[February 10, 2014]
(The Sports Xchange) —
New York Yankees:
Tanaka, Masahiro
RHP Masahiro Tanaka, 25, recently signed a seven-year, $155
million deal with the Yankees, but New York GM Brian Cashman
downplayed Tanaka's potential impact on Feb. 7. "We view him to be a
really, solid consistent No. 3 starter," Cashman said on ESPN Radio.
"If we to get more than that, all the better. He's got a great deal
of ability.
"There is definitely some unknown because of the transition. We
scouted him extensively. Certainly, we look forward to adding him
into the mix with the rest of our rotation. That's what we look at
him as: A solid, potential No. 3 starter in the big leagues."
Oakland Athletics: Crisp, Coco
CF Coco Crisp signed a two-year contract extension with the A's, the
team announced Feb. 7. The deal is worth $22.75 million and includes
a vesting option for a third year based on plate appearances.
Crisp, 34, had one year left on his contract before signing the
extension. The club exercised his $7.5 million option for 2014
earlier this offseason.
Crisp had a batting line of .261/.335/.444 with 22 doubles, a
career-high 22 home runs, 66 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 131 games
last year. He also had 61 walks and 66 strikeouts.
New York Yankees: Rodriguez, Alex
3B Alex Rodriguez suddenly ended his legal battles with Major League
Baseball and the players' union on Feb 7. He filed a notice with the
court dismissing his lawsuit against Major League Baseball and the
MLB Players Association.
Rodriguez had been seeking a dismissal of a reduced 162-game
suspension handed down by Major League Baseball last month.
Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games on Aug. 5 for violations of
baseball's drug agreement and labor contract. On Jan. 11, arbitrator
Fredric Horowitz reduced the penalty to 162 games plus the 2014
postseason.
Although the suspension does not include the preseason, Rodriguez
announced he would not attend spring training.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Arroyo, Bronson
RHP Bronson Arroyo and the Diamondbacks agreed to a two-year, $23.5
million deal on Feb. 7. The contract calls for Arroyo to make $9.5
million in base salary in 2014 and in 2015. The deal includes an $11
million club option for 2016 and a $4.5 million buyout.
Arroyo, who turns 37 in February, was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA last
season for the Reds. For his career, he is 138-127 with a 4.19 ERA.
Milwaukee Brewers: Rodriguez, Francisco
RHP Francisco Rodriguez is returning to the Brewers after signing a
one-year, $3.25 million contract on Feb. 7. The deal includes the
potential to earn an additional for $550,000 in bonuses for
appearances and innings pitched. Rodriguez was traded by the Brewers
to the Orioles last July and became a free agent after the 2013
season.
Rodriguez, who has 304 career saves, is expected to fill a setup
role this season in front of RHP Jim Henderson.
Free agent: Santana, Johan
LHP Johan Santana, a free agent, threw off a mound for the first
time Feb. 7 since recovering from surgery to repair a re-tear of the
anterior capsule muscle in his left shoulder. Santana, winner of two
Cy Young Awards, last pitched in 2012. He is attempting to come
back.
"Just want to let you guys know that I started throwing off the
mound this week, and I feel great!!! One step closer!!! Believe
it!!!" Santana wrote on Twitter.
There were reports in December that he was close to signing a minor
league deal. Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan expressed some interest
but said he did not expect Santana to be ready to pitch until
midseason.
Santana had the first surgery in 2010 and missed the 2011 season. He
pitched 117 innings in 2012 before getting shut down. He had the
second operation last April.
New York Mets: Harvey, Matt
RHP Matt Harvey is not expected to pitch this season because he is
recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he told the New York Post
that he plans to start throwing in February.
"They said I should be able to start throwing four months after the
surgery and that's Feb. 22, and I haven't had any setbacks," Harvey
said. "I can't wait. Even if it's 10 feet, I just want to pick up a
ball. As if right now, I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do
that."
Harvey also said on WFAN on Feb. 7 that his rehab is going "really
smoothly" since his Oct. 22 surgery and that he recently resumed
weight training. He plans to report to spring training on Feb. 15
with the Mets' other pitchers and catchers.
LHP Scott Elbert revealed Feb. 9 that he had his appendix removed on
Jan. 28. Elbert was expected to miss the first two months of the
season because he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. The
appendectomy delays his rehab by a few more weeks.The Dodgers placed
Elbert on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 8 after his third elbow
surgery in less than two years.
Los
Angeles Dodgers: Beckett, Josh
RHP Josh Beckett (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July 2013) had
a rib removed to address nerve issues that were causing numbness and
tingling in his pitching hand. He was cleared to start a normal
spring throwing program. The Dodgers hope he will be ready to begin
the season in their rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Billingsley, Chad
RHP Chad Billingsley (Tommy John surgery in April 2013) is targeting
a return in May or June. He made just two starts last year before
requiring elbow reconstruction.
Chicago Cubs: Samardzija, Jeff
RHP Jeff Samardzija avoided arbitration with the Cubs, agreeing on a
$5,345,000 salary for the 2014 season. The two sides compromised
after Samardzija filed for $6.2 million and the Cubs countered with
a $4.4 million offer. The 29-year-old posted an 8-13 record with a
4.34 ERA in 33 starts last year. His career record in six seasons
with the Cubs is 29-35 with a 4.22 ERA.
San Diego Padres: Cashner, Andrew
RHP Andrew Cashner won his arbitration case, and he will make $2.4
million in 2014. The Padres had offered him $2,275,000. Cashner, 27,
finished 10-9 with a 3.09 ERA over 31 games (26 starts) last season.
Cleveland Indians: Pestano, Vinnie
RHP Vinnie Pestano lost his arbitration case, and he will make
$975,000 in 2014. He requested a salary of $1.45 million. Pestano,
28, finished 1-2 with six saves and a 4.08 ERA in 37 appearances for
Cleveland last year.
Milwaukee Brewers: Hand, Donovan
RHP Donovan Hand was designated for assignment by the Brewers on
Feb. 7 to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed RHP
Francisco Rodriguez. Hand, 27, went 1-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 31 games
(seven starts) for Milwaukee last year.
Kansas City Royals: Teaford, Everett
LHP Everett Teaford, designated for assignment by the Royals on Jan.
28, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha a week
later. Teaford, 29, allowed one hit and no runs in two-thirds of an
inning in his only major league appearance last year. Over parts of
three seasons with Kansas City, he went 3-5 with one save and a 4.25
ERA in 45 appearances (eight starts).
Miami Marlins: Baker, Jeff
INF Jeff Baker finalized a two-year, $3.7 million deal with the
Marlins on Feb. 7. Baker, 33, hit .279 with 11 homers in 175 plate
appearances for the Rangers last year. Baker has played for six
teams over the past five seasons.
Miami Marlins: Paredes, Jimmy
OF Jimmy Parades was designated for assignment by the Marlins on
Feb. 7 to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed INF
Jeff Baker. Paredes, 25, was claimed off waivers by the Marlins from
the Astros on Nov. 4. He hit .192/.231/.248 with one homer, 10 RBIs
and four stolen bases in 48 games for Houston last year.
Chicago White Sox: Boggs, Mitchell
RHP Mitchell Boggs signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the
White Sox on Feb. 7. Boggs was not tendered a contract by the
Rockies after going 0-0 with a 3.12 ERA in nine games with Colorado
late last season. He was acquired by Colorado from St. Louis in a
cash deal in July after he faltered badly when trying to replace
injured Jason Motte as the Cardinals' closer. Overall in 2014, he
went 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in 27 appearances.
Chicago White Sox: Heath, Deunte
RHP Deunte Heath was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Feb. 7,
clearing a spot on the White Sox's 40-man roster for newly signed
RHP Mitchell Boggs. Heath, 28, had no record and an 11.74 ERA in
five appearances for Chicago last year. He finished 2-1 with four
saves and a 2.20 ERA in 30 games (one start) for Charlotte in 2013.
