Baseball Digest Daily :: Roundup - Konerko to the Angels?

- Five main actors in the Mitchell report, including Roger Clemens, have been asked to testify before a congressional committee focused on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

Newsday offers a few other cases involving Congress and baseball.

- Many argue for Jim Rice to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and maybe the fourteenth try will be the one that works for the former Red Sox. He had 63.5% of the votes in 2007. Here's the career batting line:

.298/.352/.502, 2452 H, 373 doubles, 79 triples, 382 home runs, 1451 RBI, 670 BB, 1423 K and 58 stolen bases.

The only time five members were inducted in the HOF at the same time came in 1936, when Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson were selected.

- Here are some lesser-known facts about Joe Dimaggio.

- RH starter Daniel Cabrera is working on his change-up during the offseason, writes Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun.

Cabrera uses almost exclusively his fastball-slider combination (more than 95% of the time) and this third offering could probably make the difference with him. Let's face it, if he allowed fewer walks and didn't let his emotions get the best of him, he could very well be one of the best hurler in baseball.

Last year saw him lower his BB/9 to 4.76, below his major league career average of 5.28. With the heat he brings, he could throw more strikes and still remain hard to make contact with and improve his K total each year.

Strangely, he reduced the walks allowed, but left the ball up in the zone, posting a 1.10 HR/9 (25 homers in 204 IP), an increase of 26% over his career average.

- The Colorado Rockies took a chance on Josh Towers yesterday, signing the right-handed pitcher to a one-year deal (with 3M$ mutual option) worth a guaranteed 400,000$.

- Jose Canseco's ghost writer, Don Yaeger, for his forthcoming book quit yesterday and had some interesting things to say.

- Baseball America has released its top ten prospects list for the Boston Red Sox.

- The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Angels are looking to acquire White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko in exchange for Howie Kendrick and Ervin Santana.

- Lynn Henning, of the Detroit News, reports that the trade of Brandon Inge is tricky, since GM Dave Dombrowski sure doesn't want to just give the player away.

- OF Luis Gonzalez thinks he'd be a perfect fit with the Milwaukee Brewers.

- The Mets are supposedly next in line to snatch a starter away from the Athletics, this time Joe Blanton.

- Great interview with former LA Dodgers general manager, Paul DePodesta, who now works in the San Diego Padres front office. Excerpt:

"QUESTION: In Moneyball it was exposed that you essentially "found" Kevin Youkilis, but the A's scouting department ignored him - do you ever wonder "what if?" and since are there any notable players that you've really wanted but missed out on through the draft or otherwise?

DEPODESTA: Though I appreciate the mention, I didn't "find" Kevin Youkilis. Our scouts wrote some very positive reports about him, even calling him "an A's type of player" as I recall. Michael Lewis chose him as a focal part of the story because he was representative of a philosophical debate. But make no mistake - our scouting department had not ignored him. As far as other notable players... there were more players whom I wanted who failed than the other way around. Predicting Major League success for amateur players is a tough, tough job, which is why we put so much effort into it every year."

- The Cincinnati Reds signed former Yankees farmhand Andy Phillips and also claimed OF Jeff Fiorentino on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

- Jason Pridie might the wild card in the transactions that saw Matt Garza exchange to the Rays and Twins GM Bill Smith thinks he's got his new center fielder.

- Here's the transcript of a chat between legendary Peter Gammons and Boston Globe readers.

- Wrigley Field will be undergoing some changes before next season begins, with the addition of 70 bullpen box seats and some additional digital signage.

- David O'Brien writes about the upcoming 2008 season for Jeff 'frenchy' Francoeur and the Atlanta Braves

- The Washington Post publishes the state of several pitchers on the Nationals roster, including RHP Luis Ayala, who was hit with a shotgun pellet in the upper left arm.

- The Pirates finally got that right-hander they desired for their bullpen when they signed Elmer Dessens to a one-year contract.

- It is now official, the Marlins have signed infielder Jorge Cantu to a minor league deal and expect him to compete for a starting job in the majors at the next spring training.

- Clemens might deny PEDs use, but other athletes have better alibis.

- A few resolutions suggestions for the Dodgers players.

- Rick Hurd thinks Billy Beane is betting his legacy on nine prospects.

Question of the Day: 43 players have been elected in their first year on the ballot for the HOF. Who was the only catcher to achieve that feat?

You can reach me at drouleau@baseballdigestdaily.com

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