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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. 

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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 Tampa Bay Rays are at the center of dealings at the Winter Meetings today. Three of the starters from last season’s team, which posted the best record in the major leagues, change uniforms: OF Carl Crawford signs a seven-year, $142 million deal with Boston, 1B Carlos Pena inks a one-year deal with the Cubs, and the Rays trade SS Jason Bartlett to San Diego for two young pitchers, Cesar Ramos and Adam Russell. With P Joaquin Benoit signing with Detroit as a free agent last month, and closer Rafael Soriano expected to follow suit shortly, the team will have a very different look next year.

ByTom

The Tampa Bay Rays are at the center of dealings at the Winter Meetings today. Three of the starters from last season’s team, which posted the best record in the major leagues, change uniforms: OF Carl Crawford signs a seven-year, $142 million deal with Boston, 1B Carlos Pena inks a one-year deal with the Cubs, and the Rays trade SS Jason Bartlett to San Diego for two young pitchers, Cesar Ramos and Adam Russell. With P Joaquin Benoit signing with Detroit as a free agent last month, and closer Rafael Soriano expected to follow suit shortly, the team will have a very different look next year.

Dave Van Horne, longtime broadcaster of the Montreal Expos (from 1969 to 2001) and Florida Marlins (since 2002), is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s 2011 Ford Frick Award.

ByTom

Dave Van Horne, longtime broadcaster of the Montreal Expos (from 1969 to 2001) and Florida Marlins (since 2002), is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s 2011 Ford Frick Award.

In other moves, OF Jeff Francoeur signs with Kansas City, P George Sherrill goes to the Braves, and DH Jack Cust inks a deal with Seattle.

ByTom

In other moves, OF Jeff Francoeur signs with Kansas City, P George Sherrill goes to the Braves, and DH Jack Cust inks a deal with Seattle.

The Nationals sign veteran C Ivan Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $6 million. The deal comes as a surprise as “Pudge” was expected to finish his career with the Texas Rangers.

ByTom

The Nationals sign veteran C Ivan Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $6 million. The deal comes as a surprise as “Pudge” was expected to finish his career with the Texas Rangers.