Rays Want Some More Heath Bell

Bell back in the good old days in San Diego.

Heath Bell was once "top of the world, Ma" (That's Cagney, not Titanic), but after he signed a free agent deal with the Florida Marlins, the one time NL saves leader came crashing back to Earth. Bell will be with his fourth team in four years this coming Spring Training after the Tampa Bay Rays acquired him Tuesday from the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three team deal.

In addition to Bell, the Rays will also get catcher Ryan Hanigan and cash from the Reds. Cincinnati will receive left-hander David Holmberg from Arizona, while the Dbacks get right-hander Justin Choate from the Rays and a player to be named later.

Bell saved more than 40 games for three straight seasons (2009-2011) while a member of the San Diego Padres. The 36-year old signed a three-year, $27MM deal with the Marlins following the 2011 season, but was part of the mass purge orchestrated by owner/con-man Jeffrey Loria. Bell landed in Arizona in October, 2012 as part of a three team deal that included Oakland.

His one season in Miami was a disaster with a 5+ ERA and 8 blown saves in 27 chances. He eventually lost the closer role to Steve Cishek. Bell started off well in AZ with 13 saves in 15 opportunities, but then blew five of his next seven chances and lost the full-time job.

The Rays are hoping Bell can turn things around just as Fernando Rodney did after he signed with the Rays as a free agent prior to the 2012 season. Once a mediocre set up man and poor closer, Rodney was an All-Star and finished 5th in the 2012 AL Cy Young voting after he saved 48 of 50 games and limited the opposition to a 1.08 ERA. Rodney blew eight of 45 chances in 2013, but is expected to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere. In the meantime, Bell will be among those vying for the vacant closer's role.

Holmberg is a 22-year old that was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLB amateur draft. He made his Major League debut on August 27 in a start against the San Diego Padres and left with no decision after he allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched. The lefty isn't overpowering and relies on a good curveball. Despite being a starter in the minor leagues, he's likely ticketed to become a lefty specialist if he earns his way on to a Major League roster.

Choate signed a free agent deal with the Rays after being undrafted out of Texarkana (TX) College, which won the JUCO title in 2010. Choate pitched with some success for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the NY-Penn League last season. In 40.2 innings thrown, he struck out 35, walked 9, and pitched to a 2.88 ERA.

Harkey Jumps to Dbacks

Bullpen coach Mike Harkey has been part of Joe Girardi's staff since the Yankees skipper managed the Florida Marlins in 2006. The 47-year old is leaving the Yankees organization after six seasons to become the pitching coach for manager Kirk Gibson and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

At 6'5", Harkey made a a larger than life impression in the Yankees' bullpen. The Diamondbacks job is the first stint for Harkey as a pitching coach.  A former first round pick (4th overall  pick in 1987 by the Cubs), Harkey appeared in 131 Major League games with 36 wins and 36 losses.

There's no word on who will replace him in the Yankees pen.

The Diamondbacks also hired Mel Stottlemyre...Mel Stottlemyre Jr. that is. The son of the former Yankees pitcher and pitching coach appeared in 13 Major League games for the Kansas City Royals in 1990.

Leyland Decides To Call It A Day

The fiery temper, the wiry build. The profanity laced, chain smoking, shoot from the hip demeanor. The mustachioed, no-nonsense leader. That pretty much sums up the on-field persona of Jim Leyland, who earlier today stepped down as manager of the Detroit Tigers after eight semi-successful seasons.

"I'm going to be 69 years old," he said. "I'm not ashamed of that. I'm proud of it. The fuel's getting a little low."

"I want to retire a Tiger. So long. It's not goodbye. And from the bottom of my heart thank you for having me." ¹

The 68-year old had worked the last handful of years for the Tigers on a year-to-year contract basis. He recently said words to the effect of "Why would it bother/worry me when that's how we've worked for so long" when queried by the media about his future.

Current Diamondbacks manager and former Tiger Kirk Gibson and another former Tiger, Brad Ausmus, are the early names being mentioned to replace Leyland as manager.

It appeared Leyland might have been relieved of his job in 2010 or 2011 after the Tigers finished 5th in the AL Central in 2008 and missed the playoffs the next two seasons. But after a 12-17 start in 2011, the Tigers won the first of three straight division crowns. They reached the league championship series in all three seasons and made it to the 2012 World Series where they lost to the San Francisco Giants. Leyland's Tigers also won the AL pennant in 2006, his first season in Detroit, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic.

With pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, and sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder leading the team, the 2013 Tigers had a great shot at a return to the World Series. However, the team's bullpen and lineup let them down in the key moments of their ALCS loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Leyland was a throwback to the non-number crunching managers that preceded the millennium. His players may not have always liked him, but they respected and played hard for him. No one over the age of 30 will forget his days at the helm of the Pittsburgh Pirates when he chewed out a thinner, but already arrogant Barry Bonds in front of the rest of the team during 1991's Spring Training. (See the profanity laced video below)

People think of Leyland as an old curmudgeon, but he was just 41 years of age when he was hired to manage the Pirates in 1986. (He started a string of 11 seasons as a manager in the Tigers chain at age 20.) After finishing out in the upper half of the division just once in four years, Leyland's Pirates averaged 96 wins and captured the NL East title for three straight seasons (1990-1992).

The '90 squad lost the NLCS to the eventual World Series champion Cincinnati Reds in six games and then lost back-to-back seven game league championship series to the Atlanta Braves. The '92 squad fell in heartbreaking fashion when they blew a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7. The image of former Pirate Sid Bream sliding home with the winning run still resonates with Pirates fans to this day.

Cost cutting cost the Pirates dearly and they won just 53 games in 1995. In the midst of a fourth straight losing season, Leyland told Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy that he was quitting at the end of the season. McClatchy let Leyland out of the remainder of his 4-year, $4MM contract.

Leyland wasn't unemployed long; with the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and California Angels all interested in hiring him, Leyland was hired by the Florida Marlins, which had put together a power packed team. The expansion team had played its first season in 1993 and captured the first wild card under Leyland's tutelage in 1997. The team then went on to win the NL pennant and defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games for their first World Series title.

But as a precursor to future owner Jeffrey Loria’s putting a wrecking ball to the 2003 championship team, then owner Wayne Huizenga gutted the squad before the next season. The Marlins won just 54 games in defense of their title and Leyland, with no prospect of winning any time in the near future, walked away from his post and replaced Don Baylor as skipper of the Colorado Rockies.

In early September, however, a very emotional Leyland answered reports that he would step down at season's end by saying he didn't have the all of the passion he needed to do the job.

"To do this job right, the fire has to burn 12, 14 hours a day. I'm a maniac during the game and the fire burns like it always has, but I think to the job right, you've got to work at it 12 hours a day, and I'm not sure I'm doing very good at that right now. This is not final. It's a strong possibility." ²

After a 72-90 finish, Leyland indeed resigned to spend more time with his family. The St. Louis Cardinals hired him two months later to be a scout in his home area of Pittsburgh and he would remain in that position until he felt the itch to manage again prior to the 2005 season. (Leyland had been third base coach for White Sox manager Tony LaRussa prior to his hire in Pittsburgh and LaRussa was the Cardinals manager in 2000 when they signed Leyland as a scout.)

Though he missed out on the Philadelphia Phillies job the prior year, a refreshed, renewed Leyland was hired by the Tigers prior to the 2006 season. Signed to a 3-year deal (a 1-year extension was added a year later), Leyland admitted he never thought he would manage again.

 "I did a lousy job my last year of managing," Leyland said. "I stunk because I was burned out. When I left there, I sincerely believed that I would not manage again."

"I always missed the competition, but the last couple of years -- and this stuck in my craw a little bit, I did not want my managerial career to end like that."³

This time around it sounds like Leyland felt good about leaving. He is expected to take a position within the organization. Leyland leaves the game with 1769 wins, a .506 winning percentage, one World Series title, three pennants, and two Manager of the Year awards.

Good luck to a guy who did things his way and once yelled at Barry Bonds.

Headphones or low volume are advised if you are at work or have little kids around.

1 - USA Today.com
2 - Tuscaloosa News

3 - ESPN.com

Tino Comes Through Again in the Clutch

This post was originally going to be called "Say it ain't so, Tino", but thankfully Tino Martinez is now a member of the Florida Marlins coaching staff and NOT a member of the Boston Red Sox' staff.

The BamTino was in the running for the hitting coach job under new manager John Farrell up in Boston. While it's nowhere near the same level of horror as Don Mattingly wearing Dodgers Blue, Tino in the Old Town team's uniform would be vomitous nonetheless.

Constantino Martinez, as Michael Kay likes to refer to him, is the new hitting coach under the Marlins' new head man, Mike Redmond. He replaces Eduardo Perez, who became the Houston Astros' bench coach.

Tino first tried his hand at broadcasting as a member of ESPN's Baseball Tonight, but was a monumental failure. His delivery, unfortunately, was cringe worthy and unbearable to watch.  He then worked as a special assistant to Yankees GM Brian Cashman also spent time as unpaid coach for his brother in-law Joe Urso at the U. of Tampa.(He also returned to UT last year to complete his bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in business and marketing.)

Good luck Tino, NY still loves ya.

Baseball Digest | Marlins, Reyes, and the SEC

The newly named Miami Marlins have a new stadium, a new uniform, are this close to a new shortstop, and are newly under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The former Florida Marlins have already been making a big splash this December with the signing of free agent closer Heath Bell to a three-year, $27 million contract as they prepare for life in their new ballpark. The Marlins made headlines this weekend for good and bad reasons as well. First the good, Miami and free agent shortstop Jose Reyes, one of the hottest commedities on the free agent market, agreed to a six-year, $106MM deal that is contingent on a physical. It's a huge deal for the Marlins, who already have an All-Star in Hanley Ramirez at the position ( Ramirez is likely to be asked to be moved to 3rd base according to Marlins beat writer Joe Capozzi, but what if he balks. Ramirez had difficulty with management and faced criticism last year for his work habits.).

But the Marlins may have some choppy waters ahead of them. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that a long overdue investigation by the SEC into the Marlins' ability to get a new stadium is underway.

"The Security and Exchange Commission on Thursday launched guided warheads at the Marlins, requesting the team’s financial records, communications with MLB officials including commissioner Bud Selig, minutes of meetings with local government leaders and political campaign-contribution information, according to a report in the Miami Herald.

While the subpoenas issued by the SEC do not explicitly detail the purpose of the investigation, the feds’ motives are evident: They want to understand how, exactly, a group of county commissioners agreed to fund 80 percent of the Marlins new stadium, which cost more than $600 million, without ever seeing the team’s financial records – and whether bribes had anything to do with it."

One does have to wonder what took so long. Passan and others reported on wrong doing back in August when Deadspin.com also revealed the Marlins' balance sheet.

"Miami-Dade County commissioners nevertheless voted 9-4 in favor of taking out loans that will cost the county $2.4 billion over 40 years to help build the stadium in Little Havana, about two miles west of the city. Critics across south Florida panned the deal, which gives the Marlins all stadium-related revenue and imbued the team with a new attitude entering this offseason."

A team that supposedly had financial problems is suddenly pouring out money, hand over fist. First came the 34-yr old Bell's $9MM per year deal and then the nearly $18MM per year for Reyes. And the Marlins aren't done either. Their are said to be ready to make a serious at Albert Pujols', to whom they reportedly made a nine-year offer to in November for somewhere between $200MM and $225MM. Whether they were serious or not, one Marlins' spokesman told reporters the team was hoping to leave the winter meetings with "...4 or 5 new players."

The question is will the SEC come down hard on the Marlins or simply give them a slap on the wrist. And maybe even more importantly, will the fans, who never came to Marlins' games in the old stadium, suddenly start attending them in the new digs. While owner Jeffrey Loria may suddenly field a contender, will fans/taxpayers get over being swindled and show up? It's a question that has no easy answer.

Marlins Deal Uggla to Braves

The Florida Marlins said they were serious about trading 2nd baseman Dan Uggla and they weren't kidding. This afternoon Uggla was sent to division rival Atlanta for infielder Omar Infante and left-handed reliever Mike Dunn.

Uggla had recently turned down a four year, $48M contract extension and was immediately put on the trade market by the Marlins' front office. He's a three time All-Star, who averaged 30 home runs over the past five seasons and just won his first Silver Slugger award. The 30-yr old Uggla is expected to remain at 2nd base while current Braves 2nd baseman Martin Prado could move to a corner position. That is at least until the 2010 trade deadline arrives when Uggla could be dealt again.

Infante was a surprise All-Star selection this past season, in which he hit a career high .321 and played in the second highest number of games (134) in his career. Dunn just completed his first full season in the majors after being acquired from the Yankees in a deal that sent Javier Vazquez to New York in Dec. '09. He was 2-0, 1.89 with 27 strikeouts and 17 walks in 19 innings pitched.

Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots

Last night's brawl between Washington and Florida.

Tejada, Cantu Switch Leagues

As soon as San Diego Padres' shortstop David Eckstein went on the DL, rumors began that the Pads were looking at Baltimore Orioles infielder Miguel Tejada to replace him. Today the rumor became reality when the O's sent Tejada to the west coast for minor league pitcher Wynn Penzer.

Tejada started out like a house on fire, but has cooled considerably since. He's hit just .224 with 7 RBI in the month of July. Penzer has struck out 147 hitters in 150 innings pitched at High 'A' level Lake Elsinore.

Jorge Cantu also got a new home this afternoon. The Texas Rangers may be going bankrupt, but they continue to deal. They sent minor leaguers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda to Florida for the Marlins' corner man. Cantu average 97.5 RBI the last two seasons, but has just 54 RBI this year along with a .716 OPS. He'll expected to get at-bats primarily at 1st base, but could fill also fill in at 2nd baseman while Ian Kinsler is injured.

Reed was recently promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City after posting a 1.62 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 39 relief innings at Double-A Frisco. Poveda has missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March.

Loria Cans Fredi Gonzalez

"Any asshole can be a father". - Keanu Reeves, Parenthood (1989)

Apparently the same can be said for the owners of professional sports teams. Well, rich assholes anyway.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria canned Joe Girardiafter one season in Miami despite a great effort by the current Yankees skipper and defending WS champion manager. Next up, Fredi Gonzalez, another promising manager.

Gonzalez led the Marlins to two 80+ win seasons in his three full seasons and had the team two games under .500 after 70 contests this year. All this despite a payroll that is next to nill and fan attendance that's barely more than a little league game.

So of course Loria fired Gonzalez today. Perhaps Loria was catering to his unhappy star Hanley Ramirez, who has had run ins with Gonzalez or perhaps, and more likely, Loria is just another owner who doesn't understand the sport he uses as a tax write off.

Miami Herald

Rich or Poor, It's Good to Have Money

The official MLB salaries have been released. Alex Rodriguez is officially making $28 million. The Florida Marlins combined salary is $21.8 million. That's 31 active and/or disabled players.

No wonder he's smiling.

Rich or Poor, It's Good to Have Money

The official MLB salaries have been released. Alex Rodriguez is officially making $28 million. The Florida Marlins combined salary is $21.8 million. That's 31 active and/or disabled players.

No wonder he's smiling.

Breaking News: Tigers Snare Cabrera, Willis

The Detroit Tigers have acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for 6 prospects, including Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Catcher Mike Rabelo is thought to be another of the players.

Source

WWBD? That's what would Bowie (Kuhn) do? Back in the day we can't see a deal like this being allowed. But for all of Bud Selig's talk, deals like this still go through.

Update 7:30 pm EST- The remaining prospects are Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop. Source

Breaking News: Tigers Snare Cabrera, Willis

The Detroit Tigers have acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for 6 prospects, including Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Catcher Mike Rabelo is thought to be another of the players.

Source

WWBD? That's what would Bowie (Kuhn) do? Back in the day we can't see a deal like this being allowed. But for all of Bud Selig's talk, deals like this still go through.

Update 7:30 pm EST- The remaining prospects are Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop. Source