Published on 23 January 2013
21 – Number of days until pitchers and catchers report
67– Number of days until Opening Day
California Winter League
- Tuesday was Day 4 of the CWL
- Dustin Smith came through for the second consecutive game with the game-winning hit, a two RBI double in the fifth inning to break a 4-4 tie as the Palm Desert Coyotes defeated the Canada A's 9-5.
- The Coachella Valley Snowbirds beat the Washington Bluesox 4-0. Seafth Howe struck out all nine hitters he faced and the Snowbirds hurled the second two-hitter of the day.
- Visit www.californiawinterleague.com for more information
MLB News & Notes
- The San Francisco Giants and Buster Posey avoided arbitration and agreed on a one-year deal. Posey and the Giants have mutual interest in reaching a long-term deal, but there’s no urgency to complete an extension.
- The San Francisco Giants and Hunter Pence avoided arbitration and agreed on a one-year deal. Pence is playing for a long-term contract this season, so expect him to have a little extra motivation to have a successful season.
- Roy Halladay threw 30 pitches from the mound as he continues his offseason throwing program. Halladay missed alot of time last season due to shoulder issues, but the ailment hasn't held him back at all over the winter.
- The St. Louis Cardinals and Jason Motte avoided arbitration and agreed on a two-year deal. Motte's first full season as a closer was a huge success with 42 saves. He is not on the same level of Craig Kimbrel, but Motte should be viewed as a top-five closer in most fantasy formats.
- The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cliff Pennington avoided arbitration and agreed to a two-year deal. Pennington was acquired from the Oakland A’s in the Chris Young trade. He is a solid defensive shortstop, but provides very little offensive production for fantasy purposes.
- The Washington Nationals and Tyler Clippard agreed on a one-year deal. He may not get many save chances this season with Rafael Soriano joining the Nats and with Drew Storen. The Nationals bullpen has the chance to be the best in baseball this year.
- The Boston Red Sox and Mike Napoli finally completed the one-year contract that was announced a few days ago. At a press conference yesterday, the Red Sox announced that Napoli was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis (AVN), which is the condition that restricts blood flow to hip joints. AVN is the same condition that ended Bo Jackson's career. The Red Sox stated they caught this at an early stage with Napoli. Clearly there is a concern
- THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY: 1967 - Stan "The Man" Musial was named General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
