It seems as if the Boss’s ghost has bought the Marlins. After the Bell and Reyes signings, apparently the Marlins are in on Pujols—for a 10-yr. deal. They better hope Pujols actually IS 31.
In the NFL, the Bears are wise. No interest in talking to Favre, no matter what their QB troubles are.
The Twins deal P Kevin Slowey (27) to Colorado for a PTBNL. Slowey had an awful 2011, 0-8, 6.67, ERA+ 60. Career? 39-29, 4.66, ERA+ 90. He’s 20.
Fired managers and ex-players have to love ESPN. Terry Francona replaces Bobby V in the booth for ESPN—after Bobby V replaces Francona as Boston mgr.
Rumor has P Mark Buehrle down to five teams.
The Pirates are interested in signing INF Wilson Betemit (30, KC/Det. 2011, .285-8-46, OPS+ 117, career OPS+ 105, .269 b.a.) to a deal as well as bringing back OF Nate McLouth (30). McLouth platooned with the Braves, .228-4-16 in 2011, OPS+ 89. McLouth’s best year was in the ‘burgh in 2008, when he was an All-Star, GG, and finished 27th in MVP voting with a .276-26-94 year, 23 steals and a league-leading 46 doubles. Once dealt to Atlanta in 2010, he went south….in more ways than one.
The Cards apparently have P Kyle Lohse on the block…in order to make room for someone else? Lohse did win 14, with a 3.39 ERA, for the 2011 WS Champs.
Mets moves: Trade Angel Pagan (30, .262-7-56, 32 SB, OPS+ 93 in 2011, .279, OPS+ 101 career) to SF for Andres Torres in a trade of CF. Torres hit .221-4-19, 19 SB, 82 for SF in 2011. Alsong with Torres, the Mets get Ramon Ramirez, 30, 3-3, 2.62 in 2011. ERA+ 136. The Mets also signed Jon Rauch. The big righty (6’10”, 33) was 5-4, 4.85 for Toronto in 2011 with 11 saves but an ERA+ of just 88. Career 39-31, 3.82, ERA+ 113.
The Mets also signed Frank Francisco, 32, who along with Rauch was with Toronto in 2011. Francisco was 1-4, 3.55, ERA+ 120 with 17 saves. Career 18-19, 3.72, ERA+ 124.
The Sommer Frieze 
