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Washington Nationals fans were able to see their phenom Stephen Strasburg blow his arm out very early this year. Cincinnati Reds fans have been patient, and their phenom from Cuba may join the Major League baseball club on either Monday or Tuesday, according to a source close to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan. 

This goes against the popular belief that Chapman would bring his 105 mph fastball to the Reds on or after September 1st. But joining the team before September 1st would make him playoff eligible. 

Walt Jocketty was looking to have Chapman test the waters in the majors as a reliever for the team in 2010. From there, they can take a look and see how he would do as a starter next year. Something like the Joba Rules of New York has not been announced for Chapman. 

The Reds should be wise to not have him blow his arm out like a certain someone from Washington. Stephen Strasburg is expected to miss all of next year and possibly some of 2011 due to Tommy John surgery. Reds fans certainly will not want that!

Chapman is signed with the team for six years as of last winter. The plan is to have the Cuban phenom eventually become the ace of the team. That would be a great one-two combination with Edinson Volquez and Aroldis Chapman at the front of the rotation.

It will be interesting to see how this experiment goes to have Aroldis Chapman go through a Joba Chamberlain-like transition from starter to brief reliever to starter again.  

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Very late last night the Los Angeles Angels had their catcher, Mike Napoli, claimed by an unknown team. There were several teams in the hunt for a catcher, but in the end ESPN’s Joe McDonald revealed that it was the Boston Red Sox that won the Mike Napoli sweepstakes. 

The Angeles gave the Red Sox a time frame until Monday for them to workout a deal. , McDonald added that the Red Sox will probably not want to complete a deal.

The move may have most likely been made to block the Tampa Bay Rays from getting a catcher out of it. The New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Boston Red Sox are all in an exciting hunt for a playoff spot coming from the AL East.

The Red Sox have Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez on the team as this year’s catching squad. They may have interest in him this winter and go after a deal then. 

This means that if a deal will not be made, the Angels will have to pull Mike Napoli back and try and deal him in the winter.  The market will most likely be bigger for him then. It also gives him the chance to show his glove off a bit more at first base. 

He’s been playing first base ever since Jeff Mathis returned from the disabled list in June. He still has been pretty consistent with over 20 home runs and a .249 batting average. 

Playoff contenders would love to have him, which may be why the Rays were after him. Plus, margin level teams (trying ti get to .500) could use him to have the extra push to put them over the top and in possible contention. Napoli has a nice group of teams to choose from this winter.

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The headline and the story is not satire, but sadly a true story coming out of the Dominican Republic.

According to the Associated Press, the ex-wife of Ambiorix Burgos is claiming that her crazed former husband forced her to eat rat poison. The accusation has led to kidnapping and attempted murder charges on the former Major Leaguer.

Ambiorix Burgos is not a stranger to trouble as in 2008, he was charged with hit-and-run charges in Dominican Republic. The charges were dropped, but he still could not avoid jail time.

A New York City judge ordered him to nine months in prison for assaulting his girlfriend in a hotel near the late Shea Stadium.

Another interesting thing to note about how crazy the pitcher has become is the fact that he was giving death threats to his girlfriend before trying to kill her.

Due to these latest accusations, a judge in the Dominican Republic has ordered that Burgos remain in jail for three months until a case is ready to be presented in court.

Burgos was a New York Met in 2007. That year was also his last stint in the Major Leagues. The two years before that he pitched for the Kansas City Royals. In his career, he has 20 saves and an 8-10 record.

Since the New York Mets released him December of 2008, no Major League team has even been rumored to have had interest in the pitcher. Good to say, he will most likely never pitch in the Major Leagues again after these latest accusations.  

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The New York Yankees are probably coming close to putting a list of September call-ups together. Kei Igawa may have just lost his spot on that list. The Japanese right-handed pitcher pitched for his country in the Little League World Series but did not perform to the high expectations that were set for him. 

Igawa entered the game as one of Japan’s most hyped up pitchers and one of the best in the tournament, and his last start proved so. In his previous start, Igawa pitched five scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and 9 strikeouts. His fastball was measured at 120 mph (on the Little league to Major League radar used).

The result would be a little bit different as Chinese Taipei would rip him right from the start. His first pitch of the game was killed into the crowd and measured in at 523ft. It wouldn’t get any better as the next five batters would be walked.

The crowd was also tearing Kei Igawa apart. After his second inning of work, a great camera shot was able to catch a glimpse of him crying behind his pair of sunglasses. The coach had to go over and console him. 

It may have worked as in the third inning after he hit the first batter of the inning, he struck out the next two before giving up a two-run home-run. That was the last batter that Igawa faced before being relieved. 

His final line score was 2 2/3 innings pitched, two strikeouts, and 9 earned runs. The Yankees have not commented on the performance by their developing starter.

Brian Cashman was the only one who commented on Igawa saying, “I still don’t understand the documentation show that has Igawa in the tournament, but as long as he is pitching and not representing the New York Yankees franchise, I am fine with it.”

Kei Igawa still has one more year left on his contract with the Yankees, but the front office is rumored to be trying to deal him to a Little League team in Japan. 

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As soon as media outlets started reporting that Shawn Chacon was traded to the New York Yankees for two prospects, reporters and critics started to rip the Yankees apart. They claimed that Chacon was just going to hold up in the Yankees rotation for a bit like temporary starters. 

Enter Shawn Chacon vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the first time in pinstripes. He did not allow a single run through six innings. Silence goes over the doubters. 

He would end the regular season with a 7-3 record and a sub-3 ERA with 2.85. In the postseason, Chacon was thought of a possible bullpen pitcher, but he would be the go-to guy in Game 4 of the ALDS. The Yankees were down in the series to the team that Chacon defeated in his Yankee debut. 

He came up clutch and was able to hold the Angels to only two runs. The Yankees would win that game before being eliminated in the next game. 

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Recently, Major League Baseball has been buzzing about the future of several managers. From Tony LaRussa to Joe Girardi, these men are starting to make more headlines than this year’s looming free agent class. 

There could now even be a “Joe Torre Watch” as he is one of the most prized managers in the game and could be relocating this offseason. He has a few destinations to choose from.

The Chicago Cubs may want him as their successor to Lou Piniella, who is retiring after many years in the big leagues. The favorites to replace Piniella are currently Ryne Sandberg and Joe Girardi, if he chooses to pass on returning to the Yankees for the Cubs. Girardi and Torre have both won World Series Championships, but to do it with the Cubs would be historic.

The New York Mets have just joined the hunt for Torre, as many close friends and baseball executives could see a return to the Big Apple for the former Yankees and Mets skipper. 

But Los Angeles and retirement are big factors in his decision. Torre could either pass on all offers and ride off into the sunset or comeback and make one more attempt at winning it all in Dodger blue. 

Those who have started to believe that Torre will retire have started to point towards possible successors. 

Near the top of everyone’s list is Don Mattingly. Mattingly followed Torre from New York after not getting the managerial job there. It seems as if it is set in stone that once Torre is finished, the former Yankees captain would take over. 

But here comes a surprise from Bob Nightingale of USA Today. He believes that the Mattingly promise may never actually happen as a new contender for the possible managerial role has popped up with Tim Wallach. 

Wallach has been the Dodgers’ Triple-A manager since January 2009. Before that he served as the hitting coach for the Dodgers, until he was replaced by Eddie Murray. He has since won 80 games with the Isotopes and was named Manager of the Year. 

Wallach does seem to be quite suitable for the job. Mattingly and Wallach seem to have similar resumes. 

It all comes down to how big can they come up on the big stage and how successful can they make a team with a peculiar situation in the front office.

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A new question arises in New York. “How hot is the seat, Mr. Manuel?”

The season is starting to take a turn and head toward that final stretch, but some teams are already out of contention and could be looking into the future of their ball club.

The Mets could be one of these teams as things looked bright a bit early in the Summer, but have since taken a turn for the worse. The pitching has become weak and the bats are frozen. Players like Johan Santana and Carlos Beltran do not have the same look of dominance every time that they take the field.

When the blame game begins, the finger can be pointed at Jerry Manuel. Manuel has been given a bad reception at Citi Field several times lately. His head is definitely on the chopping block if the Mets fail to do anything in September.

Omar Minaya should not be too confident as he could be on his way out of town too. But before he goes, he might be hired to make an important move concerning Jerry Manuel. 

The hiring of Joe Torre for the New York Mets could be the swan song for Omar Minaya.

Jayson Stark of ESPN has been tracking the possible future destinations for Joe Torre and a friend believes he will either retire or stay in California. But a few Major League Baseball executives have been led to believe that the current Dodgers skipper might make a return to Flushing, New York.

Joe Torre was a lot younger when he was last in a Mets uniform. He was the skipper for five years and was never able to compile a winning season. Things were definitely a lot better in the Bronx for him.

Joe Torre has been welcomed warmly the last few times he was in New York against the Mets. That could also just be a ton of Yankee fans going to the game to see their former skipper make a special appearance in the Big Apple.

Torre will announce his plans for next year after the season ends for the Dodgers. If it ends with a World Series win, he could choose to ride off into the sunset a winner one last time. The other option is pull a Phil Jackson and try and win another one.

He would inherit a team that could use a few young faces. They have Ike Davis, a legitimate contender for the Rookie of the Year Award. In the starting rotation stands a man that the Yankees let get away for Torre in Johan Santana. People like David Wright and Jose Reyes are all too familiar due to the many Subway Series that Torre was a part of.

A New York Mets hiring of Joe Torre would definitely not be the worst thing that could possibly happen to the team. The worst could actually be giving the power over in an Isiah Thomas manner where Omar Minaya would be manager and a big shot in the front office. They should try and avoid that disaster.

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Jose Canseco may want to think of writing a new book or do something extraordinary in order to get out of the current streak of bad luck that he has hit. When Canseco was in his prime, he would date models and drive some of the world’s most expensive cars. Nowadays, it seems like he can’t even afford a nice home.

The former Major League slugger has reportedly been evicted from his home and is currently living in a friend’s garage. This is all coming from the popular tabloid website, TMZ, that still seems to treat Jose Canseco like a celebrity. The website is stating that the former Yankee missed two months of rent at a rented home. 

On his Twitter page, Jose Canseco confirmed the rumors and admits that ever since his controversial book “Juiced” hit shelves, it has been downhill. He goes as far as to call himself “the modern day Frankenstein.” 

The steroid abuser decided to play the blame game and points to Major League Baseball as the source of all his problems. He believes that they have aimed at destroying his life and, apparently, they succeeded. 

Canseco is not shy to express what is currently going on. He expresses his desire to cry, but at the same time, he believes that living in a garage is not too bad. 

He says that he doesn’t mind being poor again since that is how he was raised. But the may not last long as he is back in baseball.

Do not fear. He is not back in the Major Leagues. Jose Canseco was just recently signed to a contract to become a designated hitter and a bench coach for the Laredo Broncos.

It is a short-term contact that will only last the next two Laredo Broncos’ homestand, according to the Associated Press.

Jose Melendez is currently serving as the Broncos’ general manager and he issued a statement on the team’s website on Jose Canseco’s hiring. Melendez said, “He felt baseball was over with. We’re the ones who encouraged him to come back and return to the game of baseball and back to where his beloved fans can see him again.”

Canseco was the mentor to many on steroid issues during his baseball career in the Majors, but now he will serve as a mentor to younger baseball players hoping to keep their dream alive of making it big. 

The Broncos are really excited about signing Jose Canseco that they even decided to state that his signing is the “biggest” in all of Independent League Baseball History. 

Could this be a publicity stunt by Canseco to be on top of the world again? He was on a VH1 show a few years back and he could be looking for a comeback or a television show to make money again. Any type of spare change will be greatly appreciated by Canseco at this point.

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New York Mets fans have finally heard what they may have wanted to hear the past few seasons. Luis Castillo is calling it quits on New York. The New York Post’s Dan Martin has quoted the Mets second-baseman as saying “I can’t be here anymore. I know I’m not going to be here next year.”

Castillo is a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Recently, Jerry Manuel doesn’t see the same Castillo as in years prior. Instead, the Mets have turned to a rotation of Reuben Tejada and Luis Castillo at second-base. 

Tejada is a rookie and Castillo has been in the Major Leagues for 15 seasons. The playing time seems to be equal since their time splitting. Castillo is unhappy because of this, but has not requested a trade from the Mets.

There is still one year left on Castillo’s contract out of four years worth $25MM. He was packaged in a deal for Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs that was rejected at the trade deadline. He could always opt for retirement if the Mets or any other Major League Baseball team does not give him what he desires. 

There has been no comment from the Mets front office or Omar Minaya on Castillo’s unhappiness. It will be interesting to see how his demeanor plays in the clubhouse. Mets fans fear that this could start a chain reaction of people expressing their disinterest with the team. 

Ever since last year’s Subway Series, the Mets have wanted to oust Castillo for dropping the game-winning out against the New York Yankees. Maybe Luis Castillo could get an offer from the Yankees for a bench role. Although a bench role is what he despises currently with the New York Mets. 

Tejada seems to only have a nice flashy glove and the Mets still may have to make a move to improve at second-base, so getting rid of Castillo is only the start to finding the right person for the job.

Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez are not what they use to be. The Mets are carrying dead-weight on the team and fans are counting down the days until they both come off the books for free-agency.

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The New York Mets have just received news that their star closer, Francisco Rodriguez, has been charged with assault. The incident occurred after last night’s ballgame at Citi Field between K-Rod and his father-in-law.

Reports say that the Mets closer refused to speak with the media and got into a scuffle with his father-in-law about family issues. When asked what was wrong by the media, Francisco Rodriguez responded with an obscenity to mind their own business. 

Francisco Rodriguez’s violent lash out led to injuries to his father-in-law.

Jonathan Niese’s girlfriend and Jose Reyes’ kids were present in the room when the madness erupted.

This is definitely something that people shouldn’t witness at the ballpark.  

Kevin Burkhart and Chris Carlin of SNY have been directly following the story as both men were in the locker room at the time of the incident. 

ESPN later reported that K-Rod was being charged with third degree assault. Major League Baseball’s Mets decided to suspend their closer for two games without pay. 

There is one man on the face of the planet that definitely saw this coming. That was relief pitcher Brian Bruney, formerly of the New York Yankees. 

If you can recall, Bruney and Francisco Rodriguez got into an altercation a few years prior in the Mets/Yankees Subway Series. Bruney criticized Rodriguez’s obnoxious celebrations and praised Luis Castillo’s dropped ball play that happened when K-Rod was on the mound. 

Rodriguez seems to like to tell people to shut up.

As he did recently with the media, he did the same with Bruney. He told the Daily News that Bruney should “keep his mouth shut and do his job, not worry about somebody else,” during the brief one-on-one showdown. 

This isn’t the first time that K-Rod has been in a confrontation as he faced off with his bullpen coach earlier this year and with former New York Mets executive Tony Bernazard.

Surely, everyone can come to the conclusion that K-Rod is a hot-headed baseball player. 

It will be interesting to see how much more discipline the New York Mets or Manager Jerry Manuel hand to Rodriguez. 

Somewhere in the world, Brian Bruney is smiling saying “I told you so!”

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