Red Sox Sign Paul Byrd
According to Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports, the Red Sox have signed RHP Paul Byrd to a minor-league deal. Rosenthal says Byrd could be ready to pitch for the team by Sept. 1.
Byrd, 38, was acquired by the Sox from the Indians last year and altogether put up 4.60 ERA and 82/34 K/BB ratio in 180 innings. It was somewhat of a surprise no one had picked him up until now.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Rangers, Bedard
Some fairly interesting nuggets to scope out this Wednesday evening:
- Despite the Reds' abysmal play as of late, team CEO Bob Castellini has given manager Dusty Baker a vote of confidence for this year and next, says John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Doug Miller at MLB.com reports that Spring Training has been a huge boon for Florida, generating over $750MM for the state. "Major League Baseball has a following that transcends economic downturns," researcher Dr. Mark Bonn said. Haven't heard that from team owners too often.
- The Rangers designated minor-league RHP John Bannister for assignment to make room for Esteban German on the big-league roster, says Evan Grant at D Magazine.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that the team is getting closer to a deal with their first-round pick, RHP Mike Leake.
- Erik Bedard's rehab has been shut down indefinitely as he experienced more pain in his shoulder, says Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times, which effectively ends any trade value he might've had for the Mariners.
Dodgers “Never Close” To Loney Deal
Dodger GM Ned Colletti talked to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Radio host Larry Krueger last night, says Diamond Leung, and said that James Loney was "never close" to being traded. He also has some stern words for the media and bloggers:
"What aggravates me is that people, with the way the media works today or blogs work today or whatever, people can say whatever they want with no credence, no history, no reason to do it, just except to start something up and to act like they know what they’re talking about."
Loney had been frequently linked by to a deal that fell through before the deadline that would've sent him in a massive five-player package to the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell, first reported by Jon Heyman at SI. Danny Knobler at CBS Sports later reported that the deal had been agreed to, but the Dodgers backed out at the last minute.
Yankees Sign Russ Ortiz
According to Tyler Kepner at the New York Times, the Yankees have signed RHP Russ Ortiz to provide minor-league depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Ortiz was released by the Astros in July after putting up a 5.57 ERA and 65/48 K/BB ratio in 85.2 innings as a starter.
Sano Age Investigation Continues
Miguel Angel Sano, said to be the prize of the international free agent market this year, was reported to have passed Major League Baseball's age investigation recently. However, Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com is reporting that investigations into Sano's age are still ongoing, and that the Pirates are the only team who have given him a formal offer.
Mayo says that offer is now off the table, and it was reported to be much less than the Cardinals' contract given to Wagner Mateo, which was the highest bonus awarded this season. Sano's agent Rob Plummer claims he never wanted offers in the first place as the investigation was in process, while the Pirates say their offer had a deadline that expired. Still, Pirates GM Neal Huntington says he maintains interest in Sano as investigations continue, and Mayo says Sano should still receive huge offers should his age be proven.
If Sano's age is determined to be falsified, he will be denied a work visa in the United States.
Red Sox DFA Gil Velazquez
The Red Sox made a minor move today, designating infielder Gil Velazquez for assignment. He'll make room for lefty Billy Traber. Velazquez appeared in six games for Boston earlier this year, going 0 for 2.
Cubs Release B.J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan asked for his release and the Cubs gave it to him, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs signed him to a minor league deal last month after the Blue Jays released him. Apparently, Ryan's velocity and sharpness did not return during his brief stint in the Cubs' system.
Odds And Ends: Volquez, Hamilton, Pirates
Time for some afternoon links…
- Over at SI.com Jonah Keri looks back at a win-win trade that lost its luster. Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez seemed like perfect fits for their new teams just last year, but injuries have shelved both.
- In his MLB.com chat, Pirates president Frank Coonelly defended the organization's choice to flip Jason Bay for prospects last summer. FanGraphs values Andy LaRoche's 2009 performance more than Bay's, believe it or not.
- Coonelly says the Pirates are the only club to have offered Miguel Angel Sano "significant dollars." Don't expect Sano to sign until the investigation into his age is complete, however.
- Brandon Phillips would consider playing short if the Reds want him to, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Yankees DFA Cody Ransom
The Yankees designated Cody Ransom for assignment to make room for Anthony Claggett, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. Ransom, 33, hit .190/.256/.329 in 31 games for the Yankees, mostly as a third baseman.
Royals DFA Ryan Freel
Via Twitter, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals designated Ryan Freel for assignment to clear roster space for Kyle Davies. The Cubs traded Freel to the Royals about a month ago after acquiring him from the Orioles back in May. He's hitting .244/.306/.289 in 18 games this season.