Indians signed OF Jeremy Hermida to a minor league contract.
Hermida, a former top prospect, hit just .250/.333/.375 across 27 plate appearances last season for the Padres. He’s doubtful to make a big impact in Cleveland.
Source: twitter.com
Jeremy Hermida (Indians)
2/4/13 10:18 am
Daisuke Matsuzaka (Red Sox)
2/4/13 10:15 am
A Mets official told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that the team has no interest in Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Cafardo suggested this weekend that the rebuilding Mets might be a good fit for Matsuzaka, who has struggled to attract interest this winter after posting an 8.28 ERA over 11 starts in 2012. The 32-year-old right-hander might wind up heading back to his native Japan.
Source: twitter.com
Vinnie Pestano (Indians)
2/4/13 8:50 am
Vinnie Pestano wrote on his Twitter account Monday that he might be in the best shape of his life.
“Best shape I’ve been in a long time,” tweeted the Indians reliever. “Maybe ever.” Pestano has posted an exceptional 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through 137 career major league innings. He could take over ninth-inning duties from Chris Perez at some point this season.
Source: twitter.com
Jim Thome (Orioles)
2/3/13 5:49 pm
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that free agent Jim Thome “remains a possibility” for the Indians.
With Travis Hafner signing with the Yankees this week, the Indians could have interest in Thome on a low-risk contract to serve as a part-time designated hitter. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer batted .252/.344/.442 with eight homers, 25 RBI and a .786 OPS in 186 plate appearances between the Phillies and Orioles this past season, and claims to be fully healthy after dealing with neck and back injuries in 2012.
Source: cleveland.com
Brandon Lyon (Blue Jays)
2/3/13 4:24 pm
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are closing in on a deal with free agent Brandon Lyon.
Lyon posted a 3.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 63/20 K/BB ratio in 61 innings for the Astros and Blue Jays in 2012. If signed, he’ll be the third right-handed reliever the Mets have added this week after signing LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Atchison. Lyon will presumably serve in a setup role with the Mets, but has closing experience and could serve as an insurance policy behind Frank Francisco.
Source: twitter.com
Daisuke Matsuzaka (Red Sox)
2/3/13 11:26 am
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe hears that the Astros and Mets are “kicking around the possibility” of signing Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka will have to settle for a minor league deal, and he could wind up heading back to Japan if he doesn’t like his chances of cracking an Opening Day roster. A report from Sports Hochi last month stated that the right-hander was deciding on minor league offers from the Indians, Marlins and Mets.
Source: bostonglobe.com
Franklin Morales (Red Sox)
2/3/13 11:22 am
The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reports that a few teams contacted the Red Sox about Franklin Morales over the offseason.
Cafardo adds that additional clubs “have him on their list of pitchers to watch closely in spring training.” Morales is slated for long relief with the Red Sox this season, but other teams could view him as a rotation candidate. He made nine starts for Boston last season, posting a 4.14 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while striking out over a batter per inning.
Source: bostonglobe.com
Kevin Millwood (Mariners)
2/3/13 9:09 am
Kevin Millwood has announced his retirement from baseball.
Millwood, 38, wanted to catch on with the Braves or Rays, teams that are close to his Gainesville, Georgia home, but after that didn’t happen he’s decided to hang it up. “I feel like I can still throw it well and going out on a high note is a big deal,” Millwood said. “I just felt it was time to be closer to home and to be around the kids more often.” Millwood retires with 169 wins, a 4.11 ERA, one All-Star game appearance and one ERA title after 16 seasons.
Source: yahoo.com
Evan Longoria (Rays)
2/3/13 8:29 am
Evan Longoria said last week that his surgically-repaired left hamstring “is ready.”
Longoria underwent a minor procedure on the hamstring on November 20, and although the Rays will take it slow on him early in spring training, it’s not expected to affect his status for Opening Day. Longo was limited to just 74 games last season due to hamstring problems, batting .289/.369/.527 with 17 homers.
Source: tampabay.com
Reid Brignac (Rays)
2/3/13 8:23 am
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times hears that there was “some chatter” last week about a possible Reid Brignac trade.
Brignac is out of options and doesn’t look like a fit on the Rays’ Opening Day roster, so he could either be dealt or be exposed to waivers. The former top prospect has batted just .227/.268/.317 over parts of five seasons with the Rays and turned 27 last month.
Source: tampabay.com