News: Pirates trade LaRoche to Red Sox

The Red Sox have acquired 1B Adam LaRoche from the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

…so far, there are no indications of what the Sox sent to Pittsburgh… keep an eye on MLB Trade Rumors, who does an amazing job of following and logging the activity of these deals when in action…

The 29–year-old LaRoche is hitting .247 with 12 HR and 40 RBI in 87 games for the Pirates this season.

He ended the last two seasons with at least 21 HR, 85 RBI and a .341 OBP, while batting at least .270.

LaRoche will be a free agent at the end of this season.

For what it’s worth, Jack Wilson was not in today’s starting lineup for the Pirates as well, though there is no indication he is being moved.

Update, 1:15 pm:

According to WEEI, the Sox traded RHP Hunter Strickland and 21–year-old SS Argenis Diaz in exchange for LaRoche.

Mets and Julio Lugo, Workouts and Contracts

Alex Speier of WEEI.com is not convinced soon-to-be free-agent infielder Julio Lugo will sign with the Mets.

…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the link to WEEI…

In case you missed it, last Friday, the Red Sox designated infielder Lugo for assignment.

According to yesterday’s Boston Herald, the Mets, Cardinals and Cubs have all expressed interest in Lugo, who is due $4.5 million through the rest of this season, plus $9 million in 2010.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News said yesterday he believes the Mets will sign Lugo when he becomes a free agent toward the end of next week.

…according to eyewitnesses, lugo has been working out at the Mets baseball academy in the Dominican Republic… however, from what i can gather, this is not totally uncommon…

Update, 2:33 pm:

Speaking of aging, middle infielders…

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com believes the Mets are interested in acquiring A’s SS-2B Orlando Cabrera, as are the M’s, Cardinals, Rockies and Reds.

Mets @ Nationals - Game Two

Again, Gary Sheffield will not start tonight, missing his fourth-straight game with a cramp in his hamstring.

Instead, Fernando Tatis will start in left field and hit fifth.

Angel Pagan will bat leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur in right, Tatis, Daniel Muprhy at first base, Omir Santos behind the plate and Alex Cora at shortstop.

Oliver Perez (2–2, 7.99 ERA) will start tonight for the Mets. He allowed seven runs and nine hits in just 4.1 innings against the Nationals in Citi Field during late April. He is 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in his last two starts, against the Braves and Dodgers.

Update, 4:50 pm:

David Lennon of Newsday said on Twitter that Sheffield could end up on the disabled list if he does not improve by Friday.

…really… wow… i mean, you don’t say… i’m shocked…

Meanwhile, also on Twitter, WFAN reports Jose Reyes ran ‘under control,’ while John Maine pitched in a simulated game today.

…from what i can gather, reyes only ran down to first base, and has yet to go 100 percent around all four bases… best case scenario, though, he’s still two to three weeks away from a possible return…

For other pre-game notes, follow Lennon on Twitter, click here.

To follow the Mets crew from WFAN, click here.

Mets season over?

phillies
marlins 6gb
braves 6gb
mets 8.5gb
nationals 1 million gb



IS the mets season over? how can we get our injured players healthy in time to make a run?

Mets vs. Braves (3 games)

Frenchy is back in ATLANTA!...but hes a met!

Mets take on derek lowe the first game of the series and Oliver perez is starting his second game since coming back from the DL

Ryan Church will reunite with the mets!
Frenchy will do the same with the braves

Will they BOO JEFF???

Game at 7pm on sny (7/16/09)



LGM!