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Sunday, November 19, 2006 Sunday Morning News and Notes
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the retirement of third baseman Bill Mueller and have hired the 11-year Major League veteran as a Special Assistant to the GM.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have named Jim Hickey Major League Pitching Coach, it was announced yesterday by Andrew Friedman, Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. Hickey replaces Mike Butcher, who has accepted the position of Major League Pitching Coach with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have signed Justin Speier to a four-year, $18 million free-agent contract. The Mets are close to signing free-agent outfielder Moises Alou to a one-year contract with a club option. The Reds have agreed to a 3 year, $14 million contract with free agent SS Alex Gonzalez, pending a physical. Eric Byrnes, who is expected to move from center field to left and replace departing free agent Luis Gonzalez, said he doesn't expect to receive a multiyear contract offer from the Diamondbacks and can envision himself being traded next summer, despite leading the club in home runs (26) and stolen bases (25) in 2006. Luis Gonzalez, a free agent, has drawn interest from several clubs, and his representatives met with officials from the Indians, Reds, Giants, Dodgers and Rangers during GM meetings in Naples, Florida. The Braves also are reportedly working out a deal to bring pinch hitter Daryle Ward back next season. Ward is the only one of five Atlanta free agents who is likely to return. Atlanta probably will part ways with RHP John Thomson, RHP Danys Baez, C Todd Pratt and OF Brian Jordan. Ward led all major-leaguers with 22 pinch hits for Washington and Atlanta last season. SS Yunel Escobar won the Arizona Fall League batting title by hitting .407 in 22 games for the Peoria Javelinas. 2B/SS Alex Cora and the Red Sox made official the two-year pact that they agreed to at the start of November. Dontrelle Willis said he has been exercising his left arm and hopes in 2007 to log his third consecutive season of at least 200 innings. Willis lasted just 1 1/3 innings Oct. 3 in his final start of the season because of a sore left triceps. "I felt some pain, and (the Marlins) said it's not worth it. They're looking out for my best interests," Willis said. "Sometimes you just get fatigued, but I'll be ready to go next year." 2B Brandon Phillips, expected to get a trial at shortstop during spring training, led the 2006 team in hits (148) and multi-hit games (36). The move would make room for the re-signing of free agent Rich Aurilia to play second base regularly or to put INF/OF Ryan Freel at second if the club can sign or trade for a starting right fielder. SS Troy Tulowitzki was voted the No. 1 prospect in the Arizona Fall League in Baseball America's survey of managers and scouts. RF Jeremy Hermida is expected to be ready for spring training after being hobbled by sore right ankle last season. GM Larry Beinfest said Hermida is "getting ready to resume activity." Former Red Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace, whose contract wasn't renewed after last season, has been hired as the Astros' pitching coach. The Astros have had talks with the Rockies about acquiring former Baylor RHP Jason Jennings. The Rockies would like INF/OF Chris Burke in return to play center field, and closer Brad Lidge's name also has come up in the conversations. 1B Casey Kotchman, recovering from mononucleosis, would like to play winter ball, but it has not been determined where he will play. Ryan Braun, the Brewers' first-round draft pick in 2005, was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Fall League by Baseball America. J.J. Hardy is recovering nicely from the ankle injury that ended his 2006 season in mid-May. He is still projected to be the starter at that position next season. Steve Trachsel, who won 15 games for the Mets last season, will not be pursued by the team despite its pitching questions. Trachsel fell out of favor with two poor outings in the postseason. Daric Barton, the top hitting prospect in the organization, was hitting .462 in the Dominican Winter League. Barton missed most of the 2006 season with a freak elbow injury. He could be a DH option for the A's in 2007, although probably not by Opening Day. Kevin Frandsen helped his chances of being an everyday player next year by hitting .398 in the Arizona Fall League. It was the second-highest average in the league. He was tops in on-base percentage at .490. It appears unlikely the Giants will re-sign 2B Ray Durham. Edwin Jackson was moved to the bullpen during a disappointing 2006 season split between the Devil Rays and Triple-A Durham, and there was talk of trying him in the closer's role. But Jackson went back to starting when he went to Venezuela for the winter, and he was doing well for Magallenes. In four starts, Jackson was 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He was holding hitters to a .217 average, and he had struck out 12 in 18 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays remain hopeful they can re-sign CF Vernon Wells to a contract extension before spring training. Wells is signed through 2007 and is eligible for free agency following the season. John Patterson, who missed most of last season with a forearm injury that required surgery, said he's progressing great and will begin throwing soon. posted by Joe Hamrahi at 1:17 PM |
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2 Comments:
Isn't there a bit of a disconnect beetween the two Reds notes in this update? Why would they sign Gonzalez to play SS and talk about moving Phillips there at the same time? I'm guessing the Phillips note was written before the A-Gon story broke and just got left there by accident.
Actually, I think the report remained only because the Gonzalez deal is not "official." Barring a failed physical though, Alex should be the SS with Phillips remaining at 2B.
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