Pirates Sign Harold Ramirez
The Pirates have agreed to terms with Colombian outfielder Harold Ramirez, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. Ramirez will reportedly receive a signing bonus of $1.05MM.
Ramirez, 16, is 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and has received high praise for his speed, instincts and feel for hitting from the right side of the plate, according to Badler. Even though he has plus-plus speed, Ramirez likely doesn't have the arm to play center field.
This deal ranks as the second biggest international bonus ever given out by the Pirates. The top honors belong to Luis Heredia, who signed for $2.6MM last August.
Rangers To Sign Nomar Mazara
The Rangers have reached agreement on a deal with Dominican outfielder Nomar Mazara for more than $5MM, a source told of Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com. The deal would top the previous watermark set by Athletics pitcher Michael Ynoa, who signed for $4.25MM in 2008.
Mazara, 16, stands at 6-foot-5 and hits for power from the left side. Rojas writes that he is considered to be the best power-hitting prospect out of Latin America since Wily Mo Pena and Miguel Cabrera.
The Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Athletics also showed interest in the 16-year-old, the source said. Yesterday, Ben Badler of Baseball America (via Twitter) said that it was difficult to gauge what kind of bonus the outfielder might command.
AL East Notes: Scott, Cameron, Red Sox
Links from the AL East..
- The Orioles could have an interesting decision to make on 33-year-old Luke Scott after the season, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. Scott will enter his final year of arbitration after making $6.4MM this season and the O's probably won't want to pay much more than that. Trading him might be the logical move but Zrebiec doesn't see much of a market for the 33-year-old.
- After being DFA'd, outfielder Mike Cameron pointed to his lack of playing time with the Red Sox for hurting his overall play. However, the veteran knew that he'd be seeing a reduced role this season, writes Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald.
- The New York Times Co. has sold more than half its holdings in the Fenway Sports Group, which includes the BoSox, for $117MM, writes Beth Healy of The Boston Globe. Times Co. has recouped more than what the media company spent on its entire original investment. The purchasers of the shares were affiliates of existing partners, according to Sox owner John Henry.
Reagins: Angels Able To Add Payroll
Angels GM Tony Reagins said Friday that the Angels can add payroll in the right deal, refuting reports that Halos owner Arte Moreno told him not to spend any more money this season, writes Jordan Garretson of MLB.com.
Reagins, appearing on Jim Bowden's SiriusXM program "Inside Pitch," said:
We're looking to improve this ballclub. We'll have the opportunity to add if we need to add. If the situation is right, we're going to be aggressive in pursuing it. That's been our M.O. since we've been here and will continue to be. If we see opportunities that will make us better, we're definitely going to jump right in there.
Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena is being mentioned as a potential fit for the Angels, according to Garretson, but he'd have to split time with first baseman Mark Trumbo and perhaps DH Bobby Abreu, which wouldn't necessarily be a net gain for the lineup.
That aside, the Angels have been hot of late and trailed the AL West-leading Rangers by just one game entering Friday night's action, so if nothing else, Reagins is saying the right thing now.
Minor Moves: Torra, Storey
A couple of minor league transactions to pass along:
- The Rays have acquired right-hander Matt Torra from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter). Torra, a first-round pick of Arizona in 2005, has a career era of 4.52 in 800 innings in the minors.
- The Astros acquired righty Mickey Storey in a trade with the Athletics on Thursday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (via Twitter). Storey's minors numbers are solid: 3.04 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 in 195 2/3 innings.
Quick Hits: Wandy, Venezuela, Trade Deadline
Here are some loose items of note as Jair Jurrjens works on a gem against the Orioles …
- The Astros face a tough decision in whether to trade Wandy Rodriguez, writes Stephen Goff of the Houston Examiner. Rodriguez's trade stock is at an all-time high, according to Goff, but it's unclear of how the Astros' incoming owner, Jim Crane, will want to proceed with the current roster. If an option for 2014 vests, the balance of Rodriguez's current deal would end up being $44.5MM.
- There is a proposal for a new law in Venezuela that would alter MLB teams' access to the country's players, according to Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). Venezuela, of course, is a hotbed for Major League talent, having produced Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Francisco Rodriguez and many, many others.
- Tom Singer of MLB.com provides a scene-setter for what promises to be an interesting month leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline. There are plenty of trade candidates this year, according to Singer, such as Heath Bell, but there are few, if any, no-doubt types, as there was a year ago in Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Cliff Lee and Dan Haren.
East Notes: Nationals, Red Sox, Phillies, Orioles
A few items of note from the East divisions as the Mets and Yanks kick off this season's second installment of the Subway Series …
- Nationals manager Davey Johnson has ideas about how he'd like his roster and staff tweaked, writes Jeff Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com. Johnson wants a more offensive-oriented bench, a swing starter/long man, another lefty reliever and fewer split-heavy regulars in the lineup. Sounds like a lot of changes for this juncture of the season, but then again, these aren't especially difficult moves to make.
- The New York Times Co. has sold more than half its stake in the Red Sox for $117MM, according to the Boston Globe.
- The Phillies and Red Sox are bumping up against the luxury tax and don't have much financial flexibility to add players, but Scott Miller of CBSSports.com writes that those clubs have a knack for coming up with the necessary funds when push comes to shove.
- The Orioles have a better record than they did a year ago, but Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun isn't sure the team, still not ready to contend, is really any better off than it was then. 2011 marks the Birds' fourth full season under the stewardship of Andy MacPhail.
Brian Barden Opts Out Of Contract
Rangers minor leaguer Brian Barden, a third baseman, has opted out of his contract and become a free agent, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram (via Twitter).
Barden, whose most extensive time in the Majors came with the Cardinals in 2009, was hitting .357/.403/.556 with Triple-A Round Rock before opting out, although those robust numbers were posted in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Texas signed Barden in December.
Rangers Designate Dave Bush For Assignment
The Rangers have designated right-hander Dave Bush for assignment, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). The move will allow Texas to activate Tommy Hunter.
Bush, 31, made 14 relief appearances and three starts for the Rangers this season. In 2011, the right-hander posted a 5.79 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.
The Rangers signed Bush to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training in January. The veteran's deal ensured him a base of $1MM for making the team with up to $1MM in possible incentives.
Quick Hits: Bootcheck, Mets, Cameron, Ramirez
Friday afternoon linkage..
- Right-hander Chris Bootcheck is expected to use his July 1st opt-out and leave the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
- Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) spoke to a scout in contact with the Mets who says that the club won't be looking to sell until the season plays out more. Of course, they may choose to not sell off their parts at all.
- It looks like we can cross off one potential suitor for Mike Cameron: Bill Ladson of MLB.com tweets that the Nationals aren't interested. The Nats, he tweets, are seeking a long-term solution in centerfield.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) hears that the rotation is still a top trade priority for the Tigers, but bullpen help is a consideration now as well.
- Bobby Bonilla, eat your heart out. Manny Ramirez starts earning his $2MM deferred money from the Red Sox today and every year on this date through 2026, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.