After a five-game losing streak last week served as the potential start of the Philadelphia Phillies' final stretch to get back into contention, the club has won four of six and is now tied for second place in the National League East, and sit 7 1/2 games out in the Wild Card race. As of today, the Phillies have to be considered buyers, as GM Ruben Amaro told CSNPhilly.com last month.
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The National League Rookie of the Year race is shaping up rather well, what with Shelby Miller, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Julio Teheran and Jose Fernandez, among others, on the pitching side, and Yasiel Puig, Jedd Gyorko, Evan Gattis, Nolan Arenado and Didi Gregorius on the hitting side. The American League ROY, on the other hand? Not such a pretty picture.
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In December, 2006, the San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Barry Zito to a 7-year, $126 million contract, the largest of all-time for a pitcher at the time. Nearly seven years later Zito could hit the open market again after the 2013 season, barring an unforeseen piling up of innings over the final three-plus months that would automatically trigger an option for 2014.
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Right-hander Josh Johnson's injury history doesn't help his free agent value, a scenario that will present itself after this season, nor does the trips to the disabled list assist the Toronto Blue Jays in retrieving as much in return as possible should they deal him before the July 31 trade deadline. Johnson, however, is doing his part since returning from the DL two weeks ago.
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No, Mike Moustakas isn't headed for the College World Series, but he could be headed for Omaha, where the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate develops players. The third baseman is just 8-for-44 in June and hasn't logged an extra-base hit in more than three weeks. It may be time to send down the former first-round pick .
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Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the offices of the Miami Marlins as the trade deadline approaches this summer. The club that traded away all but one of their bigger-money players over the offseason -- right-hander Ricky Nolasco remains, but may be the most likely Marlins player to be moved between now and July 31 -- could consider trading their most valuable commodity.
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The Texas Rangers' solution to the conundrum concerning top prospect Jurickson Profar and veterans Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus is to use the youngster in left field, reports Anthony Andro.
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The New York Yankees' future outfield, in the short term, is unclear. Curtis Granderson, now on the disabled list, is a free agent at season's end, and Ichiro's modest performances over the past few years, suggest he's best suited for a part-time role. Vernon Wells' strong start has subsided.
Brett Gardner seems set to hang onto the center field job, but who might flank him in 2014 isn't likely to be settled until the winter. The club has a multitude of options for the long-term future, however.
Brett Gardner seems set to hang onto the center field job, but who might flank him in 2014 isn't likely to be settled until the winter. The club has a multitude of options for the long-term future, however.
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Once viewed as a centerpiece of the Pittsburgh Pirates' rebuilding efforts, James McDonald's future with the club is far from a sure thing.
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