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| Mark Loretta has taken a front office gig with the Padres, according to their official team twitter page. |
Our View: The 38-year-old infielder only hit .232 over 181 at-bats with the Dodgers in 2009, and must have realized it is time to step away from the diamond.
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| Mark Loretta is still nursing a strained groin and is not expected to return to the diamond until Wednesday or Thursday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Skipper Joe Torre remains confident that Loretta will be ready to go for opening day. Loretta will not hold much fantasy value as a utility infielder.
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| Infielder Mark Loretta will miss four or five days due to a strained groin muscle. Trainer Stan Conte tells the Los Angeles Daily News that the injury is in an area that is "notorious for hanging around." |
Our View: A veteran like Loretta can afford to miss a few days and still be fine at this point. We're not too worried about him getting up to speed before the season starts.
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| Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports that the Yankees may be interested in Mark Loretta as a stopgap at third base for injured star Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees are claiming they have yet to speak to any teams about filling their void at the hot corner. |
Our View: Loretta is an excellent contact hitter and would plug nicely into the Yankees lineup until A-Rod's return, but there are still much better options at third base. Loretta's value would certainly increase, but not enough to make him a worthy fantasy option at the position.
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| The AP reports that Dodgers have finalized a deal with free-agent infielder Mark Loretta. |
Our View: The 37-year-old Loretta, a native of Southern California, spent the past two seasons with the Houston Astros after playing for the Red Sox in 2006. He batted .280 with four homers and 38 RBIs in 101 games in 2008, his 14th major league season.
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| ESPN.com reports that the Dodgers are expected to announce the signing of utility man Mark Loretta on Tuesday. |
Our View: Loretta will likely be used in a platoon with Blake DeWitt at second base. He hit .280 in 261 at-bats for the Houston Astros last season with four homers and 38 RBIs. He appeared at four infield positions and hit .330 against left-handers.
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| The Dodgers met with Mark Loretta's agent on Monday, according to SI.com. |
Our View: By adding Loretta the Dodgers could platoon him with second baseman Blake DeWitt who is still a ways away from being an everyday player. Loretta's versatility would make him available to backup other positions in the infield as well. Aside from the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks are also interested in the utility man.
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| The Diamondbacks have raised their interest in Mark Loretta and have reportedly offered him a deal, according to the Arizona Republic. His agent stated, "(Arizona) has made a significant overture." |
Our View: He would provide favorable depth at second base, but it is unknown if the Diamondbacks view him as a replacement for Orlando Hudson.
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| The Red Sox are reportedly considering Mark Loretta to add depth to their infield, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Loretta would have a better chance to play regularly with the Pirates, but would have a better chance to win a championship with the Red Sox.
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| The Pirates are targeting free agent infielder Mark Loretta, MLBlogs.com confirms. The Dodgers, Phillies, and Diamondbacks are also interested in the 14-year veteran. |
Our View: Loretta makes a lot of sense for the Pirates, who may try to trade Jack Wilson and could use backup options at second and third base. But we have to wonder why Loretta might choose them when the oher suitors offer much, much better shots at a World Series.
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| Jerry Crasnick of ESPN indicates that at least four MLB clubs are interested in veteran infielder Mark Loretta. |
Our View: The known teams interested are the Diamondbacks, Pirates, Phillies, and Dodgers. The 37-year-old could provide adequate insurance for Chase Utley early in the season while he recovers from his hip surgery. The Diamondbacks would consider him to replace Orlando Hudson, and he would help the Pirates' middle infield, which was a major area of need. He would provide favorable depth for the Dodgers as well.
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| The Diamondbacks are still talking to Mark Loretta as they look to fill the role of a utility player, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Loretta hit .280 with four home runs and 38 RBI last year for the Astros. Loretta also could potentially replace free agent Orlando Hudson who will not return as the D-Backs are reducing their payroll and Hudson is the most coveted second baseman on the free agent market this year.
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| Mark Loretta is reportedly on the Diamondbacks' radar, according to the East Valley Tribune. Agent Bob Garber said, "We've had positive communication. It's still too early in the process for each of us."
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Our View: The 36-year-old is a candidate to replace free agent Orlando Hudson at second base, who is expected to depart.
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| The Houston Chronicle states that Mark Loretta will likely get most of the starts at second base while Kazuo Matsui is on the DL. Geoff Blum and Dave Newhan will also see some action at second. |
Our View: Loretta is hitting .269 with four homers and 33 RBI over 208 at-bats this season, and is worth consideration in larger NL-only leagues while Matsui is on the shelf.
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| Mark Loretta was part of one of the Astros' biggest comebacks of the season in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Mets, but a collision at the plate late in the game has cost him a spot in the starting lineup today, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Loretta charged into home plate just ahead of Hunter Pence to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, and his collision with New York catcher Ramon Castro and Pence took a hard toll. He was supposed to be in the lineup against Oliver Perez, but Ty Wigginton will take his place at third base. Cooper said Loretta could still pinch-hit if needed.
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| Mark Loretta hit a pinch hit grand slam off of Aaron Heilman in the eighth inning of the Astros 7-3 win over the Mets. Carlos Lee, Kaz Matsui and Brandon Backe also went deep. |
Our View: Loretta continues to be a servicable spare part who will likely have a long career, though his value in the fantasy game is limited to deep NL-only leagues only.
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| A few teams have contacted the Houston Astros about the availability of Mark Loretta, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Loretta is hitting .260 and is not much of a fantasy option. Even if he were to be moved, that probably would not change much.
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| Mark Loretta had a big night on Saturday with three doubles, leading to four RBI, in the Astros 6-1 victory over the Braves. |
Our View: Loretta continues to be a useful spare part in NL only leagues where his ability to hit for average and to play multiple positions is a big bonus.
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| Mark Loretta, filling in for the disabled Kaz Matusui, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning helping the the Houston Astros to an 11-10 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. |
Our View: Loretta will see the majority of the playing time at second base with Kaz out, and took advantage of his at-bats with a huge home run against his former team.
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| With Kaz Matsui on the disabled list Mark Loretta will have a chance to start against his former team when Boston visits Minute Maid Park for a three-game weekend interleague set. Loretta will be the Astros' primary second baseman with Matsui on the shelf. |
Our View: Loretta hasn't played against his former team since leaving the Red Sox after the 2006 season. Loretta signed with the Astros as a free agent before last season.
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| Mark Loretta will be the Astros' primary second baseman with Kaz Matsui now on the DL. |
Our View: Geoff Blum and Ty Wigginton could get the occasional start at second, but Mark should be in the lineup more time than not over the next couple weeks.
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| Mark Loretta will continue to start at second base today against St. Louis (in place of the injured Kaz Matsui), according to MLB.com. He is off to a cold start as he only has four hits over 21 at-bats, with three strikeouts. |
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| Mark Loretta will be the opening day starter at second base, according to the Houston Chronicle. He will start while Kaz Matsui heals from his ailment on the DL. Geoff Blum has been slowed by a heel injury as well. |
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| Mark Loretta went 1-for-2 with a two run homer against Washington on Thursday. Loretta continues to compete for a top backup role with Houston. |
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| The Astros' Mark Loretta could be an option at third base for the Dodgers, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Nationals' Ron Belliard, the Royals' Esteban German and the Yankees' Morgan Ensberg are among the other possibilities to fill in for the injured Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche. Loretta isn't much of a fantasy asset but would be worth an NL-only selection if he is dealt to LA. |
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| Mark Loretta picked up three RBI on one hit Thursday, and now co-leads the Astros with nine. He has drawn interest from the Orioles, and this should keep him on their radar. |
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| Mark Loretta has landed on the Orioles radar, according to The Baltimore Sun. They reportedly like the option of having him in case they decide to trade Brian Roberts, and they also like his versatility, which is important since Freddie Bynum underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Loretta is 36, but was the league's best number two hitter in the league while in his prime. |
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| The Astros beat Mark Loretta in salary arbitration, and they will pay the utilityman $2.75 million rather than the $4.9 million he requested, according to the AP. Loretta made $3.5 million last season, and he probably would have made close to that this year had he not requested way too much. Loretta will back up at all four infield spots for the 'Stros this year. |
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| Mark Loretta accepted the Astros' offer of salary arbitration Friday and will return to the team. Loretta hit .287 with four homers and 41 RBI in 460 at-bats with Houston in 2007. |
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| Mark Loretta is leaning towards accepting arbitration from the Astros. "If we had to decide today, we would accept arbitration," Loretta's agent, Bob Garber said in the Houston Chronicle. "But there's a couple of teams we're still talking to that would offer him a little more playing time. But if Mark goes back to the Astros, he's confident he'll end up with his typical amount of at-bats he somehow finds a way to end up with." Loretta hit .287 with four homers and 41 RBI in 460 at-bats with Houston in 2007. |
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| Mark Loretta is an option to fill the Rockies' void at second base. Loretta hit .287 with four homers and 41 RBI in 460 at-bats with Houston in '07. The Astros offered him arbitration on Sunday and he has until Friday to accept. "Mark would take less money to play for the Rockies than what he would make in arbitration from the Astros," Loretta's agent, Bob Garber said in the Denver Post. "We would love to hear back from the Rockies." |
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| Mark Loretta did not play on Wednesday due to a stiff back. "It's not severe," manager Phil Garner tells MLB.com. "Hopefully this will solve the issue and keep his bat going." |
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| Mark Loretta will split time at shortstop with Eric Bruntlett, Phil Garner told the AP Thursday. The Astros are forced to juggle their infield now that Adam Everett (broken leg) is out 4-8 weeks. Loretta is hitting a solid .303 in 152 at-bats this year, though he has just one homer and one stolen base. |
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| Mark Loretta was scratched from yesterday's exhibition game due to a sore neck, according to the Houston Chronicle. It's not clear exactly when he might get back into game action at this point. |
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| Mark Loretta agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Astros on Thursday, according to ESPN.com. He will play all around the infield for Houston this year. |
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| Mark Loretta has told friends that he would accept a one-year, $4 million offer from the Giants, according to the Contra Costa Times. Loretta, who hit .285 with five homers and 59 RBI for the Red Sox this past season, reportedly has a couple one-year offers from other clubs. |
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| The Giants are negotiating with the agent of Mark Loretta, and there appears to be mutual interest in the two parties, according to the Contra Costa Times . New Giants manager Bruce Bochy managed Loretta when he was in San Diego, and Bochy reportedly made a personal pitch to the second baseman last week. Loretta his .285 with five homers and 59 RBI for the Red Sox this past season. |
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| Mark Loretta has said it's unlikely that he'll return to Boston next year, although he didn't completely rule it out, according to the Boston Globe. "They haven't made an offer," said Loretta. "Everything we've heard is that they're going with [Dustin Pedroia], that they don't want to retard his development." |
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| The Mets are interested in Mark Loretta to play second base, according to the New York Post. Loretta's agent said that the Metshave shown more interest in Loretta than any other club so far. Loretta hit .285 with five homers and 59 RBI for Boston last year. |
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| Mark Loretta sat out his second consecutive game Thursday night with a bruised and sore right quadriceps, according to the Boston Herald. "It's going to nag, but I don’t anticipate this being something that will make me miss significant time," Loretta said. "I'm expecting to be able to play (tonight)." |
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| After Mark Loretta recently cleared waivers, the Red Sox offered him to the Tigers for pitching help, according to the Boston Globe. Despite losing Placido Polanco for at least the next month, the Tigers declined the offer. |
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| Mark Loretta was back in the lineup Wednesday after leaving in the fifth inning Tuesday when he was hit by a pitch on the left elbow, according to the AP. He went 0-for-4 with a walk. |
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| Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Mark Loretta had numbness in two fingers after being hit on his left elbow by a fastball in the fifth inning last night, according to the Boston Globe. Loretta left the game to undergo precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. He was diagnosed with a contusion and is considered day-to-day at this time. |
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| Mark Loretta was removed from Tuesday's game after being struck on the elbow by a pitch, according to RSTN. No further information is known at this time. |
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| Mark Loretta was not in the starting lineup last night, which fueled rumors that he might be traded, according to the Boston Herald. However, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Loretta was just getting a routine day off. "He’s not being traded,” Francona said. |
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