Here's to a great week!
Tigers and Jordan Zimmermann reportedly agree on 5 year deal (Rogacki)
This is not exactly what us Tribe fans wanted Detroit to do this off-season. The Tigers and the former Nationals pitcher reportedly have agreed to a five year deal worth "around" $110 million. Zimmermann is coming off his worst year, posting a 3.66 ERA and 3.75 FIP over 201 2/3 innings in 2015. He is only 29 and has a career 3.40 FIP over seven Major League seasons. All in all, this is a good haul for Zimmermann and not a totally absurd deal from the Tigers. I say Boooo.
Ross Atkins a finalist for Blue Jays GM job (Heyman)
Toronto president Mark Shapiro knows Atkins well, as he was his boss for fifteen years here in Cleveland. Atkins, who currently serves as the Indians vice president of player personnel, is well respected within the industry. From Heyman:
Atkins has served numerous roles in the Indians' hierarchy, where he worked for Shapiro all that time, until Shapiro took over as Jays president after the season. Atkins, a Wake Forest product, was originally a pitching prospect in the Indians' system.
Tribe Talk features roundtable with Sandy Alomar, Charles Nagy, and more (MLBTV)
Jim Rosenhaus leads a forty-nine minute Cleveland Indians network show that revisits some great moments with former Tribe favorites Sandy Alomar, Charles Nagy, and Mike Hargrove. Certainly brought back some good memories.
Rival GMs expect David Price to sign with Red Sox (Normandin)
While Boston has recently spent heavily on offense, this off-season's main target looks to be David Price. One GM who spoke to Peter Gammons expects the Red Sox to "go 30-40 million above everyone else" with their offers for the coveted lefty.
Anthony Rizzo forms strong bond with cancer patient (Townsend)
I certainly forgot that Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2008 while playing minor league ball with the Red Sox. Rizzo won his battle with the disease and now is very active in supporting those in need, including a 14 year old who has a rare form of optic cancer.