>>Cardinals Reach Out To Super-Utility Man Zobrist
The Cardinals have reached out to Ben Zobrist, sources say.
While there are said to be as many as 20 teams in the mix, they are believed to be among the more interested teams, as they love his versatility, especially on the infield.
The Mets are also said to be looking hard at Zobrist, who hit .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI last season in 126 games between the A's and World Champion Royals. He was traded on July 28
Zobrist, one of the most versatile utility men in baseball, also posted a steady .359 on-base percentage and .816 OPS.
>>Cubs Minor Leaguer Suspended On Failed Drug Test
Chicago Cubs pitcher Tanner Griggs has been suspended for the first 50 games of next season after a positive test for amphetamine under baseball's minor league drug program.
A 21-year-old right-hander, Griggs was selected in the 12th round of the 2014 amateur draft. He was 1-1 with a 5.50 ERA in 14 relief appearances this year for Eugene of the Class A Northwest League and the Arizona League Cubs, striking out 19 and walking 10 in 18 innings.
The suspension, announced Wednesday by the commissioner's office, was the 99th this year under the minor league program.
>>White Sox Bring On C Alex Avila
Free agent catcher Alex Avila and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.
Avila is a .242 hitter with 66 homers and 282 RBIs during seven big league seasons, all with the Detroit Tigers, and has thrown out 24.5 percent of attempted base stealers. The 29-year-old was limited to 67 games with Detroit last season because of injuries, including a left knee bone bruise.
Avila was an All-Star in 2011 when he set career highs with a .295 average, 19 homers and 82 RBIs.
He joins a White Sox team that finished fourth in the AL Central with 86 losses last season. Catcher Tyler Flowers batted .239 with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 112 games.
