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As the workweek came to a close Friday, Matt Garza was still officially a free agent.
On Thursday, reports surfaced that Garza and the Brewers had agreed in principle to a four-year, $52 million pact, and that Garza had undergone a physical exam. But a news conference at Miller Park never came to pass, and throughout the day Friday as rumors flew on social media, both sides remained mum about the nature of the perceived holdup.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did not immediately respond to a telephone message, and assistant GM Gord Ash said he couldn't comment. Garza's agent, Nez Balelo, also declined to comment.
One source privy to the negotiations said there was no update as of mid-afternoon, and advised all interested parties to "stay tuned." He declined to say, even in general terms, what was impeding the deal.
Brewers officials had said earlier this winter that they were comfortable with a starting rotation comprised of right-handers Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada and Tyler Thornburg, with Thornburg earning fifth-starter duties based on a strong finish to 2013, and fellow prospects Johnny Hellweg and Jimmy Nelson waiting in the wings. So it came as a surprise to many, including Lohse, when word spread Thursday morning that the Brewers were nearing a deal with Garza, 30, who would add experience to the top half of that group.
If an agreement is not completed before Sunday, the Garza matter figures to hang over the Brewers' annual "On Deck" event in downtown Milwaukee. The event is free to fans this year.
All parties mum on potential Garza deal | MLB-com: News
On Thursday, reports surfaced that Garza and the Brewers had agreed in principle to a four-year, $52 million pact, and that Garza had undergone a physical exam. But a news conference at Miller Park never came to pass, and throughout the day Friday as rumors flew on social media, both sides remained mum about the nature of the perceived holdup.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did not immediately respond to a telephone message, and assistant GM Gord Ash said he couldn't comment. Garza's agent, Nez Balelo, also declined to comment.
One source privy to the negotiations said there was no update as of mid-afternoon, and advised all interested parties to "stay tuned." He declined to say, even in general terms, what was impeding the deal.
Brewers officials had said earlier this winter that they were comfortable with a starting rotation comprised of right-handers Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada and Tyler Thornburg, with Thornburg earning fifth-starter duties based on a strong finish to 2013, and fellow prospects Johnny Hellweg and Jimmy Nelson waiting in the wings. So it came as a surprise to many, including Lohse, when word spread Thursday morning that the Brewers were nearing a deal with Garza, 30, who would add experience to the top half of that group.
If an agreement is not completed before Sunday, the Garza matter figures to hang over the Brewers' annual "On Deck" event in downtown Milwaukee. The event is free to fans this year.
All parties mum on potential Garza deal | MLB-com: News
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As a five-time All-Star, Robinson Cano has been one of the premier players in the Major Leagues for much of his career. But that career has been spent being one of many stars on the Yankees' crowded stage, not the featured face of a franchise looking to make a new splash.
But things changed this offseason for Cano. And as he was introduced to Mariners fans for the first time at Saturday's FanFest at Safeco Field, the 30-year-old second baseman did so with the knowledge that he now carries extra pressure along with the $240 million contract he inked in December.
Saturday's first day of FanFest drew 10,903 fans, the highest single-day attendance in the event's 16-year history, and the Mariners appear on their way to breaking their two-day record of 17,592 on Sunday. Saturday's crowd enjoyed the chance to tour the stadium, gather autographs and meet numerous players on the sunny afternoon, with Cano being the prize attraction.
"I'm ready for it," he said of the impending microscope. "I've been in New York where you have media all day. But there are things that won't be in my hands. I'll bring my good energy and do as much as I can. I've been in this game a long time. But this is about the team, not one guy."
You'll hear that a lot from Cano in the coming weeks. He knows he'll only come to bat four or five times a game. He'll only field the ground balls that come his way. He'll only be a part of the puzzle. But he's obviously an important part and the Mariners expect him to help anchor the middle of their lineup and be a veteran leader of a young roster looking to turn things around from last year's 71-91 record.
With their 10-year commitment on a $24-million-a-year contract, the Mariners will promote him as the face of their franchise and that effort began at FanFest, which concludes Sunday with another appearance from their newest star.
"I wouldn't say it's only my face," Cano said. "You have to talk about Felix [Hernandez]. He's a guy that has been here so long. He's one of the best in the game. But like I said, that comes with the territory. I'm going to do my best with the young guys and motivate the guys in what it takes to win games and how fun it is when you win and go to the playoffs and win a World Series. I'll share my experience to motivate the guys to go out there and play hard every single day."
Cano will face questions along the way, persistent queries as to why he'd leave New York for a franchise across the country that hasn't been in the postseason since 2001.
"A lot of people ask that," Cano said. "But I've been coming here for nine years. I like this city. I always come and walk around the city. And this is a team to watch. I talked to the owners, and they're going to build a team to win a championship. And that's where you want to go."
Cano will keep things pointed forward as much as he can. Questions about the Yankees were quickly stifled when he chatted with a few reporters in the Safeco Field dugout prior to his fan interaction.
"I don't want to talk about that anymore," he said. "I'll just leave that in the past. Now I'm with the Seattle Mariners and I just want to talk about Seattle. It's a new city, new teammates, a new manager. I just can't wait for the season."
The Mariners are eager as well to see what Cano brings both on and off the field. The Mariners felt they needed a proven hitter in the middle of their batting order, both to aid the offense and take pressure off some of their younger players as they progress.
But they also need a boost in energy among a fan base looking for progress. And Cano's willingness to fly in from his offseason home in the Dominican Republic, trading 90-degree warmth for the January chill of the Northwest, was a welcome beginning.
"It's great," general manager Jack Zduriencik said as Cano talked to fans nearby. "It's tremendous that he's come in for this. We're glad that he did and some of the other players will have an opportunity to meet him this weekend. It'll give him a little flavor of something different, the fan base, and start it out the right way. I think it's good for him and the community."
Cano said he's been working out this winter, as usual, with a handful of players in the Dominican. He hasn't had time yet to search for a home in Seattle, but was going to begin that process Sunday before flying home.
But he has spent enough time in Seattle, and watched enough football on television, to know the city is bursting with Seahawks pride as they prepare for the Super Bowl. He'd love to help bring similar enthusiasm to Safeco Field as soon as possible.
"This city is about sports," he said. "You can see how the Seahawks are playing and how packed the stadium gets. Even soccer. It's all about winning. I know if I'm a fan, I want to go see a good team. I want to go see a team that really performs and does really good. This is a sports city and I just can't wait for the season."
What will it take to get that buzz back with the Mariners?
"We're going to have to win first," said Cano. "We want to get the fan support. But if you want to get that the whole year, we have to play hard, do our best and try to win every game."
Robinson Cano hopes to excite Seattle for Mariners baseball | MLB-com: News
But things changed this offseason for Cano. And as he was introduced to Mariners fans for the first time at Saturday's FanFest at Safeco Field, the 30-year-old second baseman did so with the knowledge that he now carries extra pressure along with the $240 million contract he inked in December.
Saturday's first day of FanFest drew 10,903 fans, the highest single-day attendance in the event's 16-year history, and the Mariners appear on their way to breaking their two-day record of 17,592 on Sunday. Saturday's crowd enjoyed the chance to tour the stadium, gather autographs and meet numerous players on the sunny afternoon, with Cano being the prize attraction.
"I'm ready for it," he said of the impending microscope. "I've been in New York where you have media all day. But there are things that won't be in my hands. I'll bring my good energy and do as much as I can. I've been in this game a long time. But this is about the team, not one guy."
You'll hear that a lot from Cano in the coming weeks. He knows he'll only come to bat four or five times a game. He'll only field the ground balls that come his way. He'll only be a part of the puzzle. But he's obviously an important part and the Mariners expect him to help anchor the middle of their lineup and be a veteran leader of a young roster looking to turn things around from last year's 71-91 record.
With their 10-year commitment on a $24-million-a-year contract, the Mariners will promote him as the face of their franchise and that effort began at FanFest, which concludes Sunday with another appearance from their newest star.
"I wouldn't say it's only my face," Cano said. "You have to talk about Felix [Hernandez]. He's a guy that has been here so long. He's one of the best in the game. But like I said, that comes with the territory. I'm going to do my best with the young guys and motivate the guys in what it takes to win games and how fun it is when you win and go to the playoffs and win a World Series. I'll share my experience to motivate the guys to go out there and play hard every single day."
Cano will face questions along the way, persistent queries as to why he'd leave New York for a franchise across the country that hasn't been in the postseason since 2001.
"A lot of people ask that," Cano said. "But I've been coming here for nine years. I like this city. I always come and walk around the city. And this is a team to watch. I talked to the owners, and they're going to build a team to win a championship. And that's where you want to go."
Cano will keep things pointed forward as much as he can. Questions about the Yankees were quickly stifled when he chatted with a few reporters in the Safeco Field dugout prior to his fan interaction.
"I don't want to talk about that anymore," he said. "I'll just leave that in the past. Now I'm with the Seattle Mariners and I just want to talk about Seattle. It's a new city, new teammates, a new manager. I just can't wait for the season."
The Mariners are eager as well to see what Cano brings both on and off the field. The Mariners felt they needed a proven hitter in the middle of their batting order, both to aid the offense and take pressure off some of their younger players as they progress.
But they also need a boost in energy among a fan base looking for progress. And Cano's willingness to fly in from his offseason home in the Dominican Republic, trading 90-degree warmth for the January chill of the Northwest, was a welcome beginning.
"It's great," general manager Jack Zduriencik said as Cano talked to fans nearby. "It's tremendous that he's come in for this. We're glad that he did and some of the other players will have an opportunity to meet him this weekend. It'll give him a little flavor of something different, the fan base, and start it out the right way. I think it's good for him and the community."
Cano said he's been working out this winter, as usual, with a handful of players in the Dominican. He hasn't had time yet to search for a home in Seattle, but was going to begin that process Sunday before flying home.
But he has spent enough time in Seattle, and watched enough football on television, to know the city is bursting with Seahawks pride as they prepare for the Super Bowl. He'd love to help bring similar enthusiasm to Safeco Field as soon as possible.
"This city is about sports," he said. "You can see how the Seahawks are playing and how packed the stadium gets. Even soccer. It's all about winning. I know if I'm a fan, I want to go see a good team. I want to go see a team that really performs and does really good. This is a sports city and I just can't wait for the season."
What will it take to get that buzz back with the Mariners?
"We're going to have to win first," said Cano. "We want to get the fan support. But if you want to get that the whole year, we have to play hard, do our best and try to win every game."
Robinson Cano hopes to excite Seattle for Mariners baseball | MLB-com: News
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Michael Young has a Dodgers offer on the table if he wants it, but with Spring Training now less than a month away, the 37-year-old infielder is still considering retirement.
"I'm going to take my time and make sure I go over my options, and do what's best for my family," Young said on Sunday. "I've got three sons at home, and obviously they're my top priority. I would love to continue to play for a great team like the Dodgers. I mean, baseball's in my blood; good competition's in my blood. So I'd love to continue to do that. But at the same time, I want to do what's best for my family, for my boys."
Mark Ellis, 36, was the Dodgers' everyday second baseman the previous two seasons but took a larger deal from the Cardinals, signing a one-year, $5.25 million contract with incentives in mid-December.
With unproven 26-year-old Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero -- signed to a four-year, $28 million contract in October -- slated to start at second base, the Dodgers could use a veteran utility guy like Young, who has plenty of experience at all four infield positions.
Young, with 2,375 hits and a .300/.346/.441 career slash line, batted .276/.336/.395 as the Phillies' starting third baseman last season, then went 16-for-51 (.314) after being acquired by the Dodgers on Aug. 31.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports-com reported on Jan. 14 that Young has "decent offers" from four teams. At this point, though, it seems like it's either the Dodgers -- a team that would give him a good chance to win his first World Series ring -- or retirement.
"I haven't been in any big hurry, but at the same time I want to be very respectful to the teams I'm talking with," Young said. "Obviously, I can't say enough about my time with the Dodgers. I've made no secret about the fact that they rank at the top of my list. I loved my time with LA. Great time with the team, a first-class organization top to bottom; just an unbelievable experience to play for them."
Young, who makes his offseason home in Dallas but still owns a home in Southern California, was joined on Sunday by several teammates he shared during that two-month run in Los Angeles, including Brian Wilson, Skip Schumaker, Nick Punto and Ellis -- the latter three infielders moving on to different teams.
Young was partnering with former reliever and ex-Rangers teammate Eddie Guardado to host the third annual Stars & Strikes Celebrity Bowling Tournament at Bowlmor Lanes, an event that saw celebrities pair with foursomes to raise money and awareness for autism.
Guardado's foundation focuses on the disorder, which has affected his daughter, Ava, while Young's is aimed towards improving the overall physical, social, mental and educational health of children.
"Eddie and I have always had that one thing in common, that we wanted to help out and lend a hand," Young said. "My foundation is geared towards children's health, his is autism, so we felt like we were going to stick with autism on this one because it benefits both foundations. We're excited."
Michael Young mulling retirement or accepting offer from Dodgers | MLB-com: News
"I'm going to take my time and make sure I go over my options, and do what's best for my family," Young said on Sunday. "I've got three sons at home, and obviously they're my top priority. I would love to continue to play for a great team like the Dodgers. I mean, baseball's in my blood; good competition's in my blood. So I'd love to continue to do that. But at the same time, I want to do what's best for my family, for my boys."
Mark Ellis, 36, was the Dodgers' everyday second baseman the previous two seasons but took a larger deal from the Cardinals, signing a one-year, $5.25 million contract with incentives in mid-December.
With unproven 26-year-old Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero -- signed to a four-year, $28 million contract in October -- slated to start at second base, the Dodgers could use a veteran utility guy like Young, who has plenty of experience at all four infield positions.
Young, with 2,375 hits and a .300/.346/.441 career slash line, batted .276/.336/.395 as the Phillies' starting third baseman last season, then went 16-for-51 (.314) after being acquired by the Dodgers on Aug. 31.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports-com reported on Jan. 14 that Young has "decent offers" from four teams. At this point, though, it seems like it's either the Dodgers -- a team that would give him a good chance to win his first World Series ring -- or retirement.
"I haven't been in any big hurry, but at the same time I want to be very respectful to the teams I'm talking with," Young said. "Obviously, I can't say enough about my time with the Dodgers. I've made no secret about the fact that they rank at the top of my list. I loved my time with LA. Great time with the team, a first-class organization top to bottom; just an unbelievable experience to play for them."
Young, who makes his offseason home in Dallas but still owns a home in Southern California, was joined on Sunday by several teammates he shared during that two-month run in Los Angeles, including Brian Wilson, Skip Schumaker, Nick Punto and Ellis -- the latter three infielders moving on to different teams.
Young was partnering with former reliever and ex-Rangers teammate Eddie Guardado to host the third annual Stars & Strikes Celebrity Bowling Tournament at Bowlmor Lanes, an event that saw celebrities pair with foursomes to raise money and awareness for autism.
Guardado's foundation focuses on the disorder, which has affected his daughter, Ava, while Young's is aimed towards improving the overall physical, social, mental and educational health of children.
"Eddie and I have always had that one thing in common, that we wanted to help out and lend a hand," Young said. "My foundation is geared towards children's health, his is autism, so we felt like we were going to stick with autism on this one because it benefits both foundations. We're excited."
Michael Young mulling retirement or accepting offer from Dodgers | MLB-com: News
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Final landing spot for Cruz remains unclear
Rangers, Mariners and Orioles all linked to slugging free-agent outfielder
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB-com | 1/27/2014 6:10 P.M. ET
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Hot Stove on Cruz's market00:03:39
MLB-com's Matt Waymire and Jim Duquette explore the market for power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz
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The Rangers have given away Nelson Cruz's old jersey number to free agent acquisition Shin-Soo Choo, but have not completely ruled out the idea of bringing the one-time fan favorite back to Texas on a club-friendly deal.
There is some speculation that Cruz, 33, who is seeking a multi-year deal, might settle for a one-year contract with his former club if he cannot land a large deal with another team. The Mariners and Orioles are among the teams that have been linked to the right-handed slugger.
Overall, Cruz hit .266 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs in 109 games and 413 at-bats for the Rangers last season. He had a .327 on-base percentage and a .506 slugging percentage before he was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games for violating the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program as a result of the league's Biogenesis investigation.
Teams interested in Cruz must also consider that the veteran turned down the Rangers' qualifying offer of $14.1 million in November, which means Texas would receive a Draft pick as compensation if he signs elsewhere.
"I've had a lot of discussions with Adam Katz, his agent," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said at FanFest last weekend. "There's an economic factor tied to that, as well as losing your Draft pick. Would I like to have him here? Absolutely. I'd love to have Nelson Cruz in this lineup. But how much do you have to pay him, how many years is it going to be and are you willing to lose another Draft pick? Those are the things you have to factor."
Zduriencik added that he's not expecting any more "major moves" this offseason, but his club could still have a need for a right-handed bat in the lineup, even with newly acquired outfielder Corey Hart on the roster. As it stands now, the Mariners have four left-handed-hitting outfielders -- Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders, Abraham Almonte and Logan Morrison -- with Franklin Gutierrez and utility man Willie Bloomquist as the only right-handed options.
The Mariners could add to their estimated $85 million payroll, but some suggest the club would prefer to opt for a shorter deal with a player like Cruz -- especially after signing Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million deal this winter. The team still owes about $150 million to staff ace Felix Hernandez.
The Orioles have expressed interest in Cruz and could potentially slot him into the designated hitter role, but the team's payroll constraints and the need for another starting pitcher work against Cruz. Like the Rangers and the Mariners, the Orioles could offer a shorter deal to Cruz in order to keep their payroll -- currently around $80 million -- under $100 million and still sign a pitcher.
The Rangers are prepared to move on without Cruz. The team is expected to start Choo in left field, Leonys Martin in center field and Alex Rios in right field with Michael Choice providing roster depth.
Final landing spot for Nelson Cruz remains unclear | MLB-com: News
Rangers, Mariners and Orioles all linked to slugging free-agent outfielder
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB-com | 1/27/2014 6:10 P.M. ET
Comments (70)
1
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Hot Stove on Cruz's market00:03:39
MLB-com's Matt Waymire and Jim Duquette explore the market for power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz
0
The Rangers have given away Nelson Cruz's old jersey number to free agent acquisition Shin-Soo Choo, but have not completely ruled out the idea of bringing the one-time fan favorite back to Texas on a club-friendly deal.
There is some speculation that Cruz, 33, who is seeking a multi-year deal, might settle for a one-year contract with his former club if he cannot land a large deal with another team. The Mariners and Orioles are among the teams that have been linked to the right-handed slugger.
Overall, Cruz hit .266 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs in 109 games and 413 at-bats for the Rangers last season. He had a .327 on-base percentage and a .506 slugging percentage before he was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games for violating the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program as a result of the league's Biogenesis investigation.
Teams interested in Cruz must also consider that the veteran turned down the Rangers' qualifying offer of $14.1 million in November, which means Texas would receive a Draft pick as compensation if he signs elsewhere.
"I've had a lot of discussions with Adam Katz, his agent," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said at FanFest last weekend. "There's an economic factor tied to that, as well as losing your Draft pick. Would I like to have him here? Absolutely. I'd love to have Nelson Cruz in this lineup. But how much do you have to pay him, how many years is it going to be and are you willing to lose another Draft pick? Those are the things you have to factor."
Zduriencik added that he's not expecting any more "major moves" this offseason, but his club could still have a need for a right-handed bat in the lineup, even with newly acquired outfielder Corey Hart on the roster. As it stands now, the Mariners have four left-handed-hitting outfielders -- Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders, Abraham Almonte and Logan Morrison -- with Franklin Gutierrez and utility man Willie Bloomquist as the only right-handed options.
The Mariners could add to their estimated $85 million payroll, but some suggest the club would prefer to opt for a shorter deal with a player like Cruz -- especially after signing Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million deal this winter. The team still owes about $150 million to staff ace Felix Hernandez.
The Orioles have expressed interest in Cruz and could potentially slot him into the designated hitter role, but the team's payroll constraints and the need for another starting pitcher work against Cruz. Like the Rangers and the Mariners, the Orioles could offer a shorter deal to Cruz in order to keep their payroll -- currently around $80 million -- under $100 million and still sign a pitcher.
The Rangers are prepared to move on without Cruz. The team is expected to start Choo in left field, Leonys Martin in center field and Alex Rios in right field with Michael Choice providing roster depth.
Final landing spot for Nelson Cruz remains unclear | MLB-com: News
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On the same day Major League Baseball announced it had approved a new protective cap for pitchers, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon McCarthy told ESPN-com that even though he was seriously injured when he was hit in the head by a line drive 16 months ago, he won't wear the new gear himself.
McCarthy, who tested the protective cap while throwing off a mound, playing catch and running, said Tuesday: "I won't wear it in its current form."
On Sept. 5, 2012, while pitching for the Oakland Athletics, McCarthy was struck in the head on a comebacker by the Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar and needed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain caused by internal bleeding. He suffered a seizure in June 2013 that doctors said was related to his head injury.
He has been active in the months since in helping baseball find ways to protect pitchers from similar injuries. McCarthy said he'd spent the past eight months working with MLB and 4Licensing Corporation subsidiary isoBlox, the company making the caps, but said he informed both parties before Tuesday's announcement that he didn't consider this particular cap to be "a major league-ready product."
"The technology is there," he said. "It helps. It's proven to help. But I don't think it's ready yet as a major league-ready product. And I told them that. I told them that's where it's at."
The first problem, according to McCarthy, is that the cap "doesn't pass the eye test."
"It's just too big," he said.
IsoBlox says the caps are a little more than a half-inch thicker in the front and an inch thicker on the sides -- near the temples -- than regular caps.
McCarthy, however, said it's so wide that pitchers are aware of the cap when wearing it. And for players to feel comfortable using it in a game, he said, "It has to disappear." A second major issue for McCarthy is that the cap is "too hot." The extra padding adds seven ounces to the weight of a cap, which currently weighs three to four ounces, according to isoBlox.
"You can't pitch a day game in St. Louis wearing it, or a day game in Baltimore," he said. "I've thrown in it in optimal conditions, inside where it's cool, and your head gets itchy."
The third problem, he said, is that the cap doesn't feel like other caps feel or fit as snugly as other caps fit.
"[So] if your head moves a tick, you feel it," he said. "You notice it."
And if those issues aren't corrected, McCarthy said, very few players will wear it.
"Nobody wants this to work more than me," he said. "But we tried to take this as far as we could and see if it's something that could work, but it just wasn't there."
McCarthy noted, however, that he is grateful for all the research that's been done and the progress that's been made on protecting pitchers. He said he considers the work to be "a step in the right direction."
"Hopefully, in a couple of years, they can come up with something that everyone wears and that you don't notice it being on your head while you're out there," he said. "I hope it gets there. ... But right now, it's just not there."
Brandon McCarthy of Arizona Diamondbacks won't wear MLB-approved protective cap - ESPN
McCarthy, who tested the protective cap while throwing off a mound, playing catch and running, said Tuesday: "I won't wear it in its current form."
On Sept. 5, 2012, while pitching for the Oakland Athletics, McCarthy was struck in the head on a comebacker by the Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar and needed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain caused by internal bleeding. He suffered a seizure in June 2013 that doctors said was related to his head injury.
He has been active in the months since in helping baseball find ways to protect pitchers from similar injuries. McCarthy said he'd spent the past eight months working with MLB and 4Licensing Corporation subsidiary isoBlox, the company making the caps, but said he informed both parties before Tuesday's announcement that he didn't consider this particular cap to be "a major league-ready product."
"The technology is there," he said. "It helps. It's proven to help. But I don't think it's ready yet as a major league-ready product. And I told them that. I told them that's where it's at."
The first problem, according to McCarthy, is that the cap "doesn't pass the eye test."
"It's just too big," he said.
IsoBlox says the caps are a little more than a half-inch thicker in the front and an inch thicker on the sides -- near the temples -- than regular caps.
McCarthy, however, said it's so wide that pitchers are aware of the cap when wearing it. And for players to feel comfortable using it in a game, he said, "It has to disappear." A second major issue for McCarthy is that the cap is "too hot." The extra padding adds seven ounces to the weight of a cap, which currently weighs three to four ounces, according to isoBlox.
"You can't pitch a day game in St. Louis wearing it, or a day game in Baltimore," he said. "I've thrown in it in optimal conditions, inside where it's cool, and your head gets itchy."
The third problem, he said, is that the cap doesn't feel like other caps feel or fit as snugly as other caps fit.
"[So] if your head moves a tick, you feel it," he said. "You notice it."
And if those issues aren't corrected, McCarthy said, very few players will wear it.
"Nobody wants this to work more than me," he said. "But we tried to take this as far as we could and see if it's something that could work, but it just wasn't there."
McCarthy noted, however, that he is grateful for all the research that's been done and the progress that's been made on protecting pitchers. He said he considers the work to be "a step in the right direction."
"Hopefully, in a couple of years, they can come up with something that everyone wears and that you don't notice it being on your head while you're out there," he said. "I hope it gets there. ... But right now, it's just not there."
Brandon McCarthy of Arizona Diamondbacks won't wear MLB-approved protective cap - ESPN
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To kick off my look at the best prospects in the minor leagues this week, I've ranked all 30 MLB farm systems from top to bottom, considering only the players who are currently in their systems and who have not yet exhausted their rookie of the year eligibility. (I use the same criterion for the individual player rankings that will be posted over the next three days.)
Similar to last year, there are only a handful of systems that combine both a few high-impact or high-ceiling prospects and also have depth down to and past the end of their top 10 list. (My top 10 rankings by team will be released on Thursday and Friday.)
Many systems ranked in the teens boast a couple of very good prospects -- say, one or two guys who project as above-average regulars, and another two or three who might be everyday guys -- and then it's bench parts and relievers. Those players are good to have, as you'd much rather fill those spots with minimum-salaried players than have to reach out to free agency, but their asset value is much lower than the values of prospects who project as average or better.
One last point: Of my top 10 farm systems, only three are "large market" teams (although the proper term would be "high revenue"). Scouting and player development are still the best way to build a competitive major league team, and while some extra money in scouting helps, success in either area is far more a function of the people you employ than the money you throw at the players. Good organizations hire and retain good people, enact strong processes and then execute them -- even when fans or writers don't see the big picture.
1. Houston Astros
On the one hand, when you pick first overall every year, you should probably end up with a pretty good farm system, and the Astros' top five prospects are all first-round picks. On the other hand, the Astros have done everything they needed to do to restock what was a few years ago the worst system in the majors, like exceeding MLB's recommended signing bonuses for Lance McCullers Jr. and Rio Ruiz in 2012, or landing prospects like Jonathan Singleton, Domingo Santana and Asher Wojciechowski in trades.
Houston Astros top farm system rankings - MLB - ESPN
Similar to last year, there are only a handful of systems that combine both a few high-impact or high-ceiling prospects and also have depth down to and past the end of their top 10 list. (My top 10 rankings by team will be released on Thursday and Friday.)
Many systems ranked in the teens boast a couple of very good prospects -- say, one or two guys who project as above-average regulars, and another two or three who might be everyday guys -- and then it's bench parts and relievers. Those players are good to have, as you'd much rather fill those spots with minimum-salaried players than have to reach out to free agency, but their asset value is much lower than the values of prospects who project as average or better.
One last point: Of my top 10 farm systems, only three are "large market" teams (although the proper term would be "high revenue"). Scouting and player development are still the best way to build a competitive major league team, and while some extra money in scouting helps, success in either area is far more a function of the people you employ than the money you throw at the players. Good organizations hire and retain good people, enact strong processes and then execute them -- even when fans or writers don't see the big picture.
1. Houston Astros
On the one hand, when you pick first overall every year, you should probably end up with a pretty good farm system, and the Astros' top five prospects are all first-round picks. On the other hand, the Astros have done everything they needed to do to restock what was a few years ago the worst system in the majors, like exceeding MLB's recommended signing bonuses for Lance McCullers Jr. and Rio Ruiz in 2012, or landing prospects like Jonathan Singleton, Domingo Santana and Asher Wojciechowski in trades.
Houston Astros top farm system rankings - MLB - ESPN
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Chicks dig the long ball; at least that's what the old commercial featuring Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine told us.
Even though Major League Baseball has shifted toward a pitching and defense game, it's still exciting to see a hitter step in the box and launch balls over the fence. After all, the best part of the All-Star festivities is the Home Run Derby.
As we prepare for the start of spring training in February, there is a wave of hitting prospects coming through the minors who will be starring in a few of those Home Run Derby events and taking part in many All-Star games.
Pitching is also plentiful in the minors right now, but the hitting talent that is on the way has the potential to bring offense back to the forefront.
There are a lot more than 25 hitting prospects for fans to pay close attention to in 2014, but to avoid information overload, these are the players you should go out of your way to watch at least once this season.
Some of these names will be very familiar, especially if you follow the minor leagues. Others are slowly moving up the prospect ladder, but all of them have the potential to be special with a bat in their hands.
Here are the minor league hitters with the potential to change games when they step into the box or get on base.
Pictures: MLB's Top 25 Can't-Miss Hitting Prospects for 2014 | Bleacher Report
Even though Major League Baseball has shifted toward a pitching and defense game, it's still exciting to see a hitter step in the box and launch balls over the fence. After all, the best part of the All-Star festivities is the Home Run Derby.
As we prepare for the start of spring training in February, there is a wave of hitting prospects coming through the minors who will be starring in a few of those Home Run Derby events and taking part in many All-Star games.
Pitching is also plentiful in the minors right now, but the hitting talent that is on the way has the potential to bring offense back to the forefront.
There are a lot more than 25 hitting prospects for fans to pay close attention to in 2014, but to avoid information overload, these are the players you should go out of your way to watch at least once this season.
Some of these names will be very familiar, especially if you follow the minor leagues. Others are slowly moving up the prospect ladder, but all of them have the potential to be special with a bat in their hands.
Here are the minor league hitters with the potential to change games when they step into the box or get on base.
Pictures: MLB's Top 25 Can't-Miss Hitting Prospects for 2014 | Bleacher Report
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Oliver Perez is looking for a job.
But on Sunday afternoon, he was just looking for three outs.
The left-handed pitcher struggled in his first appearance of the Caribbean Series, giving up three runs in the ninth inning of Mexico's 6-3 victory over Puerto Rico.
Perez, who is a free agent, said he is looking for the right deal before he commits.
"There are teams that are interested, but there's nothing finalized and I can't really speak on that," Perez said. "I'm here to help lift the level of baseball in Mexico and win the Caribbean Series. It's an honor to be here."
Perez went 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings during eight games for Culiacan in Mexico. He went 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 61 games for the Mariners last season.
Yadi supports Caribbean Series with trip to Venezuela
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina stepped onto the field at Stadium Nueva Esparta on Sunday night and was immediately swarmed by hundreds of media members behind home plate. Fans in attendance began to yell his name.
It's exactly the type of reaction Molina was hoping to receive.
"If being here as a big leaguer helps the youth because they see me on the field and they think they can do it, that's good," Molina said. "They see me as an example. We are here to support baseball, and it doesn't matter if you play in big leagues or the little leagues, I am here to show support for you."
Officially, the Puerto Rican catcher is in Venezuela as a special guest of former Major Leaguer Tony Alvarez, who is now the country's Minister of Sport.
"I'm here not just for Venezuela, but for all the Latinos participating in this event," Molina said. "This tournament helps players -- the fan support helps and the media coverage helps. I played a lot of years in the Winter Leagues and Caribbean Series and this helped me a lot, because I had the opportunity to play with a lot of good players at a young age."
Cardinals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 12 and their first workout is slated for Feb. 13.
"I just want to get better than last year and do my best," Molina said. "Those have always been my expectations."
Aceves brothers make Series a family affair
The Aceves brothers have turned the 2014 Caribbean Series into a family affair.
Newly signed Baltimore pitcher Alfredo Aceves and his older brother Jonathan Aceves, the starting catcher for Mexico's Naranjeros de Hermosillo, teamed up on Saturday night to shut down Cuba's offense in a 9-4 victory in the first game of the Caribbean Series.
On Sunday afternoon, the brothers put on a different type of show for media and fans before Mexico's 6-3 victory against Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be here," Alfredo said. "We played together with Culiacan one time. The dude is my brother and I respect him a lot. We faced each other in the past and that was fun, too."
Alfredo was asked which brother usually wins the matchup between the two.
"We're the same," Jonathan blurted out from the behind the group of reporters. "We're equal."
Alfredo responded with a laugh.
"Equals? Equals," Alfredo said. "Yes, we are equals. That's right, the same. The same guy. Funny. But really, there's no difference in pitching to a big league catcher or to my brother. The level is the only thing that changes. The Caribbean Series level is different than the big leagues."
Aceves, who agreed to Minor League deal with Baltimore on Jan. 16, said he expects to arrive in Florida for Spring Training on Feb. 12.
"If they ask me, I'll say I want to be a starter," Aceves said. "I am a starter, but it's their decision and I'll do whatever they say. But I'm a starter."
For his career, Aceves is 30-14 with a 3.69 ERA while pitching mostly as a reliever over six Major League seasons with the Yankees and Red Sox. He has struggled since posting a 2.93 ERA in 114 games in his first four seasons.
What's more, Aceves didn't appear in the big leagues after July 9, when he was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket by Boston and outrighted off the 40-man roster. He was also slowed by an oblique strain.
Aceves was asked if he felt any pressure entering Spring Training.
"Pressure? I don't have anything to lose," he said.
Perez eyes Majors deal as he reps Mexico in Series | MLB-com: News
But on Sunday afternoon, he was just looking for three outs.
The left-handed pitcher struggled in his first appearance of the Caribbean Series, giving up three runs in the ninth inning of Mexico's 6-3 victory over Puerto Rico.
Perez, who is a free agent, said he is looking for the right deal before he commits.
"There are teams that are interested, but there's nothing finalized and I can't really speak on that," Perez said. "I'm here to help lift the level of baseball in Mexico and win the Caribbean Series. It's an honor to be here."
Perez went 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings during eight games for Culiacan in Mexico. He went 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 61 games for the Mariners last season.
Yadi supports Caribbean Series with trip to Venezuela
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina stepped onto the field at Stadium Nueva Esparta on Sunday night and was immediately swarmed by hundreds of media members behind home plate. Fans in attendance began to yell his name.
It's exactly the type of reaction Molina was hoping to receive.
"If being here as a big leaguer helps the youth because they see me on the field and they think they can do it, that's good," Molina said. "They see me as an example. We are here to support baseball, and it doesn't matter if you play in big leagues or the little leagues, I am here to show support for you."
Officially, the Puerto Rican catcher is in Venezuela as a special guest of former Major Leaguer Tony Alvarez, who is now the country's Minister of Sport.
"I'm here not just for Venezuela, but for all the Latinos participating in this event," Molina said. "This tournament helps players -- the fan support helps and the media coverage helps. I played a lot of years in the Winter Leagues and Caribbean Series and this helped me a lot, because I had the opportunity to play with a lot of good players at a young age."
Cardinals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 12 and their first workout is slated for Feb. 13.
"I just want to get better than last year and do my best," Molina said. "Those have always been my expectations."
Aceves brothers make Series a family affair
The Aceves brothers have turned the 2014 Caribbean Series into a family affair.
Newly signed Baltimore pitcher Alfredo Aceves and his older brother Jonathan Aceves, the starting catcher for Mexico's Naranjeros de Hermosillo, teamed up on Saturday night to shut down Cuba's offense in a 9-4 victory in the first game of the Caribbean Series.
On Sunday afternoon, the brothers put on a different type of show for media and fans before Mexico's 6-3 victory against Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be here," Alfredo said. "We played together with Culiacan one time. The dude is my brother and I respect him a lot. We faced each other in the past and that was fun, too."
Alfredo was asked which brother usually wins the matchup between the two.
"We're the same," Jonathan blurted out from the behind the group of reporters. "We're equal."
Alfredo responded with a laugh.
"Equals? Equals," Alfredo said. "Yes, we are equals. That's right, the same. The same guy. Funny. But really, there's no difference in pitching to a big league catcher or to my brother. The level is the only thing that changes. The Caribbean Series level is different than the big leagues."
Aceves, who agreed to Minor League deal with Baltimore on Jan. 16, said he expects to arrive in Florida for Spring Training on Feb. 12.
"If they ask me, I'll say I want to be a starter," Aceves said. "I am a starter, but it's their decision and I'll do whatever they say. But I'm a starter."
For his career, Aceves is 30-14 with a 3.69 ERA while pitching mostly as a reliever over six Major League seasons with the Yankees and Red Sox. He has struggled since posting a 2.93 ERA in 114 games in his first four seasons.
What's more, Aceves didn't appear in the big leagues after July 9, when he was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket by Boston and outrighted off the 40-man roster. He was also slowed by an oblique strain.
Aceves was asked if he felt any pressure entering Spring Training.
"Pressure? I don't have anything to lose," he said.
Perez eyes Majors deal as he reps Mexico in Series | MLB-com: News
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The offseason whirlwind of activity didn't touch every team. Some not only failed to help themselves, but lost valuable players as well. We take a look at their moves, or lack thereof.
***
Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays hogged the offseason headlines last year with splashy moves for Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, then found out how much that's worth when they finished in last place in the AL East at 74-88.
Their response this offseason? A virtual cone of silence.
Other than replacing departed catcher J.P. Arencibia with Dioner Navarro, the Blue Jays have mostly sat out the offseason while watching division rivals like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays fortify their ranks.
It remains likely that Toronto will add one of the top starters left on the market â?? Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez â?? particularly because the club's first-round pick is protected, so it would only have to surrender a second-rounder if it signed either.
That's hardly enough, though. The Blue Jays had the second-worst rotation ERA in the majors last season (4.81), and none of the returning starters posted an ERA below 4.15. The candidates for the fourth and fifth spots right now are J.A. Happ, Esmil Rogers, Todd Redmond and rookie Marcus Stroman.
Toronto also failed to upgrade at second base, where Ryan Goins (.264 OBP) projects as the starter.
Don't expect many predictions of a title run for these grounded Jays.
***
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates' stirring run to their first postseason appearance in 20 years â?? and a very respectable showing in the Division Series â?? convinced their fans to let go of their past frustration and cynicism.
It may be time to embrace those again.
Pittsburgh stood pat while valuable late-season pick-up Marlon Byrd left for the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies. Justin Morneau and Garrett Jones followed him out the door, leaving first base to Gaby Sanchez (seven homers, .762 OPS in 2013).
Now comes word that veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett is opting against retiring and will pitch in 2014, but not necessarily for Pittsburgh, as had been assumed. Without him, it's hard to envision the club's rotation replicating last season's 3.50 ERA.
The Pirates do have a highly regarded farm system, with prospects like right-handers Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Gregory Polanco. Unless they're ready to contribute right away, though, the Pirates may be due for a fall.
***
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles' inaction has been so noticeable, GM Dan Duquette felt compelled to tell the team's followers during Saturday's FanFest: "We have some more work to do this offseason.''
Indeed, Baltimore has done little to improve a team that missed the playoffs after getting there in 2012 for the first time in 15 years. The Orioles remain in the chase for a free agent starter to boost a rotation that had a 4.57 ERA last season and brings back only two double-digit winners in Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez.
Scott Feldman and Jason Hammel are gone. More significant, closer Jim Johnson, the major league saves leader over the last two years, was traded in a cost-cutting move for second-base candidate Jemile Weeks, who flopped with the Oakland A's.
There's no clear-cut replacement on the roster for Johnson, just like there's no clear indication the Orioles will remain contenders.
***
Cincinnati Reds: Despite reaching the postseason for the third time in four years, the Reds let go of manager Dusty Baker and promoted pitching coach Bryan Price to replace him. The personnel Price inherits is a downgrade from last year's wild-card winner.
There's no way to argue the Reds are better off after losing center fielder Shin-Soo Choo, who led them with 107 runs scored and finished fourth in the majors in OBP at .423. Cincinnati also parted ways with reliable starter Bronson Arroyo, who pitched at least 199 innings in each of the last nine seasons and remains a free agent.
While lefty Tony Cingrani proved a worthy candidate to fill Arroyo's spot with a strong rookie season, making up for Choo's absence will be a bigger challenge. Rather than acquiring a proven center fielder, the Reds are going with rookie speedster Billy Hamilton, who stole 155 bases in the minors in 2012 while still a shortstop. He converted to the outfield the next year.
Cincinnati added two solid backups in catcher Brayan Pena and utilityman Skip Schumaker, but playing in the only division that had three 90-game winners last season demands action, not inertia.
***
Atlanta Braves: It's hard to rip a team that won its division by 10 games and is bringing back seven of its eight starting position players. Atlanta has a young nucleus that should contend for years.
But while the Braves' top competition in the NL East, the Washington Nationals, strengthened their rotation by trading for Doug Fister and added outfield depth by signing Nate McLouth, Atlanta has remained on the sidelines.
The Braves are banking on B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla having bounce-back seasons after both batted below .185 last season. The club is also counting on Brandon Beachy making a full return from 2012 Tommy John elbow surgery.
However, the Braves lost two influential figures in catcher Brian McCann â?? who will be replaced by Evan Gattis â?? and veteran pitcher Tim Hudson. Their absence figures to be felt on the field and in the clubhouse.
MLB warm-up: The winter's biggest losers | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
***
Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays hogged the offseason headlines last year with splashy moves for Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, then found out how much that's worth when they finished in last place in the AL East at 74-88.
Their response this offseason? A virtual cone of silence.
Other than replacing departed catcher J.P. Arencibia with Dioner Navarro, the Blue Jays have mostly sat out the offseason while watching division rivals like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays fortify their ranks.
It remains likely that Toronto will add one of the top starters left on the market â?? Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez â?? particularly because the club's first-round pick is protected, so it would only have to surrender a second-rounder if it signed either.
That's hardly enough, though. The Blue Jays had the second-worst rotation ERA in the majors last season (4.81), and none of the returning starters posted an ERA below 4.15. The candidates for the fourth and fifth spots right now are J.A. Happ, Esmil Rogers, Todd Redmond and rookie Marcus Stroman.
Toronto also failed to upgrade at second base, where Ryan Goins (.264 OBP) projects as the starter.
Don't expect many predictions of a title run for these grounded Jays.
***
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates' stirring run to their first postseason appearance in 20 years â?? and a very respectable showing in the Division Series â?? convinced their fans to let go of their past frustration and cynicism.
It may be time to embrace those again.
Pittsburgh stood pat while valuable late-season pick-up Marlon Byrd left for the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies. Justin Morneau and Garrett Jones followed him out the door, leaving first base to Gaby Sanchez (seven homers, .762 OPS in 2013).
Now comes word that veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett is opting against retiring and will pitch in 2014, but not necessarily for Pittsburgh, as had been assumed. Without him, it's hard to envision the club's rotation replicating last season's 3.50 ERA.
The Pirates do have a highly regarded farm system, with prospects like right-handers Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Gregory Polanco. Unless they're ready to contribute right away, though, the Pirates may be due for a fall.
***
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles' inaction has been so noticeable, GM Dan Duquette felt compelled to tell the team's followers during Saturday's FanFest: "We have some more work to do this offseason.''
Indeed, Baltimore has done little to improve a team that missed the playoffs after getting there in 2012 for the first time in 15 years. The Orioles remain in the chase for a free agent starter to boost a rotation that had a 4.57 ERA last season and brings back only two double-digit winners in Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez.
Scott Feldman and Jason Hammel are gone. More significant, closer Jim Johnson, the major league saves leader over the last two years, was traded in a cost-cutting move for second-base candidate Jemile Weeks, who flopped with the Oakland A's.
There's no clear-cut replacement on the roster for Johnson, just like there's no clear indication the Orioles will remain contenders.
***
Cincinnati Reds: Despite reaching the postseason for the third time in four years, the Reds let go of manager Dusty Baker and promoted pitching coach Bryan Price to replace him. The personnel Price inherits is a downgrade from last year's wild-card winner.
There's no way to argue the Reds are better off after losing center fielder Shin-Soo Choo, who led them with 107 runs scored and finished fourth in the majors in OBP at .423. Cincinnati also parted ways with reliable starter Bronson Arroyo, who pitched at least 199 innings in each of the last nine seasons and remains a free agent.
While lefty Tony Cingrani proved a worthy candidate to fill Arroyo's spot with a strong rookie season, making up for Choo's absence will be a bigger challenge. Rather than acquiring a proven center fielder, the Reds are going with rookie speedster Billy Hamilton, who stole 155 bases in the minors in 2012 while still a shortstop. He converted to the outfield the next year.
Cincinnati added two solid backups in catcher Brayan Pena and utilityman Skip Schumaker, but playing in the only division that had three 90-game winners last season demands action, not inertia.
***
Atlanta Braves: It's hard to rip a team that won its division by 10 games and is bringing back seven of its eight starting position players. Atlanta has a young nucleus that should contend for years.
But while the Braves' top competition in the NL East, the Washington Nationals, strengthened their rotation by trading for Doug Fister and added outfield depth by signing Nate McLouth, Atlanta has remained on the sidelines.
The Braves are banking on B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla having bounce-back seasons after both batted below .185 last season. The club is also counting on Brandon Beachy making a full return from 2012 Tommy John elbow surgery.
However, the Braves lost two influential figures in catcher Brian McCann â?? who will be replaced by Evan Gattis â?? and veteran pitcher Tim Hudson. Their absence figures to be felt on the field and in the clubhouse.
MLB warm-up: The winter's biggest losers | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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Instead of taking Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward to salary arbitration hearings next week, the Braves gave the pair further reason to believe they both could serve as the cornerstones of the franchise's future.
While Heyward has the comfort of knowing he will never again have to worry about the arbitration process, Freeman has the comfort that comes courtesy of the franchise-record, eight-year, $135 million contract he agreed to Tuesday night.
"Freddie has established himself as one of the best young talents in the game," said Braves general manager Frank Wren. "We are excited to sign one of our own homegrown players to a contract that will keep him in a Braves uniform for the next eight seasons."
There is a chance Heyward could sign a similar deal within the next couple of years. But coming off an injury-tarnished season, the 24-year-old outfielder has reason to feel good about the fact that he avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $13.3 million deal that was announced Tuesday morning.
Heyward's deal includes award bonuses and performance bonuses that could escalate his 2015 salary.
"You never know what is going to happen with the business side of things," Heyward said. "You know what you want and you know you have to be prepared for the worst. I knew my agents were going to work with the Braves on something."
Before Freeman reached this agreement, the six-year, $90 million contract Chipper Jones signed in 2000 stood as the longest commitment the Braves had ever made to a player. The $15.02 million average annual salary B.J. Upton earns via his current contract had stood as the highest in franchise history.
Freeman, who finished fifth in last season's National League Most Valuable Player Award balloting, will make an average of $16.875 million annually over the length of this eight-year deal that will expire after the 2021 season, when he is still just 32 years old.
With Heyward and Freeman reaching agreements, Craig Kimbrel stands as Atlanta's only unsigned arbitration-eligible player. While the club has discussed the possibility of a multiyear deal with Kimbrel, it appears the closer will have to go to St. Petersburg, Fla., on Feb. 17 for an arbitration hearing that will determine his 2014 salary.
When the Braves did not reach agreements with Kimbrel, Freeman or Heyward before salary arbitration figures were exchanged on Jan. 17, Wren confirmed that he would stick to his file-and-trial policy. Clubs that use this philosophy opt not to continue negotiating one-year deals from the time of the exchange until the hearing is scheduled.
Wren said the fact that the Braves reached multiyear agreements with Heyward and Freeman does not indicate the club loosened its file-and-trial stance.
"We have no exceptions, unless we are talking about a multiyear contract," Wren said. "That has always been our policy."
Freeman batted .285 with 68 home runs and an .825 OPS through his first three-plus Major League seasons. The 24-year-old first baseman displayed his tremendous potential last year, when he batted .319 with 23 homers and a career-high 109 RBIs.
Heyward's arbitration status this year was made more challenging by the fact that two unavoidable ailments -- an emergency appendectomy and a fractured jaw -- forced him to endure separate one-month stints on the disabled list.
After getting off to a slow start, Heyward turned things around in June and was playing as well as he ever has during the first six weeks after the All-Star break. His impressive surge was halted on Aug. 21, when Mets left-hander Jon Niese drilled the left side of Heyward's face with a fastball.
Heyward returned for the final week of the regular season and remained at the top of Atlanta's lineup through the end of the club's postseason run. He ended up hitting .254 with 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .776 OPS. Given the fact he entered June hitting .146, the numbers did not accurately depict the value Heyward provided when he was healthy and productive during the season's final four months.
"I think in Jason's case, [a two-year deal] is probably a good thing," Wren said. "Last year was such a tough year for him physically, through no fault of his own, with the appendectomy and getting hit in the face. So it also made it tough for both sides in an arbitration situation. It made it hard to pin a number when comparing to players who played a lot more or a lot less."
Heyward admitted the potential arbitration hearing served as a distraction as he prepared for the start of Spring Training. He and Freeman both plan to be in camp next week. Braves pitchers and catchers will hold their first official workout on Feb. 13.
"Playing baseball is the most important thing here," Heyward said. "Now we don't have to go back and forth about the arbitration process and determining likes and dislikes, pros and cons and whatnot. To me, that's not what is the most important."
Atlanta Braves sign Freddie Freeman to eight-year deal; Jason Heyward gets two years to avoid arbitration | MLB-com: News
While Heyward has the comfort of knowing he will never again have to worry about the arbitration process, Freeman has the comfort that comes courtesy of the franchise-record, eight-year, $135 million contract he agreed to Tuesday night.
"Freddie has established himself as one of the best young talents in the game," said Braves general manager Frank Wren. "We are excited to sign one of our own homegrown players to a contract that will keep him in a Braves uniform for the next eight seasons."
There is a chance Heyward could sign a similar deal within the next couple of years. But coming off an injury-tarnished season, the 24-year-old outfielder has reason to feel good about the fact that he avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $13.3 million deal that was announced Tuesday morning.
Heyward's deal includes award bonuses and performance bonuses that could escalate his 2015 salary.
"You never know what is going to happen with the business side of things," Heyward said. "You know what you want and you know you have to be prepared for the worst. I knew my agents were going to work with the Braves on something."
Before Freeman reached this agreement, the six-year, $90 million contract Chipper Jones signed in 2000 stood as the longest commitment the Braves had ever made to a player. The $15.02 million average annual salary B.J. Upton earns via his current contract had stood as the highest in franchise history.
Freeman, who finished fifth in last season's National League Most Valuable Player Award balloting, will make an average of $16.875 million annually over the length of this eight-year deal that will expire after the 2021 season, when he is still just 32 years old.
With Heyward and Freeman reaching agreements, Craig Kimbrel stands as Atlanta's only unsigned arbitration-eligible player. While the club has discussed the possibility of a multiyear deal with Kimbrel, it appears the closer will have to go to St. Petersburg, Fla., on Feb. 17 for an arbitration hearing that will determine his 2014 salary.
When the Braves did not reach agreements with Kimbrel, Freeman or Heyward before salary arbitration figures were exchanged on Jan. 17, Wren confirmed that he would stick to his file-and-trial policy. Clubs that use this philosophy opt not to continue negotiating one-year deals from the time of the exchange until the hearing is scheduled.
Wren said the fact that the Braves reached multiyear agreements with Heyward and Freeman does not indicate the club loosened its file-and-trial stance.
"We have no exceptions, unless we are talking about a multiyear contract," Wren said. "That has always been our policy."
Freeman batted .285 with 68 home runs and an .825 OPS through his first three-plus Major League seasons. The 24-year-old first baseman displayed his tremendous potential last year, when he batted .319 with 23 homers and a career-high 109 RBIs.
Heyward's arbitration status this year was made more challenging by the fact that two unavoidable ailments -- an emergency appendectomy and a fractured jaw -- forced him to endure separate one-month stints on the disabled list.
After getting off to a slow start, Heyward turned things around in June and was playing as well as he ever has during the first six weeks after the All-Star break. His impressive surge was halted on Aug. 21, when Mets left-hander Jon Niese drilled the left side of Heyward's face with a fastball.
Heyward returned for the final week of the regular season and remained at the top of Atlanta's lineup through the end of the club's postseason run. He ended up hitting .254 with 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .776 OPS. Given the fact he entered June hitting .146, the numbers did not accurately depict the value Heyward provided when he was healthy and productive during the season's final four months.
"I think in Jason's case, [a two-year deal] is probably a good thing," Wren said. "Last year was such a tough year for him physically, through no fault of his own, with the appendectomy and getting hit in the face. So it also made it tough for both sides in an arbitration situation. It made it hard to pin a number when comparing to players who played a lot more or a lot less."
Heyward admitted the potential arbitration hearing served as a distraction as he prepared for the start of Spring Training. He and Freeman both plan to be in camp next week. Braves pitchers and catchers will hold their first official workout on Feb. 13.
"Playing baseball is the most important thing here," Heyward said. "Now we don't have to go back and forth about the arbitration process and determining likes and dislikes, pros and cons and whatnot. To me, that's not what is the most important."
Atlanta Braves sign Freddie Freeman to eight-year deal; Jason Heyward gets two years to avoid arbitration | MLB-com: News
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, as the World Series favorites and the Arizona Diamondbacks get an early jump on camp before their season-opening series in Australia in March. With so little time until the beginning of spring training, you would think that things would be pretty well set as far as rosters go, but winter business may very well extend into spring.
On Tuesday, Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reported that “the Dodgers remain in active talks with free agent starter Bronson Arroyo.” It’s been a long offseason for the right-hander, who turns 37 later this month: Arroyo has been linked to the Angels, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Rangers, and Twins at various points, just to name a few teams. The Dodgers might be the best fit. While the Dodgers have been aggressive spenders under new ownership, they also have been leery of surrendering a first-round draft pick to sign a free agent who received a qualifying offer elsewhere. Given that signing another starting pitcher is something of a luxury for a team that has Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu fronting its rotation, Los Angeles is wise to stay away from Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana.
Arroyo’s proclivity for giving up home runs — over the past three seasons, he has given up 104, which is 13 more than the pitcher who has allowed the next-highest total, Santana — is not as much of an issue in the National League West as it might be in other divisions. Dodger Stadium was home to the sixth-fewest homers in baseball in 2013, while San Francisco (fourth fewest), San Diego (ninth), and Arizona (tied 11th) are far from homer havens. For a fly ball pitcher, there is no better division in baseball.
The Dodgers do not necessarily need Arroyo, as they have Dan Haren and the rehabbing Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley at the back end of their rotation, but all three come with question marks that Arroyo does not have, being a pitcher who has made 30 or more starts each of the last nine years. He might be turning 37, but Arroyo’s performance has remained steady, and plugging him in as a No. 4 or 5 starter hardly represents a risk. Arroyo also has experience relieving, and doing so in the playoffs, which is an added bonus for a team with serious October expectations like Los Angeles.
The upside for Arroyo with the Dodgers would obviously be a shot at winning another World Series ring to go with the one he got as a member of the 2004 Red Sox. The contract might not be quite what he hoped to receive when he hit free agency, but it also won’t be bad. Also, the Dodgers can use a good guitar player, couldn’t they?
MLB rumors: Bronson Arroyo would be good fit for Dodgers - MLB - Sporting News
On Tuesday, Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reported that “the Dodgers remain in active talks with free agent starter Bronson Arroyo.” It’s been a long offseason for the right-hander, who turns 37 later this month: Arroyo has been linked to the Angels, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Rangers, and Twins at various points, just to name a few teams. The Dodgers might be the best fit. While the Dodgers have been aggressive spenders under new ownership, they also have been leery of surrendering a first-round draft pick to sign a free agent who received a qualifying offer elsewhere. Given that signing another starting pitcher is something of a luxury for a team that has Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu fronting its rotation, Los Angeles is wise to stay away from Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana.
Arroyo’s proclivity for giving up home runs — over the past three seasons, he has given up 104, which is 13 more than the pitcher who has allowed the next-highest total, Santana — is not as much of an issue in the National League West as it might be in other divisions. Dodger Stadium was home to the sixth-fewest homers in baseball in 2013, while San Francisco (fourth fewest), San Diego (ninth), and Arizona (tied 11th) are far from homer havens. For a fly ball pitcher, there is no better division in baseball.
The Dodgers do not necessarily need Arroyo, as they have Dan Haren and the rehabbing Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley at the back end of their rotation, but all three come with question marks that Arroyo does not have, being a pitcher who has made 30 or more starts each of the last nine years. He might be turning 37, but Arroyo’s performance has remained steady, and plugging him in as a No. 4 or 5 starter hardly represents a risk. Arroyo also has experience relieving, and doing so in the playoffs, which is an added bonus for a team with serious October expectations like Los Angeles.
The upside for Arroyo with the Dodgers would obviously be a shot at winning another World Series ring to go with the one he got as a member of the 2004 Red Sox. The contract might not be quite what he hoped to receive when he hit free agency, but it also won’t be bad. Also, the Dodgers can use a good guitar player, couldn’t they?
MLB rumors: Bronson Arroyo would be good fit for Dodgers - MLB - Sporting News
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After months of scorched-earth attacks on Major League Baseball and even its Players Association, Alex Rodriguez and his band of high-priced attorneys abruptly dropped the disgraced Yankee third baseman's lawsuits against MLB, commissioner Bud Selig and the MLBPA on Friday.
Rodriguez, who had vowed to attend spring training as he fought to clear his name in federal court, has apparently accepted his historic penalty and will not show up in Tampa when players report to the Yankee camp next week. In an apparent attempt to begin the process of mending fences with the power brokers of the game in which he was once the biggest star, Rodriguez reached out to MLB COO Rob Manfred in recent days to attempt a rapprochement of sorts, according to sources.
The notices of dismissal in the two lawsuits were quietly filed late Friday in Manhattan federal court, ending the most contentious chapter in the history of MLB's drug program.
“We have been informed that Alex Rodriguez has reached the prudent decision to end all of the litigation related to the Biogenesis matter,” MLB said in a statement. “We believe that Mr. Rodriguez's actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow Major League Players. We share that desire.”
Rodriguez’s lawyers were scheduled to respond by Friday to court papers filed by MLB and union attorneys seeking dismissal of the suits based on the fact that his suspension was the result of binding arbitration. MLB lawyer Howard Ganz had argued in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguez had not come "remotely close" to proving that the court should review Horowitz's decision.
The union, meanwhile, had argued that arbitration transcripts would show that the Players Association had vigorously defended Rodriguez.
"Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit," the Players Association said in a statement Friday. "His decision to move forward is in everyone's best interest."
Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games on Aug. 5 for multiple violations of the game's drug agreement and labor contract, a suspension that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced on Jan. 11 to 162 games plus the 2014 postseason.
The ruling followed an arbitration process that began on Sept. 30 and ended on Nov. 21 and included devastating testimony from Anthony Bosch, who told the panel that he had provided Rodriguez with multiple banned substances through his Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in Boca Raton, injecting A-Rod at times and developing a program of sophisticated drug use over a three-year period for the aging player.
In his 34-page arbitration report explaining his decision to suspend Rodriguez for en entire season, Horowitz wrote that there was “clear and convincing evidence” supporting allegations that Rodriguez had violated MLB’s drug program and had attempted to obstruct baseball’s Biogenesis investigation. Had the lawsuit not been filed, the arbitrator’s report would have been kept confidential under the terms of the collectively bargained drug agreement.
Instead, the report became public and exposed the seamy world of sports doping, describing how A-Rod’s cousin Yuri Sucart and a South Florida associate named Jorge (Oggi) Velazquez introduced Rodriguez to Bosch at a Tampa hotel room following a July 2010 Yankees game with the Rays.
Sucart and Velazquez – a former anti-aging clinic operator who has a criminal record that stretches back more than 20 years and includes arrests on charges of grand theft, drug offenses and burglary – were Biogenesis clients who claimed they had gave Rodriguez glowing endorsements about Bosch.
According to Horowitz’s report, Bosch traveled from Florida to New York to retrieve a blood sample from Rodriguez, which he used to design a hard-core drug protocol that included injections of human growth hormone, transdermal creams and intramuscular injections of a “fat burning/energy cocktail.”
Sucart, who was A-Rod’s steroid mule when Rodriguez admitted in 2009 to doping during a three-year stretch with Texas (2001-03), became the middle man in Rodriguez’s doping program until late 2011, Horowitz wrote. Velazquez, meanwhile, served as A-Rod’s bagman, delivering thousands of dollars every month to Bosch in return for the drugs that made Rodriguez a fearsome hitter.
When the Biogenesis scandal erupted in January 2013, Velazquez attempted to get Bosch to remain silent about his role in providing Rodriguez with banned drugs, Horowitz wrote. A source familiar with the MLB investigation also told the Daily News that Velazquez delivered threats intended to silence Bosch, who ultimately agreed to cooperate with MLB investigators after baseball filed a tortious interference lawsuit against him in Florida state court last spring.
Rodriguez and his lawyers sued MLB and the Players Association on Jan. 13, claiming that his season-long ban should be overturned because baseball officials had engaged in unethical and illegal behavior in the year-long investigation that led to his suspension. The suit also claimed the union did not provide an adequate defense for the steroid-stained slugger.
Following that attack on the union, Rodriguez’s fellow players were outspoken in their criticism of his action, and his appearance at spring training would have surely been awkward. He would also have been a surefire target for extensive drug-testing, and had he failed a test he would have been subject to further discipline. It is possible, too, that he might also be concerned about becoming involved in the federal investigation into Bosch out of south Florida in which authorities have interviewed other players who baseball suspended for their dealings with Bosch.
Or, A-Rod may simply want to try to make a comeback in 2015 if he is physically able to play. Yankee GM Brian Cashman said before the lawsuits were dropped Fri
Rodriguez, who had vowed to attend spring training as he fought to clear his name in federal court, has apparently accepted his historic penalty and will not show up in Tampa when players report to the Yankee camp next week. In an apparent attempt to begin the process of mending fences with the power brokers of the game in which he was once the biggest star, Rodriguez reached out to MLB COO Rob Manfred in recent days to attempt a rapprochement of sorts, according to sources.
The notices of dismissal in the two lawsuits were quietly filed late Friday in Manhattan federal court, ending the most contentious chapter in the history of MLB's drug program.
“We have been informed that Alex Rodriguez has reached the prudent decision to end all of the litigation related to the Biogenesis matter,” MLB said in a statement. “We believe that Mr. Rodriguez's actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow Major League Players. We share that desire.”
Rodriguez’s lawyers were scheduled to respond by Friday to court papers filed by MLB and union attorneys seeking dismissal of the suits based on the fact that his suspension was the result of binding arbitration. MLB lawyer Howard Ganz had argued in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguez had not come "remotely close" to proving that the court should review Horowitz's decision.
The union, meanwhile, had argued that arbitration transcripts would show that the Players Association had vigorously defended Rodriguez.
"Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit," the Players Association said in a statement Friday. "His decision to move forward is in everyone's best interest."
Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games on Aug. 5 for multiple violations of the game's drug agreement and labor contract, a suspension that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced on Jan. 11 to 162 games plus the 2014 postseason.
The ruling followed an arbitration process that began on Sept. 30 and ended on Nov. 21 and included devastating testimony from Anthony Bosch, who told the panel that he had provided Rodriguez with multiple banned substances through his Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in Boca Raton, injecting A-Rod at times and developing a program of sophisticated drug use over a three-year period for the aging player.
In his 34-page arbitration report explaining his decision to suspend Rodriguez for en entire season, Horowitz wrote that there was “clear and convincing evidence” supporting allegations that Rodriguez had violated MLB’s drug program and had attempted to obstruct baseball’s Biogenesis investigation. Had the lawsuit not been filed, the arbitrator’s report would have been kept confidential under the terms of the collectively bargained drug agreement.
Instead, the report became public and exposed the seamy world of sports doping, describing how A-Rod’s cousin Yuri Sucart and a South Florida associate named Jorge (Oggi) Velazquez introduced Rodriguez to Bosch at a Tampa hotel room following a July 2010 Yankees game with the Rays.
Sucart and Velazquez – a former anti-aging clinic operator who has a criminal record that stretches back more than 20 years and includes arrests on charges of grand theft, drug offenses and burglary – were Biogenesis clients who claimed they had gave Rodriguez glowing endorsements about Bosch.
According to Horowitz’s report, Bosch traveled from Florida to New York to retrieve a blood sample from Rodriguez, which he used to design a hard-core drug protocol that included injections of human growth hormone, transdermal creams and intramuscular injections of a “fat burning/energy cocktail.”
Sucart, who was A-Rod’s steroid mule when Rodriguez admitted in 2009 to doping during a three-year stretch with Texas (2001-03), became the middle man in Rodriguez’s doping program until late 2011, Horowitz wrote. Velazquez, meanwhile, served as A-Rod’s bagman, delivering thousands of dollars every month to Bosch in return for the drugs that made Rodriguez a fearsome hitter.
When the Biogenesis scandal erupted in January 2013, Velazquez attempted to get Bosch to remain silent about his role in providing Rodriguez with banned drugs, Horowitz wrote. A source familiar with the MLB investigation also told the Daily News that Velazquez delivered threats intended to silence Bosch, who ultimately agreed to cooperate with MLB investigators after baseball filed a tortious interference lawsuit against him in Florida state court last spring.
Rodriguez and his lawyers sued MLB and the Players Association on Jan. 13, claiming that his season-long ban should be overturned because baseball officials had engaged in unethical and illegal behavior in the year-long investigation that led to his suspension. The suit also claimed the union did not provide an adequate defense for the steroid-stained slugger.
Following that attack on the union, Rodriguez’s fellow players were outspoken in their criticism of his action, and his appearance at spring training would have surely been awkward. He would also have been a surefire target for extensive drug-testing, and had he failed a test he would have been subject to further discipline. It is possible, too, that he might also be concerned about becoming involved in the federal investigation into Bosch out of south Florida in which authorities have interviewed other players who baseball suspended for their dealings with Bosch.
Or, A-Rod may simply want to try to make a comeback in 2015 if he is physically able to play. Yankee GM Brian Cashman said before the lawsuits were dropped Fri
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Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner would probably just as soon avoid another arbitration hearing in his lifetime, though he said his hearing on Thursday in Florida proved fascinating.
"I thought it was an interesting process," Cashner said Saturday at the team's annual FanFest event. "All you ever really know is the stuff on the field. It was interesting hearing both sides.
"I've talked to guys who have gone and haven't gone. It wasn't that bad."
Earlier Saturday, it was determined that Cashner won his case and will make $2.4 million in 2014 after the team offered $2.275 million.
"I'm definitely glad to have it done and over with," said Cashner, who is represented by CAA. "It's been going on for a while."
The hearing was in St. Petersburg on Thursday. Cashner then flew across the country later in the day in order to be at FanFest.
The $125,000 difference between Cashner's filing and the team's counteroffer was the smallest among all arbitration filings this offseason.
Cashner shined in his first full season as a starter, going 10-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 31 games (26 starts). He got better as the season went on, posting a 2.25 ERA in August and a 0.76 mark in the last month of the season, which included a near no-hitter against the Pirates.
Overall, Cashner ranked 10th in the National League in ERA (3.04) among starters with at least 25 starts. He was named the team's Pitcher of the Year by the San Diego BBWAA chapter after the season.
The last time the Padres went to arbitration with a player was with infielder Todd Walker in 2007. They also lost that case.
As for Cashner, he said he's ready to build off his first full season as a starter with the Padres. The team hasn't announced an Opening Day starter, but he'll likely merit heavy consideration.
Pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for the start of Spring Training on Thursday.
"I'm ready to get going," Cashner said.
Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner wins arbitration case | MLB-com: News
"I thought it was an interesting process," Cashner said Saturday at the team's annual FanFest event. "All you ever really know is the stuff on the field. It was interesting hearing both sides.
"I've talked to guys who have gone and haven't gone. It wasn't that bad."
Earlier Saturday, it was determined that Cashner won his case and will make $2.4 million in 2014 after the team offered $2.275 million.
"I'm definitely glad to have it done and over with," said Cashner, who is represented by CAA. "It's been going on for a while."
The hearing was in St. Petersburg on Thursday. Cashner then flew across the country later in the day in order to be at FanFest.
The $125,000 difference between Cashner's filing and the team's counteroffer was the smallest among all arbitration filings this offseason.
Cashner shined in his first full season as a starter, going 10-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 31 games (26 starts). He got better as the season went on, posting a 2.25 ERA in August and a 0.76 mark in the last month of the season, which included a near no-hitter against the Pirates.
Overall, Cashner ranked 10th in the National League in ERA (3.04) among starters with at least 25 starts. He was named the team's Pitcher of the Year by the San Diego BBWAA chapter after the season.
The last time the Padres went to arbitration with a player was with infielder Todd Walker in 2007. They also lost that case.
As for Cashner, he said he's ready to build off his first full season as a starter with the Padres. The team hasn't announced an Opening Day starter, but he'll likely merit heavy consideration.
Pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for the start of Spring Training on Thursday.
"I'm ready to get going," Cashner said.
Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner wins arbitration case | MLB-com: News
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Cuban players of recent vintage have erased some of the skepticism about the quality of baseball in the island, as Aroldis Chapman, Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig have enjoyed star turns in the major leagues.
If there are lingering doubts, they might be blasted away by Jose Dariel Abreu.
The slugging first baseman, who signed a six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox less than three months after defecting in August, headlines the latest influx of Cuban talent coming to the majors and could wind up as the most influential figure in years.
Abreu, 27, twice flirted with a triple crown in the Cuban league, or Serie Nacional, and was one of the pillars of the national squad, batting .360 with three homers and nine RBI in six games of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Cuban baseball expert and author Peter Bjarkman calls Abreu the island's best pure hitter in the last decade after fellow WBC star Frederich Cepeda.
"Abreu is a better hitter than either Puig or Cespedes, and he should be the best (biggest impact) Cuban player to come to the majors during the three decades of the defectors era," Bjarkman said.
The White Sox don't hold their first full-squad workout until Feb. 20, but Abreu is already in Arizona, familiarizing himself with the area and the club's spring training facility. His focus is commensurate with the team's investment in him.
Abreu's contract obliterated Puig's seven-year, $42 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the largest given to an amateur player, and it represents the biggest financial commitment the White Sox have made.
After finishing last in the American League Central in 2013, their fifth consecutive season out of the playoffs, the White Sox open camp this week with the belief they have found the successor to popular first baseman Paul Konerko. Abreu also brings a much-needed dose of excitement to a team that has seen its attendance dwindle for seven years in a row, down to 1.77 million last year.
"We've seen his big-time power to all fields, which is probably the tool for which he gets the most notoriety," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "But we really view him as an all-around quality hitter. He's very serious about his craft, prepares very well, knows the strike zone. He's up there to do damage but also gives you a quality at-bat."
Born again
Abreu said hearing about the exploits of countrymen such as Orlando "El Duque'' Hernandez, Jose Contreras and the recent wave of émigrés fomented his interest in trying his lot in the majors, and his success in the WBC convinced him he could play at the highest level.
But it was his mother, Daisy Correa Diaz, who prompted him to go for it (she also picked his unusual uniform number, 79). Abreu is believed to have left on a boat and reached Haiti before establishing residency there and gaining free agency. "I owe it all to one person, and that's my mother. She's the one who made the decision, and we made the move at the right time," Abreu told USA TODAY Sports in a Spanish-language phone conversation. "I felt like, with all the things she'd done for me in 25years, in less than one day I could repay her and give her and my family a much better life."
That enhanced life requires major adjustments on and off the field, high among them getting used to not having several relatives nearby. Abreu hopes to soon bring to the USA his parents, sister and brother-in-law. He also has a son from a previous marriage, 3-year-old Dariel Eduardo, with whom he talks on the phone regularly.
Abreu and his wife spend time every day learning English and acclimatizing to the new culture around them. He arrived at the White Sox training camp in Glendale, Ariz., a week ago.
The White Sox have an extensive history with 16 previous Cuban players, including franchise icon Minnie Minoso, Hernandez, Contreras and current players Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo, who have helped ease Abreu's transition.
Still, he said, "It's like being born again."
Real deal
In his previous life, Abreu knew what to expect from pitchers in the Cuban league, where he was the 2010-11 MVP after batting .453 with 33 home runs and 93RBI in 66 games. In the majors, he'll be scouted heavily and his weaknesses attacked.
Not all baseball people are convinced Abreu is destined for stardom. Some scouts think he'll feast on mediocre pitching but will struggle against pitchers with high-octane fastballs, the type he rarely faced in amateur ball.
Cespedes disputes that notion. In 2010-11, his final season before defecting, Cespedes and Abreu set a league record in the 90-game Serie Nacional with 33home runs. The next season, Abreu topped that mark by two.
Cespedes, an outfielder with the Oakland Athletics and the reigning Home Run Derby champion, has no doubt Abreu's hitting ability will carry over to the majors.
"He's got a very good future," said Cespedes, who calls Abreu a four-tool player, lacking only speed.
Two other Cuban rookies - infielder Alexander Guerrero of the Los Angeles Dodgers (four years, $28 million) and right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez of the Philadelphia Phillies (three years, $12 million) - also figure prominently in their teams' plans.
But it's 6-3, 255-pound Abreu who holds the most intrigue. He batted at least .344 in each of his last five seasons in the pitching-challenged Serie Nacional, and in three of those seasons he had an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of better than 1.300. By comparison, the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera led the majors last season with a 1.078 OPS.
"It's a fairly simple stroke he has, fairly low-maintenance," Hahn said of Abreu, known in Cuba by the nickname Pito. "He's short and quick to the ball, which is going to benefit him."
Hahn said the White Sox have learned from experience to give Cuban players the freedom to be themselves and to provide them with a support system at the ballpark and away.
As much as they
If there are lingering doubts, they might be blasted away by Jose Dariel Abreu.
The slugging first baseman, who signed a six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox less than three months after defecting in August, headlines the latest influx of Cuban talent coming to the majors and could wind up as the most influential figure in years.
Abreu, 27, twice flirted with a triple crown in the Cuban league, or Serie Nacional, and was one of the pillars of the national squad, batting .360 with three homers and nine RBI in six games of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Cuban baseball expert and author Peter Bjarkman calls Abreu the island's best pure hitter in the last decade after fellow WBC star Frederich Cepeda.
"Abreu is a better hitter than either Puig or Cespedes, and he should be the best (biggest impact) Cuban player to come to the majors during the three decades of the defectors era," Bjarkman said.
The White Sox don't hold their first full-squad workout until Feb. 20, but Abreu is already in Arizona, familiarizing himself with the area and the club's spring training facility. His focus is commensurate with the team's investment in him.
Abreu's contract obliterated Puig's seven-year, $42 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the largest given to an amateur player, and it represents the biggest financial commitment the White Sox have made.
After finishing last in the American League Central in 2013, their fifth consecutive season out of the playoffs, the White Sox open camp this week with the belief they have found the successor to popular first baseman Paul Konerko. Abreu also brings a much-needed dose of excitement to a team that has seen its attendance dwindle for seven years in a row, down to 1.77 million last year.
"We've seen his big-time power to all fields, which is probably the tool for which he gets the most notoriety," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "But we really view him as an all-around quality hitter. He's very serious about his craft, prepares very well, knows the strike zone. He's up there to do damage but also gives you a quality at-bat."
Born again
Abreu said hearing about the exploits of countrymen such as Orlando "El Duque'' Hernandez, Jose Contreras and the recent wave of émigrés fomented his interest in trying his lot in the majors, and his success in the WBC convinced him he could play at the highest level.
But it was his mother, Daisy Correa Diaz, who prompted him to go for it (she also picked his unusual uniform number, 79). Abreu is believed to have left on a boat and reached Haiti before establishing residency there and gaining free agency. "I owe it all to one person, and that's my mother. She's the one who made the decision, and we made the move at the right time," Abreu told USA TODAY Sports in a Spanish-language phone conversation. "I felt like, with all the things she'd done for me in 25years, in less than one day I could repay her and give her and my family a much better life."
That enhanced life requires major adjustments on and off the field, high among them getting used to not having several relatives nearby. Abreu hopes to soon bring to the USA his parents, sister and brother-in-law. He also has a son from a previous marriage, 3-year-old Dariel Eduardo, with whom he talks on the phone regularly.
Abreu and his wife spend time every day learning English and acclimatizing to the new culture around them. He arrived at the White Sox training camp in Glendale, Ariz., a week ago.
The White Sox have an extensive history with 16 previous Cuban players, including franchise icon Minnie Minoso, Hernandez, Contreras and current players Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo, who have helped ease Abreu's transition.
Still, he said, "It's like being born again."
Real deal
In his previous life, Abreu knew what to expect from pitchers in the Cuban league, where he was the 2010-11 MVP after batting .453 with 33 home runs and 93RBI in 66 games. In the majors, he'll be scouted heavily and his weaknesses attacked.
Not all baseball people are convinced Abreu is destined for stardom. Some scouts think he'll feast on mediocre pitching but will struggle against pitchers with high-octane fastballs, the type he rarely faced in amateur ball.
Cespedes disputes that notion. In 2010-11, his final season before defecting, Cespedes and Abreu set a league record in the 90-game Serie Nacional with 33home runs. The next season, Abreu topped that mark by two.
Cespedes, an outfielder with the Oakland Athletics and the reigning Home Run Derby champion, has no doubt Abreu's hitting ability will carry over to the majors.
"He's got a very good future," said Cespedes, who calls Abreu a four-tool player, lacking only speed.
Two other Cuban rookies - infielder Alexander Guerrero of the Los Angeles Dodgers (four years, $28 million) and right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez of the Philadelphia Phillies (three years, $12 million) - also figure prominently in their teams' plans.
But it's 6-3, 255-pound Abreu who holds the most intrigue. He batted at least .344 in each of his last five seasons in the pitching-challenged Serie Nacional, and in three of those seasons he had an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of better than 1.300. By comparison, the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera led the majors last season with a 1.078 OPS.
"It's a fairly simple stroke he has, fairly low-maintenance," Hahn said of Abreu, known in Cuba by the nickname Pito. "He's short and quick to the ball, which is going to benefit him."
Hahn said the White Sox have learned from experience to give Cuban players the freedom to be themselves and to provide them with a support system at the ballpark and away.
As much as they
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On a relatively quiet Monday, the Indians made news late in the day by reaching a long-term deal with Michael Brantley. MLB-com's Jordan Bastian confirmed the new contract is a four-year deal worth $25 million in guaranteed salary, with a club option valued at $11 million for 2018.
While the Indians locked up Brantley, however, they apparently have not had any talks with right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez's agent in "weeks," according to FOX Sports. Jimenez remains one of the top arms available on the free-agent market, though it remains unclear where he will pitch in 2014.
Other news and notes:
• The Rangers added another potential starter to the mix on Monday, agreeing to terms with right-hander Tommy Hanson on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training, according to Major League sources. Hanson will enter Spring Training as a candidate to be Texas' fifth starter, while right-handers Nick Tepesch and Colby Lewis, and left-handers Robbie Ross and Michael Kirkman, will also look to earn a rotation spot this spring.
• Elsewhere in the American League West, the Angels added some bullpen depth, signing veteran reliever Brandon Lyon to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. As of now, Lyon projects to start the season at Triple-A in the Halos' organization.
• The Nationals agreed to a one-year deal with Tyler Clippard, the last of the club's 10 arbitration-eligible players. Though the terms of the deal were not disclosed, CBSSports-com reported that Clippard will earn $5.875 million this season. Clippard had requested $6.35 million and the Nationals had countered at $4.45 million, so the reported agreement checks in slightly higher than the $5.4 million midpoint.
• Veteran free agent Johan Santana is progressing through his rehab program as he attempts to continue his Major League career, according to FOX Sports. According to Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, the southpaw threw off a mound twice last week and plans to continue that work this week. Santana turns 35 next month.
Hot Stove roundup: Michael Brantley locks in with Tribe | MLB-com: News
While the Indians locked up Brantley, however, they apparently have not had any talks with right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez's agent in "weeks," according to FOX Sports. Jimenez remains one of the top arms available on the free-agent market, though it remains unclear where he will pitch in 2014.
Other news and notes:
• The Rangers added another potential starter to the mix on Monday, agreeing to terms with right-hander Tommy Hanson on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training, according to Major League sources. Hanson will enter Spring Training as a candidate to be Texas' fifth starter, while right-handers Nick Tepesch and Colby Lewis, and left-handers Robbie Ross and Michael Kirkman, will also look to earn a rotation spot this spring.
• Elsewhere in the American League West, the Angels added some bullpen depth, signing veteran reliever Brandon Lyon to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. As of now, Lyon projects to start the season at Triple-A in the Halos' organization.
• The Nationals agreed to a one-year deal with Tyler Clippard, the last of the club's 10 arbitration-eligible players. Though the terms of the deal were not disclosed, CBSSports-com reported that Clippard will earn $5.875 million this season. Clippard had requested $6.35 million and the Nationals had countered at $4.45 million, so the reported agreement checks in slightly higher than the $5.4 million midpoint.
• Veteran free agent Johan Santana is progressing through his rehab program as he attempts to continue his Major League career, according to FOX Sports. According to Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, the southpaw threw off a mound twice last week and plans to continue that work this week. Santana turns 35 next month.
Hot Stove roundup: Michael Brantley locks in with Tribe | MLB-com: News
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Aside from those that will eventually add free agents Nelson Cruz, Stephen Drew, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana, teams are done adding impact players, and we now have a pretty good idea of the core talent that each will head into the 162-game season with.
Based on this, we can now make a well-educated guess on which teams are the World Series favorites. If it were only that simple.
At this time last year, Bleacher Report's Doug Mead posted his World Series odds for all 30 teams with the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels the top four most likely to win it all, in that order.
While it would be hard to find much of an argument with those odds at the time, none of those four teams even made the playoffs while the team with 13th-best odds, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the team with the 16th-best odds, the Boston Red Sox, were the finalists.
This is why they play the 162-game schedule. Baseball is unpredictable, and all 30 teams have a fighting chance to make the playoffs.
It's still fun, however, to look at the teams' projected rosters and play out the season in our heads. When I did that, here were the four mostly likely World Series matchups I came up with.
Pictures: MLB Predictions 2014: Ranking the 4 Most Likely World Series Matchups | Bleacher Report
Based on this, we can now make a well-educated guess on which teams are the World Series favorites. If it were only that simple.
At this time last year, Bleacher Report's Doug Mead posted his World Series odds for all 30 teams with the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels the top four most likely to win it all, in that order.
While it would be hard to find much of an argument with those odds at the time, none of those four teams even made the playoffs while the team with 13th-best odds, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the team with the 16th-best odds, the Boston Red Sox, were the finalists.
This is why they play the 162-game schedule. Baseball is unpredictable, and all 30 teams have a fighting chance to make the playoffs.
It's still fun, however, to look at the teams' projected rosters and play out the season in our heads. When I did that, here were the four mostly likely World Series matchups I came up with.
Pictures: MLB Predictions 2014: Ranking the 4 Most Likely World Series Matchups | Bleacher Report
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Tales of his exploits, some of them quite tall, have been setting his stage for a year, awing and fascinating peers and fans alike; tales of the swing, of the range, of the speed and the stride.
"He's got the longest legs I've ever seen," reported pitcher Jameson Taillon, a Minor League teammate in 2013. "Takes him four steps to get to first base."
Now Gregory Polanco is stepping out of the haze of word of mouth into the bright sunshine over Pirate City, letting people see that he's very much for real. A 6-foot-6 left-handed hitter who covers the plate with his level swing and covers right field with his long gait.
Not everything he does here is in the open. The other day, he was with a group of players running 90-foot sprints inside the indoor batting cages. Polanco was timed at 3.77 seconds. Not out of a batting cage after dropping a bat, out of a sprinter's stance but, still, average time to first base for a left-handed batter is considered in the 4.2-second range.
So one of the Bucs' biggest holes and their biggest hope are converging this Spring Training. Last season, the Pirates got a .299 on-base percentage from their right fielders, and they didn't make a move in the offseason to acquire someone who might do more because a virtual banner hangs over the position: "Reserved for Polanco."
That makes Polanco unavoidably one of the biggest attractions in his very first big league Spring Training camp. As if one could avoid someone who towers above everyone else when position players gather to stretch and get loose in the morning, and when they splinter off into groups for the day's workout.
The consensus rates Polanco as the top prospect in an organization rich with them. But the projections extend beyond him, the individual: The thought of an outfield of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Polanco makes scouts and even opposing team executives weak at the knees. Three natural center fielders covering grass like morning dew.
A National League general manager recently told MLB Network's Peter Gammons that the threesome "will be the best outfield in the league. Their all-around games are really good."
Their own manager, Clint Hurdle, mused out loud, "I don't think I've ever seen three burners in one outfield."
Several baseball insiders have likened the 22-year-old Dominican Polanco to Darryl Strawberry, and it's an easy comparison because of the height and the fact both hit left-handed. But they all seem to omit a key adjective in the description: "A beefy Darryl Strawberry." The original was always lean, spindly. In the last year, Polanco has filled out dramatically, adding a lot of upper-body strength.
"I had an opportunity to play with him on a rehab assignment last year," said fellow outfielder Travis Snider, who spent two weeks with Double-A Altoona in late August trying to play through the pain in his left big toe, "and seeing how he developed physically over the offseason is pretty sweet. For a guy his frame and his size, he's filled out."
So the next few weeks will offer a peek into the future. Not the immediate future: Polanco is destined to open the season in Triple-A Indianapolis for a variety of reasons, among them his need to grow from being a purely instinctive to a reflective hitter.
"The biggest maturation he will have to go through is learning how pitchers attack him and how to lay off that pitch inside," said Jeff Branson, the Pittsburgh batting coach who, along with everyone else, is getting his first extended look at Polanco. "He has long arms, and the first thing pitchers will do is try to pound him in, to shorten his arms. He has to have the patience to get to his game plan, rather than attack their game plan."
The Pirates are not shying away from fostering the daydream. When Hurdle drew up groups for the daily batting practice rotation, he lumped Marte, McCutchen and Polanco together. They follow each other into the cage, a recurring preview of when they could follow each other in the lineup.
"And I'll feel very comfortable getting [Polanco] in play with the rest of the guys," said Hurdle, looking forward to Grapefruit League play, which begins on Wednesday.
After his first day of hitting with Marte and McCutchen, Polanco said, "Definitely, it was a lot of fun. But it was just regular batting practice after a while."
There was nothing regular about it, actually. Photographers scrambled to record the occasion. Fans buzzed. Fellow players and coaches marveled.
"The ball jumps off his bat," McCutchen noted after the first day of hitting with Polanco. "He already has that swing to the opposite field, but he can pull if the pitch is in on him. Me, when I started, I pulled everything and had to learn to hit the other way. And he hits everything hard, with a lot of power."
Watching Polanco rip everything on Day 2, McCutchen just deadpanned, "He's ready."
The thing is, Polanco does feel ready. Partly because of his steady progress through the Bucs' Minor League system since signing with them as a 17 year old in 2009. For instance, do you realize he hit .235, with but a total of six homers, in his first three seasons as a pro? Mostly, however, due to the competition he faced and aced this winter, breaking through as both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Dominican Winter League. He led Escogido to a regular-season best record of 31-19, hitting .331 but impressing most with the .428 on-base percentage.
"I learned way more in the Dominican this winter than throughout all the years in the Minors," Polanco told Baseball America in January. "Being able to play around so many veterans, so many big leaguers, made a difference in my performance. I've been able to absorb a lot of knowledge about hitting.
"I'm ready for that phone call. I've been working for that phone call. Whenever it comes -- in April or in June -- I'll be ready."
This is familiar territory for the Pirates. Two springs ago, Ma
"He's got the longest legs I've ever seen," reported pitcher Jameson Taillon, a Minor League teammate in 2013. "Takes him four steps to get to first base."
Now Gregory Polanco is stepping out of the haze of word of mouth into the bright sunshine over Pirate City, letting people see that he's very much for real. A 6-foot-6 left-handed hitter who covers the plate with his level swing and covers right field with his long gait.
Not everything he does here is in the open. The other day, he was with a group of players running 90-foot sprints inside the indoor batting cages. Polanco was timed at 3.77 seconds. Not out of a batting cage after dropping a bat, out of a sprinter's stance but, still, average time to first base for a left-handed batter is considered in the 4.2-second range.
So one of the Bucs' biggest holes and their biggest hope are converging this Spring Training. Last season, the Pirates got a .299 on-base percentage from their right fielders, and they didn't make a move in the offseason to acquire someone who might do more because a virtual banner hangs over the position: "Reserved for Polanco."
That makes Polanco unavoidably one of the biggest attractions in his very first big league Spring Training camp. As if one could avoid someone who towers above everyone else when position players gather to stretch and get loose in the morning, and when they splinter off into groups for the day's workout.
The consensus rates Polanco as the top prospect in an organization rich with them. But the projections extend beyond him, the individual: The thought of an outfield of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Polanco makes scouts and even opposing team executives weak at the knees. Three natural center fielders covering grass like morning dew.
A National League general manager recently told MLB Network's Peter Gammons that the threesome "will be the best outfield in the league. Their all-around games are really good."
Their own manager, Clint Hurdle, mused out loud, "I don't think I've ever seen three burners in one outfield."
Several baseball insiders have likened the 22-year-old Dominican Polanco to Darryl Strawberry, and it's an easy comparison because of the height and the fact both hit left-handed. But they all seem to omit a key adjective in the description: "A beefy Darryl Strawberry." The original was always lean, spindly. In the last year, Polanco has filled out dramatically, adding a lot of upper-body strength.
"I had an opportunity to play with him on a rehab assignment last year," said fellow outfielder Travis Snider, who spent two weeks with Double-A Altoona in late August trying to play through the pain in his left big toe, "and seeing how he developed physically over the offseason is pretty sweet. For a guy his frame and his size, he's filled out."
So the next few weeks will offer a peek into the future. Not the immediate future: Polanco is destined to open the season in Triple-A Indianapolis for a variety of reasons, among them his need to grow from being a purely instinctive to a reflective hitter.
"The biggest maturation he will have to go through is learning how pitchers attack him and how to lay off that pitch inside," said Jeff Branson, the Pittsburgh batting coach who, along with everyone else, is getting his first extended look at Polanco. "He has long arms, and the first thing pitchers will do is try to pound him in, to shorten his arms. He has to have the patience to get to his game plan, rather than attack their game plan."
The Pirates are not shying away from fostering the daydream. When Hurdle drew up groups for the daily batting practice rotation, he lumped Marte, McCutchen and Polanco together. They follow each other into the cage, a recurring preview of when they could follow each other in the lineup.
"And I'll feel very comfortable getting [Polanco] in play with the rest of the guys," said Hurdle, looking forward to Grapefruit League play, which begins on Wednesday.
After his first day of hitting with Marte and McCutchen, Polanco said, "Definitely, it was a lot of fun. But it was just regular batting practice after a while."
There was nothing regular about it, actually. Photographers scrambled to record the occasion. Fans buzzed. Fellow players and coaches marveled.
"The ball jumps off his bat," McCutchen noted after the first day of hitting with Polanco. "He already has that swing to the opposite field, but he can pull if the pitch is in on him. Me, when I started, I pulled everything and had to learn to hit the other way. And he hits everything hard, with a lot of power."
Watching Polanco rip everything on Day 2, McCutchen just deadpanned, "He's ready."
The thing is, Polanco does feel ready. Partly because of his steady progress through the Bucs' Minor League system since signing with them as a 17 year old in 2009. For instance, do you realize he hit .235, with but a total of six homers, in his first three seasons as a pro? Mostly, however, due to the competition he faced and aced this winter, breaking through as both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Dominican Winter League. He led Escogido to a regular-season best record of 31-19, hitting .331 but impressing most with the .428 on-base percentage.
"I learned way more in the Dominican this winter than throughout all the years in the Minors," Polanco told Baseball America in January. "Being able to play around so many veterans, so many big leaguers, made a difference in my performance. I've been able to absorb a lot of knowledge about hitting.
"I'm ready for that phone call. I've been working for that phone call. Whenever it comes -- in April or in June -- I'll be ready."
This is familiar territory for the Pirates. Two springs ago, Ma
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In 1996, as an 18-year-old senior for Cathedral High School of West Springfield, Mass., Chris Capuano stood proudly on the mound at Fenway Park.
Pitching for a group of Massachusetts All-Stars against the best high schoolers from Connecticut, Capuano could feel his dream getting closer.
It has been just less than 18 years since that excitement-filled afternoon and Capuano still doesn't know what it feels like to pitch a Major League game at Fenway Park.
But on Saturday, he finally seemed close to realizing that goal, as his one-year contract with the Red Sox became official.
After passing a physical, Capuano participated in Boston's full Spring Training workout.
"We've been getting a lot of phone calls, a lot of texts and emails -- just so much support back home," said Capuano. "My wife's family is from Grafton, Mass., outside of Worcester. It really is going to be like coming home for us."
In a solid career that even included a trip to the All-Star Game as a member of the Brewers in 2006, pitching at Fenway is one of the few things that the lefty still hasn't done.
"I'm excited," said Capuano. "It's one of the only stadiums I haven't pitched in yet. I'm glad in Spring Training here there's a replica so I'll get used to it."
As the 35-year-old Capuano spoke to the media, his childhood came racing back to him.
"I was 8 years old in '86 when they lost to the Mets. I can remember being devastated as a kid," Capuano said. "I grew up watching the Sox and really following them. When I was out in the backyard playing Wiffle Ball with my friends, we'd always imagine ourselves on the mound at Fenway, so it's kind of cool to come back and maybe have a chance to be there."
At this time last week, Capuano was still out of work, but confident he would hook on somewhere. When Ryan Dempster announced he wouldn't pitch in 2014, Capuano suddenly had a golden opportunity to land in Boston as depth in both the rotation and the bullpen.
Right now, there are no rotation spots available for Capuano and he projects to be in the bullpen.
But Capuano saw last year with the Dodgers how quickly an opportunity can arise.
"Last year, we were in a situation with the Dodgers where we had eight good starting pitchers coming out of Spring Training," said Capuano. "It wasn't long before I got a chance to start there. Once you sign for a team and you're there, you do what the manager asks of you and you do it to the best of your abilities. So I'm ready to contribute any way I can."
Both when he was coming out of high school and college, Capuano doesn't remember the Red Sox showing much interest in him.
Capuano would pitch for the D-backs, Brewers, Mets and Dodgers before finally landing in the American League on Saturday, and with the Red Sox no less.
Late in the 2011 season, Capuano almost had a unique opportunity -- to pitch on a one-day contract with the Red Sox in a one-game playoff against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
But the Red Sox never were able to agree with the Mets on the non-waiver deal, and their historic collapse left them one win short of qualifying for that one-game playoff.
"It was an exciting possibility. [The Mets] actually knew about it earlier but kind of waited till the last minute to tell me so it wouldn't be a distraction or anything when I was pitching for the Mets," said Capuano. "I didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it. It was just a couple-day conversation that didn't end up happening, but I was excited at the prospect of pitching for the Red Sox."
Now it appears it will finally happen, and Capuano looks forward to helping manager John Farrell in any way he's needed.
"I had a conversation with [pitching coach] Juan [Nieves] today," said Capuano. "He laid out about the next 10 days of throwing for me. That's going to involve a couple of bullpen sessions and maybe a live batting practice session on Thursday before I'll be in my first game. I believe I'll be starting that game, but the sense I get is they're going to want to extend me and build up my innings to go either way."
Chris Capuano's boyhood dream becomes reality with Red Sox | MLB-com: News
Pitching for a group of Massachusetts All-Stars against the best high schoolers from Connecticut, Capuano could feel his dream getting closer.
It has been just less than 18 years since that excitement-filled afternoon and Capuano still doesn't know what it feels like to pitch a Major League game at Fenway Park.
But on Saturday, he finally seemed close to realizing that goal, as his one-year contract with the Red Sox became official.
After passing a physical, Capuano participated in Boston's full Spring Training workout.
"We've been getting a lot of phone calls, a lot of texts and emails -- just so much support back home," said Capuano. "My wife's family is from Grafton, Mass., outside of Worcester. It really is going to be like coming home for us."
In a solid career that even included a trip to the All-Star Game as a member of the Brewers in 2006, pitching at Fenway is one of the few things that the lefty still hasn't done.
"I'm excited," said Capuano. "It's one of the only stadiums I haven't pitched in yet. I'm glad in Spring Training here there's a replica so I'll get used to it."
As the 35-year-old Capuano spoke to the media, his childhood came racing back to him.
"I was 8 years old in '86 when they lost to the Mets. I can remember being devastated as a kid," Capuano said. "I grew up watching the Sox and really following them. When I was out in the backyard playing Wiffle Ball with my friends, we'd always imagine ourselves on the mound at Fenway, so it's kind of cool to come back and maybe have a chance to be there."
At this time last week, Capuano was still out of work, but confident he would hook on somewhere. When Ryan Dempster announced he wouldn't pitch in 2014, Capuano suddenly had a golden opportunity to land in Boston as depth in both the rotation and the bullpen.
Right now, there are no rotation spots available for Capuano and he projects to be in the bullpen.
But Capuano saw last year with the Dodgers how quickly an opportunity can arise.
"Last year, we were in a situation with the Dodgers where we had eight good starting pitchers coming out of Spring Training," said Capuano. "It wasn't long before I got a chance to start there. Once you sign for a team and you're there, you do what the manager asks of you and you do it to the best of your abilities. So I'm ready to contribute any way I can."
Both when he was coming out of high school and college, Capuano doesn't remember the Red Sox showing much interest in him.
Capuano would pitch for the D-backs, Brewers, Mets and Dodgers before finally landing in the American League on Saturday, and with the Red Sox no less.
Late in the 2011 season, Capuano almost had a unique opportunity -- to pitch on a one-day contract with the Red Sox in a one-game playoff against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
But the Red Sox never were able to agree with the Mets on the non-waiver deal, and their historic collapse left them one win short of qualifying for that one-game playoff.
"It was an exciting possibility. [The Mets] actually knew about it earlier but kind of waited till the last minute to tell me so it wouldn't be a distraction or anything when I was pitching for the Mets," said Capuano. "I didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it. It was just a couple-day conversation that didn't end up happening, but I was excited at the prospect of pitching for the Red Sox."
Now it appears it will finally happen, and Capuano looks forward to helping manager John Farrell in any way he's needed.
"I had a conversation with [pitching coach] Juan [Nieves] today," said Capuano. "He laid out about the next 10 days of throwing for me. That's going to involve a couple of bullpen sessions and maybe a live batting practice session on Thursday before I'll be in my first game. I believe I'll be starting that game, but the sense I get is they're going to want to extend me and build up my innings to go either way."
Chris Capuano's boyhood dream becomes reality with Red Sox | MLB-com: News
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Everything but the carpeting is in place in the New York fortress that is going to change baseball.
That said, major league officials are crossing their fingers they already have everything covered when expanded replay begins in just over a month. "I'm curious," says Joe Torre, MLB executive vice-president, baseball operations, who has led briefings on replay's implementations for 15 major league teams, with the rest to be completed this week.
"This has never been done before. The reception from all the clubs has been very positive. That makes us happy." Torre and a group that also included former managers Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland briefed five teams Sunday at the Tampa Bay Rays' spring training complex.
The reviews were strikingly positive.
"Really well thought out," was Rays manager Joe Maddon's reaction. "They thought about everything, or at least it seems that way."
The key is the command center in MLB Advanced Media headquarters in New York, which already is operating. Sixty of the 70 umpires who will rotate through as replay officials have been trained. MLB added two new umpiring crews because two crews will work in the command center during every series.
Every major league team will be involved in five spring training games during which the technology will be tested. Then it begins for real on March 30, when the Dodgers visit the Padres. The two season-opening Diamondbacks-Dodgers games the previous week in Australia will operate under last year's rules.
The new program will allow managers' challenges on the majority of plays in a game. The exceptions, Torre said, are balls and strikes, checked swings, trapped balls in the infield, whether a runner tagging up on a fly ball left too soon and the so-called neighborhood play at second base.
Torre said the neighborhood play, in which the fielder moves off the base too soon while trying to avoid a runner, is being left out because of safety concerns for infielders. And MLB has determined trying to sync up cameras on the tag-up plays isn't perfect - though some telecasts try it.
"Trust me, we know that for sure," Torre said.
One other area – new rules involving home plate collisions that will be announced Monday – will fall under replay, but not under the challenge system. Torre declined to be specific about the new guidelines, but managers who have been briefed during these sessions have indicated the significant change is runners can't choose to crash into the catcher rather than try to touch home plate.
"The general spirit of it is that you don't want a collision potentially initiated by the base runner," Maddon said. "The catcher can still block the plate if he gets the ball in time." A manager can challenge safe or out on those plays, but the umpires will decide on their own to look at possible violations of the new rule. The same goes for home run calls that previously have been subject to replay. Umpires will review those without a manager being required to challenge.
Torre also cleared up what he said had become a misconception among some managers about the challenges.
For the first six innings, Torre said, managers will receive one challenge. If successful, the manager retains his challenge.
After the sixth inning, replays are at the discretion of the umpires on the field. However, if a manager retains his challenge past the sixth, it is up to him to initiate a replay.
And what about games getting bogged down by lengthy reviews, as often happens in the NFL?
Torre said he expects any challenge to take about a minute, maybe 90 seconds at the most.
Mini command centers are being set up in both clubhouses in every major league ballpark. They will have the same dedicated video feeds at the same time as the New York headquarters. Teams can designate whoever they want to watch from the clubhouse and, just like the crew in New York, those people will have the same ability to choose from every camera angle in the ballpark.
The clubhouse representative will have a phone line directly to the dugout to alert the manager about a potential challenge.
"For a Fox game maybe there are going to be fewer cameras than for a Yankees-Red Sox game where, between NESN and YES, there might be 30 cameras. It's the same for both teams, no matter what it is on that particular day."
So, nobody will miss a replay opportunity thanks to a home team telecast not immediately making a particular angle available.
Torre said MLB also will provide cameras and crew for the very few games not televised by either team's rightsholders. He said he expects the message for a challenge should get to a manager within 30 seconds.
Then, the umpire who made call and the crew chief will go to technician near home plate, who will provide a headset, much like the National Hockey League does for goal reviews from its command center. The umpires will not leave the field, nor will they see the replay.
The umpire handling their game in New York – each ump there will be responsible for two games at a time but can ask for help from other umps there who are available – will make the ruling, including placing any baserunners. A camera high behind home plate has been installed in every stadium to help place runners.
"It may be easier to do it when you're watching from up high than having umpires on the field do it," Torre said. "And not only where was (the runner), but what was the effort." Of prime importance to MLB is not disrupting games.
Torre expects the crews in New York to anticipate challenges and already be looking at different angles before the challenge is made. "If it's something close, they're going to be on it and we feel that the process is going to work quickly," he said. "We don't want to upset the rhythm where nobody wants to watch this thing. But we want to make sure we get the game-changing call right."
He also left open the possibility for changes during the season, but he said he wouldn
That said, major league officials are crossing their fingers they already have everything covered when expanded replay begins in just over a month. "I'm curious," says Joe Torre, MLB executive vice-president, baseball operations, who has led briefings on replay's implementations for 15 major league teams, with the rest to be completed this week.
"This has never been done before. The reception from all the clubs has been very positive. That makes us happy." Torre and a group that also included former managers Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland briefed five teams Sunday at the Tampa Bay Rays' spring training complex.
The reviews were strikingly positive.
"Really well thought out," was Rays manager Joe Maddon's reaction. "They thought about everything, or at least it seems that way."
The key is the command center in MLB Advanced Media headquarters in New York, which already is operating. Sixty of the 70 umpires who will rotate through as replay officials have been trained. MLB added two new umpiring crews because two crews will work in the command center during every series.
Every major league team will be involved in five spring training games during which the technology will be tested. Then it begins for real on March 30, when the Dodgers visit the Padres. The two season-opening Diamondbacks-Dodgers games the previous week in Australia will operate under last year's rules.
The new program will allow managers' challenges on the majority of plays in a game. The exceptions, Torre said, are balls and strikes, checked swings, trapped balls in the infield, whether a runner tagging up on a fly ball left too soon and the so-called neighborhood play at second base.
Torre said the neighborhood play, in which the fielder moves off the base too soon while trying to avoid a runner, is being left out because of safety concerns for infielders. And MLB has determined trying to sync up cameras on the tag-up plays isn't perfect - though some telecasts try it.
"Trust me, we know that for sure," Torre said.
One other area – new rules involving home plate collisions that will be announced Monday – will fall under replay, but not under the challenge system. Torre declined to be specific about the new guidelines, but managers who have been briefed during these sessions have indicated the significant change is runners can't choose to crash into the catcher rather than try to touch home plate.
"The general spirit of it is that you don't want a collision potentially initiated by the base runner," Maddon said. "The catcher can still block the plate if he gets the ball in time." A manager can challenge safe or out on those plays, but the umpires will decide on their own to look at possible violations of the new rule. The same goes for home run calls that previously have been subject to replay. Umpires will review those without a manager being required to challenge.
Torre also cleared up what he said had become a misconception among some managers about the challenges.
For the first six innings, Torre said, managers will receive one challenge. If successful, the manager retains his challenge.
After the sixth inning, replays are at the discretion of the umpires on the field. However, if a manager retains his challenge past the sixth, it is up to him to initiate a replay.
And what about games getting bogged down by lengthy reviews, as often happens in the NFL?
Torre said he expects any challenge to take about a minute, maybe 90 seconds at the most.
Mini command centers are being set up in both clubhouses in every major league ballpark. They will have the same dedicated video feeds at the same time as the New York headquarters. Teams can designate whoever they want to watch from the clubhouse and, just like the crew in New York, those people will have the same ability to choose from every camera angle in the ballpark.
The clubhouse representative will have a phone line directly to the dugout to alert the manager about a potential challenge.
"For a Fox game maybe there are going to be fewer cameras than for a Yankees-Red Sox game where, between NESN and YES, there might be 30 cameras. It's the same for both teams, no matter what it is on that particular day."
So, nobody will miss a replay opportunity thanks to a home team telecast not immediately making a particular angle available.
Torre said MLB also will provide cameras and crew for the very few games not televised by either team's rightsholders. He said he expects the message for a challenge should get to a manager within 30 seconds.
Then, the umpire who made call and the crew chief will go to technician near home plate, who will provide a headset, much like the National Hockey League does for goal reviews from its command center. The umpires will not leave the field, nor will they see the replay.
The umpire handling their game in New York – each ump there will be responsible for two games at a time but can ask for help from other umps there who are available – will make the ruling, including placing any baserunners. A camera high behind home plate has been installed in every stadium to help place runners.
"It may be easier to do it when you're watching from up high than having umpires on the field do it," Torre said. "And not only where was (the runner), but what was the effort." Of prime importance to MLB is not disrupting games.
Torre expects the crews in New York to anticipate challenges and already be looking at different angles before the challenge is made. "If it's something close, they're going to be on it and we feel that the process is going to work quickly," he said. "We don't want to upset the rhythm where nobody wants to watch this thing. But we want to make sure we get the game-changing call right."
He also left open the possibility for changes during the season, but he said he wouldn
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Lester's main intention is quite simple -- he wants to spend the rest of his career with the only Major League organization for which he's ever worked.
Entering the final year of his contract, Lester is fully aware of the monster deal Clayton Kershaw signed with the Dodgers earlier this month and the one Masahiro Tanaka has signed with the Yankees.
But as much as Lester is awed by those types of numbers, they don't drive him.
Much like teammate Dustin Pedroia, who signed a seven-year extension last July, Lester simply wants a fair deal that will enable him to stay in Boston.
"I mean, like I said, I want to stay here," said Lester, who was in town for Thursday night's Boston Baseball Writers Dinner. "This is what I've known. I've grown up in this organization. I've had plenty of good times and plenty of bad times here. I enjoy it. My family loves it here. All my son talks about is going home to Boston. I mean, that's what he thinks is home.
"Like I said, if it all comes down to it, we want to be here. It's hard to talk a deal now. I just can't really fathom signing a piece of paper like a Tanaka deal. Kershaw, like I said, is completely out of the realm. But you look at these deals, it's out of this world. It's stuff you can't even imagine until it's put in front of you. Until that day comes, it's hard to talk about it. But the stuff you can talk about, like wanting to stay here and compete, that's what we want to do."
Atlanta is where Lester resides during the offseason. Tacoma, Wash., is where he grew up. But from April through October, he is proud to represent Boston, and there's no eagerness to see what another baseball city would be like.
He has already won two World Series championships with the Red Sox, and he hopes to be around for some more.
"I understand that to stay here you're not going to get a free-agent deal. You're not going to do it. You can't. It's not possible," said Lester. "You're bidding against one team. I understand that you're going to take a discount to stay. Do I want to do that? Absolutely. But just like they want it to be fair for them, I want it to be fair for me and my family. If we can get to something, hopefully, in Spring Training, that's awesome. I want to stay here."
Lester is the first to admit that much like his friend Pedroia, he's a creature of habit.
"I've grown up with Pedey in the Minor Leagues and watched him turn into what I consider the best second baseman in the league," Lester said. "I don't want to leave that and leave this organization to go just for a few dollars to go try something new. I don't like new stuff."
The Red Sox, if they had their druthers, would keep the ace they have rather than look for a new one after the 2014 season.
"I think, as I said before, there are guys that move into a category that I think makes them a little different and gives them the right to have a conversation, and Jon's in that category, and Dustin's in that category, and David Ortiz has been in that category, and there will be others," said general manager Ben Cherington. "When guys are in that category, we want to keep a dialogue going. The door is open and we'll do that with Jon, and I'm sure there will be a conversation. But until we get to that, it's hard to say much more than I'm glad he wants to be here and we want him to be here, so we'll see where that leads to.
"A guy like Jon Lester, we'd love to keep in the organization, but because we haven't really had a conversation yet, I don't want to start putting a calendar on it; I don't want to limit ourselves or limit the process in any way. We haven't even gotten into the process yet. We certainly share an interest in talking about a way to keep him here, and we'll find a time to do that, to start that conversation."
Perhaps a deal could get done in Spring Training, but these things can sometimes take a little longer.
"I don't know. We worked really hard with Dustin last spring, and we weren't able to get one done by the end of Spring Training," said Cherington. "But we've got a good relationship with [agent] Seth [Levinson] ... and that entire firm. They may not want to spend as much time in Fort Myers or listening to me as they have in the past year, but the relationships are solid, so we'll be able to sit down and have a productive conversation."
These are good times for Lester, who is coming off one of the best postseasons by any pitcher in Red Sox history and looking forward to attempting a repeat.
"I feel good. I threw my first bullpen yesterday," said Lester. "That was atrocious compared to what I remember things being. But physically, I feel good. Workouts have been going well. I'm ready just to get some sun and some warmer weather."
Jon Lester's goal is simple: Stay with Red Sox for life | MLB-com: News