In addition to noting the relative lack of explodo-manic-outrage over Shawne Merriman’s suspension compared to say, a prominent figure from MLB being named and shamed, SI.com’s John Heyman gets the scoop on Gamblergate from a source described only as “a bullpen coach.”

“It was pine tar. It couldn’t be anything else. Pitchers use pine tar, shaving cream and suntan lotion. Pitchers use them to help them grip the ball and make the ball move more. Bullpen guys sometimes keep suntan lotion in the ball bags. It’s not for a tan. Pine tar works the best. It’s been around the longest. But lately, more and more guys are using shaving cream and suntan lotion. There’s no chance to be caught with shaving cream or suntan lotion.

“Pine tar, which has been around forever, has a cakiness to it, and it works in the cold. A lot of guys use pine tar, too, but I’m guessing Rogers doesn’t use it too much because he didn’t know how to hide it. With suntan lotion or shaving cream, you can put it anywhere because it blends in. You see David Wells wiping his forearms after every pitch. That’s either suntan lotion or shaving cream he’s applying to his hand.

“Pine tar, which has been around forever, has a cakiness to it, and it works in the cold. A lot of guys use pine tar, too, but I’m guessing Rogers doesn’t use it too much because he didn’t know how to hide it. With suntan lotion or shaving cream, you can put it anywhere because it blends in. You see David Wells wiping his forearms after every pitch. That’s either suntan lotion or shaving cream he’s applying to his hand.

I bet Tony La Russa’s pitchers are mad at him for saying anything, because a lot of guys do it, and I’d be surprise if there’s a whole staff of guys who don’t do it. In fact, I’d say a majority of guys use one of the three — shaving cream, suntan lotion or pine tar. They can’t like him ratting out the other team when everyone does it. Maybe he had to say something because it’s the World Series, it’s on TV and he probably has to answer to his owner.

“But you’ll notice he didn’t continue to talk about it, and he instructed his guys not to talk about it. They probably have no interest in catching Rogers because if they do then the umpire is looking at everyone.”

43 year old Jamie Moyer has signed a two year, $10.5 million extension with the Phillies. Anyone who prefers to imagine Steve Tracshel doesn’t have another big contract coming his way this winter, think again.

The New York Daily News’ Adam Rubin reports that several Mets, including Carlos Delgado, Captain Red Ass, Aaron Heilman and Roberto Hernandez are all scheduled to undergo minor surgery this week. Mets’ 2004 top draft pick RHP Phillip Humber, who pitched at 3 different levels last year before making his big league debut in September, has left the Arizona Fall League’s Mesa Solar Sox, suffering from what Mets.com is calling shoulder tendinitis.