Mark Buehrle: The veteran lefty (he'll be 33 by Opening Day) fits the description of what the Nationals could use: a well-established, reliable starter who can set a positive example for Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann and churn out a good number of quality innings. Buehrle has made at least 30 starts and logged at least 200 innings for 11 consecutive seasons. He's won three straight Gold Gloves (for whatever that's worth) and owns a 3.83 ERA despite pitching his entire career at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox will make a strong push to re-sign him, but he's no guarantee to return to the South Side. http://www.csnwashington.com/blog/nationals-talk/post/Whom-might-Nats-pursue-in-free-agency?blockID=587468&feedID=6358
The Nats could also use a true centerfielder. There are none in the system, although Harper -- playing more corner outfield -- could be brought to the majors as a CF. A better idea is trading setup man Tyler Clippard, coming off two big years in the bullpen, for a long-term solution, a model employed by the Padres in acquiring Cameron Maybin last offseason. Could Clippard bring in a Dexter Fowler, a Denard Span, a Drew Stubbs...someone undervalued by his current team? That's a trade the Nationals should pursue, as an eighth-inning guy is much more replaceable than a true centerfielder. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/joe_sheehan/11/02/nl.east.hot.stove.preview/index.html#ixzz1cxsVYWZW
Signed free agent 1B-L Jim Thome. [11/5] - To see the outpouring of emotion Thome’s return to Philadelphia has engendered among Phillies fans, who normally aren’t known for developing warm, fuzzy feelings toward players, one would think that he’d come up with the team and spent the better part of his career there, not a mere three seasons in his early-to-mid-thirties, one of which was injury-ravaged and unproductive. Such is the extent of the goodwill generated by his 2003 signing and subsequent play at an important time for the Phillies franchise, as well as the extent of the fondness felt for Thome by nearly everyone who follows the game, from those who’ve had the pleasure of watching him hit to those who know nothing about him but what countless media types have told them, namely that he’s every bit the kind-hearted Paul Bunyan type he appears to be from afar. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15470
We can’t measure the impact of the new CBA now, because the parties have yet to agree on one. That isn’t a huge issue — yet. But stay tuned. If Major League Baseball and the players’ union can’t hammer out a new deal by the time the league’s general managers meet in Milwaukee next week, the major wheeling-and-dealing will be delayed, however temporarily. (Why offer someone a $50 million contract if you don’t know the conditions attached?) http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/CJ-wilson-mark-buehrle-yu-darvish-new-york-yankees-boston-red-sox-hot-stove-110711
The Phillies must decide how much they believe a return of free agent Jimmy Rollins is worth. The franchise's all-time No. 1 shortstop is seeking a five-year deal, which seems overly optimistic considering he turns 33 on Nov. 27 and the Phillies are trying to go younger. Rollins remains among the NL's top defensive shortstops but his OBP since his 2007 MVP season is a pedestrian .325 with a .261 average, and leg problems have landed him on the DL four times. http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2011-10/hot-stove-league/story/hot-stove-report-philadelphia-phillies#ixzz1d4mSwsIS
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