The chances of the Los Angeles Angels retaining record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez went from slim to virtually none Wednesday, with owner Arte Moreno saying, “We’re turning the page on this one.”
Moreno did not rule out the possibility of the Angels pursuing Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez if they are unable to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is the team’s top priority this winter.
Rodriguez is one of the top right-handed relievers in the game, but the Angels appear to have exhausted their efforts to retain the free agent.
The Angels thought they had an agreement with Rodriguez on a three-year, $34-million deal last November, but Rodriguez turned it down after Yankees closer Mariano Rivera signed a three-year, $45-million contract.
Rodriguez, who went 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 69 games last season and set a major league record with 62 saves, is looking for a deal of four or five years in length and $15 million a year.
“Believe it or not, we really spent a lot of time and effort trying to re-sign Frankie,” Moreno said. “There were six different offers on the table at different times, and this time last year, we thought we had him signed. Then Rivera got his deal.
“I’m not one of these never-never people, but I think as a whole, it’s time to turn the page and move forward and get to things we need to do.”
Rays CF Upton has surgery on shoulder
Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton had surgery on his left shoulder this week and the Rays expect him to be ready by opening day. Upton played much of the season with a sore shoulder that affected his offensive production.
Yankees, Marte agree to 12M, three-year deal
Left-hander Damaso Marte and the New York Yankees agreed to a $12 million, three-year contract that includes a club option for 2012. New York last week declined a $6 million option on the 33-year-old reliever, choosing to pay a $250,000 buyout.
Marte was acquired with outfielder Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh on July 26 for pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen and outfielder Jose Tabata. Marte went 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 25 games with the Yankees and 5-3 with a 4.02 ERA overall.
Red Sox decide to hold the line on ticket prices
For the first time in more than a decade, the Boston Red Sox aren’t increasing their ticket prices at Fenway Park for the 2009 season.
The team said that it had increased prices in each of the past 14 years.
Fans with contracts for premium seats can keep their ticket prices the same if they agree to extend those contracts for one year.
Castilla to coach Mexico at World Baseball Classic
Retired major-leaguer Vinny Castilla will coach Mexico at the World Baseball Classic.
The tournament in March will be his second term as Mexico’s national coach. He also led the team to the bronze medal at last year’s Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero.
Castilla says the team’s strength will be pitching.
He says he will look at bringing in both Mexican major league players as well as those with double nationality. He plans to first talk to Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza.
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