Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement just over a year ago, and one of the provisions in that CBA is uniform opt-out opportunities for Article XX(B) free agents on minor league deals. An Article XX(B) free agent is one with at least six years of service time who finished the previous season on a major league roster … [Read more...] about Veterans With Upcoming Opt-Outs On Minor League Deals
Ryan Lavarnway Announces Retirement
Ryan Lavarnway will be chatting with MLBTR readers tomorrow at 10am Central. Click here to ask questions in advance or join in the chat when it’s in progress! Veteran catcher Ryan Lavarnway, who spent parts of 10 seasons in the Majors and 15 seasons in pro ball overall, announced his retirement on Wednesday in a thoughtful and poignant piece at The Athletic. Fans of any team … [Read more...] about Ryan Lavarnway Announces Retirement
Read The Transcript Of Our Chat Hosted By MLB Catcher Ryan Lavarnway
Ryan Lavarnway played parts of 10 MLB seasons as a depth catcher. One day after announcing his retirement, he chatted live with MLBTR readers. Click here to read a transcript of the chat. Ryan Lavarnway entered the professional ranks in 2008. A sixth-round draftee by the Red Sox out of Yale, he was in the majors within three years. Lavarnway debuted in August 2011, appearing in … [Read more...] about Read The Transcript Of Our Chat Hosted By MLB Catcher Ryan Lavarnway
NL Notes: Harper, Hudson, Liberatore, Stephenson
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told members of the media, including Matt Gelb of The Athletic, that the club doesn’t plan to put Bryce Harper on the 60-day injured list for now. Harper is recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected back until July, but it seems the club will leave the door open for the possibility that he’s able to return in … [Read more...] about NL Notes: Harper, Hudson, Liberatore, Stephenson
Injury Notes: Blackburn, Pina, Morejon, Garcia, Szapucki
The A’s will open the season with both starter Paul Blackburn and catcher Manny Piña on the injured list, manager Mark Kotsay told reporters this afternoon (link via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle). Blackburn still can’t throw at full strength after ripping the nail on his middle finger a couple weeks ago. Piña, meanwhile, was diagnosed with left wrist … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Blackburn, Pina, Morejon, Garcia, Szapucki