June 2014 - Baseball Wiretap

Assuming he's still with the Chicago Cubs when the season begins, Jeff Samardzija knows everyone will be watching him.

He has been mentioned in trade rumors for a majority of his baseball career.

"If anything, it just puts a chip on your shoulder," Samardzija said.

"It makes you want to go out and prove yourself even more."

Jon Lester may begin discussing a long-term deal with the Boston Red Sox soon.

Lester's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, arrived in town Thursday to meet with their Red Sox clients.

It is unclear if the Levinson's appearance in camp will signal talks regarding an extension for Lester.

Adam Wainwright believes expanding the strike zone would speed up the game of baseball.

Baseball faces longer games this season with the introduction of expanded replay and challenges.

"All of the talk for everybody, all the critics, is about the speed of play," Wainwright said.

"Speed of play this and speed of play that. But really the only way to do that, to speed things up, is to expand the strike zone. ... There are millions of dollars being made on the commercials. Millions. And yet they want to talk about the speed of play. If you want to keep the commercials, open the strike zone up."

21st Century Fox has completed its deal to take majority control of the YES Network from the parent company of the New York Yankees.

Fox finalized the agreement announced Jan. 24 and raised its ownership stake from 49 percent to 80 percent.

The San Francisco Giants are open to temporarily sharing AT&T Park in San Francisco with the Oakland Athletics if their cross-bay rivals decide to build a stadium.

However, any offer would be contingent on the A's not choosing to relocate to San Jose.

The Giants have territorial rights that extend to the San Jose area, and last year baseball blocked the A's proposal to move south. 

"They've got to come up with a long-term plan," Larry Baer said. "Once that's arrived at, then maybe you'll take a step back and say, 'Is there something we can do to be helpful?' As a neighborly thing."

The Seattle Mariners have shut down Taijuan Walker for at least one week after exams revealed inflammation in the bursa of his right shoulder.

Lloyd McClendon said the decision was made after Walker flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on the sore shoulder that has limited him during Spring Training.

"It definitely (stinks)," Walker said. "I feel good about the situation. I'd rather not push it and fight through something and make it worse. I'm just going to take the time off, get healthy and move on."

Walker is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

R.A. Dickey struggled early last season as the velocity on his knuckleball was lacking.

"This time last year I remember peaking back there and seeing high 60s and low 70s," said Dickey, who topped out at 75 mph during his first start of the spring on Thursday. "I obviously feel better at this point than I did last year, which I hope will carry out throughout the spring and into the opening game."

The velocity is expected to trend upwards as Dickey gets deeper into Spring Training. The goal is to add a few more miles per hour to his knuckleball before the start of the regular season, which would have him sitting around 77-78 mph.

"Ideally, towards the end of the spring I like to have my comfortable knuckleball around 76 or 77 and my low one around 75," Dickey said. "I probably have three miles per hour to add on each of the high and the low from now until the end of spring. I want my fastball to be anywhere from 83-86, right in there. I'm off to a good start, feeling good, body feels great."

The Arizona Diamondbacks have good depth at shortstop and are reportedly targeting a young catcher in trade talks.

They have Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius at short as the season approaches.

Cliff Lee has been the subject of trade rumors each of the last two seasons, but the Philadelphia Phillies have hung on to him.

If the Phillies aren't positioned for a playoff run around the trade deadline, Lee could finally be moved.

A contending team could have him for two stretch runs, and possibly a third if an option for 2016 kicks in.

"I don't really care," Lee said Thursday. "There's no sense really thinking about it. Honestly, it usually means a good thing. It means you've had success and other teams really want you. So that's a positive."

Lee signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies before the 2011 season.

Justin Masterson avoided arbitration with the Cleveland Indians, but a multiyear deal is still being negotiated.

"I will probably still be here for another couple years," he said Thursday. "There is nothing monumental happening right now. If something gets done, it will be before the season begins."

Masterson will earn $9.7 million in 2014.

He will be eligible for free agency after this season.