The Toronto Blue Jays finalized one-year deals with left-hander J.P. Howell and right-hander Joe Smith on Thursday. The 33-year-old Howell pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006-12, then spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Category: Baseball Players
Previewing the Mariners in spring training: Infielders
While questions exist within the Mariners’ infield once you look past stalwarts Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager , the only real competition for a roster spot is the three-way battle to serve as the club’s utility infielder. Switch-hitting Shawn O’Malley is the incumbent and, after proving himself last year to be a competent backup shortstop, appears rate an initial edge.
Rockies spend big in offseason to bolster bullpen, 1st base
The usually cost-conscious Colorado Rockies went on a little bit… . FILE – In this May 31, 2016, file photo, then-Texas Rangers’ Ian Desmond watches his two-run double off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber during the eighth inning of a baseball game, in Cleveland.
Radio host literally eats crow after losing bet to Marlins’ Yelich
… a bet, I guess this isn’t too bad. It’s better than having to get a tattoo . That’s for sure. Mike Axisa joined CBS Sports in 2013. He has been a member of the BBWAA since 2015 and has previously written about both fantasy baseball and real life …
Moylan, Hendriks set for Australia at World Baseball Classic
Kansas City Royals free agent pitcher Peter Moylan and Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks are among the 28 players on Australia’s roster for the World Baseball Classic. Also included in the roster announced Thursday were former Seattle and Arizona pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith and pitcher Warwick Saupold, who spent most of the season with the Detroit Tigers’ AAA affiliate in Toledo.
Free agent Romo close to finalizing deal with Dodgers
Sergio Romo is close to finalizing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers to become their setup man. The 33-year-old reliever had a 2.64 ERA last season with the rival San Francisco Giants while being limited to 40 appearances because of a forearm flexor strain.
Reliever Romo close to finalizing deal with Dodgers
Reliever Romo close to finalizing deal with Dodgers Three-time World Series champion with Giants would become their rivals’ setup man. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2k54LX0 LOS ANGELES – Sergio Romo is close to finalizing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers to become their setup man.
Former Gastonia Post 23 and Gastonia Grizzlies standout Tyler White…
Projected for a return to Class AAA Fresno in training camp, an injury opened a roster spot for White to make the Astros’ opening day roster – and the former Gastonia Post 23 American Legion and Gastonia Grizzlies product took full advantage of his opportunity. In a three-game opening series at Yankee Stadium, White collected six hits in nine at-bats for the Astros, including a pinch-hit single in his first major league at-bat on opening day.
Cubs get RHP Alec Mills from Royals for OF Donnie Dewees
Mills was designated for assignment earlier Wednesday after the Royals signed free agent pitcher Jason Hammel, who played last season for the World Series champion Cubs. The 25-year-old Mills made his major league debut last year, going 0-0 in three games and giving up five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Catcher Sanchez won’t play in WBC; his commitment is to the Yankees
Gary Sanchez won’t be swinging for the fences in the World Baseball Classic. Instead, he’ll be in Tampa when Yankees pitchers and catchers report on Monday.
Source: Rangers, Mike Napoli reach agreement on 1-year deal
A source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that Napoli, 35, will be joining the Rangers for the third time, this time on a one-year deal. Grant wrote last week that the Rangers and Napoli might have a handshake deal in place, but wouldn’t announce a move until Feb. 14 — when the club can move Napoli onto the 40-man roster without exposing a player to the waiver wire.
Royals will report to spring training with new key additions
The Royals’ pitchers and catchers report to spring training in nearly one week, and the team is headed to Surprise, AZ with some new key additions. When the offseason began, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore explained how the team would attempt to get better in 2017 while openly admitting the organization was in no way going to overspend.
Chicago Cubs: Jason Hammel signs two-year deal with Royals
The wait is finally over for former Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel. He’s signed a two-year deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Curt Schilling Launches ‘Ass Whipping’ Twitter Salvo Against Rising Democratic Star
Baseball great Curt Schilling unleashed a nasty Twitter salvo against Jason Kander after the rising Democratic star slammed Donald Trump on a national TV appearance. The retired Boston Red Sox pitcher, who is now perhaps better known as a far right wing pundit of sorts, called Kander a “piece of garbage” and said he deserves an “ass whipping” for his remarks.
8 big problems facing the Rio Summer Olympics
With two months until the 2016 Summer Games, athletes have begun lining up to express reservations about attending the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because of the prevalence of the Zika virus in Brazil. And some may skip the Games altogether.
Boston Red Sox: The Plan for Blake Swihart
Although the Boston Red Sox already have two catchers expected to make the Major League roster, Blake Swihart is still in their plans for 2017. It would be easy to wonder if Blake Swihart already missed his chance with the Boston Red Sox.
Tampa Bay Rays Sign Rickie Weeks to Minor League Contract
He may not be the answer at second base, but the Tampa Bay Rays made an interesting signing with Rickie Weeks . The Tampa Bay Rays have been looking for reinforcements at second base over the past week.
Kansas City Royals Trade Block: Who Do They Move in 2017?
The Kansas City Royals would be wise to start selling the best veteran pieces on their roster. Who on the roster can we expect to find a new home in 2017? The Kansas City Royals trade block is going to fill up this year.
How would past Giants stars have fared on Twitter?
Former Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff got into a bit of trouble over the weekend, tweeting out a not especially well considered political opinion and getting roasted for it. But that’s already over and done with now, and while there’s no use dwelling on that one specific event other than to think about it for a second and roll your eyes heartily, it does bring up a very important question: What if old time Giants had Twitter accounts? You might think that this is the single most vital issue of our time, and you’d be right.
Cubs Pitcher Jon Lester in OKC for Warren Spahn Award
Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester is in Oklahoma City to accept the Warren Spahn Award as Major League Baseball’s top left-handed pitcher.
Union to look at equipment, concussion protocols
The NFL players’ union will be making a push for improved equipment and for more consistent compliance with the concussion protocol. At their annual Super Bowl news conference Thursday, the NFL Players Association also insisted there will be no extension of the 10-year labor agreement signed in 2011.
The Pyramid Rating System’s All-Time Cleveland Indians
In our latest installment of the Pyramid Rating System all-time team series, we stay in the American League Central and head east to the shores of Lake Erie and one of the original American League teams, the Cleveland Indians. Because of the city-centric nature of this exercise, the Indians also get credit for the franchise history of the Cleveland Spiders, making them effectively the oldest team in the American League, missing out on only the 1900 season.
Khris Davis beats A’s in salary arbitration, gets $5M
The outfielder on Wednesday was awarded a $5 million salary this season by arbitrators Mark Irvings, Gil Vernon and Mark Burstein, who heard the case a day earlier. The A’s had argued he should be paid $4.65 million.
Yankees: Recapping the Ups and Downs of the Offseason
There is no prediction of the future, especially with sports and players – particularly those who suit up for the Yankees. One year someone could be a standout with the following season the person will fall off completely.
MLB’s complaining of a lack of cooperation in the Jeurys Familia investigation is a bad look
As you all know, Mets closer Jeurys Familia was arrested last October following an alleged domestic violence incident. In December, the charges against Familia were dropped, in large part because his wife and alleged victim Bianca Rivas, asked prosecutors to drop them, indicating that she would not cooperate in her husband’s prosecution.
Ex-San Francisco Giants player Barry Zito ventures into country music
San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto, May 14, 2013. Former MLB Player Barry Zito is out to prove his talents span more than just the baseball diamond.
What the Rays Should do to Complete their Opening Day Roster
With Logan Forsythe, having been dealt to the Dodgers for a talented pitching prospect in Jose De Leon; and earlier today, the Rays signed OF Colby Rasmus to a 1-year $5 million-dollar deal with incentives. The Rays are looking to contend again in a season where they came off their 2016 campaign with a 68-94 record.
Rays Should Consider Trading Jake Odorizzi
With pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in the coming weeks, it is fair for us to speculate on what kinds of trades could be made in the near future. While the Tampa Bay Rays recently shipped off Drew Smyly to the Seattle Mariners , many still wonder if there is at least one more move to be made within the rotation before the start of spring training.
Royals Top Prospects
With baseball season upon us, lets take a look at some future Royals that could make an impact in 2017 or beyond. Flaming fastball, two good second pitches, sometimes great, usually equals a surefire top prospect.
AP Source: Royals agree to $12M, 2-year deal with Moss
The Royals and designated hitter Brandon Moss have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract to provide some power to the Kansas City lineup, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
Detroit Tigers: Most Unpredictable Player on the 2017 Team
… in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Zimmermann was signed by the Tigers to be one of the leaders in the rotation. In 2015, he led the NL in games played: he started 33 …
Colby Ramus, Tampa Bay Rays finalize $5M, 1-year contract
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus and the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a $5 million, one-year contract.
Braves player hit in deadly crash; wife, kids hospitalized
An Atlanta Braves infielder and his family are recovering after police say their SUV was hit by a man who had stolen a Miami police officer’s cruiser. News outlets report that 31-year-old Miami native Sean Rodriguez, his wife Giselle and their two young children were T-boned by the stolen cruiser Saturday afternoon in Miami-Dade County.
Holland can make $35M over 2 years under Rockies contract
In this April 8, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that reliever Greg Holland has agreed to a contract with the Colorado Rockies The deal is pending a physical, the person said Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not announced.
Burglars left a cellphone and one wore ankle monitoring bracelet at crime scene, police say
Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners was among the Seattle-area residents whose homes were looted by a burglary ring, police say. Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners was among the Seattle-area residents whose homes were looted by a burglary ring, police say.
Sifting through the bargain bin in search of further roster upgrades
… Well, their bullpen ranked dead last in strikeout percentage last year at 18.8%. Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that Blevins and Logan are going to “secure deals of at least two years and $12 million.” The Angels are about $12 …
Quintana wants to stay with rebuilding White Sox
Jose Quintana pulled on his No. 62 White Sox jersey for the first day of the team’s fan convention.
White Sox and CF Peter Bourjos agree to minor league deal
Center fielder Peter Bourjos and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to big league camp for spring training. The speedy Bourjos, a native of nearby Park Ridge, Illinois, hit .251 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 123 games with Philadelphia last year.
Helton joins baseball staff at Tennessee
Former Rockies star Todd Helton has returned to his roots by joining the baseball staff at the University of Tennessee, where he will serve as director of player development, the school announced on Friday in a press release. Helton, in a volunteer position with the Volunteers, “will be responsible for maintaining alumni relations, assisting with on-campus recruiting, collaborating with UT’s coaching staff and helping Tennessee’s current players make informed decisions about pursuing professional baseball careers,” the UT announcement said.
Success for A’s Sonny Gray could hasten trade
Sonny Gray presents a conundrum this season. The A’s need their ace to have a big bounce back year – but the better he is, the more likely Oakland is to trade him.