Jason Vargas is off to a hot start with the Mariners, but when they acquired him in the 2008 J.J. Putz deal, he wasn’t considered a major part of the trade. GM Jack Zduriencik tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he asked for Vargas while trying to “finish up the deal.” Here are the rest of Rosenthal’s hot stove-related notes:
- One NL official wonders how the D'Backs can operate without a left-handed reliever in a division that includes many imposing left-handed hitters.
- The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman last week, but his baseball career is probably not over. Hillman is still "well-thought of in the industry," according to one GM.
- Rocco Baldelli could make a comeback this year. He's a special assistant to the Rays, and he continues to hit daily. The 28-year-old outfielder hit .253/.311/.433 for the Red Sox last year in 164 plate appearances.
I wish nothing but the best for Rocco.
“One NL official wonders how the D’Backs can operate without a left-handed reliever in a division that includes many imposing left-handed hitters.”
they don’t operate silly.
Well, at least our bullpen doesn’t… Doesn’t matter if you’re right or left handed, if you suck, you suck.
Hillman didn’t do good work with the Royals, but he was in such a terrible situation that he gets at least a little bit of a pass, right? Football coaches don’t get judged too poorly for failing to turn the Raiders into a good team. At least as long as they don’t commit assault…
Rocco Baldelli over Jonathon VanEvery, or Darnell Mcdonald any day of the week. Too proud (rightfully so I guess) to stick around and play AAA ball until somebody needs him, so just hangs around with the Rays in an advisory position.