Rumors for January, 2011
Manny Ramirez could sign by end of the week
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In an article by Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes, a source close to says that free agent outfielder/designated hitter Manny Ramirez could sign with a team by the of this week or the beginning of next. Possible destinations for Ramirez include the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays with the Angels and Rays being the most aggressive of the group.
The source adds that Ramirez is not motivated by the money, he’s more concerned with the opportunity to have regular playing time.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, says that the Rangers are among the teams interested in Ramirez. He could be the right handed bat at DH and off the bench.
Vladimir Guerrero, a free agent designated hitter, has also been generating buzz with interest from the Angels, Rays and Baltimore Orioles. A source close to Rojas adds that the Orioles appear to have the inside track on the Guerrero negotiations, but the Angels remain in play.
Guerrero has been seeking a multi-year deal, but was willing to give the Texas Rangers the opportunity to re-sign him for a one-year contract. The Rangers have since been out of the running for Guerrero.
Marlins sign Alex Romero to a Minor League deal
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The Florida Marlins have agreed to a Minor League deal with outfielder Alex Romero according to LiderEnDeportes.com. Romero will not receive an invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
The Venezuelan outfielder hit for .256 with 2 HR’s and 21 RBI’s in 61 games with Double-A and Triple-A (Atlanta) in 2010.
Rays officially sign five players to Minor League deals
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The Tampa Bay Rays have officially signed five players to Minor League deals according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. All the players will recieve invitation to the Major League Spring Training.
The players are right handed pitchers Jonah Bayliss and Dirk Hayhurst, outfielder Chris Carter and infielders Daniel Mayora and Ray Olmedo.
Rays and Johnny Damon close to a deal
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According to a source close to Tim Brown of Yahoo, the Tampa Bay Rays are closing in on a deal with outfielder Johnny Damon. The Rays are in a desperate need for offense, and while Damon is aging, he could add the offensive pop that they desire.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors about Damon being associated with the Rays. Late in December, there were reports that they were interested in the free agent outfielder/designated hitter.
According to an AL executive (via Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe), “Damon can certainly still be a full-time player who can fit in nicely in the No. 2 hole in any lineup and be terrific,’’ said the executive. “None of my business, but he’d be ideal for a team like Tampa Bay, where you could use him in left field and DH him now and really give that club a leadership shot with Carl Crawford out of there.”
Damon, 36, hit .276 with 8 HR’s and 51 RBI’s in 539 AB’s with the Detroit Tigers in 2010.
Mets officially sign Tim Byrdak to a Minor League deal
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The Mets have officially signed left handed pitcher Tim Byrdak to a Minor League deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Rubin.
Yesterday, NewYorkBaseballDigest, reported that the New York Mets have agreed to a Minor League deal with Byrdak.
Byrdak, was released by the Astros back in November, he had a 2-2 record with a 3.49 ERA in 38.2 innings throughout 64 appearances in 2010.
The Mets wanted to add another lefty pitcher to compete with Taylor Tankersley, signed last week by the team. “We’re hoping to sign another one,” manager Larry Collins said. “It certainly would make it a little bit better for us if we had another one coming into camp, and I know Sandy [Alderson] is working with a couple of people.”
Tim Wakefield open to pitching past 2011
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44-year-old right-handed pitcher, Tim Wakefield, may not be ready to call it a career yet. It’s possible that the knuckleballer will pitch past the 2011 season.
“The door is always open,” Wakefield said, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. “Until you actually see me sit down at that press conference and say that I’m going to retire, I wouldn’t count on anything right now. I just said it last year — that [2011] could be my last year, depending on my role or what might happen health-wise, but I’m not closing that door yet by no means.”
He’s obviously had a change of heart since the end of last season. Back in October, Wakefield said that the 2011 season (19th in the Majors and 17th with Boston) will be his final one. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992 and has been with the Sox since 1995. He’s in the final year of his two-year, $5 million contract that he signed after the 2009 season.
2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft Order
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With the signing of Type-A free agent Carl Pavano by the Minnesota Twins this week, the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft order is set. Here it is:
1. Pittsburgh Pirates
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Kansas City Royals
6. Washington Nationals
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (for unsigned Barrat Loux)
8. Cleveland Indians
9. Chicago Cubs
10. San Diego Padres (for unsigned Karsten Whitson)
11. Houston Astros
12. Milwaukee Brewers
13. New York Mets
14. Florida Marlins
15. Milwaukee Brewers (for unsigned Darrell Covey)
16. Los Angeles Dodgers
17. Los Angeles Angels
18. Oakland Athletics
19. Boston Red Sox (from Tigers for Victor Martinez)
20. Colorado Rockies
21. Toronto Blue Jays
22. St. Louis Cardinals
23. Washington Nationals (from White Sox for Adam Dunn)
24. Tampa Bay Rays (from Red Sox for Carl Crawford)
25. San Diego Padres
26. Boston Red Sox (from Rangers for Adrian Beltre)
27. Cincinnati Reds
28. Atlanta Braves
29. San Francisco Giants
30. Minnesota Twins
31. Tampa Bay Rays (from Yankees for Rafael Soriano)
32. Tampa Bay Rays
33. Texas Rangers (from Phillies for Cliff Lee)
A few items to note:
– Teams that lose a Type-A free agent player are compensated with the signing team’s top pick (usually a first-rounder). This traditionally happens unless that pick is protected (the bottom 15 teams based on record) or the pick has already been given away.
– Teams that did not sign their first-round pick from the previous draft are compensated with a first-round selection in the this year’s draft.
Mets officially sign Scott Hairston
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The New York Mets have officially signed outfielder Scott Hairston to a one-year deal according to to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. ESPN’s Adam Rubin says that Hairston’s deal is a Major League deal, so the Mets will have to make two 40-man roster moves.
Hairston will earn $1.1 million plus $400,000 in incentives according to FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Hairston hit .210 with 10 HR’s and 36 RBI’s in 295 AB’s with the Padres in 2010.
Mets complete deal with Chris Young
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The New York Mets have completed their deal with right handed pitcher Chris Young according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin, and the official announcement is expected today.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that Young will get $1.1 million guaranteed from the Mets. Rubin added that he can make up to $4.5 million with incentives based on starts and innings maxed out with 31 starts and 180 innings (confirmed by the Associated Press).
Young and the Mets agreed to terms on January 17, 2011, but there have been rumors regarding the Mets’ courtship with the starting pitcher since December.
The San Diego Padres declined Young’s 2011 option in early November. The option was valued at $8.5 million.
The 31-year-old missed five months of the 2010 season due to a shoulder injury. After his return, he made four starts going 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA over 20 innings. A deal by the New York Mets would likely be an incentive-based contract with bonuses based on innings pitched and games started.
Royals designate Dusty Hughes for assignment
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The Kansas City Royals designated left handed pitcher Dusty Hughes for assignment according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. That roster move will make room for the recently signed Jeff Francis.
Hughes was 1-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 53.1 innings throughout 57 appearances.
