Rays Activate Bradford

MLB.com is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays have activated relief pitcher Chad Bradford from the 15-day disabled list.

Bradford, 34, was out since July 22nd. The Rays sent top shortstop prospect Reid Brignac to AAA in order to make room for Bradford.

Bradford is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA this season.

Kennedy Back On Track

According to ESPN.com, Yankees’ RHP Ian Kennedy will get his first chance to pitch next month since going on the disabled list May 12. He will not pitch in Minor League ball, instead he will pitch in an instructional league.

Fish Sticks’ Win Games

According to Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald, the Florida Marlins can only follow one route to the playoffs. Through their bats. With a starting rotation problem that will never be solved this season the Marlins need to depend on their offense to lead them to October Baseball. Although this imbalance of offense and pitching never seems to work, it might just work in Florida’s case.

The Need For Huff

In case you haven’t heard by now, the Baltimore Orioles have traded Aubrey Huff to the Detroit Tigers. This isn’t much of a loss for the O’s as their season is pretty much over, however John Lowe of Freep.com explains how this greatly benefits the Tigers. I guess a .324 BA with runners in scoring position was just the tip of the iceberg for Detroit.

MLB Draft Needs To Be Fixed

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, something needs to be done with the MLB draft. After Stephen Strasburg’s record-shattering contract (Mark Prior held the original record), Stark believes things have gone too far. Strasburg is garunteed more money than John Smoltz, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez combined this year…by the way, they’re all former Cy Young winners.

Nationals Sign Strausberg

The Nationals finally completed the signing of Stephen Strausberg right before the midnight deadline ESPN.com reports.

The deal is worth $15 million. That shatters the previous draft record of Mark Prior’s $10.5 million deal in 2001.

It will be interesting to see if Strausberg will be called up in September.

Sox May Release Smoltz Today

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Red Sox could release RHP John Smoltz by August 17, 2009.

David Wright Concussion

According to ESPN.com, David Wright sustained a concussion during Saturday’s afternoon game against the Giants. After being hit in the helmet by 94 mph fastball thrown by Giants’ RHP Matt Cain, Wright was expected to spend the night in the hospital. Cain’s pitch was clearly unintentional.

No Certainty On Strasburg Signing

According to Sportsillustrated.com, National’s president Stan Kasten said there was a “very real possibility” that the organization may not sign number one pick Stephen Strasburg. The second and third overall draft picks of this year’s draft also remain unsigned under their agent Scott Boras. I guess we’ll just have to wait till Monday night to see what the outcome will be…

Release More Likely For Smoltz

According to Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com, after clearing waivers a trade could be possible for John Smoltz, but is unlikely. Bonuses in Smoltz’s contract may complicate negotiations with other teams, so a release from the Sox is a more likely scenario. If he does become a free agent the Dodgers, Cardinals, Marlins, or Rangers may sign him as they have shown interest in the past.