Saturday Short Hops
Posted by Timm Davis on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 1:39 pm
…The Detroit Tigers have signed righty reliever Brandon Lyon to a one year deal. Lyon saved 26 games for the Diamondbacks last year and will have a chance to replace the retired Todd Jones as the Tigers closer. [Yahoo]
…Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was forced to take himself off the roster for Team USA in regards to the World Baseball Classic and in doing so reveled that he had an operation in December to remove a chronic obstruction in his kidney, which was hindering him in walking and doing everyday activities. Though according to Mauer and the Twins he should be ready to go by spring training. [Yahoo]
“I’m walking fine now,” Mauer said. “I’m healing, so that’s good. … We try to keep things under wraps a little bit, but I should be ready to go for spring so I’m looking forward to it.”
…According to Chipper Jones, he wants to retire as an Atlanta Brave. Though he knows that it isn’t always the way it works out (see: Smoltz, John). Jones’ contract is up at the end of the 2009, possibly making him a free agent. [Yahoo]
“The Braves organization is the only one I’ve ever known and I want to play in Atlanta forever,” said Jones, who was acquired by the Braves with the first overall pick in the 1990 First-Year Player Draft. “But, as we’ve found out, it doesn’t always matter what the player wants.”
…According to the USA Today, free agent pitcher Ben Sheets has been in conversations with Texas Rangers (which isn’t far from his home in Dallas) about possibly being a member of their starting rotation. In the article he’s met with Rangers GM Jon Daniels at the winter meetings and has kept a running dialog. [USA Today]
“We’re ready to go to camp with the group we’ve got,” Daniels said. “We’re still looking at some external possibilities, and it’s a poorly kept secret that he’s on that list.”
…The Milwaukee Brewers and Prince Fielder have avoided going to the arbitration table by agreeing to a 2 year, $18 million contract. He’ll get a $1 million signing bonus and then make $6.5 million this season and $10.5 million in 2010. He could also add a quarter million to that if he reaches 500 plate appearances, that stipulation is built in for both this year and next. [USA Today]
…The New York Mets have signed free agent pitcher Freddie Garcia to a minor league deal. He could get upward to $1.5 million and one year if he’s added to the 40 man roster. [Tacoma News Tribune]
…Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies have signed soon to be 35 year old Damon Hollins to a minor league deal. Hollins hasn’t played pro ball since 2006. He can request his release if he hasn’t been added to the Phillies 25 man roster by July 1st. [Denver Post]
