link - Veteran Alex Cora and the Rangers agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract as the American League West leaders made yet another move to help their infield depth. Cora, who was released by the New York Mets and became a free agent last week, is expected to join Triple-A Oklahoma City today. With Ian Kinsler and Cristian Guzman on the disabled list and faith dwindling in Arias, Cora could join the Rangers within a week. “Our guys have liked Cora for some time,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “He’s sure-handed, has been there in the past and has an impeccable reputation as a teammate.” Cora is a 13-year veteran who was hitting .207 in 169 at-bats when the Mets cut him loose. He has made the postseason four times and won a World Series ring in 2007 with Boston
link - Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron, who has played in only 48 of the team's 120 games this season because of an abdominal tear and additional complications, said Tuesday night that he does not expect to play again the rest of the season. Cameron said there is a conference call scheduled for Wednesday with general manager Theo Epstein and his agent, Mike Nicotera, in which they intend to discuss a timetable for surgery to repair the torn muscle. Cameron was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 2 (retroactive to July 31), and it was hoped that rest and treatment would permit him to return to action
Matt Lindstrom:
link - The Astros want Matt Lindstrom to regain his confidence before resuming closing duties again. A night after surrendering two runs in the ninth inning of a 3-1 loss to the Mets for his third rough outing in four games, Lindstrom was available out of the bullpen but not as the closer, with Brandon Lyon and Wilton Lopez handling those duties.
link - None of these players (last day draft signees), Harper included, will use options because the signing deadline does not occur until the middle of August. One of the provisions in using an option is that a player must accumulate at least 90 days of service time within that season for it to qualify. In 90 days, the baseball season will be over; meaning nobody who signed last night is going to come close to qualifying. This is true for any player placed only in short season ball during a given season. Players who signed major league deals last night will not use an option because they will spend fewer than 90 days in the minors. Players will likely begin burning options next season, assuming they play above short-season ball and stay relatively healthy In some cases, these players will have four option years, not the standard three, if those options fall within their first five professional seasons – dictated not by draft date, but by the above 90-day rule.
More Legal K-Rod Stuff:link - Even if the Mets fail in voiding the entirety of the contract, they may dodge a bullet in that 2012 vesting option. The option vests if K-Rod finishes either 55 games in 2011 or 100 games between 2010 and 2011. As Rodriguez finished 46 games in 2010, that means that K-Rod’s option will vest if he finishes 54 games in 2011. He still may achieve that mark if he stays with the Mets – he has finished at least 56 games every season since 2005. However, if the Mets’ are intent on keeping Rodriguez’s option from vesting, they will have a much easier time of it now that Rodriguez is on the shelf for the rest of this season – he was on pace to finish 63 games this season, meaning that he would only need to finish 37 to vest the option, an easy task for any full-time closer.
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