Starting pitcher Braden Looper was bought out by the Milwaukee Brewers for $1 million this weekend. The other option for the Brewers was to pay Looper $6.5 million next season — but Milwaukee decided against that idea.
The good news for Looper last season is that he led the Brewers in victories with a record of 14-7. The bad news is that he didn’t pitch very well. In fact, he led all of Major League Baseball in runs allowed (123) and home runs allowed (39). The 35-year-old started 34 games and had an ERA of 5.22.
Although he’s coming off a poor …read more

Jack Wilson, the stellar defensive shortstop who began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has signed a two-year deal to stay with the Seattle Mariners. After breaking into the big leagues with the Pirates in 2001, he was traded to the Mariners in the middle of last season.
Although not much of a hitter, Wilson is great with his glove. The 31-year-old is also known for getting clutch hits and coming ready to play each and every game.
Last season, Wilson struggled mightily at the plate. He hit .255 with five homers, 39 RBIs and 37 runs. In 31 games with the …read more

After a successful homecoming last season, the Seattle Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr. have agreed to extend the relationship another year. Griffey will be paid a base salary of around $2 million, with a number of incentives built into the contract.
Griffey began his career in Seattle in 1989. He was the Mariners center fielder until 1999 when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. After eight and a half years with the Reds, Griffey went back to Seattle for the 2009 campaign.
In his return, Griffey hit .214 with 19 homers, 57 RBIs and 44 runs. He also drew 63 walks …read more

The Tampa Bay Rays don’t have the deep pockets of the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox. But when faced with a $10 million option on Carl Crawford, the Rays exercised the option to keep the speedy outfielder.
As it turns out, it wasn’t too difficult of a decision for the Rays. Last year, the 28-year-old left fielder had arguably his best season. He finished with a .305 batting average to go along with 15 homers, 68 RBIs, 96 runs and 60 steals. The 60 steals were a new career-high and he also posted a career-high on-base percentage of …read more

At 70-80, the Houston Astros haven’t lived up to expectation. As a result, the team has decided to fire manager Cecil Cooper. Dave Clark, the team’s third-base coach, will be the Astros interim manager.
Prior to the firing, the Astros had lost seven straight games. Following the firing, the Astros lost again under Clark — extending their losing streak to eight games. On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals handed the Astros a 7-3 loss.
Ed Wade, Houston’s general manager, decided to make the move even though the 2009 baseball regular season is almost over.
Said Wade: “The issue we had to address here, …read more

Milton Bradley was signed in the offseason by the Chicago Cubs and was viewed as a potential difference maker. However, less than one year into his three-year, $30 contract, this marriage appears to be over.
On Sunday, the Cubs decided to suspend Bradley for the rest of the season. Reading between the lines, it’s safe to say that Bradley won’t be wearing a Cubs uniform any time soon.
Said Jim Hendry, the GM of the Cubs: “Recently, it’s become intolerable to hear Milton talk about our great fans the way he has. We pride ourselves on having the greatest fans in baseball, …read more

Scott Kazmir, a starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, will be traded to the Los Angeles Angels — according to numerous online reports including one on MLB.com. In return, the Rays will reportedly receive minor leaguers Matthew Sweeney and Alexander Torres.
Prior to the 2009 baseball season, Kazmir signed a three-year deal worth $28.5 million. However, he has underperformed this year for Tampa Bay. In 20 starts, he has an ERA of 5.92 ERA and a record of 8-7.
Despite his poor season, the Angels can use all the help they can get in their starting rotation. Dealing with a variety …read more

After getting released by the Boston Red Sox, it didn’t take John Smoltz too long to find a new home. On Wednesday, Smoltz signed a deal for the rest of the year to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. Since the Red Sox are still paying him money, the Cardinals will only have to pay Smoltz around $100K.
With the Cardinals, Smoltz will likely begin as a starting pitcher. However, down the line, he could switch to the bullpen. Many team insiders have speculated that if the team makes the playoffs, Smoltz would likely be the the Cardinals’ setup man.
As it …read more

Stephen Strasburg, the number one overall draft pick of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, has agreed to a contract with the Washington Nationals. Facing a deadline of midnight on Monday, the Nationals were able to strike a deal with just minutes to spare. The contract is reportedly worth more than $15.5 million over four years.
Strasburg is one of the highest rated baseball prospects of the last twenty years. A starting pitcher for San Diego State, Strasburg was simply dominant on the college level. The lanky right-hander has an overpowering fastball and a devastating curveball in his arsenal. In his …read more

The Boston Red Sox really wanted to find a veteran shortstop to add to their squad. On Friday, they landed a familiar face when they sent cash and a minor leaguer to the Cincinnati Reds for Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez played in 111 games for the Red Sox in 2006.
This year, the 32-year-old native of Venezuela hasn’t been hitting the ball too well for the Reds. He has a .210 batting average, a .258 on-base percentage, three homers, 16 runs and 26 RBIs. In 2006 with the Red Sox, he had a .255 batting average to go along with nine homers, …read more