The Marlins sign closer Heath Bell to a three-year deal worth $27 million.
The Marlins sign closer Heath Bell to a three-year deal worth $27 million.
Seiichi Uchikawa of the Softbank Hawks wins the 2011 Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award in his first season in the league. He hit a league-high .338 to become the second Nippon Pro Baseball player to win batting titles in both the Pacific League and Central League. The 2011 Central League MVP goes to Takuya Asao of the Chunichi Dragons, who went 7-2 with 10 saves and a 0.41 ERA in a league-high 79 appearances. Asao is the first CL reliever to win the award since Kazuhiro Sasaki in 1998 and Sasaki was a closer, while Asao was used primarily as a set-up man.
Seiichi Uchikawa of the Softbank Hawks wins the 2011 Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award in his first season in the league. He hit a league-high .338 to become the second Nippon Pro Baseball player to win batting titles in both the Pacific League and Central League. The 2011 Central League MVP goes to Takuya Asao of the Chunichi Dragons, who went 7-2 with 10 saves and a 0.41 ERA in a league-high 79 appearances. Asao is the first CL reliever to win the award since Kazuhiro Sasaki in 1998 and Sasaki was a closer, while Asao was used primarily as a set-up man.
At a news conference covered by approximately 100 members of the media, many of them from the New York papers and broadcast outlets, the Red Sox introduce Bobby Valentine as the team’s new manager. Boston announces that the 61 year-old skipper, who hasn’t managed in the big leagues since being fired by the Mets in 2002, has agreed to a two-year deal with the club, having options for 2014 and 2015.
At a news conference covered by approximately 100 members of the media, many of them from the New York papers and broadcast outlets, the Red Sox introduce Bobby Valentine as the team’s new manager. Boston announces that the 61 year-old skipper, who hasn’t managed in the big leagues since being fired by the Mets in 2002, has agreed to a two-year deal with the club, having options for 2014 and 2015.
The Angels acquire C Chris Iannetta from the Rockies for P Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies then sign Ramon Hernandez to be their new catcher.
The Angels acquire C Chris Iannetta from the Rockies for P Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies then sign Ramon Hernandez to be their new catcher.
The Cubs sign free agent OF David DeJesus to a two-year contract.
The Cubs sign free agent OF David DeJesus to a two-year contract.
Yomiuri Giants starter Hirokazu Sawamura, with a 2.03 ERA in 2011, is the runaway winner of the 2011 Central League Rookie of the Year Award. He is the fourth straight Yomiuri winner, following Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Matsumoto and Hisayoshi Chono. Seibu Lions closer Kazuhisa Makita takes home the 2011 Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award, while long-hyped Yuki Saito gets just 3 of 214 votes and places fourth.
Yomiuri Giants starter Hirokazu Sawamura, with a 2.03 ERA in 2011, is the runaway winner of the 2011 Central League Rookie of the Year Award. He is the fourth straight Yomiuri winner, following Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Matsumoto and Hisayoshi Chono. Seibu Lions closer Kazuhisa Makita takes home the 2011 Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award, while long-hyped Yuki Saito gets just 3 of 214 votes and places fourth.
The Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine to be their new manager
The Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine to be their new manager. He was most recently an analyst for ESPN, but has also managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets for long stretches, in addition to spending seven years as a skipper for the Chiba Lotte Marines, leading them to one Japan Series title.
The Royals sign former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton to a one-year contract. He was limited to 14 games last year because of elbow problems and is expected to become the set-up man for Joakim Soria, but will take over as closer when Soria goes down with an injury in spring training.
The Royals sign former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton to a one-year contract. He was limited to 14 games last year because of elbow problems and is expected to become the set-up man for Joakim Soria, but will take over as closer when Soria goes down with an injury in spring training.
2011 – The Rays sign veteran C Jose Molina as a free agent, one day after trading John Jaso. Youngsters Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos are expected to compete for the starting job next year, but the experienced Molina will turn out to be the most used at the position.
2011 – The Rays sign veteran C Jose Molina as a free agent, one day after trading John Jaso. Youngsters Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos are expected to compete for the starting job next year, but the experienced Molina will turn out to be the most used at the position.
Less than a week after obtaining the Astros from Drayton McLane, new owner Jim Crane fires GM Ed Wade and team president Tal Smith. In a statement issued by new team president and chief executive officer George Postolos, Dave Gottfried, Houston’s assistant GM, has been asked to serve as the club’s interim general manager.
Less than a week after obtaining the Astros from Drayton McLane, new owner Jim Crane fires GM Ed Wade and team president Tal Smith. In a statement issued by new team president and chief executive officer George Postolos, Dave Gottfried, Houston’s assistant GM, has been asked to serve as the club’s interim general manager.
