Baseball Capsules: Hurdle named new Rangers hitting coach
ARLINGTON — Clint Hurdle plans to have a simple philosophy as hitting coach of the Texas Rangers, emphasizing a team-oriented approach and doing whatever it takes to score one more run than the opponent.
Texas views Rudy Jaramillo’s replacement as more of an offensive philosophy coach than a hitting coach. With improved pitching and defense, the Rangers don’t feel they have to be sluggers.
"We want to ingrain in them a team-first responsibility and your responsibility at any point in the game. Your at-bat is the team at-bat. ... It’s just maybe helping them rechannel and redirect some thoughts," Hurdle said Thursday after being introduced by the Rangers. "The significance of a run has taken on a new value, a new meaning, in Texas."
Hurdle, the former Rockies manager, takes over the job that Jaramillo held for 15 years before turning down a one-year deal at the end of the season. Jaramillo then got a three-year contract to become hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs.
While talking about a Rangers lineup that includes Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton and has what Hurdle called a "unique combination of speed and power," he talked about wanting to be consistent in manufacturing runs.
"The team-oriented approach really resonated with us," said general manager Jon Daniels, who was previously in the Rockies organization. "It is more than mechanics and swinging the bat, but kind of an overall approach to what we wanted to accomplish."
Texas hit .260 last season, 11th in the AL, but were second with 224 homers.
Even with rookies Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter becoming mainstays in the starting rotation, Texas pitchers had a 4.38 ERA, the lowest since 1993, and 0.99 lower than last season, the best improvement in the majors.
"I felt like we needed some presence. I felt like we needed some experience and we needed immediate impact. Clint brings that," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He has always made everyone accountable."
Hurdle was the Rockies manager for seven-plus seasons before being fired in May. He had a 534-625 record and led Colorado to the 2007 World Series as an NL wild card team.
Before becoming manager, Hurdle was the team’s hitting coach for five-plus seasons, a span during which the Rockies batted better than .290 twice, the NL’s top two averages in 70 years.
Hurdle was a manager in the Mets minor league system for six seasons. When he was the manager at Triple-A Tidewater in 1992, Washington was on his staff and got his first managerial experience. Washington said Hurdle let him manage the last two games that season to get some experience before taking over a Class 1A team the following year.
"I thought that was cool, something I’ve never forgotten," Washington said.
Colorado had offered Hurdle, 52, a position in the front office, but he felt he could make a bigger impact to a team still in uniform.
"I have an itch still needing to be scratched," Hurdle said. "I feel this is where I can make the greatest contribution."
Texas chose Hurdle from four finalists interviewed Monday. The others were former Rangers player Rusty Greer; former Oakland hitting coach Thad Bosley; and Gerald Perry, who has been a hitting coach for Seattle, Pittsburgh, Oakland and the Cubs.
League News
Lackey, Holliday become free agents
NEW YORK — Pitcher John Lackey and outfielder Matt Holliday were among 79 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first possible day.
Outfielder Jason Bay, first baseman Carlos Delgado, pitcher John Smoltz and reliever Billy Wagner also filed as did pitcher Jon Garland after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined his $10 million option. He will receive a $2.5 million buyout.
Instead of becoming a free agent again, outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Angels.
"I really feel happy here with Los Angeles," Abreu said. "I really enjoy to play for them, and I think when they started with the conversation for the contract and we didn’t have any problems back and forth, it was a nice negotiation. It was no problem to stay and come back with the Angels."
Abreu hit .293 with 15 homers, 103 RBIs, 30 steals and 94 walks as Los Angeles won the AL West and advanced to the AL championship series.
Approximately 100 more players are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 19 deadline.
Mark Kotsay agreed to a $1.5 million contract to remain with the Chicago White Sox rather than become eligible for free agency. The 33-year-old infielder and outfielder hit .278 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 67 games combined with Boston and the White Sox.
Colorado agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with right-hander Matt Belisle and a $650,000, one-year deal with left-hander Randy Flores.
Also filing for free agency were Arizona infielder Chad Tracy and Florida first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload. Tracy’s $7 million option was declined by Diamondbacks, and he will receive a $1 million buyout.
The Marlins declined a $2.6 million option on Gload and traded outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez.
Hermida was the 11th overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft but has yet to fulfill his projected potential. He was among Florida’s best-paid players this year at $2.25 million but hit only .259 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 129 games.
"When you acquire a player, sometimes you acquire them because you think there’s a chance that with a change of scenery they’ll reach their potential," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "Things never really came together for him in the big leagues. That’s not uncommon for young players. He’s about to turn 26, coming into his prime."
-- Ronald Blum
Marlins trade Hermida to Red Sox
MIAMI — The Florida Marlins are big on players who outperform their contract, which is why outfielder Jeremy Hermida is bound for Boston.
The Red Sox acquired the former first-round draft choice Thursday for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez.
Hermida was the 11th overall pick in 2002 but has yet to fulfill his projected potential. He was among Florida’s best-paid players this year at $2.25 million but hit only .259 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 129 games.
"When you acquire a player, sometimes you acquire them because you think there’s a chance that with a change of scenery they’ll reach their potential," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "Things never really came together for him in the big leagues. That’s not uncommon for young players. He’s about to turn 26, coming into his prime. ...
"It may not happen; it may not happen with us," Epstein added. "Certainly we liked him a lot as an amateur and throughout his minor league career, so from those factors it was a reasonable deal."
A starter since 2006 for Florida, Hermida is a career .265 hitter with 57 homers.
"He had a lot of opportunity here," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "Given his talent level, I think the expectation was for more. Hopefully he’ll realize it elsewhere."
The trade was the sort the Marlins often make, paring payroll while adding pitching.
Jones is expected to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. He had a 9.24 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Red Sox. A Florida native who pitched for Florida State, he went 4-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 36 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2009.
Alvarez went 9-4 in Class A this year with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts and 14 relief appearances. The 20-year-old Venezuelan had 16 walks and 74 strikeouts in 107.2 innings
"Really good numbers," Beinfest said. "He’s a strike thrower and he’s a winner, and we like that."
Alvarez has a 3.21 ERA in four minor league seasons.
Also, Florida declined its $2.6 million option on first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload, who then filed for free agency along with right-hander Brendan Donnelly. Gload hit .261 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 230 at-bats this year after he was acquired from Kansas City.
-- Steven Wine
American League
Abreu agrees to $19 million, 2-year deal
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Los Angeles Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.
After earning $16 million with the New York Yankees in 2008 under the final year of a contract he originally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Abreu became a free agent.
He didn’t agreed to a deal until Feb. 12, just before spring training, when the Angels gave him a one-year contract that guaranteed $5 million. He earned an additional $1 million based on plate appearances.
Abreu’s new contract calls for $9 million salaries in each of the next two seasons. It includes a 2012 option for $9 million with a $1 million buyout, and the option would become guaranteed if Abreu has 550 plate appearances in 2011 or 1,200 in 2010-11 combined.
He hit .293 this year with 15 home runs, 103 RBIs and 30 steals. The two-time All-Star has driven in at least 100 runs in seven straight seasons.
Several Los Angeles teammates credited Abreu with changing the club’s approach at the plate with his deliberate, patient at-bats. The AL West champions reached several offensive franchise bests this year.
Abreu spent the previous 2½ seasons with the Yankees after 8½ years with Philadelphia.
Kotsay stays with White Sox for $1.5 million
CHICAGO — Mark Kotsay agreed Thursday to a $1.5 million contract to remain with the Chicago White Sox.
The 33-year-old infielder and outfielder, who had been eligible for free agency, hit .278 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 67 games combined with Boston and the White Sox last season.
Chicago acquired him from the Red Sox on July 28 for outfielder Brian Anderson. In 40 games with the White Sox, the left-handed hitting Kotsay batted .292 with three homers and 18 RBIs.
Kotsay is a .281 career hitter with 113 homers over 13 major league seasons with the Marlins, Padres, Athletics, Braves, Red Sox and White Sox.
He also made $1.5 million this year.
Mariners add RHP Yusmeiro Petit
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have claimed right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
General manager Jack Zduriencik (zur-EN-cik) announced Thursday the addition of the 24-year-old who pitched in 23 games for Arizona last season. He was 3-10 with a 5.82 ERA.
In 17 starts, he was 3-9, with a 5.72 ERA. As a starter, he had 71 strikeouts in 83 1-3 innings.
Petit is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA in 71 career appearances, 36 of them starts, for the Florida Marlins (2006) and Diamondbacks (2007-09).
The New York Mets originally signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2001.
He was traded to the Marlins following the 2005 season as part of the Carlos Delgado trade.
Rays announce staff additions
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have made several staff additions for the 2010 season.
The team announced Thursday that Bill Evers will join Jim Hoff as minor league field coordinator. Matt Quatraro will join Steve Livesey as hitting coordinator, and Dewey Robinson has been hired to join Dick Bosman as pitching coordinator.
Matt Arnold was named director of pro scouting and Tateki "Bori" Uchibori will be an international scout.
National League
Court denies Jamie McCourt’s bid for Dodgers job
LOS ANGELES — The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid Thursday to be reinstated as the team’s chief executive during a hearing in the couple’s messy divorce.
Jamie McCourt, 55, was fired last month by her husband, who claims she was having an affair with her bodyguard-driver, also a Dodger employee who was fired, and was doing a poor job in her role as chief executive.
Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt’s bid to get her job back.
However, Gordon has yet to decide whether the Dodgers are considered community or separate property.
The McCourts are feuding over the validity of their 2004 marital agreement, in which Frank McCourt is listed as the team’s sole owner.
"Whether it’s valid or not will be a substantial issue," said Gordon, whose chambers have an unobstructed view of Dodger Stadium.
If he rules the team is community property, Jamie McCourt could argue again that she should be reinstated.
Jamie McCourt’s attorneys argued during the hearing that she should be reinstated because of her claims that she co-owns the Dodgers. If reinstated, she wants $321,000 a month in spousal support as well as perks such as travel by private jet.
If she isn’t reinstated, she is seeking nearly $488,000 a month in support.
The couple’s worth is estimated at more than $1.2 billion, according to court documents.
Frank McCourt’s attorney, Marc Seltzer, argued that it would create turmoil for the team if his client’s wife was renamed chief executive.
"There is no pressing need to change the situation right now," Seltzer told Gordon. "It’s a recipe for disaster."
Dennis Wasser, an attorney for Jamie McCourt, countered that she should be reinstated at least until the divorce is resolved.
Frank McCourt, 56, promoted his wife to CEO in March, making her the highest-ranking woman in Major League Baseball. She was fired Oct. 21 and filed for divorce six days later, citing irreconcilable differences.
The McCourts have been married since 1979 and have four grown sons.
The divorce and its impact on the front office threatens to throw the Dodgers’ offseason in disarray and crimp the team’s ability to re-sign players and pursue free agents.
The Dodgers have 16 players potentially eligible for free agency, including slugger Manny Ramirez, who must decide if he will exercise his $20 million option for next season and return. Manager Joe Torre is entering the final season of his three-year contract.
The team’s 2009 payroll was just north of $100 million, ranking ninth highest in the majors. The Dodgers are currently worth $800 million, according to court documents filed by Jamie McCourt.
Her camp has indicated she has talked with investors in an attempt to buy out her estranged husband.
"This lady eats, lives, breathes Dodgers," Wasser said.
Marshall Grossman, an attorney for the Dodgers, said the divorce proceedings haven’t affected the team.
"It truly is business as usual," he said.
In related matters, Gordon removed the team as a party to the McCourt’s divorce case because it lacked standing.
Both sides agreed Jamie McCourt can use an indoor swimming pool at the couple’s posh Holmby Hills home across the street from the Playboy Mansion between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Another hearing is set for Dec. 15.
-- Greg Risling
Lincecum cited for marijuana possession
SEATTLE — San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state.
Washington State Patrol spokesman Steve Schatzel said Thursday that the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former University of Washington star was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 5 in the town of Hazel Dell, about four miles north of the Oregon border, on Oct. 30.
An officer approached Lincecum’s 2006 Mercedes and smelled marijuana as the pitcher rolled down his window. Schatzel said Lincecum immediately complied with a request to hand over the drug and a marijuana pipe from the car’s center console.
The amount measured was 3.3 grams. Schatzel said police consider that a small amount for personal use, well below the maximum of 40 grams before possession is classified differently and carries a more severe penalty.
The incident was first reported by The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash.
"It’s not really out of the ordinary. It happens every day," Schatzel said of the volume of marijuana Lincecum handed over. "It was about the size of a thumb, the whole thumb."
Lincecum could face potential fines totaling $622 for the misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia counts plus the citation for driving 74 mph in a 60 mph zone, Schatzel said.
The 25-year-old All-Star starter entered a plea of not guilty through his attorney on Monday, according to records in Clark County District Court. A hearing that had been scheduled for Friday morning was canceled, pending a pretrial conference between Lincecum’s attorney and a county prosecutor on Nov. 23.
Lincecum is currently scheduled to appear before a judge on Dec. 22.
The Giants said they were aware of the situation but did not immediately have a comment.
The native of the Seattle suburb of Bellevue went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3 innings in 2009, his third season in the major leagues. He is 40-17 with a 2.90 ERA in his career, and could be getting a multimillion-dollar raise from salary arbitration this offseason.
Teammates consider the smallish right-hander a quirky perfectionist. They also consider him the "Franchise," the nickname they gave him when he broke into the big leagues only a year out of college. Others see his boyish face, shaggy dark hair, his diminutive frame — and his dominance — and call him "The Freak."
San Francisco chose him 10th overall in the 2006 draft out of Washington, and he instantly became the organization’s top pitching prospect since Hall of Famer Juan Marichal signed with the New York Giants as an amateur free agent in 1957.
-- Gregg Bell
Tim Hudson close to 3-year deal with Braves
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves and Tim Hudson are nearing agreement on a three-year contract that would protect the team’s strength at starting pitching.
A surplus of starters could give general manager Frank Wren options as he looks to improve the team’s lineup in the offseason.
Atlanta holds a $12 million option on the 34-year-old Hudson, a right-hander who was 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts this season after his return from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.
Hudson’s agent, Paul Cohen, said Thursday the sides are getting closer to a deal but no agreement has been finalized.
"We’re working on a bunch of different issues," Cohen told The Associated Press.
Wren had no comment on the deal.
The arrival of rookie right-hander Tommy Hanson from the minors and the return of Hudson gave the Braves six starters late in the season. Hanson, Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez each won 11 or more games and had ERAs under 3.00. Derek Lowe was 15-10 with a 4.60 ERA.
Kenshin Kawakami made 25 starts before moving to the bullpen. He was 7-12 with a 3.86 ERA.
Hanson and Jurrjens are 23-year-old right-handers who are regarded as the long-term stars of the rotation. Hudson, who was 27-17 with the Braves in 2007-08, was the team’s ace before his elbow injury.
Starting pitching led the Braves to an 86-76 record in 2009 despite a lack of power in the lineup. The Braves finished only 22nd in the major leagues with 149 home runs. Their outfielders ranked 25th with 45 homers.
Wren signed outfielder Garret Anderson last winter and acquired outfielders Nate McLouth and Ryan Church and first baseman Adam LaRoche during the season.
Braves spokesman Brad Hainje confirmed the team also is negotiating with free-agent reliever Scott Proctor, who missed the 2009 season following elbow surgery. Proctor, a right-hander, pitched for the New York Yankees from 2004-07 before spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Proctor was 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA for the Yankees in 2006.
-- Charles Odum
Diamondbacks decline Tracy’s $7 million option
PHOENIX — Chad Tracy’s $7 million option has been declined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will pay the infielder a $1 million buyout.
The 29-year-old becomes eligible for free agency.
Selected on the seventh round of 2001 amateur draft, Tracy batted .237 in 98 games this year with eight home runs and 39 RBIs. He spent all of June on the disabled list with a strained right oblique.
Tracy hit .280 over parts of six seasons with the club with 78 home runs and 318 RBIs.
The Diamondbacks also said right-hander Yusmeiro Petit and left-hander Doug Slaten had been claimed off waivers, Petit by the Seattle Mariners and Slaten by the Washington Nationals.
Arizona also sent right-hander Daniel Cabrera, outfielder Trent Oeltjen and outfielder Alex Romero outright to Triple-A Reno. Cabrera refused the assignment and elected to become a free agent.
The Diamondbacks considered Tracy one of their anchors for the future after he hit .305 with 27 home runs in 2005. In 2006, the left-handed batter hit .281 with 20 homers and a career-best 80 RBIs.
Tracy signed a three-year, $13.25 million contract before the 2007 season, with a $7 million club option for 2010.
His production hasn’t been the same since he had microfracture surgery on his right knee in September of 2007. Doctors later discovered a blood clot that, had it moved up his leg, could have been life-threatenting.
Blood-thinners eventually resolved the problem, but Tracy was relegated to the bench when he returned in May 2008 and never regained his old hitting form.
Thursday’s moves left the Diamondbacks with 35 players on their 40-man roster.
Garland’s option declined by Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency.
The right-hander gets a $2.5 million buyout because the team declined; he would have earned a $1 million buyout if he had declined.
Garland was acquired from Arizona ahead of the July 31 trade deadline for infielder Tony Abreu. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six games for the Dodgers, and didn’t make their playoff roster. He was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games with Arizona.
He made $6.25 million this year. Because he was traded, the Dodgers cannot offer him salary arbitration if he is a Type A free agent.
Belisle, Flores agree to 1-year deals with Rockies
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies agreed Thursday to an $850,000, one-year contract with right-hander Matt Belisle and a $650,000, one-year deal with left-hander Randy Flores.
Belisle was 3-1 with a 5.52 ERA in 24 appearances with the Rockies last season. He can earn an additional $225,000 based on games pitched: $25,000 each for 55, 60 and 65, and $75,000 each for 70 and 75. In addition, he can earn $200,000 for games finished: $25,000 each for 40 and 45, and $50,000 each for 50, 55 and 60.
Flores went 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 27 games. He can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on games pitched: $25,000 each for 60 and each additional five through 75.
Colorado also assigned right-hander Joel Peralta and infielder Omar Quintanilla outright to Triple-A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. Peralta declined the assignment and elected to become a free agent.
Nationals claim LHP Slaten off waivers
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have claimed left-handed reliever Doug Slaten off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Slaten, who will turn 30 before the start of next season, is a middle reliever who spent most of 2009 at Triple-A Reno, going 3-2 with nine saves and a 3.09 ERA in 39 appearances.
He had a 7.11 ERA with no decisions in 11 appearances with the Diamondbacks this season.
He is 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA in the majors since 2006, all with Arizona.
