Cubs Sign Enrique Acosta
The Cubs have signed Dominican shortstop Enrique Acosta, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Acosta's signing bonus is said to be worth $1.1MM.
Acosta, at 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds, is considered to have one of the top bats this year in Latin America. It seems likely that the right-handed hitter will move from shortstop; possibly to a corner outfield spot or third base.
Marlins Designate Jose Lopez For Assignment
The Marlins have designated infielder Jose Lopez for assignment, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). The move will allow Florida to recall outfielder Bryan Petersen.
Lopez, 27, wound up spending less than a month with his new club after signing a minor league deal on June 9th. The Rockies DFA'd the infielder in late May and cut him loose on June 7th.
The veteran owns a career slash line of .262/.294/.393 but has an OPS of just .478 thus far in 2011.
Twins To Sign Miguel Gonzalez
The Twins are set to sign Dominican right-hander Miguel Gonzalez of La Academia, tweets Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated. Gonzalez will receive a signing bonus of $650K.
Segura adds that small-market teams continue to lead the way in international free agent signings. Yesterday, Ben Badler of Baseball America predicted that Gonzalez would command the 22nd highest signing bonus of this year's prospects in Latin America.
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.
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.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Bocock
Here's the list of players to be outrighted to Triple-A today:
- The Phillies have outrighted infielder Brian Bocock to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter). The club is now carrying 39 players on the 40-man roster.
Nationals Hire Davey Johnson As Manager
SUNDAY, 12:01pm: The Nationals have officially announced that Johnson will manage the team for the rest of the season, according to a press release. Johnson also agreed to a three-year consulting contract, so while he won't necessarily manage the team past 2011, he'll remain in the organization and will play a role in the hiring of his successor.
SATURDAY, 11:50am: MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals will announce the hiring today (Twitter link). Interim manager John McLaren is managing the team today according to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider.
FRIDAY, 10:45pm: Johnson's contract runs through 2013, according to Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter).
9:47pm: The Nationals will name Davey Johnson as their new manager, a source familiar with the situation tells Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. The 68-year-old will manage the team for the rest of the season and next season, pending league approval.
Johnson's first game as manager will be Sunday afternoon when the Nats wrap up a three-game series with the White Sox, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. An official announcement could come as soon as tonight.
Johnson, who is a senior adviser with the Nationals, last managed in the majors in 2000 for the Dodgers but served as the skipper for the United States baseball team in 2003. Johnson won a World Series in 1986 as the manager of the New York Mets and has a career MLB managerial record of 1148-888.