Bryce Harper to Start 2012 Season in the Minor Leagues

It seems Bryce Harper isn't quite ready for the big leagues just yet... we're just going to have to wait a month or two to see a preposterous amount of eye black smeared all over his adorable face.

The Washington Nationals cut four players on Sunday, sending the outfielder along with them to the minors. Harper will begin the 2012 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, where he'll sign a whole lot of autographs before taking center field.

Unusually humble, Harper had this to say about his demotion:

"I'm just going to take it, and go down there and work hard and try to get up here as quick as I can... Of course you want to come in here and make the team every year. Hopefully, that’s the last time I’ll get sent down. But it’s what happened. I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s okay."

The 19-year-old rookie, who is converting from catcher to outfielder, went 5-for-11 to start spring training, but was just three for his last 17 with 11 strikeouts. Looks like he needs a bit more seasoning.

Aside from Harper just not being ready fundamentally, Dave Sheinin of Nationals Journal pointed this out among other things:

"If the Nationals keep him in the minors for about a month, they get an extra year of his services — in fact, his age-25 season — before he reaches free agency. If they keep him down for about three months, they can save millions of dollars in a few years by keeping him from reaching arbitration eligibility early."

Sneaky stuff Mike Rizzo.

[Nationals Journal]

Cuban Defector Yoenis Cespedes Demands Your Attention with Outrageous Video

Talented Cuban center fielder Yoenis Cespedes defected this summer in the hopes of becoming an MLB free agent. Now, since his agent and trainer made this spectacularly ridiculous video, he is bound to be signed by the team with the best sense of humor, if not for his power at the plate and outfield prowess.

There are no words... just watch for yourself:

Stephen Strasburg Returns September 6

We know you're pumped, and we're super excited too. Stephen Strasburg is making his 2011 season debut on Tuesday, September 6. Can you wait that long, Nationals fans? And can you afford to go to the game now since ticket prices have absolutely sky rocketed upon the news of his return?

Strasburg will start for AA Harrisburg on Thursday in his final rehab appearance on the comeback trail from Tommy John surgery. If all goes as planned, the 23-year-old right-hander will climb the hill at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers next Tuesday.

Jay Bruce Gets Six-Year Deal from Reds

The Reds have agreed to a $51 million deal with Jay Bruce to keep the outfielder in Cincinnati for the next six years, including a club option for 2017 with an eight-team no trade clause.

The 23-year-old slugger established himself as one of the National League's top right fielders while aiding in the Reds capture of the NL Central title. Last season, he hit .281 with 25 home runs and 70 RBI over 148 games.

Stephen Strasburg Hindsight is 20/20

$15.1 million dollars and 15.1 million reasons why Mike Rizzo and Jim Riggleman are complete morons.

Get Well Soon, Stephen Strasburg

So much for kid gloves. Stephen Strasburg is headed to the disabled list for the second time this season.

The Washington Nationals $15.1 million investment was removed from Saturday's 8-1 win over the Philadephia Phillies upon wincing after throwing a changeup. He'll have a second MRI exam to see if something is terribly wrong, other than the strained tendon in his forearm that the team has reported.

The 22-year-old rookie phenom, who is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in just 68 innings, had made only three starts since coming off the DL with shoulder inflammation.

Sadly, for all you folks who waited for him to get called up to round out your fantasy rotation, he may be done for the season.

[USA Today]

Buster Posey Steals Bengie Molina's Job

Wednesday night, the San Francisco Giants traded Bengie Molina (yes, he still plays baseball) to the Texas Rangers for reliever Chris Ray, minor league starter Michael Main and a bag of cash.

The veteran catcher has been replaced by youngster Buster Posey (great baseball name) who you may recognize from the 2008 draft, where he was chosen fifth overall. He started off hot this season, batting .444 with a 1.079 OPS by June 10, but has struggled since then, going 8-for-52 to drop his average down to .289. Granted, he wasn't called up until May 29.

Now not only does the 23-year-old Posey have to step it up at the plate, but behind it as well, with the added responsibility of calling games full time.

Molina, who turns 36 this month, will join the Rangers in Arlington on Friday with his .257 batting average, three homers and 17 RBIs.

[ESPN] | [Talking Points]

Bryce Harper is a Badass

After doodling in the dirt upon a called third strike, soon-to-be first overall pick Bryce Harper was ejected from the Junior College World Series and suspended for two games.

Check it out.

[USA Today] | [Nationals Enquirer]

Stephen Strasburg: Seat Filler

Normally, little more than 50 folks show up to watch the Washington Nationals’ first practice at Space Coast Stadium. Yesterday, roughly 150 people were in attendance.

This past Sunday, Florida residents and vacationers flocked to see no one but last June’s No. 1 draft pick, Stephen Strasburg, in action. During the nine-minute session, the former San Diego State right-hander threw 37 pitches, showing off his repertoire of four-seam fastballs, two-seamers, a slider/curveball mix and a changeup. Following his bullpen session, he worked on covering first base and even practiced a little bunting.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

King Felix Gets The Big Bucks

The Seattle Mariners are nearing a five-year deal with Felix Hernandez that is rumored to be worth roughly $78 million, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations.

Hernandez is set to take his contract-finalizing physical in Seattle this Thursday. Not only would this agreement help the Mariners avoid arbitration all together, but it would prevent him from becoming a free agent after the 2011 season.

The 23-year-old righty asked for $11.5 million Tuesday, which is more than a bad hop away from Seattle's $7.2 million offering.


Continue reading this story at Sports Untapped.

Stephen Strasburg: Flamethrower

Washington Nationals uneconomical prospect Stephen Strasburg's first professional pitch hit 99 mph to kick off 3.1 scoreless innings in his Arizona Fall League debut Friday night.

The 21-year-old righty, who signed a ridiculous, record $15.1 million, four-year deal with the Nationals after the June draft, surrendered just two base hits and a walk, fanning two for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in their 7-4 win over the Scotsdale Scorpions.

"I love to go out there and compete, and it was great to be able to do that," Strasburg said.

He threw just 50 pitches --32 for strikes -- a limit set by the Nats... they don't want to break him, I guess. He's expected make five starts for the Dogs, with his next coming on Thursday.

[MLB.com] | [Project Prospect] | [AZ Hardball]

Stephen Strasburg Joins the Fun in D.C.

Stephen Strasburg, his superagent Boras and the Washington Nationals literally waited until the last minute to negotiate a contract before their midnight deadline, making D.C. hold their collective breaths until 11:58:43 last night.

As was everyone's prediction, the 21-year-old righty from San Diego State inked the richest deal in MLB amateur draft history, nabbing $15.1 million over four years.

This passes up the $10.8 million contract the Texas Rangers handed Mark Teixeira back in 2001, but it's not quite in the $50 million ballpark Boras was yakking about pre-draft. Still, it's a lot of dough.

Congratulations to both sides! This is a win/win for sure. By the way, the Nats are offering $1 tickets to his intro.

P.S. Check out our first edition of BLB 12-second Trivia!

[SI.com] | [Big League Stew] | [MLB Rumors]

Stan Kasten's Coach Turns to a Pumpkin at Midnight

The Washington Nationals have until the stroke of twelve to ink youngster Stephen Strasburg before losing rights to him altogether.

Sadly, the team can't seem to do anything right this season, so losing one of baseball's most highly-touted prospects isn't completely out of the question. Even club president Stan Kasten is skeptical. He told to Associated Press over the weekend that the deal might not get done in time, even though the Nats offered the 21-year-old righty the biggest amateur draft contract ever.

Strasburg went 13-1 this season for the San Diego State Aztecs, leading all Division I pitchers with a 1.32 ERA and 195 strikeouts just before receiving the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the country.

Good luck dealing with Scott Boras on this one, Washington.

[Bottom of the Ninth] | [Whicker's Basket] | [Sports Polls]

Mr. T Says Stay In School, Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is barely old enough to pump gas.

He's barely old enough to stay out past 10pm making out with other teenage girls. Yet, he's apparently old enough to skip his last two years of high school to follow his dream of becoming a major league baseball player.

Continue reading this story at Fantasy Pros 911.

We Heart Matt Joyce

Matt Joyce is a stud. You know it, I know it. Joyce on the other hand, had some butterflies this weekend.

The 24-year-old Tampa Bay Rays outfielder, a local boy who was recalled from the AAA Durham Bulls on Saturday, debuted at Tropicana Field Sunday in center field in front of a dozen friends and family... not to mention the 26,000 strangers. He may have been a little nervous, but the kid went 2-for-3, including a go-ahead solo shot in the fifth anyway.

Of his first hometown longball, Joyce recalled:

Matt Wieters: We Can't Wait

Matt Wieters. We can't wait to see this guy squat behind home for the Baltimore Orioles.

The 23-year-old 6'5" catcher will make his major league debut this Friday against the Detroit Tigers, as announced by team president Andy MacPhail this evening. It's not like he's going to single-handedly drag the Orioles out of the basement of the AL East, but it'll be fun to watch him hit.

Joba Chamberlain: Flame-Thrower

Congratulations to Joba Chamberlain for finally getting his first big league win as a starter, a 10-0 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates. And it only took five tries.

Over 114 pitches, the youngster's fastball regularly reached 99 mph, while his breaking ball helped fan seven over 6.2 innings. Joba's 2.03 ERA since making his first start June 3rd has aided the New York Yankees in wins, even though he hadn't figured into the decision until Wednesday. The club is 4-1 when he starts, allowing just two runs over his last 18.1 innings. Way to go, buddy!

[MLB] | [Sliding Into Home] | [The Bronx Block] | [Bugs and Cranks]

Ryan Braun Get the Big Bucks

After agreeing to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers history, Ryan Braun is no doubt one happy kid.

The 24-year-old left fielder celebrated his 8-year, $45 million deal Thursday by hitting a solo shot off Jonathon Broxton in the eighth inning of his team's 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

During his NL Rookie of the Year season in 2007, Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs over 113 games after he was called up in late May. This season, he's batting .286 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs. He totally stole a base once, too.

The second-largest deal in Brew Crew history now belongs to Jeff Suppan, who was given a $42 million for four years as a free agent before last season.

[Walkoff Walk]

Troy Tulowitzki is Adorable. And Rich.

Troy Tulowitzki and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a huge contract Tuesday, keeping the vacuum-gloved youngster around for another six seasons for roughly $30 million. The deal includes a club option for 2014 and a heap of performance bonuses. A source close to the negotiations spoke on condition of anonymity of course, since the deal hasn't been finalized.

No big leaguer has ever landed a six-year contract worth that amount with under two years experience, so Tulowitzi is paving the way for rookies everywhere.

The 23-year-old shortstop finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season, just two points behind Milwaukee Brewers hard-hitting third baseman Ryan Braun. Tulowitzki batted .291 with 24 homers and 99 RBIs in 2007, but his defense is what sets him apart. He turned the 13th unassisted triple play in major league history on April 29th against the Atlanta Braves, and led all qualifying shortstops in fielding percentage (.987), assists (561), putouts (262) and double plays (114). Awesome.

[Denver Post]

Mike Mussina Returns to Yankees Rotation

After placing their seventh pitcher - prized rookie Phil Hughes - on the disabled list Thursday, the New York Yankees will bring up right-handers Darrell Rasner and Matt DeSalvo to fill the gaping holes in their rotation for the upcoming weekend series against the Seattle Mariners.

This move may make history - becoming the first club in big league history to use 10 starters in its first 30 games.

Rasner is scheduled to make his fourth start Sunday, with DeSalvo making his major league debut in Monday's series finale.