Rumors for August, 2010
Update – Texas Rangers and RHP Luke Jackson have agreed to contract
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8/16 19:24: Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Jackson signed for $1.545 million.
8/15 19:49: Keith Law of ESPN says the deal between the Rangers and Jackson is done. The deal will be announced on Monday.
8/12 14:35: Texas Rangers GM Josh Daniels confirms with Jeff Wilson of the Ford Worth Star-Telegram that the team and Jackson have not agreed to a deal.
8/12 11:42: Supplemental first-round pick Luke Jackson from Calvary Christian High in Fort Lauderdale, Florida agreed with to a $1.557 million bonus with the Texas Rangers, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The recommended bonus for his slot (No. 45) is $764,100.
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher has a fastball that sits at 90-94 mph and reaches 96.
Johnny Damon wants to return to the Detroit Tigers for his final year before retiring
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Johnny Damon told reporters in the Yankee Stadium interview room that next year may be his final season before retiring, and he would like to spend it with the Detroit Tigers, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.
“I’m hoping to stay. I’m hoping after this season they want me back to, I feel, be a part of something special. I think that’s a big reason why I chose Detroit, because I felt like there was something happening there with a winning ballclub. A championship would mean the world to the fans there, to that economy, to the owner. That’s why I felt was, and is, the best place for me right now.”
Damon will be a free agent after the season, and Beck says there has been speculation as to whether he would end the season as Tiger. It’s still possible that the team could trade him if he clears waivers.
“My experience in Detroit has been great,” Damon said. “I love it there. I feel like the team is an up-and-coming team with a lot of young kids there that definitely need guidance to show them the hopes, and it seems like they’ve been doing a pretty good job at it.”
Cincinnati Reds will sign top pick Yasmani Grandal
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Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com says the Cincinnati Reds will sign their first round pick (12th overall), Yasmani Grandal. Mayo says the deal for the Unversity of Miami catcher is for $2.99 million and a Major League deal – meaning he is placed on the 40-man roster.
Here’s what MLB.com has to say about Grandal:
“He’s a switch-hitter with some pop, but some worry about his ability as an overall hitter. Defensively, he has a good reputation, but he does need work on things like his footwork. With college catchers always in high demand, Grandal’s numbers this spring could very well result in him being the first catcher off the board in the first round.”
For more 2010 Draft coverage, check out PRO Rumors’ 2010 MLB Draft Tracker at http://www.prorumors.com
2010 PRO Rumors MLB Draft Tracker
Posted by: | CommentsTo make thing easier for our readers, we’ve created a 2010 PRO Rumors MLB Draft Tracker. You can see at our homepage at http://www.prorumors.com. It’ll be updated throughout the night. You’ll see the player, team, position, whether they signed or not, what they signed for and the slot recommendation by Major League Baseball. Enjoy!
Chance Ruffin signs with Detroit Tigers for $1.15 million
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According to Mike Berman of News 8 of Austin, Texas, former University of Texas Longhorn right-handed pitcher Chance Ruffin has signed with the Detroit Tigers for $1.15 million.
Ruffin, 22, was selected 48th overall in the supplemental first round of the June 2010 first year player draft. He signed for well above the recommended slot for the 48th pick of $728,100.
MLB.com says this about Ruffin:
“He’s started and he’s relieved for Texas and it seems like the latter is the better role for Ruffin. His stuff won’t blow you away outside of a pretty live fastball, but he’s got the right mentality and makeup to make his stuff play up. He’s also got Major League bloodlines as the son of former big leaguer Bruce Ruffin, and that invariably helps, as does pitching in big spots over the course of his college career. He may not close at the next level, but he could be a setup type who moves quickly through a system”
For more 2010 Draft coverage, check out PRO Rumors’ 2010 MLB Draft Tracker at http://www.prorumors.com
Bryce Harper seeking to beat Mark Teixeira’s $9.8 million signing bonus
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Sources close to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that number one overall pick, Bryce Harper, is seeking to beat Mark Teixeira’s $9.8 million record bonus for a position player. The record for the overall number one pick is last year’s top pick, Stephen Strasburg, who signed a $15.067 million contract last year.
Teams have until midnight eastern tim tonight to sign their picks. It’s expected that Harper’s deal will come down to the last minute. One baseball exec said, “It would be shocking if he didn’t sign. Everything he’s done to this point in his life has been leading up this moment.”
When Nationals’ president Stan Kasten was asked about the possibility of signing Harper, he said via text message, “Hope so.”
Geoff Blum and Craig Counsell clear waivers
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Buster Olney of ESPN has a couple of suggestions for teams that are in need of third base depth such as the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. Geoff Blum and Craig Counsell, according to Olney, have cleared waivers. The Astros and Brewers are free to negotiate a trade with any MLB team should they decide to move these players.
Blum, 37 and currently with the Houston Astros, is making $1.5 million this year, and is hitting .266/.327/.325 this year.
Counsell, 40 this week and currently with the Milwaukee Brewers, is making $2.1 million this season and is hitting .246/.14/.305.
Colorado Rockies sign RHP Peter Tago
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According to the MLB Draft Twitter page, the Colorado Rockies have sign right-handed pitcher Peter Tago. Tago was the 47th overall pick from the supplemental round of the June 2010 First Year Player Draft.
Tago, 18, pitched for Dana Hills High School. According to the MLB.com draft page,
“He can touch the mid-90s with plenty of life with it. His curve shows flashes, but it’s behind the fastball. His command needs improvement as well. It’s all about arm strength for Tago, and he’s got plenty of it.”
For more 2010 Draft coverage, check out PRO Rumors’ 2010 MLB Draft Tracker at http://www.prorumors.com
VIDEO: Argument between Detroit Tigers’ Armando Galarraga and Alex Avila
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out the video of the arguments between pitcher Armando Galarraga and catcher Alex Avila from yesterday’s game.
“It was just a misunderstanding. That’s it,” Galarraga said (via Jason Beck of MLB.com). “You always try to make your [game] plan, but sometimes the plan’s not the right way. It’s a misunderstanding.”
“It was a big deal at the moment, but it kind of got out of hand for a second,” Avila said. “It was just a little blown out of proportion. It was just on what we wanted to do to some guys and going through the game plan. It was just a heated conversation.
“It was a little surprising, probably a little out of character for both of us. But then, we were trying to get things right. It just got more out of hand than what either of us would’ve wanted.”
San Francisco Giants sign 1st round pick OF Gary Brown
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Kendall Rogers of Yahoo Sports says that the San Francisco Giants have signed first round pick outfielder Gary Brown.
Brown, 21, was the 24th overall pick in the June 2011 Amateur Draft out of Cal State Fullerton. MLB.com says
“Speed is his best tool, and he can wreak havoc on the basepaths. He’s got more strength and power than it would seem, and while his approach is unorthodox, he’s got good overall hitting skills. Relatively new to the outfield, he’s come a long way in terms of his defensive skills in center.”
For more 2010 Draft coverage, check out PRO Rumors’ 2010 MLB Draft Tracker at http://www.prorumors.com
