Angels Reportedly Front-Runners for Adrian Beltre

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Angels, Athletics, Rangers, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

With every passing day, it seems clearer and clearer that Adrian Beltre and the Angels belong with one another.

A week ago, news broke that the Angels were pulling their offer to Beltre off the table. That move came with the caveat that they were still interested in signing Beltre, but they weren't interested in being played against other teams, real or imagined, for his services. It looked like a smart move then and it looks even smarter now.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Angels remain at the top of the list of Beltre suitors. The A's, who were an early mover for Beltre's services, have walked away after having several offers refused by the third baseman and his agent Scott Boras. The Rangers would like to sign Beltre, but the cost is prohibitive and the fact that they'd need to deal Michael Young or move him to designated hitter isn't sitting all that well with them.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/angels-reportedly-front-runners-for-adrian-beltre/

Ruben Tejada Ryan Theriot Steve Tolleson Troy Tulowitzki

Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle 'All in' as He Takes Reins in Pittsburgh

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Pirates, MLB Transactions

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Clint Hurdle has been hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates' manager, saying he's not intimidated by the franchise's record 18 consecutive losing seasons.

Hurdle replaces John Russell, who was fired the day after completing a 105-loss season -- the Pirates' worst in 58 years.

Hurdle, previously the hitting coach for the AL champion Texas Rangers, is the sixth full-time Pirates manager since the club last had a winning season in 1992.

"This will eventually get done, and I don't have a doubt it will," Hurdle said. "I wanted to be here when it turns. ... It's a wonderful and perfect fit. It's the right organization at the right time."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/15/pirates-manager-clint-hurdle-all-in-as-he-takes-reins-in-pitts/

Mark Teixeira Miguel Tejada Ruben Tejada Ryan Theriot

Diamondbacks Set to Sign Melvin Mora

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Diamondbacks, Rockies, MLB Free Agency, MLB Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Diamondbacks already have a replacement for departing third baseman Mark Reynolds, agreeing to a deal with free agent Melvin Mora.

The veteran will get a one-year contract reportedly worth a little more than $2 million. He'll step in immediately for Reynolds, who is headed to the Orioles in return for pitchers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio.

Mora, who turns 39 in February, had a decent 2010 season for the Rockies. He hit .285 and posted a .779 OPS in 113 games in his first year back in the National League after 10 seasons in Baltimore.

He made $1.275 million last season.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/06/diamondbacks-set-to-sign-melvin-mora/

Brent Morel Mitch Moreland Justin Morneau Logan Morrison

Paul Konerko Gets 3-Year White Sox Deal

by Ed Price

Filed under: White Sox, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Paul Konerko will remain a fixture with the Chicago White Sox.

The first baseman agreed Wednesday to a three-year deal worth $37.5 million. Konerko will make $12 million in 2011 and 2012, then $6.5 million in 2013 and $1 million a year from 2014-2020.

Konerko, who will turn 35 during spring training, has been with the White Sox since 1999. The four-time All-Star was a free agent this winter but few expected him to sign elsewhere. Both Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski backloaded their new contracts to free up short-term money that would help the Sox retain Konerko.

The veteran hit .312 with 39 homers and 111 RBI in 2010, compiling a career-best .977 OPS. He finished fifth in American League MVP balloting.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/08/paul-konerko-to-re-sign-with-white-sox/

Alberto González Álex González Alex Gordon Nick Green

Angels, Rays, Yankees All Interested in Johnny Damon

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Angels, Rays, Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The air is getting colder in large portions of our fair land, but the pursuit of Johnny Damon seems to be heating up.

We heard about the Yankees interest in a possible reunion on Wednesday, and it seems they aren't the only AL East team kicking the tires on Damon. According to Newsday, the Rays are also among Damon's three top choices for a 2011 employer. The Angels make up the final part of the triumvirate, which leads us to wonder which one might be the best fit.

As discussed on Wednesday, the big drawback with the Yankees is the lack of a clearly defined role. Damon would come to town as a backup outfielder and designated hitter, something that wouldn't give him the kind of regular playing time he could get in other places. What's more, he would be a third lefty bat behind outfield starters Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson and that's not a recipe for a ton of playing time.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/23/angels-rays-yankees-all-interested-in-johnny-damon/

Adam Dunn David Eckstein Brad Eldred Mark Ellis

Jim Leyland's Son Invited to Tigers' Camp

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Tigers, Spring Training

DETROIT (AP) -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland's son is among 18 players the team has invited to spring training.

The Tigers said Monday catcher Patrick Leyland and 17 others are to report next month to the team's complex in Lakeland, Fla. Pitchers and catchers start workouts Feb. 14, five days ahead of the full squad.

Patrick Leyland is a 6-foot-2 catcher from Pittsburgh. The Tigers selected him in the eighth round of last year's amateur draft.

The team says it expects Al Kaline and Willie Horton to be in uniform this spring.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/10/jim-leylands-son-invited-to-tigers-camp/

Luis Cruz Ian Desmond Argenis Diaz Jason Donald

Tony Gwynn Jr. Signs With Dodgers

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Dodgers, Padres, FanHouse Exclusive, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Dodgers have signed free agent Tony Gwynn Jr. to a one-year major league deal, FanHouse has learned.

The 28-year-old outfielder spent the last two seasons with the Padres. He hit .204 in 117 games last season, serving as San Diego's part-time center fielder. Gwynn previously saw limited duty over parts of three seasons in Milwaukee. He was the Brewers' second-round pick in the 2003 draft.

The Padres last week declined to tender a 2011 contract to Gwynn, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. He made $420,000 last season.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/07/tony-gwynn-jr-signs-with-dodgers/

Ryan Howard Aubrey Huff Rhyne Hughes Travis Ishikawa