Happy Mother's Day! Let's take a look back at the week that was:
- The Rangers officially signed Cuban defector Leonys Martin to a five-year, $15.5MM contract that includes a $5MM signing bonus. We'd been hearing a deal was close with the speedy outfielder for weeks. Martin, 23, will likely begin his pro career at Double-A.
- Kevin Millwood opted out of his contract with the Yankees and said he hoped to sign elsewhere this week, but hasn't done so as of yet.
- We've seen Justin Upton, Jay Bruce, and Carlos Gonzalez all locked up in the past year, and the Pirates may be looking to extend another of the game's best young outfielders. They're currently in talks with Andrew McCutchen about a long-term deal.
- The Giants have discussed attempting to acquire Jose Reyes internally, following Miguel Tejada's struggles at shortstop. Mike Fontenot is currently manning short on an everyday basis for the defending World Champs.
- Despite a dreadful start to the season, the White Sox aren't looking to make big changes yet. If they remain out of contention though, they'd have plenty of appealing pieces to sell off at the deadline.
- The Mets received terrible news this week when they learned that top prospect Jenrry Mejia has a complete tear of the MCL in his elbow and will undergo Tommy John surgery.
- Both Todd Wellemeyer and former first rounder Russ Adams officially retired this week. Best of luck to both in their lives after baseball.
- Ken Rosenthal's Full Count video provided updates on the job status of Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and Cubs GM Jim Hendry, and told us that the Royals could buy and sell this July if they remain in contention.
- Jason Heyward found himself a new agent this week. He'll now be represented by Casey Close, who also represents Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard.
- The Cubs released former top prospect Max Ramirez. Ramirez was claimed off waivers twice this offseason, but Chicago passed him through waivers to send him to Triple-A at the end of Spring Training. Given the number of teams who need catching depth, he should catch on elsewhere.
- Other moves this week included the Brewers acquiring minor leaguer Jordan Brown from the Indians, the Yankees claiming Jess Todd from Cleveland and subsquently designating Kevin Russo for assignment, and Felipe Lopez being DFA'ed by the Rays and clearing waivers. For all of the week's minor moves, check our Transactions tag or use MLBTR's Transaction Tracker.
the Yankees made the big mistake of giving Jeter a multiyear deal instead of going year to yaer with him…Reyes name is starting to swirl around in trade rumors and he will probably hit free agency at the end of season and the Yanks can’t persue him now…nor can they trade for Stephen Drew next year…as a Yankee fan i’m very dissapointed…i thought they might have learned from the Arod deal…no WS for a while…and maybe no playoffs either.
the Yankees made the big mistake of giving Jeter a multiyear deal instead of going year to yaer with him…Reyes name is starting to swirl around in trade rumors and he will probably hit free agency at the end of season and the Yanks can’t persue him now…nor can they trade for Stephen Drew next year…as a Yankee fan i’m very dissapointed…i thought they might have learned from the Arod deal…no WS for a while…and maybe no playoffs either.
With a 200MM dollar payroll you really think 1 contract is preventing the Yankees from winning a World Series? It’s a good thing you are a Yankee fan.
“The Mets received terrible news this week”
You should probably just set up a hot key for that statement to save yourself some time in the future.