MLB | Report: Rays close to signing James Loney

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Report: Rays close to signing James Loney

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Rays "appear close" to signing free agent first baseman James Loney.

This is the type of buy-low opportunity we've come to expect from the Rays. Loney, 28, batted just .249/.293/.336 with six home runs, 41 RBI and a .630 OPS in 465 plate appearances this past season between the Dodgers and Red Sox. If signed, he'll likely be used on the strong side of a platoon at first base next season.

Source: Tim Brown on Twitter

Mon, Dec 3, 2012 12:50:00 AM

Yoan Moncada has worked out for seven teams

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports that Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada has had private workouts for the Brewers, Rangers, Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers this month.

Sanchez adds that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and president Andrew Friedman were both present at Moncada's workout in front of the club on Monday. Moncada still hasn't been cleared by Office of Foreign Asset and Control (OFAC) to sign with a major league team, but when that happens he's expected to command a deal in the $30-40 million range. The club that signs him will also have to pay a lot in penalties for going over the international spending limit.

Source: Jesse Sanchez on Twitter

Jan 26 - 10:39 PM

Mariners bring back OF Franklin Gutierrez

Mariners re-signed OF Franklin Gutierrez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Gutierrez missed the entire 2014 campaign after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and hasn't played 100 games in a season since 2010 due to a variety of injuries. He's healthy now, though, and the M's are willing to give him a shot in big league camp this spring. Gutierrez used to be an elite defender and wasn't a slouch with the bat, but he's nearly 32 now and obviously can't be counted on to stay healthy.

Jan 26 - 7:29 PM

Astros 'among teams' in on Kevin Correia

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Astros are "among the team" looking at Kevin Correia.

The Astros weren't able to land Ryan Vogelsong, so they're moving on to other back-end starter types. In addition to Correia, they've also been connected to Kyle Kendrick. Correia held a 5.44 ERA in 26 starts and three relief appearances last season between the Dodgers and Twins, so he shouldn't cost much.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Jan 26 - 7:24 PM

Angels hope to have Richards by Opening Day

Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports that the Angels "remain hopeful" Garrett Richards (knee) will be ready for Opening Day.

This is a more optimistic tone than manager Mike Scioscia offered last month, as the skipper said at the time he expected Richards to miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season. It remains possible that Richards won't quite be ready by April 6, but his return is anticipated sometime in April. General manager Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Richards, who is working his way back from left patellar tendon surgery, is "steadily increasing his running" on a treadmill and "continues to work through his throwing program with no issues to report."

Source: Orange County Register

Jan 26 - 6:38 PM

Orioles avoid arb. with Bud Norris at $8.8M

Orioles and RHP Bud Norris avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8.8 million contract.

Norris asked for $10.25 million and was offered $7.5 million from the O's when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. He settled slightly below the midpoint of those filings. The one-year deal, which covers Norris' final season of arbitration, also carries a $25,000 bonus for reaching 180 innings, a $50,000 bonus for reaching 200 innings, and $50,000 for a Gold Glove Award or All-Star nod.

Source: Dan Connolly on Twitter

Jan 26 - 3:58 PM

Reds announce 4-yr, $28M pact with Mesoraco

Reds signed C Devin Mesoraco to a four-year, $28 million contract extension.

Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors was first with the report. This deal buys out all three of Mesoraco's arbitration years along with his first year of free agency. He can test the market at age 30. Mesoraco posted an excellent .273/.359/.534 batting line with 25 home runs in 114 games last season for the Reds and is capable of even better in the years ahead. He should remain a fantasy stud for as long as he's in power-friendly Cincinnati.

Jan 26 - 3:28 PM

McGee throws for first time since surgery

Jake McGee played catch Monday for the first time since his December elbow surgery.

It was arthroscopic surgery, not Tommy John, so McGee is on track to join the Rays' bullpen around late April or early May. The 28-year-old left-hander had a spectacular 2014 season and should reclaim ninth-inning duties soon after he is activated. Kevin Jepsen, Brad Boxberger, and Ernesto Frieri are the fill-in candidates at closer.

Source: Marc Topkin on Twitter

Jan 26 - 1:12 PM

Franco has huge showing in DWL playoffs

Maikel Franco hit .337/.344/.570 with four home runs over 22 games in the Dominican Winter League playoffs.

Franco also had a strong regular season for Gigantes del Cibao. He didn't do much last September with the Phillies, but the 22-year-old third base prospect has posted big-time slugging numbers at every level of the minors and could take on significant fantasy value at some point in 2015. Cody Asche is expected to open the year at the hot corner for Philly. Ryan Howard still has to be plugged in at first base.

Source: The Outside Corner

Jan 26 - 12:00 PM

Royals monitoring free agent James Shields

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Monday that he is still monitoring James Shields' free agency but does not expect to re-sign the right-hander.

Kansas City is near its payroll limit and will carry six good rotation candidates into camp between Yordano Ventura, Jason Vargas, Jeremy Guthrie, Edinson Volquez, Danny Duffy, and Kris Medlen. Shields has probably begun lowering his asking price here in late January, but he's doubtful to fall into a logical range for the Royals. The 33-year-old has been connected recently to the Marlins, Diamondbacks, Padres, and Blue Jays. He is the best remaining free agent by far.

Source: Andy McCullough on Twitter

Jan 26 - 10:37 AM

Blue Jays end talks for O's exec Duquette

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, the Blue Jays have ended talks for Orioles GM Dan Duquette.

The Jays wanted to name Duquette their new CEO and Duquette reportedly wanted to accept the gig, but O's owner Peter Angelos would not let him go without a substantial return package. Davidi says the negotiations centered around right-hander Jeff Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in 2014, and two other minor leaguers. Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun hears that catcher Max Pentecost, the 11th overall pick in 2014, was also discussed. Duquette has been tremendously successful in the Orioles' front office and would have been a nice addition for the Blue Jays, but the asking price understandably rang too high for Toronto.

Source: Sportsnet.ca

Jan 26 - 9:33 AM

Brewers interested in bringing K-Rod back

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers are considering bringing back free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez.

According to Haudricourt, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has had conversations in recent days with Scott Boras, the agent for K-Rod. It appears as if trade talks for Jonathan Papelbon have fallen apart and the team doesn't feel secure relying solely on Jonathan Broxton in the late innings. Rodriguez had a career resurgence in the Brewers bullpen in 2014, saving 44 games while posting a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 73/18 K/BB ratio in 68 frames.

Source: Tom Haudricourt on Twitter

Jan 25 - 7:15 PM