Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award for 2012.
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award for 2012.
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award for 2012.
The Mets announce a number of moves at the annual Winter Meetings, held in Dallas, TX. First, they sign relievers Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to free agent deals; the two were teammates in Toronto last season. Then, they trade OF Angel Pagan to San Francisco in return for yet another reliever – Ramon Ramirez – and OF Andres Torres.
During baseball’s Winter Meetings, the White Sox trade their closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays in exchange for Nestor Molina, a 22 year-old right-handed prospect with a 27-7 minor league won-loss record and a 2.21 ERA overall. Toronto’s new reliever, who recorded 30 saves in 36 opportunities with Chicago last season, will be an upgrade for the club, whose top closer in 2011 recorded only 17 saves.
The Twins trade SP Kevin Slowey to Colorado for a player to be named. Slowey was 0-8, 6.67 in 2011 and did not figure in the Twins’ plans for next season.
Pat Gillick, the executive who built the Toronto Blue Jays from an expansion team to an American League power that won two World Series in the early 1990s, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Players Association head Marvin Miller falls just one vote shy of election.
The Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds, renowned for both his homers and strikeouts, from the Diamondbacks for P David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. In a related move, the D-Backs sign 3B Melvin Mora, formerly of Colorado, to a one-year deal; they also ink P J.J. Putz for two years, with the aim of installing him as their new closer.
The Red Sox complete their deal for Adrian Gonzalez by sending minor league right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named to San Diego for the All-Star first baseman. The left-handed slugger, who is expected to take advantage of the Green Monster’s proximity to home plate, is entering the last year of his contract, and the deal does not include a contract extension to stay in Boston.
Hisashi Iwakuma announces he is closing negotiations with the Oakland Athletics and will remain with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2011. Selected under the posting system, Iwakuma was offered a four-year, $15 million deal, which he felt was below his value.
Flush with young starting pitchers, the Blue Jays trade last year’s Opening Day starter, Shaun Marcum, to the Brewers for top Canadian prospect Brett Lawrie.
Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons are suspended by Major League Baseball for steroid use, following the results of George Mitchell’s investigation. No penalty is given to Troy Glaus, Scott Schoeneweis, Rick Ankiel and Gary Matthews Jr., who have also been found to be users by the Mitchell investigation.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!