and no runs. After the ballgame, Green said he hadn’t pitched in nearly a dozen years. The last time the 30-year-old pitched was in junior college.

Said Green: “I didn’t know what to expect.”

Junichi Tazawa, the rookie starter for the Red Sox, wishes he had Green’s success. Instead, the native of Japan gave up nine earned runs in four innings to raise his ERA to 6.65.

With the win, the White Sox evened their record at 64-64 and are now 4 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. The Red Sox, on the other hand, now trail the New York Yankees by 6 games in the AL East and lead the Texas Rangers in the AL Wild Card race by only 1.5 games.

Post from: Knuckle Curve