Hot Stove: - Norichika Aoki, Cuba and Cubans, Brandon Wood, Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Molina

Norichika Aoki - Posting Fee: Yet to be determined due to the lack of known demand; likely in very low 8 figures though.  Salary Command: He will see an entry level deal similar to an average everyday centerfielder, minus the open market power.  Hypothetical Deal: 4 years; $18-22 million - Plus: He shows speed that plays well, with good range that could play in center field.  He’s a polished contact hitter that shows a similar approach to Ichiro, but has a bit more control in his weight transfer that goes more towards the mound rather than Ichiro’s drag towards first base.  This slightly different approach allows him to get more pop out of the stick and gives him gap power potential.  He displays excellent plate coverage and routinely will take a ball in the opposite direction. He’s a sound hitter with runners on the base, and has little wasted outs with contact. Very good in all the small ball offensive categories.http://orioles-nation.com/2011/11/14/2012-potential-fa-outfielders

The Cubs are certainly not alone in sending representatives to get a closer look at power Yoennis Cespedes. But the Cuban defector the Cubs are targeting with greater interest, according to sources, is another athletic, hard-hitting outfielder -- a seven-years-younger version of the flavor-of-the-month Cespedes: Jorge Soler, 19. Soler, who defected this year and is expected to become a free agent within weeks, is exactly the kind of player the Cubs' new regime is looking for as it restocks the farm system and tries to build a long-term home-core contender. The Washington Nationals and New York Yankees are among the teams said to also be interested in the 6-3 Soler.  http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/318219-cubs-eye-a-pair-of-cuban-defectors#ixzz1dsqKte88

A source has indicated to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that the Rockies signed Brandon Wood. --- Wood is just 26 years old and has been a good hitter throughout his minor league career, but for one reason or another has never been able to put it together at the major league level. He has a career batting line of .282/.352/.536 in the minors but has hit just .186/.225/.289 in 272 major league games. He spent several years with the Angels going back and forth between the minors and majors prior to spending 2011 in Pittsburgh. His season with the Pirates was the best major-league season of his career  http://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/11/17/2569954/mlb-hot-stove-2011-colorado-rockies-brandon-wood

Peter Gammons of MLB.com was told by scouts in the Dominican Republic that the parameters for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes' deal will be between $35-50 million. That's quite a chunk of change. The feeling has been that Cespedes would seek a deal similar to the one that Aroldis Chapman signed in 2010 ($30.25 million), but evidently there are some that feel he could net much more. Cespedes has had a few private workouts for teams and has drawn interest from at least a half dozen clubs.

Most definitely in the twilight of his career, Jose Molina is reportedly joining the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2012 season. Suckers. Despite his age, the 36-year old catcher posted a career-best .281 batting average last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, but still did next to nothing with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay backstop Kelly Shoppach struggled offensively, to say the least. Actually he sucked ass, batting .176 with 11 homers and 22 RBI. Shoppach did step it up a bit in the playoffs, however, crushing two longballs and batting .400 over four ALDS games against the Texas Rangers before going home a loser with the rest of his team. Wonder why the team didn't exercise his 2012 option... http://www.babeslovebaseball.com/2011/11/jose-molina-may-be-joining-tampa-bay.html

Branden Kline, Danny Canela, Austin Maddox, Brady Rodgers, Brandon Wood

Branden Kline:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/2  - The Cavaliers should take a hit next year after losing Danny Hultzen and Tyler Wilson, but they should be bolstered by the addition of RHP Branden Kline to the rotation. Kline, a 2009 sixth-round draft pick by the Red Sox, has pitched the last two years out of the bullpen, saving a combined 20 games. This year he has posted a 49:18 K:BB ratio and a 2.15 ERA in 30 contests. Kline has good size (6'3", 190) and is a former Louisville Slugger Maryland State Player of the Year. He throws in the low-to-mid 90s and complements his fastball with a curveball and a slider. He has already proven himself as a reliever, and with the Hultzen and Wilson departing, along with Will Roberts and Cody Winiarski, Kline might finally get his shot as a starter.



Danny Canela:


6-23-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - North Carolina State SO 3B Danny Canela
.267/.349/.443 – 17 BB/26 K – 131 AB - This may be a little bit of a cheat seeing how Canela’s likeliest defensive home at the next level is probably behind the plate, but a little bit of creative licensing gets him the job at the hot corner on our list. He is probably talented enough to play at least average defense at either position, but his, shall we say, “compact” 5-10, 230 pound frame gives him the look of a future pro backstop. Canela’s signature tool is probably his raw arm strength – no surprise considering his two defensive positions – but his quick bat and power upside are nearly as appealing positives.



Austin Maddox:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/3  - There’s also C/INF Austin Maddox, who exploded onto the scene as a freshman, hitting .333 with 17 home runs and 72 RBI in 2010. Maddox turned down a 37th-round offer from the Rays to attend UF, and despite suffering through a tough season (.280, 6 HR, 35 RBI) should be one of the top corner infielders available in 2012.





Brady Rodgers:


6-25-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/06/25/usa-baseball-sweeps-doubleheader-on-friday  - Brady Rodgers (Arizona State) scattered three hits over six innings and the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team opened its slate with a 7-0 victory over Keene Friday morning at Martha Pappas Field. Rodgers allowed consecutive no-out singles in the second inning, but settled down to retire the next seven batters before allowing a one-out single in the fourth. However, he induced the next batter into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. The righty, making his Team USA debut, ended the game with 68 pitches, of which 50 went for strikes. He picked up the win after striking out two and is 1-0.


Brandon Wood:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/7  - OF Brandon Wood had a tough year with the new bats, hitting only .259 with one home run. Given another year, the talented athlete who played football for three years in high school, should adjust and become a late-round talent.