On this date in 2009, the Red Sox signed John Smoltz to a one-year contract. He struggled through 40 innings in Boston before moving on to St. Louis, where he pitched to considerably better results in seven starts. Here's the latest on the AL East…
- Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com wonder if Johnny Damon could be a fit for the Orioles in 2012.
- The Rays and Joe Maddon have made progress in extension talks for the skipper, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Maddon’s contract expires after the 2012 season, but both sides have expressed interest in working an extended agreement out before then.
- Luke Scott told reporters that he won’t be ready to play the outfield until May or June, because his shoulder injury is still healing, Topkin tweets. Scott, whose deal with the Rays became official today, will DH right away and may play some first base.
- Scott says the Orioles never made him a firm offer after non-tendering him, Kubatko tweets.
- The Red Sox are still in talks with the agent for Hiroki Kuroda, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
- Former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein addressed his departure from Boston and other related topics on WEEI this morning and we have the details here.
January is Friedman’s month, always has been. A lot of Rays rumors lately including that odd one about almost signing Crisp. The Maddon extension is a when, not an IF. I think before the season, Friedman will pick up Pena, extend Maddon and one of the younger players and sign a bunch of guys for depth. RP’s and infielders who play in AAA until someone gets hurt are his type.
Since he won’t be able to play the OF until June I can definitely see why the O’s didn’t get too serious about bringing him back. Wish him and the Rays best of luck.
I am a little surprised by this signing for the Rays. I do not see this working out as planned for them. I’d rather have offered Damon $2mm, and picked up several other complimentary pieces with the remaining $4mm in guaranteed money going to Scott. They do little, stay conservative financially and then spend $6mm on an injured player. His surgery was fairly recent too. I’m sure Friedman did his due diligence, but still, Scott is a great pick up mid season, not now.
Just say no to Damon… at least in Baltimore
However, the Orioles should give a Marv Albert “Yes” to Kuroda!
I’d love to have Kuroda but I’m guessing he’d go back to Japan before he would come to Baltimore
Indians are asking their owners if they can find a way to get Pena. While they beg their bosses, swoop in, Friedman.
Orioles….say NO to Damon….I’d rather have Vlad back or even sign Kotchman and DH Reynolds…just NO to Damon!!
Damon actually has a pretty good OPS at Camden Yards. He might be a good fit there.