Quick Thoughts

The Dodgers have signed lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano  to a two-year $10MM deal. Playing in the friendly confines of Metco aka Citi Field last year Capuano faired pretty well pitching 186 innings illustrating his health. Although his ERA was relatively high at 4.55, his underlying numbers indicated a better performance, striking out 168 guys only issuing 53 walks leading to a more than respectable 4.04 FIP and 3.67 xFIP. If Capuano can keep up his peripheral numbers from last year, the Dodgers, with a little bit of luck, will have found a solid, cheap option to fill out their rotation. EXTRA: Did you know that Chris Capuano had one of the best pitched games of the year in 2011? On August 26, 2011 against the Atlanta Braves Capuano pitched 9 scoreless innings, giving up only a mere 2 hits while striking out 13 batters without issuing a walk. 

In other Dodger news, Magic Johnson is looking to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and Stan Kasten, the former President of the Washington Nationals. Apparently part of Magic Johnson's role would be "recruiting players, when needed", which makes the Dodgers ability to sign Capuano without the aid of Magic that much more impressive.

The Houston Astros are trying their best to lure Tampa Bay Rays GM Andrew Friedman to Houston but everyone in Friedman's camp says he isn't leaving Tampa, at least not yet. Even though Houston is Friedman's hometown I can't blame him for not wanting to return home as the Astros  (1) have an awful farm system; (2) will be moving to the AL soon; and (3) the last time I checked, the Astros had somewhere between 4-7 starters on the diamond that wouldn't start for other teams. But hey, at least they have a pitching staff that finished last place in the National League in ERA! To add insult to injury it looks like the Astros are having a hard time convincing anyone to be their GM. Good luck Houston!

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is set to have throat surgery today, and while it shouldn't effect his pitching you have to wonder how it will effect his shmoozing at his steakhouse in New Rochelle.