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The First-Year Player Draft is in three weeks (June 6-8) and ESPN Insider's Keith Law released his first Mock Draft this week, projecting the Minnesota Twins, who have the fourth overall pick, to go with the upside play in prep right-hander Kohl Stewart from St. Pius X High School in Houston, Texas.
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Red Sox joining Tigers in relief search? 
May, 18, 2013
May 18
10:39
AM ET
By Jason A. Churchill | ESPN.com
Earlier this week, we learned that the Detroit Tigers were hard at work looking for bullpen help. With the news that Joel Hanrahan is now out for the season after having Tommy John surgery, the Boston Red Sox also may be in the market for relief assistance.
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Anthony Rizzo, who began the season with less than a year of big-league service time, received a long-term contract from the Chicago Cubs, reported Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Clubs are flocking to the negotiating table to lock up their young players these days, so despite such a deal being unique, perhaps Rizzo's deal is just the start.
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The Chicago White Sox have won three in a row entering play Friday but remain in last place in the American League Central. If he club can't build on its min streak and climb the standings some in the next two months, GM Rick Hahn may look to flip some veteran for young talent. If such a scenario transpires, writes Dan Hayes, Chris Sale may be the lone untouchable.
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Yes, it's still quite early and the Los Angeles Angels aren't a club with a recent history of moving players simply to save payroll, but they are 15-26 with a negative-42 run differential and a 12-game deficit in the American League West.
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The San Diego Padres may be growing what is soon to be among the best collection of catchers in the game of baseball. The New York Yankees, starting with rookie Austin Romine and trickling down to prospects Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy, may own such a title now, but the Friars may not be far behind.
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The Philadelphia Phillies, despite being a few games under .500 and having lost Roy Halladay for an extended period of time, are just 3 1/2 games back in the National League East and GM Ruben Amaro says the team is looking to buy right now, not sell.
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Last week I took a look at the WAR and FIP leaders among American League starters in attempt to frame up the top contenders for the league's Cy Young Award after a little more than a month of the season. Now it's the NL's turn.
WAR Leaders (FanGraphs formula)
Adam Wainwright, RHP -- St. Louis Cardinals: 2.2
Wainwright took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start and has issues but four bases on balls in 58 2/3 innings.
WAR Leaders (FanGraphs formula)
Adam Wainwright, RHP -- St. Louis Cardinals: 2.2
Wainwright took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start and has issues but four bases on balls in 58 2/3 innings.
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The St. Louis Cardinals may have the most balanced offensive lineup in baseball. They have three left-handed hitters, five right-handed batters and a switch hitter in Carlos Beltran. The extra hitter comes from Matt Adams, who doesn't play every day. David Freese and Pete Kozma are two of those right-handed bats, and are the only two who have yet to hit much in 2013. Freese started the year on the disabled list and simply hasn't got it going yet. Kozma, on the other hand, has never been much of a hitter, as evidenced by his .308 career on-base percentage in six minor league seasons, and he's batting just .252/.312/.309 in 37 games.
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Right-hander Matt Garza went six strong inning in a rehab start Thursday and may be on track to be activated from the disabled list next week, perhaps versus the Pirates on the road. At that point, the Cubs will have to make a roster move to clear space for Garza, and find room for the veteran in the starting five.
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There will be clubs in the thick of a pennant race this summer that will have a soft spot where a better hitter will improve their lineup. Will there be teams with help to offer?
Depending on the status of their own clubs' attempts to contend deep into the season, Josh Willingham, Josh Donaldson, Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau could all be targets before the deadline. Others that also could be targets include Philly's Michael Young, who is batting .296 with a .383 on-base percentage through 40 games, and perhaps San Diego's Chase Headley if the club doesn't feel they'll be able to get him signed to a long-term extension.
Donaldson is a player the Oakland Athletics certainly don't have to move, as he started the season with less a full season of service time under his belt. They could cash in on the fact that not a lot of hitters will be on the market and the lack of third base options throughout baseball.
Might the Cardinals look to do the same with Matt Carpenter or Matt Adams with David Freese healthy and swinging a better bat of late? Time will tell, and prospect Oscar Taveras could be part of their though process if they consider such scenarios. With Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran injury risks to some level, first baseman Allen Craig is occasionally needed in the outfield to fill in for them. If Taveras proves to be ready later this summer, at least in case of injury, the club may feel they can move Adams, a natural first baseman.
Depending on the status of their own clubs' attempts to contend deep into the season, Josh Willingham, Josh Donaldson, Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau could all be targets before the deadline. Others that also could be targets include Philly's Michael Young, who is batting .296 with a .383 on-base percentage through 40 games, and perhaps San Diego's Chase Headley if the club doesn't feel they'll be able to get him signed to a long-term extension.
Donaldson is a player the Oakland Athletics certainly don't have to move, as he started the season with less a full season of service time under his belt. They could cash in on the fact that not a lot of hitters will be on the market and the lack of third base options throughout baseball.
Might the Cardinals look to do the same with Matt Carpenter or Matt Adams with David Freese healthy and swinging a better bat of late? Time will tell, and prospect Oscar Taveras could be part of their though process if they consider such scenarios. With Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran injury risks to some level, first baseman Allen Craig is occasionally needed in the outfield to fill in for them. If Taveras proves to be ready later this summer, at least in case of injury, the club may feel they can move Adams, a natural first baseman.
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