MLB News: Pro Sports Daily

All Along Broadway, Pinstripes, Proposals and Chants to 'Go for 28'

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November 7

New York Times

"The Yankees took one last ride together to celebrate their championship. It was a slow, joyous journey up Broadway, an outdoor party attended by hundreds of thousands of their closest friends. For the first time in nine years - and time is measured in dog years in Yankeeland - the Yankees and their fans could brag about being the best. The fans offered marriage proposals to players, suggested that the Yankees re-sign Hideki Matsui, shouted about the importance of repeating as champions and taunted Pedro Martinez by holding up pictures of him in a diaper. Not everyone in New York was a Yankee fan Friday, but across a few chilly hours, it felt and looked that way. "Let's see - we had to get ..."

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez to return in 2010

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"Manny Ramirez will return to the Dodgers next season, according to his agent, Scott Boras. Boras said that he informed General Manager Ned Colletti today that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in the two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring. Ramirez will earn $20 million next season."

Brewers trade Hardy, clear salary space for pitching

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November 7

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Milwaukee Brewers did more Friday than trade one player for another. In sending shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for centerfielder Carlos Gomez, the Brewers began remaking their roster as well as clearing salary space to pursue much-needed pitching. "I explored a lot of options," said general manager Doug Melvin. "Some clubs called and expressed interest in J.J. In the end, this is the deal we liked and felt we could move forward." With the deal, the Brewers said goodbye to veteran Mike Cameron, their starting centerfielder the past two seasons. Melvin called Cameron before announcing the trade to tell him they wouldn't pursue him in free agency."

Prosecutor recommends drug charges be dropped against San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum

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November 7

San Jose Mercury News

"A prosecutor recommended that two misdemeanor drug charges be dropped against Giants ace Tim Lincecum, who was cited Oct. 30 for marijuana possession while speeding on Interstate 5 roughly four miles north of the Washington-Oregon border. Lincecum would pay a $250 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A infraction in Washington, if his plea deal is accepted by a judge Monday. The 2008 Cy Young Award winner received no preferential treatment, said Grant Hansen, the deputy prosecuting attorney for Clark County, Wash. "This is the protocol for a first-time offender who is cooperative with police," said Hansen, adding that Lincecum would not face probation or jail time. The ..."

Angels give GM Tony Reagins a long-term contract extension

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"In his 18 years with the Angels, Tony Reagins has set up bat-boy promotions, evaluated minor league players and signed one of the top center fielders in Torii Hunter. There's one thing Reagins still yearns to do: construct a World Series champion. "We have some unfinished business around here," he said. The Angels gave their general manager a lot more wiggle room in that quest Friday with what was described as a "long-term" contract extension that one club official said was at least as long as the three-year deal Reagins signed in 2007 to replace Bill Stoneman."

Strained muscle sidelines Strasburg

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November 7

Washington Times

"Top Washington Nationals pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his scheduled start in Saturday's Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game because of a neck strain. Strasburg, the top pick in June's draft, was slated to start the exhibition, which pits the best AFL prospects against one another and will be televised by MLB Network. The Nationals said the decision to scratch Strasburg was precautionary. He woke up Wednesday with a stiff neck, then was examined Friday and diagnosed with a strained muscle."

Manny Ramirez will remain with Dodgers

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers have learned that Manny Ramirez will be theirs for another season -- at a price tag of $20 million. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, told General Manager Ned Colletti on Friday that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in his contract that would have let the former All-Star outfielder re-enter the free-agent market at age 37. Ramirez had until Tuesday to inform the cash-strapped Dodgers if he intended to void the second year of a two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring -- something that was viewed as highly unlikely in baseball circles because of the kind of year Ramirez had. Although Ramirez just completed a season in which he was suspended 50 games for ..."

Mets pick up option on Pelfrey

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November 7

New York Post

"The Mets picked up the 2010 option on Mike Pelfrey yesterday and officially declined their option on reliever J.J. Putz. Pelfrey's contract expired after this season, but the Mets were able to bring him back for just $500,000 because he is not arbitration-eligible until 2011. Putz was bought out for $1 million because the Mets considered him too much of an injury risk to pick up his $9.1 million option."

Ex-Marlin Jeremy Hermida reeled in by Red Sox

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November 6

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox made what general manager Theo Epstein called a "value trade" in acquiring 25-year-old outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins in exchange for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez yesterday. The 11th overall pick in 2002, Hermida's abilities have yet to develop to the Marlins' expectations. In addition, there was the potential for his $2.25 million salary in 2009 to increase in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The Red Sox, meanwhile, feel this could be Hermida's time and place. "Hermida's the kind of player who hasn't fulfilled his potential yet," Epstein said. "We acquired him for a reasonable cost to see if he can fulfill his potential for us. There's a ..."

Sox' Getz confirms trade to Kansas City

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November 6

Chicago Tribune

"White Sox second baseman Chris Getz confirmed he has been traded to Kansas City with Josh Fields for Mark Teahen and an undisclosed amount of cash. Getz said he was notified by Sox general manager Ken Williams of the trade, ending more than 24 hours of speculation after a report in Thursday's editions of the New York Daily News. The cash included in the deal will provide aid to the Sox, who could give the arbitration eligible Teahen a 2010 contract that could be worth around $5 million. Getz and Fields aren't eligible for salary arbitration. "I'm happy," Fields said before placing a return call to Williams."

D-Backs pick up Webb's option

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November 6

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks just sent out a release announcing they have exercised the 2010 option on pitcher Brandon Webb, a decision they had to make by Monday. "Since Brandon has recovered well from his surgery, we have decided to exercise his option," General Manager Josh Byrnes said in a statement. "His accomplishments for our organization have been significant. We look forward to him returning to the mound." Webb will make $8.5 million next season. Webb had shoulder surgery on Aug. 4, a "debridement" procedure that cleaned up his rotator cuff and labrum."

Lincecum cited for having pot in his car

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November 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum was cited for possession of marijuana one week ago in the state of Washington. Though he faces misdemeanor charges in the state, it is unlikely he will receive any punishment from Major League Baseball. The 2008 Cy Young Award winner was stopped for speeding at 8:23 a.m. on Oct. 30 while driving on Interstate 5, 4 miles north of the Oregon state line, according to Trooper Steve Schatzel of the Washington State Patrol. Lincecum was cited for driving 74 mph in a 60-mph zone. The police report said the motorcycle officer who stopped Lincecum smelled marijuana in the car and asked him to produce any drugs that he had. Lincecum acknowledged that he did have drugs ..."

Dye now a free agent as the JD Era closes

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November 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Jermaine Dye Era has all but come to an end on the South Side. The White Sox announced on Friday morning that that they bought out the 2010 mutual option on the right fielder, paying him $950,000 rather than picking up the $12 million for the upcoming season. The move makes it so that Dye will now become a free agent. Dye's hope throughout the season was that the club would offer him an extension, but a dismal second half in which he hit .179 with just seven homers seemed to seal his fate. Acquiring Alex Rios at the end of August also put the writing on the wall for the 35-year-old Dye that his five-year stay was just about over."

Jamie McCourt is denied bid for reinstatement

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"On the day the Angels re-signed Bobby Abreu to a multiyear deal, the future of the Dodgers started to take shape on the eighth floor of the Los Angeles Superior Court building. Slowly. While Jamie McCourt was denied her request to be immediately reinstated as the Dodgers' chief executive in an emergency hearing Thursday, the more important issue of whether she is a co-owner of the storied franchise along with soon-to-be ex-husband Frank McCourt did not become any clearer -- and probably won't be for some time. Of a 2004 agreement that listed Frank McCourt as the sole owner of the Dodgers and Jamie McCourt the sole owner of multiple residences, Commissioner Scott Gordon said, "It's clear ..."

Angels re-sign outfielder Bobby Abreu

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"Last summer the Angels spent about $1,600 buying a couple of baubles for Bobby Abreu in recognition of career milestones the outfielder achieved largely while playing for other teams. As it turns out, that might be the best money the team has ever spent. Because Thursday the outfielder announced he would pass up free agency to re-sign with the Angels. And he said those two crystal mementos helped seal the deal. "Those trophies they gave me, it meant a lot," Abreu said. "And I really respect the Angels for doing that." Of course the fact the club followed up with a two-year, $19-million contract with a club option for a third season at $9 million didn't hurt either."

Pudge, four others file for free agency

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November 6

MLB.com

"Catcher Ivan Rodriguez was one of five Rangers who filed for free agency on Thursday, the first day eligible players could file. Also filing were outfielders Hank Blalock and Marlon Byrd and pitchers Eddie Guardado and Joaquin Benoit. Guardado has talked about retiring. Rodriguez, who turns 38 on Nov. 30, has not. He has made it clear that he still wants to play for two or three more years. He has expressed an interest in returning to the Rangers but so far negotiations have been slow. "Pudge had a good return to our organization but we're still evaluating other options," general manager Jon Daniels said."

Reports of Teahen trade appear to be premature

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November 6

Kansas City Star

"It didn't take long for the Royals to surface in baseball's offseason trade rumors. Merely hours after the New York Yankees secured their 27th World Series title, a report claimed the Royals had agreed to send outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields. The report first appeared Thursday in the New York Daily News and gained steam when the Chicago Sun-Times cited confirmation from the White Sox. It now appears those reports, at best, are premature. "We're in discussions with a lot of clubs about a lot of things," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There is nothing to announce yet, and we won't comment ..."

Rangers hire Hurdle as hitting coach

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

"Clint Hurdle might have been a man without a job, but he wasn't a man without options only six months removed from his job as manager of the Colorado Rockies. But he didn't want just any job. He wanted a challenge and a chance to win a world championship. Hurdle believes he has found that with the Texas Rangers. He was hired Thursday as their hitting coach, replacing longtime instructor Rudy Jaramillo. Hurdle, who signed a one-year deal with a club option, is eager to start building trust. "Change can bring controversy," said Hurdle, who was the Rockies' manager from 2002 until he was fired in May. "I'm going to try to make this as seamless a transition as can be." Team officials have ..."

Rockies sign relievers Flores, Belisle

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November 6

Denver Post

"The Rockies didn't waste any time making sure they have some depth in their bullpen for the 2010 season. The club announced today that it agreed to one-year major-league contracts with right-hander Matt Belisle and left-hander reliever Randy Flores. The Rockies still must decided if they will pick up the $5.4 million club option for set-up man Rafael Betancourt. The Rockies could also offer Betancourt a two-year deal, spreading out the right-hander's salary over two years. The Rockies also are exploring a long-term deal with closer Huston Street. Belisle, 29, emerged as a reliable bullpen presence late in the season. He had three stints with the Rockies and spent much of the season at ..."

Rivera, Nearing 40, Wants to Play Five More Seasons

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November 6

New York Times

"There was no reason for Mariano Rivera to discuss the future Wednesday night. Not as he stood on a makeshift podium in center field at Yankee Stadium and celebrated his fifth World Series title. The moment was about the present, not the future. But Rivera, who has been as instrumental to the Yankees' championships as anyone, shifted from throwing a baseball to reading a crystal ball. He told the fans that he wanted to play five more years, a surprise announcement that drew almost as much noise as when he recorded the final out against the Philadelphia Phillies. Was Rivera simply playing to the euphoria of the crowd? Could a pitcher who turns 40 in three weeks really believe his cut ..."

Miami agent who aided in defections freed from jail

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November 6

Miami Herald

"A Miami sports agent sentenced to 15 years in a Cuban prison for trying to help Orlando ``El Duque'' Hernández and other baseball stars defect has been freed and will fly home Friday, his former business partner said. Juan Ignacio Hernández Nodar was released three months ago after serving 13 ½ years and has been getting his exit papers in order, said Thomas Cronin, a Cape Cod businessman and partner in the effort to help the players defect. Hernández Nodar's arrest, and El Duque's ensuing lifetime ban from Cuban baseball, put a damper on a gusher of defections in the early 1990s by players such as Liván Hernández, El Duque's brother and a star on the Marlins' 1997 World Series ..."