MLB 2015 Thread

[Coolbreeze2444]

Cubs acquire P Fernando Rodney from Mariners

The Cubbies acquired Rodney from the M's for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

This is a smart move by the Cubs. I know he hasn't pitched well this year, but he brings maturity and experience to a young ball club as they head into the stretch. His presence in the clubhouse and bullpen will be more even more valuable than what he does on the field.

[HavanaMatt]

Cubs to acquire OF Austin Jackson from Mariners

Cubs & Mariners play let's make a deal again, as the Cubbies will acquire OF Austin Jackson from the M's,
Shannon Drayer of 710 AM ESPN in Seattle reports. Cubs will send its “last” international signing slot and
a player to be named later. will also pick up cash to offset some salary, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com
tweets.

With the move, Jackson’s disappointing tenure in SEA comes to an end. He was acquired by the M's with high
hopes last summer in the 3-team David Price deal, with the Mariners sending Nick Franklin to the Rays to add
the CF from the Tigers.

CHC acquired Fernando Rodney from the M's a couple days back.

[HavanaMatt]

Royals win the division title for the 1st time ever

Less than a week after the Cardinals punched their postseason ticket, the KC became the second team
from Missouri to clinch a postseason berth.

Congrats KC

[HavanaMatt]

A little MLB news ....

Giants pitchers Tim Hudson & Jeremy Affeldt, Pirates' AJ Burnett & Aramis Ramirez, and Jays P Mark Buehrle
have announced their retirement. Also Cubs P Dan Haren states he will hang it up after the '15 season ends.
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Nationals fire manager Matt Williams & his coaching staff
The Nats announced that not only has Williams been fired, but the entire coaching staff has been let go as well.
The team will hire a new skipper and an entirely new field staff.
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A's promote GM Billy Beane to executive VP of baseball operations
Athletics announced that they have promoted Billy Beane to the role of executive VP of baseball operations.
Their assistant GM David Forst has been promoted to the role of general manager, thus filling Beane’s previous
title.

[HavanaMatt]

Twins OF Torii Hunter to retire

Torii Hunter has decided to retire, he tells LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star-Tribune. The 40-yr-old played in
parts of 19 years with three organizations (Twins, Angels, & Tigers).

Hunter ended things where he began by returning to Minnesota for the 2015 season. He broke in with the Twins
back in 1997, earned regular playing time as a reserve in 1999, and locked down an everyday job with the club
in 2001.

The winter of 2007 seemed to spell the end of Hunter’s tenure in Minnesota. He departed via free agency to
join the Angels, who promised him $90MM over 5 years. Hunter continued to thrive, posting a .286/.352/.462
cumulative batting line in nearly 3,000 trips to the plate over the life of that contract.

Having transitioned to RF in the back half of his tenure with the Halos, Hunter caught on to take over there
for the Tigers. He was a strong contributor to 2 good teams in his two years in Detroit.

Hunter decided on a return to the Twins for the '15 season, but the club wasn’t expected to do much. But it
proved more than a farewell tour, as the club surpassed expectations (and underlying performance barometers)
with an 83-79 record.

[HavanaMatt]

MLB P Tommy Hansen dies at 29 yrs of age

Former big league P Tommy Hanson has passed away at just 29 years of age. Heartfelt wishes have streamed
in from around the game as friends, fans, and former teammates and opponents have learned of the unthinkable
news.

The big righty lost his life in the same city where he had his greatest successes as a baseball player. He
broke into the league with the Braves at just 22 years of age after streaking through the minors as a heralded
young talent.

Hanson quickly established himself as one of the brightest young hurlers in the majors. He finished 3rd in the
2009 NL Rookie of the Year vote and followed that up with 200+ frames of 3.33 ERA ball in 2010.

Despite early-career excellence, Hanson’s career faded after he experienced shoulder trouble in 2011.
Never reliant on an upper 90s fastball, he nevertheless struggled to adapt as he lost velocity. Hanson
ultimately played with the Braves for 4 seasons in total, the last of those coming in 2012.

Hanson returned to his native California during the winter of '12 after being traded to the Angels, seemingly
receiving a fresh start. But things did not turn out as hoped, as Hanson dealt with the tragic death of his younger
brother and was unable to re-discover his form on he mound.

While that time with the Halos represents his last big league action, Hanson kept trying to work his way back,
spending time with the Rangers, White Sox, and (most recently) Giants organizations over the last several years.

Not much is known at present about the root issue that led to Hanson’s untimely death, with reports indicating
only that he was in a coma after experiencing “catastrophic organ failure.”


It's always sad seeing someone go at a young age, RIP

[HavanaMatt]

MLB '15 award winners named

Rookie of the Year
AL
Carlos Correa (HOU)

NL
Kris Bryant (CHC)


Manager of the Year
AL
Jeff Banister (TEX)

NL
Joe Maddon (CHC)


Congrats to the winners

[Air M'Ville Cap'n]

Pretty good picks so far

[Coolbreeze2444]

Pretty good picks so far

I agree.

[HavanaMatt]

Angels signed Albert Pujols 4 yrs ago today (12/8/11)

The Angels stunned baseball back on 12/8/11, signing Pujols to a free agent 10-year contract.

His mega deal paid him $254 million for the duration. It was, at the time, the second-largest contract
in baseball history behind A-Rod’s 10-year, $275 mil.


The Halos haven't done much since