More in the flurry of minor-league depth signings: According to the Minor League Baseball transactions feed, the Rockies have signed OF Paul McAnulty to a minor-league deal. McAnulty was released by the Red Sox in July and his last major-league numbers came in '08 with the Padres, when he hit .207/.341/.341 in 164 plate appearances.
Jays Sign Wilfredo Ledezma
According to the Minor League Baseball transactions feed, the Jays signed LHP Wilfredo Ledezma to a minor-league deal yesterday. The 28-year-old was released by the Nationals in April after he posted a 9.53 ERA and 8/4 K/BB ratio in 5.2 innings.
A’s Sign Brett Tomko
According to the Oakland Tribune, the A's have signed RHP Brett Tomko to a minor-league deal. He'll be assigned to AAA Sacramento.
The 36-year-old Tomko was just released by the Yankees last week after posting a 5.23 ERA and 11/7 K/BB ratio in 20 innings. Lots of teams adding pitching depth today.
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.
Indians DFA Jose Veras
Another Indian reliever has been shuffled: According to Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com, the Indians have designated RHP Jose Veras for assignment. He'll move to make room for Jess Todd, the player to be named later from the Cardinals in the Mark DeRosa deal.
Veras had been acquired from the Yankees in June, and put up a 7.62 ERA in 13 innings for the Indians.
