Rumored Colon trade

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1) The Expos, Marlins and Reds have been working on a deal that would send Bartolo Colon to the Marlins, Brad Penny to the Reds, a group of prospects to the Expos, with other fringe players involved in the deal. But, those talks have fallen apart, due to concerns over the health of Penny's arm.

According to Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, "At this time we are not optimistic about landing Bartolo Colon. I don't know if that involves further discussion or not. We have certainly made an effort here. We have had discussions, but I don't know where it goes from here.

2) John Franco, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw 20 pitches off a mound yesterday and isn't expected to throw off a mound again until spring training. The Mets are hoping he'll be ready to pitch in June.

After a 4.05 ERA/0 RSAA in 2001, Franco missed the entire 2002 season and has a 2.75 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.92, and 153 RSAA in 998 games.

3) Astros P Carlos Hernandez will be examined by noted doctor James Andrews, due to discomfort in his left shoulder.

After starting his career with a 1.02 ERA/7 RSAA in 3 starts in 2001, Hernandez had a 4.38 ERA/-1 RSAA in 23 games (21 starts) in 2002.

4) The Angels list of nonroster invitees to spring training--INFs Trent Durrington, Keith Johnson, Casey Kotchman, Dallas McPherson, Tommy Murphy and Mike O'Keefe, OFs Jeff Guiel, Kenny James and Julio Ramirez, Cs Jared Abruzzo, Ryan Budde, Tom Gregorio, Jason Hill and Jeff Mathis and Ps Chris Bootcheck, Brandon Emanuel, Kevin Gregg, Matt Hensley, Jason Secoda, Dusty Bergman and Tony Milo.

5) The Cubs list of nonroster invitees to spring training--INF Phil Hiatt, OF Midre Cummings, PH Lenny Harris, Cs Eliezer Alfonzo, Mike Mahoney and Keith McDonald and Ps Rod Beck, Mike Sirotka, Will Cunnane, Angel Guzman, Mike Meyers, Heath Murray and Phil Norton.

6) The Rangers signed OF Jim Rushford to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Rushford hit .208 SLG, .214 OBA, .422 OPS, -9 RCAA in his first 23 major league games, with the Brewers.

7) The Diamondbacks re-signed P Elmer Dessens to a 2 year, $7.3 million contract, with a team option for 2005.

After 4.28 ERA/12 RSAA and 4.48 ERA/-4 RSAA seasons, Dessens had a surprise 3.03 ERA/28 RSAA in 30 starts. He has a 4.29 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.34, and 16 RSAA in 165 games and has never had consecutive years with a positive RSAA.

8) The Dodgers list of nonroster invitees to spring training--1B Larry Barnes, 2B Quilvio Veras, INFs Chris Clapinski and James Loney, OF Calvin Murray, C Mike Nixon and Ps Calvin Maduro, Bryan Corey, David Lee, Rodney Myers, Troy Brohawn and Bryan Corey.

9) The Tigers signed INF Danny Klassen to a minor league contract.

After a -4 RCAA/.673 OPS in 29 games in 2000, Klassen spent the entire 2001 season on the DL and was 1 for 3, with a SO, in 4 games with the Diamondbacks in 2002. He has a .625 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and -13 RCAA in 63 games.

10) Former major league SS Chico Carrasquel was treated for minor injuries after a carjacking last week in Venezuela.

Carrasquel played in the majors from 1950-59, with the majority of that time spent with the Whitesox, and had a .674 career OPS, compared to his league average of .742, and -113 RCAA in 1325 games.