Yes this is my second post regarding Wilmer Flores but I just could not resist. Today he is 3/4 with an rbi and a run scored and (remember he is 16 years old and a SS) is posting a 331/372/530 in 172 ab's. He is a big kid (6'3) and likely will outgrow SS... but A-Rod never really outgrew the position, nor did Ripken. I am NOT comparing him to either guy but how many 16 year olds in recent history have sprung on the scene to this degree? Will he be on BA's top 100 list? What do people think of him?

In a recent column written by Mr. Sickels (whom I believe is the best baseball writer around) he said he didn't see improvement in Mike Pelfrey. I thought this was a shocking comment and to me proved that sometimes focusing ONLY on certain numbers does not tell the whole story. Pelfrey Last 9 Starts: 6-0, 59.2 innings, 53 hits, 41 Ks, 21 BBs, 15 Earned Runs, 1.239 WHIP. More then just that, if you actually watch him you see a different pitcher out there.

Wilmer Flores is 16 years old (SS) playing in the Appalacian League where the average age is around 20 years old. The kid is currently hitting 400 with 3 homers, 3 doubles, 1 triple and 1 steal in 50 abs.... incredibly early but this is quite an amazing start for any 16 year old. He is 6'3 175 and likely will be moved off of SS for various reasons.... Reyes, his size and his glove... Any thoughts on him?

-- Roger Clemens told Yankees teammate Andy Pettitte nearly 10 years ago that he used human growth hormone, Pettitte said in a sworn affidavit to Congress, The Associated Press learned Tuesday.

Pettitte disclosed the conversation to the congressional committee holding Wednesday's hearings on drug use in baseball, according to multiple media outlets.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3242017

John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Adam Jones went to Baltimore today for that long-awaited physical. Hickey says this physical is the only remaining impediment to the Mariners swapping Erik Bedard for Jones, George Sherrill, Tillman, Mickolio, and Butler. Sounds like we might have an announcement on Monday or Tuesday.

He comes with question marks, but Aybar hit .292/.387/.416 in 329 major league at-bats during his age 22 and 23 seasons for the Dodgers and Braves. The Braves soured on him after last season's substance-abuse problems, but it's still surprising that this is the best they could do for him. Now the Rays have some actual competition for Evan Longoria at third base. Longoria still deserves a chance to win the job, but Aybar should be a nice fallback if he shows the proper level of commitment.
Related: Evan Longoria, Braves

     Chase Fontaine-2B-Rays    Jan. 17 - 8:12 pm et

        Infielder Chase Fontaine was traded from the Braves to the Rays in a three-player deal.
Fontaine, a 2006 second-round pick, hit .288/.402/.399 in 313 AB for low Single-A Rome and .205/.284/.256 in 78 at-bats for Single-A Myrtle Beach last season. A left-handed hitter, he has a chance to turn into a platoon second baseman in a few years. We're not sure it would have been worth giving him up for Jeff Ridgway in a one-for-one deal, and he wasn't even the top property the Braves surrendered.
Related: Braves

     Jeff Ridgway-R-Braves    Jan. 17 - 8:09 pm et

        Braves acquired LHP Jeff Ridgway from the Rays for infielders Willy Aybar and Chase Fontaine.
We may not like the move, but at least Ridgway has nowhere to go but up. He allowed seven runs over one-third of an inning in three appearances for the Rays in September. The 27-year-old has pretty good stuff for a left-hander, but he's battled arm problems and his command is below average. It's stunning that the Braves would give up two players to get him.
Related: Rays

Ultimately, the Mets might be the best fit.

They have the greatest need. They have the money to sign Santana. They play in the National League, where he's less likely to haunt the Twins.

The players the Mets would send the Twins aren't household names. There's no Jose Reyes or David Wright. The offers aren't perfect.

But it's become abundantly clear the Twins won't be able to make the perfect trade here. Not for a two-time Cy Young winner. Not for a lefthander who is 93-44 for his career and won't turn 29 until March.

No team is going to give the Twins everything they need when that team must turn around and hand Santana a five- or six-year contract extension worth at least $20 million per year.

According to people with knowledge of the discussions, the Mets have offered top pitching prospect Deolis Guerra, along with center fielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber.

The Twins like those players. They've told the Mets they'd have a done deal if New York would add prized outfield prospect Fernando Martinez. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

My question regards a minor trade between the Mets and Astros. The Astros received Josh Appell from the Mets, I am looking for some confirmation whom the Mets got in return. I read on Adam Rubin's Blog we MAY have received 2005 second round pick Ralph Henriquez. I have not been able to find ANY confirmation of this trade anywhere other then Josh himself telling me he was traded to the Astros when it happened (he went to the same college as me)Can anyone confirm this?

ESPN 1000 announced in the sportscenter update that the White Sox and Angels have agreed on 6 player deal.

Leaving the White Sox:
Paul Konerko
Joe Crede

Leaving the Angels:
Howie Kendrick
Ervin Santana
Nick Adenhart
Sean Rodriguez

If true... one of the worst trades in baseball history for the Angels.

I heard from a lot of people the Yankees were high on Gerardo Rodriguez, then he had a bad 2007 and they released him. He just turned 20. This is all I could find about him

Tools: Rodriguez is very, very raw, but he can hit. He's so raw that there isn't a whole lot of scouting information on him, but he is reputed to be talented. He's no base stealer, but he is athletic enough. He should be able to hold down 1st base fairly well once he adjusts to the position. Rodriguez used to be a catcher, but for some reason (I don't have any reports on his defensive abilities) he was switched to 1st base. His main tool is power. Reports are slim, but Rodriguez may be a 60 power guy. He really good at getting the ball in the air, which will keep his average up a lot of strikeouts.

Performance: Rodriguez is very young, and because of that he has played only one season in the minor leagues. He hit what is at first glance an unimpressive .285/.342/.445 line. However, one must adjust for context. Minorleaguesplits.com lits his park adjusted line at .321/.375/.496. The Gulf Coast League is probably the hardest in baseball to find power, both because of enviromental factors and the youth of the prospects involved. Rodriguez also hit for significantly more power when away from his home park. Regardless, Rodriguez was likely the best position player on the team. However, he does have his weaknesses. Rodriguez struck out quite a bit, King 34 times in 38 games.

http://yankeeprospects.blogspot.com/2006/12/up-and-coming-gerardo-rodriguez.html