There's plenty of news going around Major League Baseball these days. Here is a round up of some of the highlights.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels announced that they have hired Don Baylor to serve as their hitting coach in 2014. Baylor leaves the Diamondbacks after Arte Moreno fired hitting coach Jim Eppard, sparing both Mike Sciosca and Jerry DiPoto.
Oakland Athletics
Right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray underwent surgery on his left thumb after suffering a break off a comebacker in the ALDS against the Tigers.
Milwaukee Brewers
Outfielder Carlos Gomez underwent a routine elbow cleanup after the end of the season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with Matt Reynolds by signing him to a $550,000 deal with a $600,000 option. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in September, so he will likely miss all of 2014 and part of the 2015 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers reportedly offered Clayton Kershaw a lifetime contract worth near $300 million. The largest contract ever given to a pitcher is $180 million, currently held by Justin Verlander, so there's really no reason for Los Angeles to exceed that by so much. He amazingly turned the deal down, probably hoping to sign more than one $100+ million in his career. As young as he is and as hopeful as his career is, anything is possible, so it makes no sense that he would give up on that much security.
After months of talk about Don Mattingly's future in LA, the Dodgers have decided to pick up their team option for 2014 and keep him for another season.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have re-signed reliever Matt Capps to a minor league deal that comes with non-roster invitation to spring training. They had signed him to a minor league contract in 2013, but he only pitched in a handful of games for their Triple-A affiliate before he had season ending shoulder surgery.
Seattle Mariners
The wife of Mariners outfielder Carlos Peguero is facing three counts of federal wire-fraud charges after she used a debit card belonging to Felix Hernandez's wife to make $180,000 in online purchases. Peguero had apparently stayed at the Hernandez's home in 2012 where she had access to the family's credit cards. A Secret Service investigation linked her to a Twitter account where there were pictures of some of the items she purchased using the card. Peguero pled not guilty and is currently out on bail.
Baltimore Orioles
After taking a personal leave in August, Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair will not be back with the team in 2014.
Texas Rangers
Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan announced his "retirement" from the organization after months of speculation that the organization had soured on him after a power struggle began between him and general manager Jon Daniels. Curiously, he used the term "resigned" while the organization used the word "retire" when announcing the news.
Tampa Bay Rays
Rays pitching prospect Taylor Guerrieri has been suspended 50 games for a second positive test for recreational drugs. Guerrieri, drafted in 2011, is their third first round draft pick to be suspended in the last 18 months and the 13th drug-related suspension for the Rays since the start of the 2012 season, which is the most in baseball. He is already recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his suspension can be served while he is on the disabled list.
Rays 2008 top pick, Tim Beckham was given a similar suspension for his second violation in May of 2012. Outfield prospect Josh Sale, chosen in 2010, was suspended 50 games in August of 2012 for testing positive for amphetamines and was then suspended again by the Rays, just after being cleared to play, for "conduct detrimental to organization" after going on a Facebook rant about harassing and verbally abusing a stripper.
Cincinnati Reds
Mat Latos had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow after the Reds were eliminated from he playoffs. He will begin physical therapy and should be ready by spring training.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox appear to be the winner of the Jose Abreu sweepstakes after offering a six-year, $68 million deal to the Cuban first baseman. The deal will be the largest first time contract for an international free agent in MLB history.