This is what we’re reduced to as we wait for Tanaka to sign someplace. And for A-Rod to be suspended or not. And for all of the other pieces waiting on those two pieces fall into place:
All I know about Tanaka is the Angels are likely in on him. Not likely to get him. In on Garza, more likely but no sure thing. Ask away…
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) January 7, 2014
No word if the Angels plan to have pitchers next year. They’re leaning that way, but don’t try to pin them down.
Indians third baseman José Ramírez had to be carted off the field in the top of the third inning of Sunday afternoon’s Cactus League game agaisnt the White Sox. Ramírez fouled a pitch off of his leg during an at-bat against pitcher Sean Nolin.
MLB.com’s Mandy Bell reports that Ramírez was diagnosed with a left knee contusion after he was taken for X-rays. The X-rays were negative, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Ramírez, 26, finished third in AL MVP Award voting last season, batting .270/.387/.552 with 39 home runs, 105 RBI, 110 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases across 698 plate appearances. He was worth 7.9 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference. If Ramírez lands on the injured list, that would obviously be a huge loss for the Indians, despite being the overwhelming favorites in the AL Central entering the season.
The Indians will already start the season without second baseman Jason Kipnis and shortstop Francisco Lindor, though both are expected to return before the end of April. The infield is in rough shape at the moment.
