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Strop to act as Cubs' closer down the stretch

Pedro Strop will serve as the Cubs' closer for the remainder of the 2013 regular season.

Kevin Gregg will operate in a setup role. "It’s going to be an opportunity [for Strop]," manager Dale Sveum said Thursday. "We want to see what he does in that role. Kevin [Gregg] has been one of the better closers in all of baseball. God knows where we’d be without him."

Source: MLBlogs.com

Thu, Sep 19, 2013 01:13:00 PM

Red Sox ink Ogando to one-year, $1.5M deal

Red Sox signed RHP Alexi Ogando to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The deal became official with Ogando passing his physical on Friday. He also has the potential to earn up to an additional $1.5 million in incentives. He struggled through an injury-plagued 2014 season, posting a 6.84 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 25 innings with the Rangers, but remains a very talented arm. It's a nice low-risk signing for the Red Sox to bolster their bullpen.

Jan 30 - 7:12 PM

Boston willing to trade RP Edward Mujica

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox "have expressed a willingness" to trade Edward Mujica.

It's not terribly surprising, as Mujica was decent but not great last season (3.90 ERA, 43/14 K/BB ratio over 60 innings) and is owed $4.75 million in 2015. The Red Sox have also added a couple bullpen arms in recent days in Robbie Ross and Alexi Ogando. Boston might have to eat a little money in order to move Mujica.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

Jan 30 - 4:00 PM

Red Sox to sign former Ranger Alexi Ogando

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox are in agreement with Alexi Ogando on a one-year contract.

The deal is pending a physical, and Ogando can't be considered a sure thing to pass it given his elbow and shoulder issues in recent seasons. It's worth $1.5 million plus another $1.5 million available in incentives. The health concerns are why the Rangers decided to non-tender him next month, but it's not a surprise that there was interest given his career 3.35 ERA. Ogando has both started and relieved but would likely do the latter in Boston.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

Jan 30 - 3:50 PM

Rockies acquire David Hale from Braves

Rockies acquired RHPs David Hale and Gus Schlosser from the Braves in exchange for Cs Jose Briceno and Chris O’Dowd.

Hale, 27, has posted a 3.02 ERA but has struck out just 58 over 98 1/3 innings the last two seasons with the Braves. He'll be going from a pretty pitcher-friendly park to an extremely hitter-friendly one, but his groundball tendencies should help at least. Hale should compete for a spot in the Rockies' rotation.

Jan 30 - 3:38 PM

Yankees sign Scott Baker to minor league deal

Yankees signed RHP Scott Baker to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

He'll earn $1.5 million if he makes the majors league roster. Baker posted a 5.47 ERA and and 55/14 K/BB ratio in 80 2/3 innings across eight starts and 17 relief appearances last season for the Rangers. The veteran right-hander hasn't looked the same since returning from Tommy John surgery, but the 33-year-old is worth a shot on a minor league deal. New York could use the depth, but Yankee Stadium certainly isn't an ideal landing spot for Baker.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Jan 30 - 1:09 PM

Rockies re-sign veteran reliever Betancourt

Rockies re-signed RHP Rafael Betancourt to a minor league contract.

He'll be invited to spring training. Betancourt made 21 rehab appearances last season after making it back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 4.66 ERA. He'll turn 40 in April and is obviously no safe bet, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the former closer winds up having a role in the Rockies' bullpen in 2015.

Source: Matt Eddy on Twitter

Jan 30 - 1:03 PM

Blue Jays' deal with Belisario falls through

Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 reports that the Blue Jays' minor league contract with Ronald Belisario has fallen through.

The deal was reported by multiple outlets on Thursday, but something happened and the two sides were unable to complete it. Belisario had been set to earn $1.7 million assuming he made Toronto's Opening Day roster, but he's now back on the free agent market. The reliever held a 5.56 ERA with 47 strikeouts over 66 1/3 frames for the White Sox last season.

Source: Mike Wilner on Twitter

Jan 30 - 11:59 AM

Brewers make Neal Cotts signing official

Brewers signed LHP Neal Cotts to a one-year, $3 million contract.

The deal has become official after Cotts passed a physical (which was no cinch given the four surgeries he's had on his right hip). The left-handed reliever boasts a 2.84 ERA while striking out 128 over 123 2/3 innings across the last two seasons. He's not just a southpaw specialist, as Cotts is capable versus righties.

Jan 30 - 11:01 AM

Phillies take a shot on SP Chad Billingsley

Phillies signed RHP Chad Billingsley to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The deal can get all the way up to $8 million if he reaches his performance incentives. Billingsley has made just two starts over the last two seasons due to elbow issues but should be recovered from flexor tendon surgery for the beginning of the 2015 campaign. He should be able to crack the Philadelphia rotation if healthy and is a nice low-risk move for the rebuilding Phillies.

Jan 29 - 6:54 PM

BoSox, Nava avoid arbitration with 1-yr deal

Red Sox and OF Daniel Nava avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.85 million contract.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported the contract terms. Nava, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, requested $2.25 million and was offered $1.3 million from the Red Sox when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. Ultimately, the two sides settled a bit north of the midpoint. The switch-hitter figures to function as a reserve outfielder and backup first baseman in 2015.

Jan 29 - 5:36 PM

Werth to begin five-day jail sentence Friday

Jayson Werth will begin serving his five-day jail sentence in Fairfax County, Virginia on Friday.

Werth was handed the five-day sentence Thursday in the Fairfax County General Circuit Court after pleading guilty to reckless driving. He got busted back in July for driving his Porsche 105 mph in a 55 mph zone along Interstate 495. The 35-year-old outfielder will be on time for spring training, though January 9 shoulder surgery is going to keep him from activities for the first several weeks of camp. Werth is questionable for Opening Day.

Source: Julie Carey on Twitter

Jan 29 - 1:46 PM