Football season has sadly come to an end, but this blog hasn't. I've decided to expand to a year-round blog and write about fantasy baseball as well. So for the next seven months or so, I'll focus on what's happening in the major leagues. I'll still write about the NFL when news breaks, especially around draft time. But for the most part, I'll be switching to baseball mode.
The Baltimore Orioles were in the headlines Monday, mostly because of the trade they made with the Colorado Rockies. The O's sent starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (pictured) to the Rockies for reliever Matt Lindstrom and right-hander Jason Hammel. It's good and bad news for Guthrie. The good news is he gets out of the tough AL East, but the bad news is he goes to one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the majors in Coors Field.
Guthrie, 32, went 9-17 last season with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP (walks + hits divided by innings pitched). He was the Orioles' opening-day starter in three of the past four seasons. He's pitched at least 200 innings the past three seasons, so he's proven to be durable. He figures to move into the No. 2 spot in the Rockies' rotation behind Jhoulys Chacin.
Hammel, 29, struggled last season with a 7-13 record, 4.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Lindstrom, on the other hand, had a solid season, going 2-2 with two saves, a 3.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He had 23 saves in 2010 as the Houston Astros' closer.
The Orioles have also shown interest in free agent Manny Ramirez (pictured). O's executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said on Monday the team has had "exploratory talks" with Ramirez's agent. Duquette is familiar with Ramirez. When he was general manager of the Boston Red Sox, he signed Manny to an eight-year, $160 million contract in 2000.
Toronto and Oakland also appear to be interested in Ramirez, who will face a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's drug policy if he signs with a team.
In other news Monday: * The New York Yankees are having "serious discussions" with free agent Raul Ibanez, according to FOXsports.com. Ibanez, 39, hit .245 with 20 homers and 84 RBI for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
* Pitching Roy Oswalt is one of the bigger free agents still available. Texas, Cincinnati and St. Louis have all expressed interest in him, according to MLB.com. Oswalt went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with the Phillies last season.
* The Cincinnati Reds signed Ryan Ludwick to a one-year deal, according to MLB.com. Ludwick, 33, hit .237 with 13 homers and and 75 RBI with Pittsburgh last season.