April 2007 - Baseball Wiretap
Beltran Exits After First Inning
Due to a collision at first base with Rich Aurilia, Carlos Beltran was taken out of the game after scoring the Mets' second run.
Beltran appeared to have injured his wrist.
Giambi Out At Least Three Weeks
Jason Giambi will be sidelined at least three weeks because of torn tissue in the arch of his left foot.
The New York Yankees designated hitter was examined in New York on Thursday by Dr. William Hamilton. Giambi will be placed on the disabled list before Friday's game at Boston, and his foot will be put in a walking boot.
"He will be re-evaluated in three weeks," Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said.
Atlanta Working Out Saltalamacchia At First Base With Deadline Looming
In Atlanta, multitalented rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has started taking ground balls at first base as the Braves try to figure out his future with the trading deadline approaching.
"We have our franchise catcher [Brian McCann]," GM John Schuerholz said. "So who knows what will happen? We could find another place for Salty to play. Or somebody else could want him and make us an offer where we say to ourselves, 'This is a deal that makes sense for us and for him and for everybody.'"
Phillies Conclude They Need To Deal Rowand?
The Phillies seem to have concluded they'll have no choice but to at least dangle center fielder Aaron Rowand before the trading deadline if they're still looking for late-inning bullpen upgrades. But one NL scout who is a longtime Rowand admirer says that would be a big mistake.
"You're talking about a guy who has a Philadelphia-type mentality," the scout said. "And that's hard to find. Plus, this guy is a big force in that clubhouse, and you have to be really careful about trading a player like that. Sometimes, the intangibles that guy offers under the surface don't become apparent until after he's gone."
Scout: You Can Hear Lincecum Curve Spinning
Tim Lincecum is impressing players, scouts and fans with every start. Opponents are hitting .186 against the 2006 draft pick.
"He has a radio curveball," quipped Phillies scout Gordon Lakey. "You can hear it spinning. But you can't hit it."
Gibbons On A-Rod: "That's Not Yankee Pride Right There"
The aftermath of the controversial Alex Rodriguez play extended into the locker rooms with interesting quotes being made by both teams.
"I've never seen it happen, maybe I'm na?ve but I thought it was a bush-league play," John Gibbons said. "That's not Yankee pride right there."
Said Rodriguez: "I get screamed at all the time on the field. That's baseball."
Joe Torre seemed embarrassed by the episode.
"You know ... I don't know what to feel for it. It's baseball. It's not like he said, 'I got it,' " he said.
Damon smirked when asked about the play.
"I'm not sure what I should say. I didn't know that was legal," he said. "Maybe we should do that more often."
Pirates Eyeing Vitters With 4th Pick?
There is a palpable sentiment that the Pirates covet Josh Vitters with their fourth overall pick, a third baseman at a California high school who some see as having the best bat. If Vitters is gone with the top three picks and they still seek a position player, Matt Wieters, a hard-hitting catcher at Georgia Tech and Boras client, might be just as good.
Or the Pirates could take another pitcher from a deep pool of high school talent.
Mota Says He's Learned His Lesson
Guillermo Mota returned to the Mets yesterday afternoon, having served his 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.
The 33-year-old called his violation "a mistake" and, when asked if he would ever do it again or if he learned his lesson, answered, "Of course, I've learned my lesson."
Mota, who did a pregame interview in the dugout, also tried to lighten the mood. When one reporter said many fans didn't know whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, Mota replied, "I'm a good guy."
Damon Concerned About Possibly Being Dealt
Many of the Yankees have no-trade clauses, but Johnny Damon's contract allows the Yankees to deal him to 12 teams, a list selected by Damon himself.
Damon said he is not concerned with that possibility, though a source said that the center fielder has expressed uneasiness over the idea of being traded.
"I'm not concerned. Maybe if this was my only team ever, but I've been around," Damon said.
Source: "A-Rod Is Known As The King Of The Strip Clubs"
While in Toronto, Alex Rodriguez was spotted at a strip club with a blonde other than his wife, something that is allegedly nothing new for the Yankees slugger.
"A-Rod is known as the king of the strip clubs," a source said. "He gives the girls his number to meet somewhere else later on."
He also goes to a private social club in Chelsea that fronts as a poker club but also hosts wild, after-hours sex romps, a source said.
A petite stripper at the Hustler Club said A-Rod "likes the she-male, muscular type. They brought me up to the champagne room one time. I spun around once and that was it. I'm not his type."
Hughes Suffers Setback, Return Appears To Be August
A second magnetic resonance imaging exam on Phil Hughes?s left ankle revealed a Grade III sprain, indicating a torn ligament.
A-Rod's 'Hah!' Angers Blue Jays
Alex Rodriguez helped the Yankees end their five-game losing streak with his bat, and his mouth, on Wednesday night.
A-Rod Photographed With Woman In Toronto
The New York Post has published photos of Alex Rodriguez with a blonde women in Toronto.
Is Pierzynski's Welcome In Chicago Wearing Out?
A.J. Pierzynski seems to create controversy on a daily basis.
Toronto Has Seven Of The First 88 Draft Picks In MLB Draft
The Blue Jays select 16th and 21st in the first round of the MLB Draft.
Miller's Time In Chicago Appears Over
GM Jim Hendry said if possible he?d like to help Wade Miller catch on with another team.