Laird arrested after brawl at NBA game
December 31, 2009
PHOENIX (AP)—Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird(notes) and his younger brother, NewYork Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl inthe lounge area of Phoenix’s NBA arena, according to police.
Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday nightand 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said theLairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Arena after the fightduring the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.
Police said arena security previously contacted the group of men about theirloud behavior. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after aconversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterward and theLaird brothers allegedly assaulted the security guards.
Gerald Laird lives in suburban Peoria in the offseason. Brandon Laird isconsidered one of the top infield prospects in the Yankees farm system andplayed for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this year.
Phillies, Baez agree to 2-year contract
December 31, 2009
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—The Philadelphia Phillies and free agent reliever Danys Baez(notes)have reached a deal.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that thesides agreed on a two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymitybecause Baez must pass a physical for the contract to be complete.
Baez adds depth to the back end of Philadelphia’s bullpen. The 32-year-oldright-hander has 114 career saves. He was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games withBaltimore last year.
Baez could be used as a setup man along with Ryan Madson(notes) and J.C. Romero(notes),and he’s a potential option as a closer if Brad Lidge(notes) struggles again this year.
The deal was first reported by MLB.com.
Laird arrested after brawl at Suns game
December 31, 2009
PHOENIX (AP)—Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird(notes) and his younger brother, NewYork Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl inthe lounge area of Phoenix’s NBA arena, according to police.
Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday nightand 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said theLairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Arena after the fightduring the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.
Police said arena security previously contacted the group of men about theirloud behavior. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after aconversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterward and theLaird brothers allegedly assaulted the security guards.
Gerald Laird lives in suburban Peoria in the offseason. Brandon Laird isconsidered one of the top infield prospects in the Yankees farm system andplayed for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this year.
Cubs, OF Byrd agree on 3-year, $15M deal
December 31, 2009
CHICAGO (AP)—The Cubs found the center fielder they’d been searching for,agreeing Thursday to a $15 million, three-year contract with Marlon Byrd(notes).
And the Cubs are hoping to have more success with this former Texas Rangersoutfielder than the one they signed last offseason—Milton Bradley(notes).
Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for Texas. He will takeover in center from Kosuke Fukudome(notes), who will move to right field full-timeafter the trade of the troubled Bradley to Seattle.
A career .279 hitter with 60 homers and 335 RBIs in 785 major league gameswith Philadelphia, Washington and Texas, Byrd will be reunited with former Texasand current Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. In three seasons working withJaramillo in Texas, Byrd batted .295 with 40 homers and 212 RBIs.
“When I knew I had the opportunity to become a Cub, I was really hopingthat this would be my landing ground,” Byrd said during a conference call withreporters, adding that rejoining Jaramillo made it even better.
“I really enjoyed my last three years with Rudy. I’m very comfortable withhim. As you guys have heard over and over again, he is the best in the business.Especially with Rudy and me being close and having that relationship, it’s goingto work with him another three years.”
Byrd gets $3 million next year, $5.5 million in 2011 and $6.5 million in2012. He will pretty much replace Bradley, whose signed a $30 million,three-year deal with the Cubs and lasted only one contentious season.
Bradley hit .257 with 40 RBIs and was suspended the final two weeks of theseason by general manager Jim Hendry after criticizing the atmospheresurrounding the Cubs.
“I haven’t talked to him, as far as baseball, I haven’t talked to him sinceduring the season. We tried to go over things as far as what was going on withhis swing,” Byrd said of Bradley. “But the bit thing about me and Milton is wehave a relationship off the field, so I love Milton Bradley, and I’m a littlebiased when it comes to him. I think he’s a great guy. I’m going to talk to himtoday about coming here. I’m sure he’s happy, too. … He’s going to anotherplace to get a fresh start. It’s a thing of the past.”
Byrd led the Rangers in game-winning RBIs last season with 12 and hit .333with runners in scoring position.
He has played all three outfield positions during his career and had a .991fielding percentage last season with only three errors in 341 chances. He made100 starts for the Rangers in center field, 35 in left and six in right.
The 32-year-old Byrd originally was selected by Philadelphia in the 10thround of the 1999 amateur draft.
“We wanted to come up with what we thought was the right fit in centerfield. And we felt like we explored every avenue, free agency and trade wise,”Hendry said. “We kept coming back to Marlon as being the right guy. It gives usa chance to move Fukudome back to where he’s much better defensively in rightfield. It really helps our overall defensive situation. Marlon, of course is anabove-average outfielder and coming off very, very good numbers offensively.”
Cubs, OF Byrd agree on 3-yr., $15M deal
December 31, 2009
CHICAGO (AP)—Outfielder Marlon Byrd(notes) agreed Thursday to a $15 million,three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for the Texas Rangers.and will likely take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome(notes), who would move toright field full-time after the trade of troubled Milton Bradley(notes) to Seattle.
Byrd gets $3 million next year, $5.5 million in 2011 and $6.5 million in2012.
A career .279 hitter with 60 homers and 335 RBIs in 785 major league gameswith Philadelphia, Washington and Texas, Byrd will be reunited with former Texasand current Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. In three seasons working withJaramillo in Texas, Byrd batted .295 with 40 homers and 212 RBIs.
Byrd led the Rangers in game-winning RBI last season with 12 and hit .333with runners in scoring position.
He has played all three outfield positions during his career and had a .991fielding percentage last season with only three errors in 341 chances. He made100 starts for the Rangers in center field, 35 in left and six in right.
The 32-year-old Byrd originally was selected by Philadelphia in the 10thround of the 1999 amateur draft.
Red Sox 3B Lowell has thumb surgery
December 31, 2009
BOSTON (AP)—Mike Lowell(notes) has undergone surgery on the injured thumb thatderailed his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers.
The third baseman is expected to need six to eight weeks to recover afterWednesday’s surgery, putting him on track for Boston’s first full springtraining workout on Feb. 24.
The Red Sox said the operation to repair a radial collateral ligament in hisright thumb that was torn late last season was done in Phoenix by Dr. DonaldSheridan.
The Red Sox had worked out a deal to send the 2007 World Series MVP to theRangers for catcher Max Ramirez(notes). The trade unraveled after Lowell saw a handspecialist in Arizona on Dec. 18 and Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meisterthe next day.
Arizona, 2B Johnson agree to 1-year deal
December 30, 2009
PHOENIX (AP)—The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with second basemanKelly Johnson(notes) on a one-year contract.
General manager Josh Byrnes says he believes Johnson “will return to formafter a down 2009 season” and “has a strong track record for hitting.”
Johnson hit just .224 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 106 games for theAtlanta Braves last season, but batted .325 against left-handers and .368 (7 for19) as a pinch hitter.
In the previous two seasons, Johnson hit .282. In parts of four seasons withthe Braves, Johnson batted .264 with 97 doubles, 45 homers and 206 RBIs, with 29stolen bases.
The 27-year-old player has appeared in 361 major league games as a secondbaseman, compiling a .978 fielding percentage, with an additional 79 games as anoutfielder.
Duchscherer rejoins A’s with 1-year deal
December 30, 2009
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Late last summer, pitcher Justin Duchscherer(notes) couldn’t gethimself on the plane to head off for another rehab outing.
His recent divorce ate away at him. He thought he had become just like hisown parents, who split up when he was a boy. He dearly missed his young son,Evan, who was across the country on the East Coast and felt like he’d failedhim. Duchscherer experienced an overwhelming sense of guilt.
“I got paralyzed and didn’t know what was going on,” he said of trying toget on the plane. “There was a time I felt baseball was the problem.”
He asked for help and feels no shame in having done so. Now, finally, thetwo-time All-Star is healthy in body and mind and ready to return to the moundwith the team that has supported him through all the ups and downs. He’s readyto get back to the top form he exhibited in 2008.
The right-hander agreed to terms on an incentive-laden one-year contractWednesday to rejoin the Oakland Athletics after he missed all the 2009 season.Duchscherer underwent arthroscopic right elbow surgery on March 31 and later wastreated for clinical depression.
“Where I am today and where I was six months ago is a lot different,”Duchscherer said on a conference call. “I learned how to change my attitude andperspective on life and things and not be so hard on myself. We’re human andmake mistakes. I’m not a robot.”
The A’s are thrilled to have found a familiar face to be one of theirfront-line starters next season. Duchscherer credits the club for sticking withhim and giving him his space to get through the personal matters.
The 32-year-old Duchscherer will receive a base salary of $1.75 million andhe can earn up to $5.575 million if he reaches all his incentives andperformance bonuses. The sides reached a preliminary agreement last week thatwas pending a physical to be finalized.
Duchscherer’s agent, Damon Lapa, said the A’s also were patient in allowingDuchscherer to “explore his options” with teams elsewhere, including closer tohis son.
Ultimately, “familiarity and comfort was considered,” Lapa said.
Duchscherer has spent the last six of his seven major league seasons withOakland, becoming a full-time starter for the first time in his career during2008.
Duchscherer earned his second All-Star nod that season, going 10-8 with a2.54 ERA while pitching a career-high 141 2-3 innings. He will certainly belooking to return to that top form during the 2010 season. He has said heconsidered quitting baseball for good during his personal struggles this year.
A’s manager Bob Geren was eager to welcome Duchscherer back into therotation late in the season, but that all changed upon the announcement Aug. 21that he had been diagnosed with clinical depression and was seeking treatmentfor the condition. Duchscherer began a rehab assignment July 26 and didn’t allowa run in 11 innings over three starts before ending his comeback.
“I’m real happy that he decided to come back with us,” Geren said in aphone interview. “All winter I was hoping that he would remain an Athletic.It’s a perfect place for him to pitch. He’s very familiar with his teammates,the town and the fans. It’s really big for us to have him back and he’s going tohave a heck of a year. Hopefully he’ll have a comeback player of the year typeseason.”
Geren, the pitcher’s first manager in the minor leagues years ago, said theyhave texted back and forth.
“He’s pretty happy, as we all are,” Geren said. “He sounds great. I thinkhe’s anxious to get started.”
He can earn up to $750,000 for days on the active roster—$250,000 each for60, 90 and 120 days of active service.
Duchscherer also can make up to $1.95 million for games started: $150,000when he reaches 10 games started, $200,000 at 15, $250,000 at 17, $300,000 at20, $450,000 at 25 and $150,000 each for every start from 27 to 30.
There’s an additional $1.125 million to be had for innings pitched. He canearn $175,000 once at 150 innings, another $175,000 at 160, $175,000 at 170,$200,000 at 180, $200,000 at 190 and $200,000 at 200 innings pitched.
He also can earn a bonus of $100,000 if chosen comeback player of the year.
Having Duchscherer back will add a key veteran presence to a young rotationthat featured mostly rookies in 2009, including highly touted Brett Anderson(notes) andTrevor Cahill(notes).
“I look forward to being a little bit of a mentor in life circumstances,too. I never had anybody to look up to or lean on,” said Duchscherer, whoacknowledges he never needed medication for his depression. “I learned I am whoI am and sometimes we all need help with that. I surrendered to that and feelbetter having gone through that.”
The A’s finished with 75 wins for the second straight season and in lastplace in the AL West, losing their final seven games.
General manager Billy Beane has been busy this winter. The A’s signedoutfielder Coco Crisp(notes) last week and Beane acquired third baseman Jake Fox(notes),second baseman Aaron Miles(notes) and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs forthree players.
Oakland also was included in the big four-team, nine-player swap featuringCliff Lee(notes) and Roy Halladay(notes) that brought outfielder Michael Taylor to the A’s.Oakland sent third baseman Brett Wallace(notes) to Toronto.
Also Wednesday, Oakland designated left-hander Jay Marshall(notes) for assignmentto clear room on the 40-man roster for Duchscherer.
Matsui wants to play outfield for Angels
December 30, 2009
NARITA, Japan (AP)—World Series MVP Hideki Matsui(notes) is confident he can make areturn to the outfield next season when he suits up for the Los Angeles Angels.
Matsui returned to Japan on Wednesday, two weeks after reaching agreement ona $6 million, one-year contract with the Angels.
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 7:14 pm EST Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:51 pm EST
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 6:48 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:45 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:42 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:41 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:14 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:13 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:11 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 6:07 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:54 pm EST
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:51 pm EST
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:49 pm EST
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:48 pm EST
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Ang… AP – Dec 16, 5:46 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:45 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:43 pm EST
Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui… AP – Dec 16, 5:37 pm EST
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Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is likely toreplace Vladimir Guerrero(notes) as Los Angeles’ primary designated hitter but said hestill wants to play outfield.
“I’d like to prove I can play defense at spring training,” Matsui saidduring a news conference. “It will be difficult to play defense every day likein the past, but I’d like to reach the point where I’m able to play defense onceevery few games.”
Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last season as a designatedhitter for the New York Yankees. He was selected World Series MVP despitestarting only three of the six games against Philadelphia, going 8 for 13 (.615)with three homers and eight RBIs and tying a Series record by driving in sixruns in Game 6.
Matsui said he heads to the Angels with a mixture of excitement and unease.
“I’m somewhat anxious but there’s a lot to look forward to,” Matsui said.“I want to be able to use to the fullest all that I’ve worked on until now.”
Matsui joined the Yankees in 2003 after a standout career as an outfielderfor the Yomiuri Giants, where he played 1,250 consecutive games.
Giants sign DeRosa to 2-year, $12M deal
December 29, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—For several years, Mark DeRosa(notes) daydreamed of eventuallyplaying in San Francisco. He enjoys the city’s vibe and atmosphere, from walkingto the ballpark to trying out top restaurants.
“I felt like it would be a cool place to play and an interesting place tobring my family,” he said.
For several years, the Giants pictured DeRosa’s powerful bat contributing inthe middle of their lineup.
There was mutual interest three years ago when DeRosa first became a freeagent. Now, both sides are finally getting their wish. DeRosa signed a $12million, two-year contract with the club after passing a physical Monday.
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In DeRosa, the Giants have found a versatile veteran who can hit for powerand give the offense some much-needed punch.
One of general manager Brian Sabean’s top priorities this winter was to adda big hitter to drive in runs in the middle of the batting order, and DeRosabrings that ability. He can play several infield spots and the outfield, andit’s unclear whether he will work primarily at third base or bounce around.
“The position I’d prefer to play is shortstop because that’s the position Iplayed as a kid. But that doesn’t matter anymore,” DeRosa said. “I don’treally care where I am on the field as long as I’m in the lineup. … I’ve neverreally fought to play one position.”
That attitude sure is helpful for manager Bruce Bochy, who might continue tocount on DeRosa as a utilityman.
Free-swinging slugger Pablo Sandoval(notes) is likely to bat cleanup, so DeRosacould easily fit into the No. 5 hole. DeRosa could play first or third.
“He can play anywhere, he’s comfortable playing anywhere and seems tothrive moving around,” Bochy said.
The 34-year-old DeRosa underwent left wrist surgery after the season, whenhe batted .250 with a career-best 23 homers to go along with 78 RBIs forCleveland and St. Louis. He said the Giants’ training staff was “pleasantlysurprised” by his progress during Monday’s physical and he expects to startswinging off a tee in a couple of weeks. The aim is to be full strength by thestart of spring training in February.
“He’s a winning player and any organization wants as many players like Markon the ballclub, especially ours that has a chance to turn the corner and get tothe playoffs next year,” Sabean said. “To get him in here, he spoke of hiswillingness to show guys around a little bit. We need that. We need to get tothe next level with guys like him.”
DeRosa was traded from the Indians to the Cardinals on June 27 but was inthe St. Louis lineup for three games before hurting his wrist against SanFrancisco. He spent a stint on the disabled list for an injury that was laterdiagnosed as a partially torn tendon sheath.
DeRosa was hindered by the wrist, but felt he had to play through it afterthe Cardinals brought him aboard to help get to the playoffs.
“Looking back on it now, don’t know if I would have done the same thing,”he said of waiting to have surgery until after the season. “It affectedeverything I did.”
The Giants are eager to see him healthy and ready for a new start comespring. DeRosa said he chose San Francisco over about a half-dozen other teams—including going back to the Cardinals.
He led St. Louis with five hits (5 for 13) when it was swept by the LosAngeles Dodgers in the NL division series.
DeRosa acknowledged being “very close” to returning to St. Louis.
“They’re obviously full go on Matt Holliday(notes). I wasn’t prepared to waituntil he made a decision,” DeRosa said. “I was just tired of being a lot ofteams’ Plan Bs. From a certain standpoint, I wanted to go to a place where Ifelt comfortable and the team wanted and needed me to be productive. I just feltlike this was a good spot.”
DeRosa is a career .275 hitter with Atlanta, Texas, the Chicago Cubs,Cleveland and St. Louis. With DeRosa and new hitting coach Hensley Meulens, SanFrancisco is looking for a more patient approach at the plate focused on on-basepercentage rather than just stepping in and swinging away.
“You have to find an identity early on and we didn’t do that last year andit came back and bit us,” Sabean said.
The Giants also are working on a deal to bring back infielder Juan Uribe(notes).The 30-year-old Uribe played in 122 games at third, shortstop and second in hisfirst season with San Francisco. He batted .289 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs.
San Francisco was in the NL wild-card chase well into September but missedthe postseason for the sixth straight year. At 88-74, they won 16 more gamesthan in 2008. Sabean has been committed to boosting the offense for a team thatboasts one of the top pitching staffs in baseball, led by two-time reigning NLCy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum(notes).
“That was one of the big overriding factors when I decided where wanted toplay, the pitching factor,” DeRosa said. “Pitching wins games.”
