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Jeff Luhnow’s first player move as General Manager is to select reliever Rhiner Cruz from the Mets to open the Rule V draft

ByTom

2011 – Jeff Luhnow’s first player move as General Manager is to select reliever Rhiner Cruz from the Mets to open the Rule V draft. But his best move comes later that day when he drafts pitcher Marco Duarte from the Rockies organization and then swaps him to Boston for infielder Marwin Gonzalez. The switch-hitting utility player becomes a key member of the 2017 World Championship squad. 

25-year-old Yu Darvish, star pitcher of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, requests that his name be placed on the posting system. He is likely to attract the largest bid through the process since the Boston Red Sox landed Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006. Indeed, new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine immediately calls Darvish “one of the four best pitchers in baseball”.

ByTom

25-year-old Yu Darvish, star pitcher of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, requests that his name be placed on the posting system. He is likely to attract the largest bid through the process since the Boston Red Sox landed Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006. Indeed, new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine immediately calls Darvish “one of the four best pitchers in baseball”.

The 2011 Rule V draft is held to close out this year’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX. Houston selects right-handed reliever Rhiner Cruz from the Mets with the top pick, one of 8 pitchers taken in the major league phase of the draft. Among the few well-known names selected is former top pitching prospect Aaron Poreda, drafted by the Pirates from the Padres in the minor league portion of the draft.

ByTom

The 2011 Rule V draft is held to close out this year’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX. Houston selects right-handed reliever Rhiner Cruz from the Mets with the top pick, one of 8 pitchers taken in the major league phase of the draft. Among the few well-known names selected is former top pitching prospect Aaron Poreda, drafted by the Pirates from the Padres in the minor league portion of the draft.

The Brewers sign SS Alex Gonzalez as a free agent, to replace Yunieski Betancourt who is still unsigned. Also signing today is reliever Octavio Dotel, who agrees to terms with Detroit, his 13th major league team.

ByTom

The Brewers sign SS Alex Gonzalez as a free agent, to replace Yunieski Betancourt who is still unsigned. Also signing today is reliever Octavio Dotel, who agrees to terms with Detroit, his 13th major league team.

The Cubs send OF Tyler Colvin and IF D.J. LeMahieu to Colorado in return for 3B Ian Stewart and P Casey Weathers. Stewart batted only .156 last year, but is counted on to take over the hot corner from free agent Aramis Ramirez.

ByTom

The Cubs send OF Tyler Colvin and IF D.J. LeMahieu to Colorado in return for 3B Ian Stewart and P Casey Weathers. Stewart batted only .156 last year, but is counted on to take over the hot corner from free agent Aramis Ramirez.

Three-time MVP Award-winning 1B Albert Pujols signs a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after 11 seasons. He signs for 10 years and $254 million, the second-largest deal ever. Angels GM Jerry Dipoto is not done however: he also inks two-time All-Star P C.J. Wilson to a five-year deal worth $77.5 million. As a measure of comparison, Angels owner Arte Moreno bought the club for only $183 million in 2003.

ByTom

Three-time MVP Award-winning 1B Albert Pujols signs a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after 11 seasons. He signs for 10 years and $254 million, the second-largest deal ever. Angels GM Jerry Dipoto is not done however: he also inks two-time All-Star P C.J. Wilson to a five-year deal worth $77.5 million. As a measure of comparison, Angels owner Arte Moreno bought the club for only $183 million in 2003.