Markum trade could open door for Drabek

The Milwaukee Brewers made a splash this week trading for Zack Grienke from Kansas City and Shawn Markum from Toronto. One interesting by-product of this deal is the opening of a spot in the Toronto rotation, which Kyle Drabek will get an opportunity to compete for.

Kyle, who was the Eastern League pitcher of the year in 2010, was very impressive in September for the Jays, and the departure of Markum signals a willingness on the team's part to allow Drabek to make the 2011 team.

Nats sign Bis

Joe Bisenius has signed with the Washington National's system for the 2011 season. "Bis" made 5 appearances for the Nats in September and showed enough to get another look in spring training.

Mets claim Q

The New York Mets selected Quintin Berry from the Padres in the Rule 5 draft this morning, but before I get too excited, I am reminded they selected Carlos Monasterios last year, and traded him just hours later.

Sanchez and Flande released

Yesterday, the Phillies released Jesus Sanchez, who was the only starter to pitch in the Lakewood rotation for the entire 2009 championship season (winning game 2 of the Championship Series), and was the last of the players that the Phillies got for Bobby Abreu.

Also let go was Yohan Flande, a lefty who pitched in the future stars game in 2009 in the midst of a fine season at Clearwater, but apparently 10-8, 4.38 with Reading last year was not good enough.

The reason given was to free up spots on the 40-man roster. Either or both players could be resigned to minor league deals, of course....

1 signed, 1 on the market

Former BlueClaw R. J. Swindle was signed as a free agent by Tampa yesterday, returning to Rays organization where he was for a mere 2 weeks in 2010. R.J. has pitched for the Phillies and Brewers in the majors, and belonged to both the Tampa and Cleveland systems last year.

Taylor Buchholz, who was claimed on waivers by Boston a few weeks ago, was non-tendered by the Sox and has chosen free agency. Taylor has missed most of the last 2 seasons with injuries, but is said to be healthy (as healthy as anyone can be after 2 years of inactivity) and is hoping for a spring training invitation.

skippers named

Ryne Sandberg has been named manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for the 2011 season. Mark Parent (who led Lakewood the the 2010 S.A.L. title) will move up to Reading and Dusty Wathan (2009 Lakewood skipper) will stay at Clearwater for a second season. Chris Truby, who managed at Williamsport in 2010, will take over the helm in Lakewood, and Greg Legg and Steve Schrenk will return to the 'Claws.

5 added to 40-man roster

The Phillies added 5 players to the 40-man roster, 4 former BlueClaws and 1 possible 2011 Lakewood player. Justin De Fratus, Freddy Galvis, Harold Garcia and Matt Rizzotti were all added to the roster along with infielder Cesar Hernandez, who spent 2010 with Williamsport and is a likely candidate for the 'Claws this coming summer. The moves are in preparation for the rule 5 draft coming up in a few weeks. Notables not included, and therefore exposed to the draft and available to other teams are Joe Savery, D'Arby Myers, and Tuffy Gosewisch.

Other HomeSiders on the Phillies 40-man roster are Antonio Bastardo, Sergio Escalona, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Scott Mathieson, Drew Naylor, Jesus Sanchez, Vance Worley, Mike Zagurski, Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown.

Original BlueClaw Taylor Buchholz was claimed by the Red Sox on waivers, from Toronto.