Mar

PRO Rumors: Justin Upton, Nationals Drew Storen, Brad Penny, Dodgers in Taiwan, Orlando Hernandez

By Allan

Here are your Friday afternoon PRO Rumors:

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says that Justin Upton’s new contract includes a limited no-trade provision. Every year Upton can name four teams to which he cannot be traded.
Closer of the future, Drew Storen, of the Washington Nationals may not see Major League action until the middle of the year according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Along with phenom Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals will likely hold back both pitchers to give them more seasoning and pause their eligibility for arbitration and free agency by one year.
Brad Penny picked the Cardinals over the Giants this off season because he wanted to fulfill a life-long goal of playing in St. Louis and the chance to pitch in the playoffs. “I think St. Louis has a better chance of winning to be honest with you,” Penny said. “It should be a lot of fun. That’s the reason I signed here, the reason you put the uniform on – to play in October.” (B.J. Rains, St. Louis Globe-Democrat)
The local fans are upset that he Los Angeles Dodgers are only bringing three starters and 17 players with Major League experience for its upcoming exhibition series in Taiwan. Manny Ramirez, James Loney and Ron Belliard the only starters expected to make the trip. The organizers are accepting every refund demand. The Dodgers will play three games against a local Chinese Professional Baseball League all-star team, on March 12 and 13 in Taipei and on March 14 in Kaohsiung. (Focus Taiwan)
Jorge Arangure Jr. says that at the age of 44, Orlando Hernandez want to continue playing baseball. “I feel that baseball is part of my life, it’s like a family for me,” Hernandez said in a phone interview. “I feel in great shape. I still think I can pitch in the majors. I showed last year in Texas that I can relieve or start. This winter [in Venezuela] I also showed that I can pitch. I guess I have to wait and be patient.”