Numerous sources are reporting the Angels have signed Scott Downs to a 3 year 15 million deal. Downs has been one of the better setup men in the American League the past 5 years. The only real concern is Downs will be 35 when the 2011 season starts.
Angels Sign Scott Downs to 3 year 15 Million Deal
December 10, 2010Jack Cust signs 1 year 2.5 Million Deal with Mariners
December 10, 2010MLB network is reporting Jack Cust has signed a 1 year 2.5 million deal with the Mariners. The hope is Cust will become their primary designated hitter. Cust had 13 Hr and 52 RBIs in only 349 at bats for the Athletics last season. If Cust can get 400+ at bats in 2011 this would seem to be a good value signing for the Mariners.
Reds Sign Jay Bruce to 6 year 51 million extension
December 9, 2010Jerry Crasnick of ESPN is reporting the Jay Bruce will sign a 6 year 51 million extension with the Reds. The extension includes an option for a 7th year which would bring the total value of the deal to 63 million. This allows the Reds to avoid salary arbitration with Bruce in February. At just 23 Bruce seems poised to improve for the foreseeable future. This has the looks of a good deal for both Bruce and the Reds. Now the Reds will likely turn their attention to signing Joey Votto to a long-term extension.
Cliff Lee Saga Continues
December 9, 2010Anthony Andro and Jeff Wilson of The Forth Worth Star Telegram report representatives from the Rangers made a third trip to Cliff’s Lee’s home in Arkansas on Thursday. They gave a 90 minute presentation to Cliff and his wife on the virtues of signing a long-term deal with the Rangers.
The Rangers have to feel the Yankees are extremely motivated to secure the services of Lee after seeing Carl Crawford sign a 7 year 142 million dollar deal with the arch rival Red Sox.
Reds Discussing Extensions with Joey Votto and Jay Bruce
December 3, 2010John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting the Reds are having preliminary discussions about signing Joey Votto and Jay Bruce to long term extensions. This is a smart move on their part but the recent signing of Troy Tulowitzki to an extension at almost 20 million per season has to concern the Reds.
Yankees to Sign Mariano Rivera to 2 Year 30 Million Dollar Deal
December 3, 2010The New York Daily News is reporting that Mariano Rivera will sign a 2 year 30 million dollar deal on Friday to return to the Yankees. Rivera is unquestionably the best closer of the past 15 years and even at 40 years of age last season he showed little signs of slowing down. The Daily News reports he turned down a 3 year 51 million dollar offer from another unnamed team.
White Sox Sign Adam Dunn to 4 Year 56 Million Dollar Deal
December 3, 2010The deal is scheduled to be announced Friday. On the plus side Dunn routinely puts up around 35-40 homes and 100 RBI each season and has an OBP approaching .400. On this minus side Dunn strikes out around 190 times per season and always seems to end up on non-contending teams. This should be his best chance to be on a contending team. It will be interesting to see how he performs under greater pressure in Chicago.
Giants Resign Pat Burrell
December 2, 2010Numerous media outlets are reporting Pat Burrell will sign a 1 year deal with the Giants for 1 million dollars with incentives on Friday. This seems to be a low risk high reward move for the Giants. Burrell was considered a leader in the Giants clubhouse last season.
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