Wed Mar 20 2019 | 13:55 | Pressly, Astros reach $20.4M, 3-year deal that adds $17.5M | Jose Altuve | 2B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Ryan Pressly | RP | Twins | Free Agent |
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Ryan Pressly remembered joining the Houston Astros and meeting Jose Altuve."The second I walked through the front door, Altuve gave me a big hug and said, 'Thank God I don't have to face you anymore.' I said I can say the same thing about you," Pressly said Wednesday.They aren't likely to face each other anytime soon. Pressly and the Astros agreed to a $20.4 million, three-year contract, a deal that adds $17.5 million over an additional two seasons.The 30-year-old agreed in January to a $2.9 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. The new deal keeps that salary and adds $8.75 million in each of the following two seasons.Houston has a $10 million option for 2022 that would become guaranteed if he pitches in 60 or more games in each of the previous two seasons.Pressly would have been eligible for free agency after this season. Except for stars, the market has been slow the past two offseasons."I wasn't really paying attention to... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 13:37 | Rookie Lowe agrees to $24 million, 6-year contract with Rays | Brandon Lowe | 2B | Rays | Free Agent |
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Brandon Lowe, who made his big league debut last August, has agreed to a $24 million, six-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.Lowe's deal, announced Wednesday, includes club options for 2025 and 2026 with escalators that could make the agreement worth $49 million over eight seasons.The 24-year-old infielder and outfielder has just 58 days of major league service.Lowe joins Evan Longoria, Matt Moore and Chris Archer as players with less than one year of major league service when they long-term deals with Tampa Bay.Lowe joined the Rays on Aug. 4 and appeared in 43 games. From Aug. 15 on, he hit .273 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 37 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 12:39 | LHP Gio Gonzalez eager to reward Yankees for their interest | Luis Cessa | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Domingo Germán | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gio González | SP | Brewers | Free Agent |
| | | J.A. Happ | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jonathan Loáisiga | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Severino | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jesus Súcre | C | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Gio Gonzalez is eager to reward the New York Yankees.The Yankees announced Wednesday they had signed the veteran left-hander to a minor league contract, hoping the two-time All-Star can help a hobbled rotation."They gave me something I couldn't turn down," Gonzalez said. "This is a pretty great opportunity. It's impressive to be in this locker room. It really does give you a 'wow' factor when you walk in."Gonzalez said the Yankees' offer earlier this week was the lone serious one he received."It's pretty much the only organization that saw something in me," Gonzalez said. "It's something to use as fuel. I think these guys have a really good shot this year to do something wonderful. I really want to be a part of a something like that."If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a $3 million salary while in the major leagues and the chance to $9 million in performance bonuses: $300,000 for each start through 30.The 33-year-old Gonzalez will have a bullpen session Thursday... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 12:02 | Pressly, Astros reach $20.4M, 3-year deal that adds $17.5M | Ryan Pressly | RP | Twins | Free Agent |
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Ryan Pressly and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $20.4 million, three-year contract, a deal that adds $17.5 million over an additional two seasons.The 30-year-old agreed in January to a $2.9 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. The deal announced Wednesday keeps that salary and adds $8.75 million in each of the following two seasons.Houston has a $10 million option for 2022 that would become guaranteed if he pitches in 60 or more games in each of the previous two seasons.Pressley was 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 77 games last year for Minnesota and Houston, which acquired him on July 27. He 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA and two saves for the Astros.He would have been eligible for free agency after this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 11:57 | Ichiro takes field with 45,000 voices in full support | Dee Strange-Gordon | CF | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Yusei Kikuchi | | | Free Agent |
| | | Ichiro Suzuki | RF | Mariners | Free Agent |
TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying."I thought it was amazing to see the crowd come out here for him," Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon said after a 9-7 win. "This whole situation is pretty much for him and he deserves it."Ichiro provided his usual flair early, catching a ball behind his back during batting practice.Cameras flashed and chants echoed all around the park when Ichiro came to bat in the third inning. But with fans eager to see him deliver, he popped up with a runner... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 11:07 | Ichiro takes field with 45,000 voices in full support | Dee Strange-Gordon | CF | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Yusei Kikuchi | | | Free Agent |
| | | Ichiro Suzuki | RF | Mariners | Free Agent |
TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying."I thought it was amazing to see the crowd come out here for him," Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon said after a 9-7 win. "This whole situation is pretty much for him and he deserves it."Ichiro provided his usual flair early, catching a ball behind his back during batting practice.Cameras flashed and chants echoed all around the park when Ichiro came to bat in the third inning. But with fans eager to see him deliver, he popped up with a runner... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 06:26 | Bruce gets 1st hit of 2019 MLB season, Piscotty 1st home run | Jay Bruce | RF | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Edwin Encarnación | DH | Indians | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Fiers | SP | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Marco Gonzales | SP | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Dee Strange-Gordon | CF | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Ryon Healy | 1B | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Piscotty | RF | Athletics | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Semien | SS | Athletics | Free Agent |
TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT).Mariners newcomer Edwin Encarnacion was the first player to strike out this year and Seattle third baseman Ryon Healy made the first error.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 06:07 | Ichiro takes with field with 45,000 voices in full support | Mike Fiers | SP | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Dee Strange-Gordon | CF | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Yusei Kikuchi | | | Free Agent |
| | | Ichiro Suzuki | RF | Mariners | Free Agent |
TOKYO (AP) — Talk about a serious home-field advantage.Ichiro Suzuki had it on a night to celebrate all things Ichiro — "Ichiromania" in other words — as he started for the Seattle Mariners against the Oakland Athletics in MLB's opening game of the season.About 45,000 voices in a sellout crowd on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome chanted his name as he took his place in right field. The scene is likely to be repeated on Thursday when the teams finish their Tokyo series. That game may also mark and end for the 45-year-old Ichiro, though no one is saying.The season began at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT) when Mike Fiers threw ball one to Mariners leadoff man Dee Gordon.But there was no doubt which player most fans came to see.Hundreds wore Ichiro jerseys — of different eras and colors — emblazoned with No. 51, and a military band played a Sousa march in the pregame ceremonies.A half-dozen fans lined up just behind the third-base dugout and held up cards spelling out his name in Japanese. Another wore... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 05:57 | Bruce gets 1st hit of 2019 MLB season, Piscotty 1st home run | Jay Bruce | RF | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Fiers | SP | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Marco Gonzales | SP | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Dee Strange-Gordon | CF | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Piscotty | RF | Athletics | Free Agent |
| | | Marcus Semien | SS | Athletics | Free Agent |
TOKYO (AP) — Jay Bruce of the Seattle Mariners has gotten the first hit of the 2019 Major League Baseball season and Oakland's Stephen Piscotty has connected for the first home run.Bruce lined a single off the glove of shifted Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien with two outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. Piscotty homered to center field in the bottom of the first off Marco Gonzales.Oakland's Mike Fiers threw the first pitch of the season, a ball to Dee Gordon at 6:36 p.m. (5:36 a.m. EDT). |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 04:09 | AP source: Trout, Angels close to record $432M, 12-year deal | José Abreu | 1B | White Sox | Free Agent |
| | | Jesús Aguilar | 1B | Brewers | Free Agent |
| | | Chase Anderson | SP | Brewers | Free Agent |
| | | Nolan Arenado | 3B | Rockies | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Bell | 1B | Pirates | Free Agent |
| | | Dellin Betances | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Shane Bieber | SP | Indians | Free Agent |
| | | Peter Bourjos | CF | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Matthew Boyd | SP | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Steven Brault | SP | Pirates | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Kole Calhoun | RF | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Willie Calhoun | LF | Rangers | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Castillo | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Cessa | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Collin Cowgill | RF | Phillies | Free Agent |
| | | Yu Darvish | SP | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Corey Dickerson | LF | Pirates | Free Agent |
| | | Carl Edwards Jr. | RP | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Frazier | LF | Pirates | Free Agent |
| | | Michael Fulmer | SP | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Tyler Glasnow | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Gio González | SP | Brewers | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Greinke | SP | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
| | | Ian Happ | CF | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Bryce Harper | RF | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Jason Heyward | RF | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jakob Junis | SP | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Kyle Lewis | | | Free Agent |
| | | Reynaldo López | SP | White Sox | Free Agent |
| | | Lance Lynn | SP | Twins | Free Agent |
| | | Germán Márquez | SP | Rockies | Free Agent |
| | | Russell Martin | C | Blue Jays | Free Agent |
| | | Daniel Murphy | 2B | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Ryan O'Hearn | 1B | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | AJ Pollock | CF | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
| | | Yasiel Puig | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Austin Riley | 3B | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Rodriguez | | | Free Agent |
| | | Gary Sánchez | C | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Nick Senzel | 3B | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Jorge Soler | DH | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Trout | CF | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Justin Upton | LF | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Joey Votto | 1B | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Taylor Ward | C | Angels | Free Agent |
Mike Trout is about to cash in.Big time.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Hours later, news broke that Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.Trout's latest deal would... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 02:17 | Buehler throws 46 pitches in spring debut for Dodgers | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Rich Hill | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Kenta Maeda | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Russell Martin | C | Blue Jays | Free Agent |
| | | Hyun Jin Ryu | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Ross Stripling | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Walker Buehler had good command of his pitches and plenty of life on his fastball in his long-awaited Cactus League debut Tuesday night.Ever the critic, though, the Los Angeles Dodgers' right-hander still found a few flaws."A little erratic, a little all over the place, but that's what these games are for," said Buehler, who consistently reached 97-98 mph against the Cleveland Indians."Spring training is to get my work in. Obviously, pitching against those guys is a good litmus test for where I'm at."He was asked if his velocity is where he wants it at this point."Close," said the 24-year-old Buehler, who finished third in 2018 NL Rookie of the Year voting. "Obviously, 45,000 in the stands helps a little bit, but we're fine."Buehler's 46-pitch appearance covered 2 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits and an earned run, striking out two without a walk."I thought Walker was where we hoped he'd be tonight," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought he was amped up,... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 01:51 | Luis Castillo to get surprise start for Reds on opening day | Austin Brice | RP | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Anthony DeSclafani | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Sonny Gray | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Tanner Roark | SP | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Dan Straily | SP | Marlins | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Wood | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Luis Castillo has been picked to start on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds.Rookie manager David Bell made the announcement Tuesday, saying Castillo will get the ball March 28 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Castillo was 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA in 31 starts for the last-place Reds a year ago.The 26-year-old right-hander is set to begin his second full season with Cincinnati. Castillo broke into the big leagues straight from Double-A Pensacola on June 23, 2017. He made his first start against Washington five months after the Reds acquired him and Austin Brice from the Miami Marlins in a trade for Dan Straily.Cincinnati traded for three experienced starters this offseason: Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark and Alex Wood. Castillo and Anthony DeSclafani are the only holdovers from the 2018 rotation.Bell said Gray, Roark and DeSclafani will follow Castillo."It was fun telling him. He was excited about it," Bell said. "He's had a lot of success leading up to now. We like... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 01:18 | Luis Castillo to get surprise start for Reds on opening day | Austin Brice | RP | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Anthony DeSclafani | SP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | Sonny Gray | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Tanner Roark | SP | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Dan Straily | SP | Marlins | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Wood | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Luis Castillo has been picked to start on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds.Rookie manager David Bell made the announcement Tuesday, saying Castillo will get the ball March 28 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Castillo was 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA in 31 starts for the last-place Reds a year ago.The 26-year-old right-hander is set to begin his second full season with Cincinnati. Castillo broke into the big leagues straight from Double-A Pensacola on June 23, 2017. He made his first start against Washington five months after the Reds acquired him and Austin Brice from the Miami Marlins in a trade for Dan Straily.Cincinnati traded for three experienced starters this offseason: Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark and Alex Wood. Castillo and Anthony DeSclafani are the only holdovers from the 2018 rotation.Bell said Gray, Roark and DeSclafani will follow Castillo."It was fun telling him. He was excited about it," Bell said. "He's had a lot of success leading up to now. We like... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 00:56 | AP source: Alex Bregman, Astros agree to $100M, 6-year deal | Jose Altuve | 2B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B | Astros | Free Agent |
HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.The agreement includes this season, buys out three years of arbitration eligibility (2020-22) and pushes back Bregman's opportunity to become a free agent by two years. The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because details had not been released by the team. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.The 24-year-old Bregman made his first All-Star team last season and was selected MVP of the game after hitting a home run to help the American League win. He set career highs with a .286 batting average, 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles, finishing fifth in AL MVP balloting.The second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft out of LSU, Bregman has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2½ seasons with the Astros,... [ More] |
Wed Mar 20 2019 | 00:15 | Yankees reliever Betances to start season on injured list | Dellin Betances | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Britton | RP | Orioles | Free Agent |
| | | Billy Burns | CF | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Cessa | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Domingo Germán | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Didi Gregorius | SS | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | J.A. Happ | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Hicks | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jonathan Loáisiga | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jordan Montgomery | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Ottavino | RP | Rockies | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Severino | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Tarpley | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said Betances has an MRI on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander lacked velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart that clock," Cashman... [ More] |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 23:57 | AP source: Alex Bregman, Astros agree to $100M, 6-year deal | Alex Bregman | 3B | Astros | Free Agent |
HOUSTON (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the situation says Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024.The agreement includes this season, buys out three years of arbitration eligibility (2020-22) and pushes back his opportunity to become a free agent by two years. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details had not been released by the team. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.The 24-year-old Bregman made his first All-Star team last season and was selected MVP of the game after hitting a home run to help the American League win. He set career highs with a .286 batting average, 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 22:44 | Yankees reliever Betances to start season on injured list | Dellin Betances | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Britton | RP | Orioles | Free Agent |
| | | Billy Burns | CF | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Cessa | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Domingo Germán | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Didi Gregorius | SS | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | J.A. Happ | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Hicks | CF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jonathan Loáisiga | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Ottavino | RP | Rockies | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Severino | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Stephen Tarpley | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.New York general manager Brian Cashman said Betances has an MRI on Tuesday after the 6-8, 265-pound right-hander lacked velocity in his fastball."He's had a history in the past of slow starting, but this was a little bit more longer and more significant than we recalled," Cashman said.Betances, who normally reached the upper 90s, has topped at 92 or 93 mph throughout spring training.He curtailed his offseason throwing program awaiting the birth of his child and was given permission to report a few days late for spring training."I feel like I was trying to rush it," Betances said. "I just felt like I was behind the whole time. I'm not too concerned because I think it was just more for caution."Betances said he will not throw for three to five days."We need to give him a timeout, hit him with an anti-inflammatory so we can restart that clock," Cashman... [ More] |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 21:36 | Padres' Paddack works minor-league game, unlikely for opener | Chris Paddack | SP | Padres | Free Agent |
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chris Paddack's bid to make history as the San Diego Padres' opening day starter appears to be over.The 23-year-old right-hander has been so strong this spring that he was a candidate to become the first starting pitcher to make his major league debut on opening day since Al Gerhauser of the Phillies in 1943.But Paddack was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Monday night. Instead, he pitched in a minor-league game on Tuesday against Seattle at the team's complex in Peoria. He worked 4 2/3 innings, striking out eight and allowing four runs."It wasn't his cleanest outing, but overall he looks strong and we're very pleased with what he's done all spring," Padres manager Andy Green said Tuesday night.While Green hasn't committed to an opening day pitcher yet, the maneuver appears to take Paddack out of the running. He had been working every five days during Cactus League play, and a Monday start would have led him to Saturday and then the March 28 opener... [ More] |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 21:11 | AP source: Trout, Angels close to record $432M, 12-year deal | Nolan Arenado | 3B | Rockies | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Greinke | SP | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Hamilton | | | Free Agent |
| | | Bryce Harper | RF | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Manny Machado | SS | Orioles | Free Agent |
| | | Shohei Ohtani | SP/DH | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Albert Pujols | DH | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Rodriguez | | | Free Agent |
| | | Andrelton Simmons | SS | Angels | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Trout | CF | Angels | Free Agent |
Mike Trout is on the verge of becoming baseball's first half-billion dollar man.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017"I'm pretty sure I ain't paying one more dinner for him," said fellow Angels star Albert Pujols, in the midst of a $240 million, 10-year deal. "It's well deserved. I don't think there's anybody in baseball besides him who deserves that."Trout's... [ More] |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 21:08 | Former Rockies star Gonzalez gets new start with Indians | Michael Brantley | LF | Indians | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos González | RF | Rockies | Free Agent |
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Gonzalez's career is laden with personal achievements — a batting title, three All-Star appearances, three Gold Gloves.He has earned the respect of teammates and opponents and the unwavering devotion of Colorado fans, who have spent the past decade cheering the outfielder known simply as "CarGo."But something is missing and Gonzalez thinks he might find it in Cleveland. The free agent signed a minor league contract on Tuesday with the Indians, who might have a starting outfield spot for him."Looking at the roster and the past of this organization, this was an easy decision," Gonzalez said. "This is a team that not too long ago was playing in a World Series. As a baseball player, I think it is everybody's dream to be at that stage, to play for a championship. I want to be in the position to be in that category. This lineup, the rotation, this bullpen is built for winning."Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following... [ More] |