Minor Moves: Wise, Ray, Bell
Tonight's minor moves..
- Dewayne Wise cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the Yankees outfielder has yet to accept the assignment, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- The Athletics have released reliever Chris Ray, who was with the club's Triple-A affiliate, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The 30-year-old hooked on with Oakland less than two weeks ago.
- Right-hander Trevor Bell cleared waivers and was released by the Angels today, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. The 25-year-old made 19 appearances for the Halos in 2011, posting a 3.41 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9.
Athletics Sign Chris Ray
The Athletics signed right-hander Chris Ray and assigned him to Triple-A, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. The Indians released Ray from their Triple-A team less than a week ago.
Ray posted a 2.75 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 36 innings of relief for Triple-A Columbus before being released. The 30-year-old posted a 4.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 46% ground ball rate in 32 2/3 innings for last year's Mariners team.
Indians Release Chris Ray
We'll keep track of today's minor moves right here..
- The Indians announced that right-hander Chris Ray was granted his release from Triple-A Columbus today. The 30-year-old posted a 4.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 46% ground ball rate in 32 2/3 innings for the Mariners in 2011.
AL Central Links: Indians, Ray, Lewis, Accardo
Two years ago today, the Twins signed Orlando Hudson to a one-year contract worth $5MM. He hit .268/.338/.372 in 126 games for Minnesota, then signed a two-year, $11.5MM deal with the Padres after the season. Here's the latest from the AL Central…
- "We spent a lot of time trying to identify guys that we felt could come in and win spots," said Indians GM Chris Antonetti to Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "If they didn't win spots, they could provide quality alternatives for us." Cleveland has signed 20 players to minor league deals this offseason, including Dan Wheeler, Jose Lopez, and Ryan Spilborghs.
- Within the same piece, Hoynes reports that Chris Ray can opt out of his minor league deal with the Indians on April 3rd. Fred Lewis and Jeremy Accardo can opt out of their contracts on June 1st.
- Baseball America's Ben Badler reports that Ramon Hernandez Jorrin's contract with the Royals is worth $500K. We first heard that Kansas City had signed the 22-year-old Cuban outfielder earlier this week.
Contract Details: Red Sox, Indians, Reds
MLB.com’s beat reporters have passed along lots of contract details today. Here they are:
- Jane Lee has the details on the Athletics and Steve Gilbert adds the latest on the Diamondbacks.
- Ian Browne has the details on the Red Sox and their recent contracts. Carlos Silva and Aaron Cook would earn bonuses for winning the Comeback Player of the Year.
- Jeremy Accardo and Chris Ray can ask the Indians to release them if they are not on the Major League roster by April 4th and June 1st, respectively, Jordan Bastian writes. Bastian also has contract details for Fred Lewis and others who signed minor league deals with Cleveland.
- Todd Zolecki has the details on the new contracts for all Phillies, from Joe Savery to Cole Hamels.
- The seven players who signed Major League deals with the Marlins so far this offseason will cost Miami $31.585MM in 2012, Joe Frisaro writes.
- Brian McTaggart explains the Chris Snyder and Jack Cust deals in detail.
- Mark Sheldon has the details on Ryan Madson, Nick Masset, Paul Janish and the rest of the Reds who have agreed to new deals this offseason.
- Brittany Ghiroli has the details on Robert Andino’s 2012 contract.
Indians Sign Chris Ray
The Indians announced that they have signed right-hander Chris Ray to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. MLB.com's Jordan Bastian first reported the news on Twitter.
Ray, who turns 30 today, posted a 4.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 46% ground ball rate in 32 2/3 innings for the Mariners in 2011. He has a 4.19 ERA with 7.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 39.3% ground ball rate in a career that includes an extended stint as the Orioles' closer from 2006-07. SFX represents the six-year MLB veteran.
Mariners Release Chris Ray
The Mariners have released Chris Ray, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com (on Twitter). The 29-year-old right-hander began the day with a 4.68 ERA, 6.1 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 32 2/3 innings.
By releasing the six-year veteran, Seattle creates space on its 40-man roster for Danny Hultzen, the second overall pick in the draft. Hultzen signed a big league deal, so the Mariners needed 40-man roster room.
Quick Hits: Bautista, Chapman, Mariners, Marlins
Some news items to wrap up the evening….
- In regards to the Blue Jays and Jose Bautista pushing back their arbitration hearing, a source tells FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (Twitter link) that when hearings are delayed, it "frequently" means a long-term deal is on the way.
- Reds pitching coach Bryan Price confirms that Aroldis Chapman will pitch relief for Cincinnati this season, reports Fanhouse's John Hickey. The Reds' rotation is deep enough that they "don't have to push Chapman," Price said. "We don't need to stockpile innings on him at this stage of his career…But down the road will he start? I think he will."
- The Mariners announced that Ken Griffey Jr. will be a special consultant for the club, according to the team's Twitter feed. MLB.com's Greg Johns outlines some of the tasks Griffey will perform in his new position.
- Chris Ray tells Greg Johns that he turned down a Major League offer from another club to sign a minor league deal with the Mariners since Ray will get a chance to close or at least set up games in Seattle. "It doesn't really mean a whole lot if it's a one-year contract [elsewhere] and I'm a free agent again next year if I'm pitching basically the scrap innings," Johns said. "That's not something that will help me out in the future. From this point forward, I want to be the guy who goes in late in the ballgame."
- Jeffrey Loria thinks the Marlins are a playoff-caliber team, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Loria also hinted that Florida's payroll will rise next year when the Fish move into their new Miami stadium.
- Jorge Posada said "it wouldn't surprise" him if Andy Pettitte pitched again, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Mariners Sign Chris Ray
The Mariners have signed Chris Ray to a minor league contract with an invitation to their Major League Spring Training camp, reports the team's official Twitter feed.
Ray, 29, had a 3.72 ERA and a 1.24 K/BB ratio in 63 relief appearances with the Rangers and Giants last season. He came to San Francisco in the Bengie Molina deal last July but didn't make the club's postseason roster and was non-tendered in December. Ray looked to be one of the more promising young closers in the game after he racked up 33 saves for Baltimore in 2006, but he has been plagued by injuries since. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2007 and missed the entire 2008 season.
National League Non-Tenders
This post will list all the National League players non-tendered today, but the best place to track all 200+ arbitration eligible players is our new non-tender tracker.
- Rockies: Manny Delcarmen
- Mets: Sean Green Chris Carter, John Maine
- Nationals: Joel Peralta, Wil Nieves, Chien-Ming Wang
- Dodgers: Russell Martin, George Sherrill, Trent Oeltjen
- Giants: Chris Ray, Eugenio Velez
- Pirates: Lastings Milledge, Argenis Diaz, Donnie Veal, Brian Burres
- Diamondbacks: Blaine Boyer, Ryan Church, Augie Ojeda, D.J. Carrasco
- Marlins: Jose Veras, Ronny Paulino
- Padres: Tony Gwynn, Scott Hairston, Matt Antonelli, Luis Perdomo
- Brewers: Todd Coffey, Joe Inglett
- Astros: Sammy Gervacio
- Braves: Matt Diaz