Rumors for April, 2011
Athletics officially announce deal with Trevor Cahill
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The Oakland Atheltics and right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill have officially agreed to a five-year deal that includes club options for 2016 and 2017.
The deal was first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN over the weekend. Olney added today that the deal is worth $30.5 over the length of the guaranteed contract.
The 23-year-old All Star was 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 2010. He would have been eligible for arbitration starting in 2012. The deal includes at least one free agent year with up to two more free agent years in 2016 and 2017.
Check out the salary breakdown here.
Jose Canseco named manager of the Yuma Scorpions
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In an announcement by the team, Jose Canseco has been named the manager of the Minor League Yuma Scorpions. Canseco will also play first base and designated hitter as the player-manager.
The team also will add Canseco’s twin brother Ozzie Canseco to serve as a player-coach. Ozzie will serve as the team’s hitting/bench coach.
“I’m excited about my first chance to manage a club in professional baseball and to begin to transition my career to helping younger players and giving back to the game,” said Canseco, “But I know I can still play and hit so this player/manager opportunity was just what I was looking for. Two of my idols started as player managers – Frank Robinson (Cleveland 1975) and Joe Torre (NY Mets 1977), and I can only hope to follow in their footsteps.”
Spring Training starts May 14th and the team will open its season on May 24.
VIDEO: Fan tasered at Pittburgh’s PNC Park
Posted by: | CommentsA fan was tasered at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, and here’s the video (you can read a description of the event here):
RHP Duaner Sanchez signs with Long Island Ducks
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Right-handed relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent League, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
“We are happy to bring Duaner … aboard this season,” says Ducks president Michael Pfaff said in a statement. “[His] talents and experience will certainly help bolster our club.”
In 2006 while with the New York Mets, Sanchez was injured in a taxicab accident in Miami, Florida caused by drunk driver. He suffered a separated shoulder and underwent season-ending surgery shortly thereafter. It has been reported that he is fully recovered from the injury.
Sanchez has a career ERA of 4.10, with 298 2/3 innings and 288 games in seven Major League seasons with the Diamondbacks, Pirates, Dodgers and Padres.
Tigers to hold conference call on Monday regarding Joel Zumaya
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The Detroit Tigers plan to have a conference call on Monday with Dr. James Andrews present to talk about right-handed pitcher Joel Zumaya. According to The Detroit News’ Lynn Henning, Zumaya, who has not pitched since mid-2010, felt pain during his rehab assignment last Thursday.
Zumaya had been examined by Andrews earlier this month, but the famed orthopedic surgeon found no structural damage or impediments.
Zumaya had to undergo surgery last year because of a broken right elbow. During Spring Training, the righty was filled with hope, but after just one appearance, the elbow soreness started and he had to rest his elbow.
The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the team back in January. He had a 2-1 record with a 2.58 ERA in 38.1 innings with the Tigers in 2010.
Milwaukee Brewers Designate Jeremy Reed For Assignment
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The Milwaukee Brewers have designated outfielder Jeremy Reed for assignment, according to a team announcement. In a corresponding move, the Brewers activated catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the 15-day disabled list.
Reed, 29, played in seven games with the Brewers this season but did not get on base nor did he get a hit. He’s a lifetime .252/.309/.354 hitter in eight Major League Seasons.
Athletics and Trevor Cahill reach multiyear agreement
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to a source close to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Oakland Athletics and Trevor Cahill have reached an agreement to a multiyear contract pending a physical.
Buster Olney of ESPN adds that the deal is around five-years, for $30 million with some option years and a $1.5 million buyout.
Crasnick reported on March 22 that the team expressed interest in a multiyear deal for the pitcher.
The 23-year-old All Star was 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 2010. He’ll be eligible for arbitration starting in 2012, but will be under team control through 2014.
Dodgers will implement new tactics to help keep fans safe
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Chief Beck of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt spoke to the media recently as they addressed the recent events that occurred on opening day at Dodger Stadium to Giants fan Bryan Stow.
Many things will be quickly implemented at Dodger stadium to help keep all fans safe while attending games at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers will improve lighting around the parking lot, improve video surveillance, implement crime tracking around the stadium (help track problem areas) and will also add LAPD Officers throughout the interior of the stadium, something that the Dodgers had gone away from in recent years. The Dodgers also agreed to revoke the passes of season-ticket holders if they or their guests misbehaved.
Chief Beck called a small portion of the Dodger fans, “a fringe fan base” that is made up of gang members or troublemakers who dress and act the part. “Dealing with them effectively will require bringing the LAPD’s tough stance on street crime into the park. There is an element of society that has adopted the Dodgers and who go to their games for all the wrong reasons. Can I fix that? Sure. I fix that the same way we’re fixing the gang problem in Los Angeles.”
Though I am a Dodger fan for life, it becomes difficult to explain to my small children why people have the “LA” logo on the back of their heads at Dodger games. Yes this is part of that “fringe fan base” Chief Beck was talking about.
It is unfortunate that the Dodgers have been in the spot light for the wrong reasons this year. Obviously the continued court proceeding of the McCourts is a huge issue that has brought unwanted attention to the team, but now the safety of fans has been brought into question. I have no doubt that having LAPD Officers inside the stadium as security compared to an usher telling some tatted up Dodger fan showing his gang tattoos to sit down and shut up will help improve the overall environment and experience for all of the fans that are there to watch and enjoy America’s favorite pastime.
Information from the LA Times was used in this article.
Injury updates: Barmes, Ross, Hardy and Hart
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Here’s a running list of injury updates for several Major league players:
– Clint Barmes played catch yesterday for the first time since he fractured his hand reports Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. “It was sore, but I didn’t expect to come out and feel 100 percent on my first day,” Barmes said. “It was great to be out on the field with a glove on my hand.” He is expected to take dry swings on Monday.
– According to Amy Gutierrez of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, outfielder Cody Ross has been cleared to intensify his rehab process for his calf injury. He will start jogging soon adds Gutierrez.
– The Baltimore Orioles are worried that J.J. Hardy’s oblique injury could sideline him for six weeks reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
– Brewers manager, Ron Roenicke, said that right fielder Corey Hart had finally gotten past his strained rib-cage muscle reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Hart is on the cusp of a Minor League rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A club.
– Designated hitter Adam Dunn told Camcost SportNet Chicago that he is “ready to rock” reports Chuck Garfien of Comcast SportNet Chicago. It is still unclear if he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.
– According to Clarks Spencer of the Miami Herald, shortstop Hanley Ramirez is not in today’s lineup for the Marlins, and although he’s targeting a Tuesday return there’s no guarantee that will happen. The swelling in his leg is down, but it is still sore.
– Nationals’ a Ryan Zimmerman has an abdominal strain and will be out for a couple of days reports William Ladson of MLB.com.
– Center fielder Andres Torres suffered an Achilles tendon injury in last night’s game against the Cardinals. Acording to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, Torres has a mild Achilles tendon strain and will be on a walking boot until Wednesday. Then he will be re-evaluated adds Shea.
Red Sox agree to a four-year contract extension with Clay Buchholz
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The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a four-year contract extension with right handed pitcher Clay Buchholz according to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.
The deal will be worth just under $30 million says a source close to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, and will include two club options. The deal will start in 2012 as Buchholz is set to make $550k this season.
Here is the yearly breakdown for the contract, compliments of Sean McAdam of CSNNE. $3.5MM in 2012, $5.5MM in 2013, $7.7MM in 2014, and $12MM in 2015. The two club options are worth $13MM and $13.5MM.
Buchholz was 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA and 120 SO in 173.2 innings throughout 28 games last season with the Red Sox.
