Major League Baseball News and Notes: April 29, 2010

Like George Costanza, “I’m back, baby!!!” After six days in Las Vegas I am back home in New York.

I apologize for the lack o’ posts this week, but it was almost impossible for me to write while I was away.

Now that I am back, let’s take a look at what has been going on around the great game of baseball the last couple of days.

Ryan Howard gets paid

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Howard to a five-year, $125 million extension. I normally don’t like to agree with the majority, but in this case I am going to have to.

This is quite the deal from Howard’s standpoint and a puzzling one from the Phillies' perspective. Is Howard worth $25 million a year? No, he is not. He is worth around $17-18 million a year.

If Howard is worth $25 million a year, then Albert Pujols has every right to ask for $40 million a year. He won’t, but he wouldn’t be wrong for asking.

Trevor Hoffman is really struggling

Sooner or later, Trevor Hoffman was going to become human. Unfortunately for Milwaukee Brewers fans, it looks like 2010 is it.

Hoffman blew his fourth save already this season yesterday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now it looks like Hoffman and his 13.00 ERA might be out of a closer's job. “Tomorrow, if we have a chance to win it, perhaps it will be somebody else at the end,” said Brewers’ manager Ken Macha.

While taking Hoffman out of the closer's role might seem like a lovely idea right now, who are the Brewers going to put in that role to take Hoffman’s place? LaTroy Hawkins? Carlos Villanueva?

No thanks.

Chris Iannetta heads to the minors

Remember last year during your fantasy draft, when Iannetta was the sleeper catcher of the draft? Yeah, those days are long gone.

Iannetta has followed up a disappointing year last year with another disappointing start this year. Iannetta was hitting .133 in 30 ABs before the Colorado Rockies sent him to Triple-A on Tuesday.

With this demotion, it looks like the Rockies have Ben Petrick 2.0 on their hands.

Brett Anderson hits the DL

The Oakland A’s placed LHP Brett Anderson on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 25, with a left forearm strain and elbow irritation. Anderson will be shut down for two weeks and then will resume throwing.

Anderson is one of the top young pitchers in the game and was off to a fantastic start this season. In four starts, Anderson has a 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

Expect the A’s to be cautious with their prized pitcher, so look for Anderson to return towards the end of May.

Kris Benson likely headed to the DL

Really? I am shocked. I can’t believe Kris Benson is hurt again.

Benson was pulled after just two innings in yesterday’s start against the Colorado Rockies. The Arizona Diamondbacks righty was experiencing shoulder discomfort.

With Benson’s shoulder history, it wouldn’t surprise me that we never saw Benson again this season.

Now that I am back in New York, the posts will continue to flow like water here at The Ghost of Moonlight Graham.

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