by FOXSports.com

Updated: May 9, 2008, 10:33 AM EST 1191 comments

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The Diamondbacks have identified Brandon Webb as a long-term priority and have renewed talks on a contract extension that would keep the pitcher through the prime of his career, and Webb seems to believe a new deal can be reached. "We've been talking a little bit and, hopefully, it's not something that drags out too long," Webb said after pitching his first complete game of a season in an 8-3 victory over Philadelphia Thursday. "We'll get something done." Webb, 8-0 for the second time in three years, is one of the best values in the major leagues — he is to earn $5.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2009, and the D-Backs have an option worth $8.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout in 2010. The D-Backs, sources said, are not prepared to offer Johan Santana-type money — he signed a six-year extension worth almost $23 million a year after being traded to the Mets — but understand they will need to make a significant commitment. -- East Valley Tribune

Phils eye Yanks Cashman?

With Philadelphia general manager Pat Gillick having said he plans to retire at the end of the year, and the ongoing uncertainties of life with the Yankees, there is speculation among Philadelphia media that Yankees GM Brian Cashman could emerge as Gillick's replacement. -- Rocky Mountain News

Reds could deal Dunn and Griffey to save $25 mil?

Including Adam Dunn ($13 million) and Ken Griffey ($12.5 million), the potential free agents represent $43 million of this year's $74.1 million payroll. The Reds have six veterans under contract for next year. They'll make a total of $46.575 million. They are: Bronson Arroyo ($9.5 million), Francisco Cordero ($12 million), Aaron Harang ($11 million), Brandon Phillips $4.75 million), Ryan Freel ($4 million) and Alex Gonzalez ($5.375 million). -- Cincinnati Enquirer

David Wells could return to Yanks

For his 45th birthday in 11 days, David Wells wants something pinstriped. The free-agent left-hander told The Post yesterday he has been working out near his home in San Diego and believes he could bolster a Yankees' rotation suddenly besieged by question marks. Could Boomer III be in the cards? Consider that Wells has a huge fan monitoring the situation from Tampa. Hank Steinbrenner admitted yesterday that Wells, who recently made appearances on "Best Damn Sports Show Period," has crossed his mind as a possibility for the Yankees' rotation. "I've thought about it," Steinbrenner told The Post. "I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching." -- NY Post

Rockies owner to pass on Fogg trade

Rockies owner Dick Monfort was in a rush to catch an elevator Thursday morning at Coors Field but not to dramatically alter his ballclub. Despite the team's poor start, he said the Rockies have no plans to acquire a frontline starting pitcher or even a fifth starter such as Cincinnati's Josh Fogg. Monfort is comfortable giving prized pitching prospect Greg Reynolds a shot starting Sunday in San Diego. "We will put him out there and see what he can do. He would have been up here last year if not for the shoulder injury," Monfort said. "In a perfect world, we would rather have him stay in Triple-A. But we aren't living in a perfect world. We have some issues." -- Denver Post

Tribe's Dellucci: Yanks Joba's 'Bush League'

Two nights ago, Indians outfielder David Dellucci pinch-hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Joba Chamberlain. After giving up that shot, the 22-year-old reliever bent over, avoided watching the runners score and otherwise appeared upset. Thursday was a different scene in the Yankees' 6-3 win over Cleveland at the Stadium. Chamberlain screamed and pumped his fists three times in celebration as he spun off the mound after striking out Dellucci to end a three-batter eighth inning. Dellucci was not amused by Chamberlain's antics. "That's what gets him going and that's what everybody likes to see, but if a hitter was to do something like that they'd probably say it was 'bush (league)' and you shouldn't do it," Dellucci said. "It's kind of funny how a pitcher can get away with it." -- NY Daily News

Brewers manager Yost on hot seat

If the Brewers don't snap out of it soon, Mark Attanasio could make the move to fire manager Ned Yost with justifiable cause. The owner has been remarkably loyal to his holdover employees, but Attanasio is a businessman first, and a pragmatic one at that. He is banking on a 3 million house at Miller Park based on what were realistic expectations for this team. Also, Attanasio is probably aware of a poll in this newspaper indicating 75% of the respondents believe a managerial change would benefit the Brewers. No good owner would ever use a poll to make such a decision, but it's clear that Yost is unpopular with a lot of paying customers and has been for some time. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Sheff: Yanks kept me from Red Sox

Tigers OF Gary Sheffield still talks about how close he came to playing with the Red Sox, recalling that his potential presence at Fenway Park was the primary impetus for the Yankees picking up his $13 million option for 2007 and then dealing him to Detroit. "That's the reason the Yankees picked up my option, to keep me from the Red Sox," he said. "I know what would have happened, and they did too." -- Boston Herald

Smoltz eyes quick return to Braves

John Smoltz said the pain in his shoulder has mostly subsided in 10 days of rest, and after a couple of days more he'll be ready to pick up a ball again by Sunday in Pittsburgh. He'll start by playing catch and eventually work up to a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Smoltz is gearing up to return as a reliever, he said, some time before the end of the month. "Something starting with a '2'," Smoltz said. "One of those days." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Scouts: Twins Gomez swings at to many bad pitches

Carlos Gomez has been a Twin for only one month, but the center fielder, who doesn't turn 23 until December, has demonstrated why the New York Mets were reluctant to part with him in the Johan Santana trade in February. Twins general manager Billy Smith said Thursday that Gomez has been what he hoped for and expected when he made the deal. "We had very good reports on him; he has skills that you can't teach," Smith said. "He's young, and we know he's not a finished product yet." Scouts other than the Twins' say Gomez receives maximum grades for his speed and defensive ability. But he still swings at a lot of pitches outside the strike zone, and they're interested in seeing how he does once pitchers begin to exploit that, and whether Gomez adjusts. "No question," Smith said. "But he's going to get better. He's got a great arm. He has to improve his throwing accuracy. He has made all the plays in center field; he has stolen bases." -- Pioneer Press

Mets fans want Randolph fired

Just the impatient, lunatic fringe who, after a grand total of 32 games, and with the Mets a game-and-a-half out of first in the NL East, want Willie Randolph fired. And they already are lining up candidates - such as Lee Mazzilli and the man who invented baseball, Bobby Valentine - to replace him. -- NY Daily News

Brewers pitcher Turnbow unlikely to be traded

Reliever Derrick Turnbow's fate should be determined in the next day or two. A week ago, Turnbow was designated for assignment, giving the Brewers 10 days to trade or release him or send him to the minors. No trade has been worked out thus far and probably is unlikely at this point. The Brewers are thought to have placed Turnbow on waivers, and he could clear as early as today. General manager Doug Melvin said last week that the team would send Turnbow to Class AAA Nashville rather than release him. And, with a $3.2 million salary at stake, Turnbow would take the assignment rather than declare free agency. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Phils Myers struggling to get job done

Phillies pitcher Brett Myers is 2-3 with a 5.33 ERA, which is just a tick better than Adam Eaton's 5.63. The righthander has pitched more than five innings just four times in his first eight starts. Myers was struggling with his velocity earlier this season, but seemed to rediscover his fastball last weekend in a loss to San Francisco at Citizens Bank Park. Myers' fastball hit 92 m.p.h. at times yesterday, so that did not appear to be the issue. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Rangers manager Washington still on hot seat?

The Rangers followed a 4-2 homestand by winning four of their first six games on a road trip that ended last night in Seattle. That's quieted rampant speculation that manager Ron Washington could be fired any day, although the talk is likely to heat up again the next time the team has a losing streak. -- Philadelphia Daily News

Mets could release $2 mil pitcher Sosa

Mets GM Omar Minaya botched the handling of Jorge Sosa's contract this winter with another example of overzealous spending on veterans, which is why the Mets face a difficult decision now about how to create room for Matt Wise as they open a three-game series against the Reds Friday. The GM avoided going to arbitration with Sosa by agreeing this winter on a $2million contract for 2008 - a $750,000 raise from last season. That generous settlement kept Sosa from hitting the free-agent market. If the Mets had declined to offer Sosa a contract in December and allowed him to become a free agent, he would have been available for other teams to sign. Yet the Mets could then have pursued re-signing Sosa at a more reasonable salary - a figure that wouldn't be so hard to eat now with the reliever's ERA at 6.05. (That ERA doesn't account for six of the 19 runs he has surrendered in 19-1/3 innings being unearned.) -- NY Daily News

Bynum now Orioles starting shortstop

The Baltimore Orioles' continuing quest to find a replacement for departed shortstop Miguel Tejada took another turn on Thursday. The Orioles activated Freddie Bynum from the 15-day disabled list and Manager Dave Trembley installed him as the team's starting shortstop, ending Luis Hernández's tenure at the position. To make room for Bynum, the Orioles optioned utility player Eider Torres to Class AAA Norfolk. Torres went 2 for 9 in three starts for the Orioles. -- Washington Post

M's bench struggling Clement

Jeff Clement, who batted nearly .400 at Triple-A Tacoma before being called up April 30 to help the slumping Mariners offense, has had anything but a soft landing. His batting average sits at .130, and he has struck out 11 times in his past six games. Manager John McLaren sat Clement on Thursday for the first time. "We thought we'd let him step back a little bit," McLaren said. "I think he might be pressing a little bit." -- Seattle P-I

Gonzalez won't return to Braves in mid-May

Mike Gonzalez took a week off from throwing in extended spring training after a minor setback with some scar tissue breaking up. A mid-May return is probably not going to happen now, but he's still on track to return by the end of May from his elbow ligament transplant surgery. Instead of coming directly to Atlanta from extended spring training at the end of next week, he's more likely to head out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ludwick to get more playing time for Cards

If Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick continues to swing like one of the top hitters in the National League, he just might get enough at-bats to rank with them. Ludwick finished a power-packed series against Colorado with two home runs in Thursday's loss to the Rockies, and he elevated his slugging percentage to .758. That would be the best in baseball, except for a technicality. He doesn't have enough plate appearances to qualify. "Oh, we're paying attention," manager Tony La Russa said of Ludwick's numbers and where they would rank. "He's definitely earning his playing time." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pirates sign former Cubs pitcher

The Pirates signed starter Juan Mateo, who spent half of 2006 in the Chicago Cubs' rotation, to a minor-league contract. Mateo, 25, rocketed through the Chicago system that year and went 1-3 with a 5.32 ERA in 10 starts for the Cubs, but shoulder trouble dropped him back to Class A last year. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rays take struggling Longoria out of starting lineup

One of the concerns the Rays had about promoting 3B Evan Longoria to the majors was how he would handle the struggles that any 22-year-old faces. With Longoria in a 2-for-22 slump and his average at .221, manager Joe Maddon took him out of the starting lineup Thursday, figuring relaxing during batting practice and watching the game might help, even for part of what became a long night. "It's more for my own mental thought process," he said. "I'm obviously putting a little more pressure on myself than I should be. I have my own expectations for myself, and when things aren't going to what I expect, I'm going to do more. I'm going to work harder pregame to get myself right. And I think I'm trying to do a little too much right now, and Joe sees that." -- St. Petersburg Times

Dodgers' Matt Kemp is in a batting groove

The evidence of Matt Kemp's evolution goes beyond the numbers. Kemp has batted .400 over a 12-game hitting streak that he will take into the Dodgers' series opener against the Houston Astros tonight at Dodger Stadium, but hitting coach Mike Easler isn't as impressed with what he has done as he is with how he has done it. The 23-year-old right fielder, Easler said, isn't the same hitter who was two for 15 over the first four games of the season and was benched for four games. "He's got better strike-zone management now," Easler said. "That's half the battle, not getting excited, staying within yourself." Kemp, who is 20 for 50 with two home runs and 19 runs batted in during the 12-game span, said he feels what Easler sees. "I feel comfortable at the plate," he said. "Everything's working." -- LA Times

Yanks Girardi: I wish best to media

Joe Torre's media advice to Yanks manager Joe Girardi was to be himself, which Girardi said includes genuinely caring about people. Yes, that includes those wielding pens and microphones. "I want to see the sportswriters, the broadcasters, everyone do well in life," he said, leaning forward to speak to a guest, unlike the forever leaning-back Torre. (Or maybe he was just getting antsy.) "Because you know what? Success is a good thing." -- Newsday

A-Rod's World Series drought continues

Alex Rodriguez has never has appeared in a World Series game. He is third among active players, behind leader Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas, in terms of World Series futility. Among Hall of Fame-eligible players, four of the five players who played more games without playing in a World Series than any in history are enshrined in Cooperstown. Andre Dawson, at 2,627 games, ranks No. 1 among Hall of Fame eligibles on the outside looking in, but Ernie Banks (2,528), Billy Williams (2,488), Rod Carew (2,469) and Luke Appling (2,422) have been inducted. -- Rocky Mountain News

Brewers Fielder fails to grow dreadlocks

Brewers veggy slugger Prince Fielder, who had tried growing dreadlocks before opting for a baby Afro, shaved off all his hair before the game Thursday. There was no telling if it was because he came into the day hitting .248 or because of the losing skid. And instead of giving some insight, Fielder said he would rather "chill" than answer the question. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

D-Backs will save $16 mil on Big Unit

Randy Johnson's contract expires after this season, which will free $16 million. -- East Valley Tribune

Did You Know?

Since 2002, the Phillies have the third-best record in the National League. They are 454-392 (.537) in those five-plus seasons. Only the St. Louis Cardinals (473-372) and Atlanta Braves (468-371) have been better. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Casey gets Pawtucket players steak

Red Sox 1B Sean Casey bought Capital Grille steaks for his now Pawtucket teammates after Alex Cora had footed the bill for Italian food from Capricio's the night before. -- Boston Herald

Brewers might DH Prince at Fenway

Brewers manager Ned Yost said it was possible that Prince Fielder would be the designated hitter when the Brewers go to Boston for a three-game series beginning next Friday. Fielder, who had made every start this season before sitting out Thursday, is no stranger to being a DH even though he has played for a National League team his entire career. During Brewers interleague games, Fielder has been in the lineup nine times as a hitter only. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Who Knew?

Bronson Sardinha, signed to a minor league deal by Cleveland, has the longest middle name in baseball history: Kiheimahanaomauiakeo. He has two older brothers in the minors who also have Hawaiian middle names, but they aren't as long, according to info guru Bill Arnold: first baseman Duke Kalikeleipulamai'a Sardinha, who is with the Rockies' Double-A Tulsa affiliate, and catcher Dane Kealoha Sardinha, with Detroit's Triple-A Toledo affiliate. -- Rocky Mountain News

Nats Lo Duca struggling with hand

Nats catcher Paul Lo Duca, who was hitting just .200 and hadn't thrown out any of the 10 base runners who stole against him, said he believes there was a problem with his hand before the bone ultimately broke Wednesday. "I just topped it off," he said. -- Washington Post

Did You Know?

There is a startling difference in production when Jacoby Ellsbury has started in center. The Red Sox have scored 114 runs in Ellsbury's starts, an average of 6.4 runs. They've scored 68 runs in Coco Crisp's starts, an average of 3.8 runs. -- Boston Globe

Who Knew?

The Mets had the most-used relief staff in baseball through Wednesday with 115 game appearances, ahead of Atlanta (114), Washington (111), Colorado (111) and Boston (108). The Yankees ranked 17th with 98. Minnesota and the White Sox had the fewest with 82 apiece. -- NY Daily News

Who Knew?

The Mariners have suffered consecutive home shutout losses just 11 times in their history -- and never have they been shut out three consecutive times at home. The club's very existence began with consecutive shutouts, when the Angels' Frank Tanana and Nolan Ryan blanked them at the Kingdome in 1977. -- Seattle P-I

Milwaukee sports talk host on Brewers sleep strike

1250 WSSP host Steve "Sparky" Fifer is on a sleep strike and refuses to break it until the Milwaukee Brewers get a win. Wednesday night during The Usinger's Baseball Post Game Show with Tim Allen, Fifer announced that he would not sleep until the Brewers win a game. The Crew have lost 6 games in a row and the strike has kept Fifer awake since 7 a.m. Wednesday Morning. -- WSSP 1250 (Milwaukee)

How About That?

The Phillies have the worst winning percentage against the opposite league of any team: .467 (86-98). And of all active players with at least 200 interleague at- bats, two of the three lowest batting averages belong to Phils: Pat Burrell (.199) and Pedro Feliz (.219). -- Philadelphia Daily News

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