An occasional roundup of activity from around the majors.
Boston-Trouble is brewing in Beantown, where the Sox have scheduled a second physical for injury-prone OF J.D. Drew. Concerns were raised over the first physical he took last week. The two parties have not yet finalized that monster 5 year, $70 million deal that was agreed to a few weeks ago. Honestly, this is not surprising in the least, though that fact that it only took two weeks for an injury to pop up is a much more accelerated timetable than I would have imagined. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this, perhaps less guaranteed money and more money tied up in incentives, but it sure looks like the same ole J.D. Drew.
Minneapolis-Twins ace Brad Radke, who has spent his entire career with the Minnesota organization, announced his retirement today. The move had been a long time coming and was widely expecting, as there was just nothing left in the tank for him after he pushed himself so hard in Minnesota's run to the playoffs this past offseason. I would have liked to have seen Radke come to the Rays in some capacity, as he is a Bay Area native, and maybe he eventually will. But for the Twins, Radke will be a big loss. He gave that organization his all for so many years and never took a game off. He truly was an admirable pitcher, and baseball will be worse off without him.
San Diego-It looks like the Padres will be starting the brothers Giles next year, as the team closed in on a one year agreement with 2B Marcus Giles, the brother of San Diego OF Brian Giles. So it looks to me like you can cross Giles off your wish list. This move actually makes perfect sense for everybody. Giles gets to be with his brother, close to where they played high school ball in El Cajon, and he gets to try and re-establish himself on a one year deal for suitors next year, setting himself up for a larger contract. San Diego, meanwhile, gets a replacement for Josh Barfield at a decent price (he apparently will take a discount from the rumored $5-6 million asking price) while not tying up the position long-term. It really makes sense for everyone involved.
Happy Birthday
Here's wishing a Happy 32nd birthday to the Rays' 2003 All-Star closer, Lance Carter. Though he struggled in his final year in St. Pete, and after his subsequent trade to the Dodger organization last offseason, the Bradenton native (and graduate of R.J.'s high school, if I remember right) still represents one of Chuck LaMar's better finds over his tenure as GM. Also, Happy Birthday posthumously to the 'Georgia Peach', Ty Cobb, one of baseball's greatest players (and biggest jerks), he would have been 120 today.