| Newsbreakers |
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| Free-agent Odalis Perez plans to wait and test the free-agent market before signing with any team, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Somehow Perez finds a job each and every year. In 2008 he was 7-12 with an ERA of 4.34. He is a prime example for why youngsters should start to throw left-handed as soon as you can. |
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| MLB.com reports that Roger Bernadina suffered a calf strain a few weeks ago while playing for Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan League. He will miss the remainder of Winter Ball. Bernadina hurt the calf after slipping on home plate in the rain. |
Our View: The left-handed-hitting Bernadina is considered one of the Nationals' top hitting prospects. In 2008, he hit .334 with nine home runs and 54 RBIs for Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Columbus. |
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| The Pirates are rumored to have interest in signing free agent Odalis Perez, the Beaver County Times reports. |
Our View: Just what the Pirates need... another mediocre left-handed starter. Perez went 7-12 for the Nationals last season, but he did have a respectable 4.34 ERA in 30 starts. |
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| Matt Whitney signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Saturday which includes an invitation to spring training, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Whitney spent all of 2008 with Triple-A Akron, where he hit .268 with 10 home runs and 56 RBI. |
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| The Nationals have signed Pete Orr to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com. If Orr makes the big league club, he could earn $600,000. Orr said, "They have interest in me coming back and I have interest in coming back. I would not say it's the end in Washington. I would say it's more of a numbers move, I guess."
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Our View: Orr failed to display any power with no homers over 49 games with the Nationals last season, and struck out 16 times over 75 at-bats. He won't likely make an impact if he works his way back up to the majors in 2009. |
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| The Nationals have purchased the contract of Ian Desmond, according to MLB.com. The Nationals also added outfielder Leonard Davis and right-handed pitcher Luis Atilano to the 40-man roster. |
Our View: Davis is the most promising prospect of the bunch, as he won the Nationals' Minor League Player of the Year award in 2008 after hitting a combined .310 with 25 homers and 76 RBI for Class A-Potomac, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Columbus. Desmond, who was the Expos' third-round pick in 2004, only hit .251 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI over 93 games with Harrisburg.
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| Chad Cordero's labrum tear was reportedly not as severe as initially believed, according to the LA Daily News. |
Our View: He should be ready for spring training. There is belief that the Angels may be interested in him if Francisco Rodriguez departs in free agency. If signed by the Angels, Cordero would compete with Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo for the closer's job. |
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| The Rangers continue to show interest in former Nationals closer Chad Cordero who had shoulder surgery for a torn labrum this year, an injury that limited him to just 4.1 innings, according to the Rangers Official Website. |
Our View: As it currently sits, Frank Francisco would appear to be the Rangers closer with C.J. Wilson also an option if he is healthy. Therefore adding a veteran arm like that of Cordero makes a lot of sense for the club, now all they have to do is to convince Cordero it's a good idea. |
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| The Los Angeles Angels are interested in reliever Chad Cordero, who said he would not mind going somewhere to be a set-up guy instead of a closer, according to the L.A. Times. |
Our View: The Angels will need a closer should they choose not to sign Francisco Rodriguez, and Cordero could be an option for that role. |
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| In addition to the Mets, the Angels, Tigers, and Rangers are also showing interest in Chad Cordero, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Cordero could end up being a bargain closer if he doesn't have any setbacks in his recovery from shoulder surgery. |
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| The Mets are interested in closer Chad Cordero, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: He is coming off shoulder surgery and may not be ready for opening day, but GM Omar Minaya is interested and has ties to him as he drafted him when he worked for the Expos. He would be a solid addition to the Mets' bullpen if he proves to bounce back healthy. |
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| Dmitri Young was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Young had little fantasy value in 2008, and isn't likely to have much next year either. |
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