Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
MO FACES HITTERS FOR FIRST TIME IN TEN MONTHS "[It was] the first BP that I threw in almost a year, so I'm real happy with the results. It will get better. The longer I keep throwing, it will get better. ... It's good, man. I feel real good. I feel real good with the results."
—Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who threw live BP on Friday, marking the first time he has thrown to hitters since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last April. (Adam Berry, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
MICHAEL IS BOURN AGAIN IN CLEVELAND "It was a long offseason, but it was fun for me. It taught me patience. It was interesting. I landed in a spot where I think that I'm wanted, where they're committed to me and I'm committed to them, and that was my main focus. ... I'm ready to rock-n-roll."
—Michael Bourn, who was introduced as the newest member of the Cleveland Indians on Friday. The 30-year-old signed a four-year, $48-million deal that will have him play center field for a team sporting a revamped roster featuring offseason acquisitions like Nick Swisher, Drew Stubbs, and Trevor Bauer. (Paul Hoynes, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
SCHILLING SAYS SOX URGED HIM TO USE PEDs "At the end of my career, in 2008 when I had gotten hurt, there was a conversation that I was involved in in which it was brought to my attention that this is a potential path I might want to pursue.” —Former Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, who revealed on Wednesday that members of the organization encouraged him to use performance-enhancing drugs during his tenure in Boston. (Matt Pepin, Boston Globe)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
OMAR VIZQUEL JOINS ANGELS AS INFIELD INSTRUCTOR "It's a great presence that he brings, and it comes from his accomplishments—a long career that we believe culminates in the Hall of Fame. We're thrilled to have him." —Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto, on the hiring of 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel, who will serve as the team’s roving infield instructor.(Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
UPTONS IN ATLANTA “To get a chance to play with J is unbelievable. I always hoped it would happen but never dreamed it would happen so soon. I can’t wait to run out there Opening Day next to him.” —B.J. Upton, on his brother being acquired via trade by the Braves.Justin Upton will play left field, and Jason Heyward will remain in right field. (David O’Brien and Carroll Rogers, AJC.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
BASEBALL BIDS FAREWELL TO PAIR OF LEGENDS “Earl Weaver was a brilliant baseball man, a true tactician in the dugout, and one of the key figures in the rich history of the Baltimore Orioles, the club he led to four American League pennants and the 1970 World Series championship. Having known Earl throughout my entire career in the game, I have many fond memories of the Orioles and the Brewers squaring off as American League East rivals. Earl's managerial style proved visionary, as many people in the game adopted his strategy and techniques years later.”
—Commissioner Bud Selig, in a farewell statement to famed Orioles manager Earl Weaver, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 82.(Marty Noble, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
RED SOX EXPLORE FIRST-BASE OPTIONS AS NAPOLI DEAL STALLS “I think as everyone knows, one of our goals this offseason was to add offense at first base. We haven't been unable to really do that, officially, yet. We're still talking, and when you're talking, there's hope for a resolution. But nothing to report right now.” —Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington, who continues to scour the free-agent market for potential first-base options, as the team’s tentative deal with Mike Napoli appears to have stalled due to concerns over the health of the 31-year-old’s hip.(Ian Browne, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
SWISHER OFFICIALLY WELCOMED INTO TRIBE "Have you ever seen these guys recruit? When we made our trip here, it was almost a done deal right when we got here. They tugged on my heartstrings. My roots are deep at Ohio State. They hit all the right spots."
—Outfielder Nick Swisher, who, predictably, was all smiles as he met the Cleveland media on Thursday for the first time since signing a four-year,$56-million deal with the Indians, the biggest free-agent contract in club history. (Paul Hoynes, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
TEXAS, YOU SHOULD’VE PUT A RING ON IT “I'm so excited and happy to hear an organization say we're so excited and happy we got you no matter what the risk is. They're going to help me—with my support system, as well—put things in place like I have with the Rangers. Nothing out of the ordinary; nothing that's straining to the organization or our clubhouse. So, I'm excited to be here—excited to be with people who want me to be here.”
—New Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, who signed with Anaheim for five years, $125 million. The Angels were late arrivals to the Hamilton sweepstakes, taking a key player from the division rival Rangers. (Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
A-ROD BRACES FOR SURGERY “I am fully committed to a very hard road back. We've done it before in '09 and it was a great result, both on a personal level and on a team level, more importantly. I take it as a great challenge and I'm excited for the challenge.”
—Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who will have surgery on his left hip in January and could be out until the All-Star break. (ESPN.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
METS SIGN DAVID WRIGHT THROUGH 2020 “I just think it's a great statement for everybody to have this guy wrapped up. I knew David wanted to stay. I knew that certainly the organization wanted to keep him and I thought there would be a common ground.”
—Mets manager Terry Collins, on the news that third baseman David Wrightagreed to an eight-year contract reportedly worth $138 million. (Anthony DiComo, MLB.com)
Running through the notable quotes of the week that was.
PLENTY OF HURT FEELINGS AFTER MARLINS TRADE “I’m upset with how things turned out in Miami. Just like the fans in South Florida, I was lied to on multiple occasions. But I’m putting it behind me and looking forward to moving on with my career.”
—Pitcher Mark Buehrle, in a statement issued through his agent, Jeff Berry, on the deal that sent him out of Miami and to the Blue Jays. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported that Jose Reyes was also upset about the trade after receiving a verbal promise from the Marlins that he would not be traded. (The SportsXchange)
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