RSS FEED IDEMS: The Top Baseball Blog
- Roger Clemens Does A McGwire And B-12
It could be the steroid that have bloated his body but shrunk his brain, but Roger Clemens seems to be attempting a McGwire. In an interview with 60 Minutes soon to be released, Clemens claimed that he never took steroids and was only injected with lidocaine and the vitamin B-12.
Except that Canseco was there before, telling the world in his book "Juiced" how B-12 was the common term for steroids amongst professional baseball players.
Interestingly, Canseco also wrote about his theory on McGwire's androstenedione scandal, which he thought could have been set up by Mark himself. Or Clemens could be trying to emulate Barry Bonds. We shall see when he has to testify under oath before Congress on Jan 16, if he does a "I never knowingly took steroids".
It is not so much that players are taking performance enhancing drugs, but how they seem to be hiding from the fact. I do not think there will be a day when steroids can be stamped out from sports, as long as money is involved. Sports is a business, and in business, it is ultimately about money and everyone wants to make more, without that, most would not take it up as a career. Simple as that.
Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:53:00 +0000
- Jose Canseco Back In The Limelight
I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere as yet, but Jose Canseco, the man who first put baseball's steroid issue into the forefront with his book "Juiced", will soon be releasing his followup.
Appropriately titled "Vindicated", the book will build on the revelations from the Mitchell Report and subsequent fan and public opinion of the players named and baseball's drug problem. Jose Canseco highlighted this on a recent episode of HDNet's Inside MMA on which he appeared to talk about a new reality TV show he was producing. The show will pit him and a team of professional sportsmen outside of MMA (mixed martial arts), against a team of MMA stars.
Canseco spoke briefly on the steroid issue on Inside MMA. He reiterated his opinion (first mentioned in "Juice") that while steroids definitely gave a person size and some advantage in strength and speed, but if not used in conjunction with proper training and natural talent, it would not provide any significant advantage over other players. He stated that during his time, many players had already been using (as proven by the Mitchell Report), but just as many did not become superstars as a result. Several of the players named in the Report also gave credibility to his argument.
It will be interesting to read the book once released. While not having the best of image as a result of his straight talking, Canseco does speak a lot of truths. Unfortunately, they are usually only understood when things have gone too far.
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:33:00 +0000
- Bonds A Strong Possibility For A's
Susan Slusser has a piece on Oakland's interest in signing Barry Bonds for '08. Given Billy Beane's recent assertion that the A's wanted to win in '08, this might be a strong possibility. Slusser also spoke to a Major League exec who indicated this was a deal waiting to happen.
Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:05:00 +0000
- More Activity From Nationals
The Washington Nationals today signed Aaron Boone to a one-year, $1 mil contract with incentives. Boone was with the Marlins for 2007 and went .286/.388/.423.
Willy Mo Pena also received a $2 mil extension, with a mutual option for '09.
Additionally, Ryan Langerhans has also been re-signed on a minor league deal.
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:19:00 +0000
- Willis To Be Flipped To Mets?
From Adam Rubin, the Tigers might have to spin Dontrelle Willis to the Mets (or any other team). Apparently the Marlins insisted that Detroit take both Cabrera and Willis, which the Tigers willing took on despite knowing their payroll could not accomodate both players.
Inside sources in the Mets are looking at this possible scenario and would be willing to speak to the Tigers. There has also been talk of Ivan Rodriguez included in the mix but I don't really see that happening since the Tigers exercised their option on him.
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:12:00 +0000
- Giants Looking For Yankees' Matsui
Bryan Hoch reported that the Giants have inquired about Hideki Matsui's availability, in a bid to boost their offense. Despite the veteran outfielder's full no-trade clause, Hoch implied that the Yankees might consider any possible trade if it improves their pitching - a primary objective of the team this off-season.
Hoch suggested Noah Lowry as a potential target for the Yanks in any deal with the Giants, who would fit in the middle rotation to beef up a still unknown innings totals from the trio of youngsters Chamberlain, Hughes and Kennedy.
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:55:00 +0000
- Santana Sweeps: Thursday
There's not been much happening the past 2 days on the Johan Santana talks after a mad start to the week. Theo Epstein left without any end in sight, although they still seem to be ahead of the pack, but just slightly.
Now, the rest of the pack includes the Yankees, Mets, Mariners and perhaps Angels. Newsday says Mets won't have a chance unless they include Jose Reyes in the package, which won't happen.
La Velle E. Neal III shares his thoughts on the whole affair. He believes the Red Sox are serious about Santana after speaking to some officials last night, but does not believe the Twins will budge easily without both Lester and Ellsbury in the deal. His sleeper pick is the Angels although they have not spoken to the Twins as yet, apparently.
According to Jon Heyman, the Met are offering Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey, Aaron Heilman, including others for Santana. Here's how the other teams shape up with their packages:
Boston - Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson
Yankees - Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez
Mariners - Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow (what's this? A joke?)
Boston Herald's Rob Bradford had a talk with Josh Beckett and the Boston ace said he was earning enough money as it is and was more concerned about winning than any contract re-work if Santana joins the team. He did state that he would be upset with good friend Jon Lester being traded but understands that baseball is a business and that Boston would do whatever it takes to ensure that. And he would be fine with that.
Update: Joel Sherman reported that the Twins and Yankees had a brief discussion on including Joe Nathan in the deal. If this were to be realised, would the Red Sox change their stance on Ellsbury?
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:41:00 +0000
- Dodgers Sign Andruw Jones for $36 Mil
Not much of a choice there - Andruw Jones had only 2 teams in for him with concrete offers - the Dodgers and Royals. With the latter's offer being for two-years, $25 mil, it was an obvious choice for the Boras corporation. Dodgers offered two-years, $36.2 mil.
Still, it was good business by Ned Colletti - remember Jones is a Boras client - they could have gotten more if not for their falling stock with recent star departures and Jones poor 2007, which by the way, has been attributed to a secret elbow injury.
Moving on, Tony Jackson suggests that the Dodgers will now trade Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier for a frontline starter.
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:29:00 +0000
- Lo Duca Heading To Toronto?
Joel Sherman has reported that Lo Duca might have made a deal of one-year with the Toronto Bluejays after meetings between the player's agent and the team earlier today. The deal was rumored to be worth less than $5 mil, but it appears that Lo Duca might have accepted it with final figures reported to be around $3-4 mil, according to Robert MacLeod.
Update: Robert MacLeod and then Joel Sherman are saying the deal is in the stage of being finalized and signed, with Lo Duca coming on board for one-year $3 mil.
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:38:00 +0000
- More Interest in Prior
There are now four teams interested in Mark Prior - the Reds, Padres, Phillies and Rangers. Seattle might also some interest but I am not sure how far that would go.
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:30:00 +0000
- Santana Sweeps: Wednesday - Yankees Have No Money, Boston Interest Turning Cold
It appears that even the Yankees have a payroll ceiling - Brian Cashman pulled out of the Santana negotiations as he felt that the Yankees could not afford to load their payroll now that Pettitte had re-signed.
What had heated up last night now seems to have gone soft - Boston are still talking and shuffling their feet over the whole deal. They are STILL talking to the Twins and looking over their shoulder at the Yanks. It appears that some doubts still remain over going for the ace lefty.
The Twins are also turning out to be quite a player - they insist they do not necessarily want to trade Santana, and are spinning the roundtable again by re-opening invitations to other teams. The Mets are one of them and suddenly they appear to have pushed their way into the reckoning according to Santana's agent Peter Greenberg.
There was also an earlier rumor that a three-team trade was on the cards with Santana going to the Mets, Haren to the Twins and Jose Reyes to A's. But this has been quashed as a hoax but it was fun while it lasted. Good reporting if you ask me.
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:12:00 +0000
- Rolen Needs To Go: Cards
Despite earlier assurances that manager La Russa and Jimmy Rolen could play happy as a team, it appears that La Russa has re-opened old wounds, this time with a scathing attack on the player.
La Russa basically questioned the player's responsibility to the team and fans - that is extremely heavy accusations and in effect, calls for the fans to turn on Rolen if it continues like this.
I wouldn't be surprised if fresh talks with teams are opened again soon. The Brewers were interested earlier before talks broke down. Perhaps they would come back in again given the fresh revelations.
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:08:00 +0000
- Bonds Wants To Play - Would You Sign Him?
The embattled batter still wants to play next year, according to his agent Jeff Boris. He would be able to do so as his trial would likely only start at the end of the year, thus freeing him up for the season.
However, with his baggageluggage, would any team take him on, that remains the question. He might increase his chances with a lower asking price, since any possibility of him providing service beyond 2008 seems remote.
If anything, perhaps Hank Steinbrenner should take him on for an annual boost. Would you take Barry Bonds on with all the issues surrounding him?
Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:53:00 +0000
- Johan Santana Sweeps : Latest Tuesday
Most of the talk flying around has dwindled to Boston being in the prime seat for Santana now. There have been a million stories circulating throughout the day on this, with many saying the deal has been done, naming different combinations of players involved.
Theo Epstein expects negotiations with the Twins to carry on throughout the night and that they are likely to finalize an agreement. The Twins have also stated that they hope to end the whole affair by tonight. Meanwhile, here's what you might have missed:
- Lester, Crisp, Ellsbury and Lowrie?
- Lester, Crisp, Lowrie and Masterson?
- 3 for 1 or 4 for 1?
- Yankees have no chance to best Boston's offer?
- Hank does not want Santana anymore and that's final
- it's Lester, Masterson and Kalish
It would be interesting to see what happens next if the Red Sox do get Santana. The Beckett contract renegotiations would become an issue.
Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:26:00 +0000
- Fukudome Heading To Cubs?
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned that Kosuke Fukudome would likely get a similar deal to that of Torii Hunter's five-year, $90 mil, even though Fukudome is not looking for such a long term arrangement.
But here's what's interesting - Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has claimed that the Japanese outfielder is certain to sign with the Cubs.
Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:15:00 +0000
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