The agreement buys out two of Reynolds’ arbitration-eligible years (2011-12) and possibly a third season (2013) if the D-backs exercise the option year in the contract.

“Mark has established himself as one of our core players,” Byrnes said. “He is one of the premier power hitters in the game, and he has also worked hard to become a valuable contributor with his defense and baserunning.”

Reynolds established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the Major Leagues and set career marks last season with 155 games played, 578 at-bats, 98 runs scored, 150 hits, 30 doubles, 44 home runs, 102 RBI, 76 walks and a .543 slugging percentage while posting a career high-tying .349 on-base percentage. He also finished 20th in National League MVP voting and was named to The Sporting News’ NL All-Star team. Reynolds joined Alex Rodriguez (2005, ‘07), Shawn Green (2001) and Alfonso Soriano (2006) as the only players in the last decade to accumulate 40-plus home runs and 20-plus steals in a season. Reynolds’ 44 home runs were also the second-best single-season mark in D-backs history behind Luis Gonzalez’s 57 homers in 2001.

Since making his Major League debut on May 16, 2007, Reynolds leads all NL third basemen with 89 home runs and is second with 261 RBI and 35 stolen bases, tied for second with 247 runs and 8 triples, third with 177 walks and fifth with a .839 OPS. His 89 career home runs rank third in Major League history by a third baseman in his first three seasons behind Eddie Mathews (112) and Bob Horner (91) and ahead of Troy Glaus (77) and David Wright (67). His 261 RBI rank fourth in the same time span behind Pinky Whitney (335), Mathews (296) and Willie Kamm (263) and ahead of Wright (258).

Individual and group ticket sales for the three games series go on sale this Saturday, March 20th at 10AM ET through MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and Ticketpop (ticketpop.com or 787-294-0001). Individual tickets range in price from $13.00 to $100.00. MB Sports will serve as the promoter for the games, continuing a relationship with Major League Baseball in Puerto Rico that has included hosting regular season games as well as special events like the World Baseball Classic.

MLB SAN JUAN SERIES 2010

Major League Baseball Goodwill Ambassador Vera Clemente will attend the games celebrating her native Puerto Rico and promoting the importance of courage and character, the values displayed by her late husband, Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. Vera Clemente was named Major League Baseball’s Goodwill Ambassador in 2009 for her work with youth in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries.

“Major League Baseball is thrilled to bring regular season games back to Puerto Rico,” said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President, International Business Operations, Major League Baseball. “The growth of baseball around the globe has been tremendous and we hope that by providing Major League competition to the passionate fans in Puerto Rico and around the world, we will encourage interest and participation well into the future.”

“Play in Puerto Rico is always exciting. Fans there are among the most enthusiastic in the world,” said Gene Orza, Chief Operating Officer, Major League Baseball Players Association. “The Association is pleased to participate in putting on these games, and I’m sure the players will be received with the same appreciation and hospitality that the people of Puerto Rico always have shown them in the past.”

“The celebration of this series between the Marlins and the Mets in Puerto Rico brings the Puerto Rican fans the opportunity to transmit their passion for baseball to the new generations,” said Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador.

“Hosting games in Puerto Rico is a natural fit for us as we prepare to move into our new ballpark in 2012 in Miami, the Gateway to the Americas,” said David Samson, President, Florida Marlins. “We are excited to return to Puerto Rico to bring Marlins baseball to our fans there.”

“The Mets are delighted to return to Puerto Rico and partner with MLB, the Players Association and the Marlins in bringing professional baseball to fans around the world,” said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, New York Mets. “We have players on our roster from seven countries with five hailing from Puerto Rico, and we’re looking forward to the electricity that will fill the stadium when they step on to the field.”

“We are happy to once again host Major League Baseball in San Juan,” said Ana Muñoz, Vice-President, MB Sports. “We know these games are going to be exciting for local fans and for the fans that will visit the island in June.”

Both the Marlins and Mets franchises have international playing experience. Each Club traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico when Hiram Bithorn Stadium became the part-time home of the Montreal Expos in 2003 and 2004.

The New York Mets participated in the first-ever MLB regular season games held internationally, having played the San Diego Padres in Monterrey, Mexico in 1996. The Mets also have the distinction of playing in the first season opener in Japan in Major League history when they played the Chicago Cubs in 2000 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. This was the first time in Major League history that a regular season game was played outside of North America.

Hiram Bithorn Stadium hosted MLB’s Opening Day game in 2001 when the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Texas Rangers. The stadium was used as one of the venues for Round One and Round Two of the 2006 World Baseball Classic as well as a Round One venue for the 2009 tournament. Additionally, a number of Major League teams have used Hiram Bithorn Stadium for spring training games.

FORT MYERS, FL-The Boston Red Sox today acquired right-handed pitcher Miguel Celestino from Seattle, completing the January 7 trade that sent first baseman Casey Kotchman to the Mariners in exchange for infielder Bill Hall and cash.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

Celestino, 20, went 5-3 with a 4.73 ERA (35 ER/66.2 IP) in 13 games/12 starts for the Rookie-level Peoria Mariners of the Arizona League in 2009, his first professional season in the United States. He tossed at least 5.0 innings in 10 of his 13 appearances and had a 13.0-inning scoreless streak from August 11-16. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League from 2007-08 and was originally signed by Seattle as an international free agent on December 16, 2006.

Twins Option Two Pitchers

The Minnesota Twins announced after today’s game that they have optioned right-handed pitchers Alex Burnett  and Rob Delaney  to Triple-A Rochester.

The Twins now have 46 players in camp: 19 pitchers (three non-roster), six catchers (two non-roster), 13 infielders (two non-roster), and eight outfielders (four non-roster).

A’s Option RHP Justin Souza to Midland

The Oakland A’s have optioned right-handed pitcher Justin Souza to Double-A Midland, the club announced today.

The A’s now have 48 players remaining in camp, which includes 35 players on the 40-man roster and 13 non-roster invitees. The breakdown includes 22 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and 10 outfielders.

Quick Recap of 2009

The 2009 Red Sox scored 872 runs, third most in the Majors. The Sox offense clubbed 224 homeruns (4^th most), 335 doubles (2^nd), walked 659 times (3^rd), and hit .270/.352/.454 (ranking 4^th, 2^nd, and 2^nd). They also added 126 stolen bases, which was good for fifth in Baseball. In short, the offense was one of the most complete attacks in the game. It was paced by Jason Bay’s .267/.384/.537 36 homeruns and 119 RBI season. Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and JD Drew, who perhaps was the Red Sox’s most underrated hitter, carried the offense throughout the year with stellar offensive seasons. Mike Lowell struggled with the after effects of his hip surgery, but still gave adequate production when he played. David Ortiz got off to a horrific start (1 homerun and 18 RBI through May), but rebounded with a .258/.350/.516 16 homerun, 52 RBI second half. While the Red Sox struggled to get production from their various shortstops, the offense was bolstered with the midseason addition of catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez.

The Newbies

After the season, the Red Sox allowed Jason Bay to sign with the New York Mets and tried to trade Mike Lowell to Texas. Lowell is still on the team and could be an asset in a backup role, but he is still a candidate to be traded if he can prove healthy. Losing Bay means that the Red Sox lost their best run producer from a season ago. Epstein chose to replace Bay with the veteran centerfielder Mike Cameron and by signing the elite defensive third baseman Adrian Beltre. Marco Scutaro, who parlayed a career year in a three-year deal, will be the starting shortstop for a team whose shortstops struggled to produce in 2009. Epstein’s first move of the offseason wasn’t one that garnered headlines, but it could prove significant. Jeremy Hermida, formerly of the Marlins, will serve as a fourth outfielder for a team with a 37 year old centerfielder and an injury prone right fielder. The versatile Bill Hall will fill a utility role as well. Hall came from Seattle in the Casey Kotchman trade.

Losing Bay’s production does hurt the offense. Bay was one of the most productive outfielders in the game last season. Replacing him with a centerfielder who is on the downside of his career seems to hurt the offense. Mike Cameron is still one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game, but he is not a liability at the plate. Since 2006, Cameron has hit .251/.340/.459 with an average of 23 homeruns, 75 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. In fact, Cameron has been remarkably consistent over the past four seasons, never having an extreme drop or spike in any offensive statistic besides stolen bases. Last year, he stole a career low seven bases. His running days may be over, but he can still hit for power. When one examines that two of the past four seasons were spent in San Diego, one of the worst offensive environments, one can see Cameron can still hit. The Red Sox do dramatically add to their strikeout total, but Cameron’s offensive production and elite defense more than outweigh whatever negative results from his strikeouts. He doesn’t replace Bay’s offense, but he doesn’t have to. He will prevent some runs on defense and will be a solid addition to a lineup in a good offensive environment. Some projection systems project Cameron to have a terrible season, but his increase in walks, decrease in strikeouts, and his consistent production point to another solid season.

A potentially significant upgrade could be Adrian Beltre. Beltre, 31 years old, struggled in 2009 for the Mariners through a myriad of injuries. For the three previous seasons, Beltre was a consistent hitter in addition to being the best defensive third baseman in the game. From 2006 through 2008, Beltre averaged .270/.325/.468 with 25 homeruns, 88 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. Now healthy, Beltre looks ready to resume that consistency. Beltre will never get on base at even an average pace, but his power and defense more than offset that flaw. His career OBP is .325, which is below average, but not enough to outweigh his positives. Additionally, as a pull hitter, he will enjoy Fenway Park as opposed to Safeco Park. If healthy, a .270/.325/.450 season with 25 homeruns can be expected. As Mike Lowell continues to battle injury effects and age, the 2010 version of Beltre is an upgrade. Because he is signed to a deal that will allow him to reenter the free agent market next winter, expect a healthy, motivated Beltre to look to improve his value.

What cannot be disputed is the offensive upgrade at shortstop. Marco Scutaro is not a superstar. His 2009 season was a career season at 33 years old. He posted career highs in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, homeruns, doubles, RBI, stolen bases, and walks. It is unrealistic to expect a repeat of that season at 34. But, even if he falls short and regresses back towards his career averages of .265/.337/.384 with an average of 7 homeruns and 44 RBI, he is an upgrade over the Red Sox’s 2009 shortstop production of .234/.296/.357. Likely, Scutaro produces somewhere in between his career season and his career norms.

Jeremy Hermida is a left-handed batter who is entering his age 26 season. The former number one pick of the Florida Marlins is starting over as a bench player for the Red Sox. While being left-handed limits platoon options with the lefthanders Ellsbury and Drew as the established starters, Hermida still figures to get plenty of time. Drew has an annual injury and Cameron may need more rest as he ages. Since 2007, Hermida has hit .267/.345/.432 with an average of 16 homeruns and 57 RBI. His splits indicate a platoon player, but Hermida can be quite useful considering that the Red Sox have struggled to find a fourth outfielder since Coco Crisp. Hermida would be an average regular, but he is a quality backup capable of starting for chunks of time.

Returning Excellence

If one is worried about the Red Sox lineup, those worries are put to ease with a look at the offensive core of Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Victor Martinez, and JD Drew. Of the core, Drew is the oldest at 34 years old. Martinez and Youkilis are still in their respective primes (although getting towards the end), while Pedroia and Ellsbury are both 26 years old and just entering their primes. Nobody in that core group can expect much in terms of regression in 2010.

For JD Drew, the question is always going to be about health. When healthy, Drew is one of the most underrated hitters in the game. For the second consecutive season, Drew has posted an OPS over .900 while posting an OPS+ of 137 and 133 in the past two seasons. Since 2006, Drew has hit at least .279 or higher, posted an OBP of .390 or higher, and slugged .498 or higher in three of four seasons. Injuries aside, there is no reason to believe that Drew cannot replicate that type of production in 2010.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia are both players who are trending upwards. Ellsbury increased his batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage by close to 20 points in 2009, his second full season. He also ran more efficiently, stealing 70 bases and being caught just 12 times. With developing power, Ellsbury could surpass Carl Crawford as the division’s most exciting and talented left fielder. Pedroia didn’t win an MVP in 2009, but he did post a similar season with more walks and less strikeouts. At the very least, his production has reached its limits. At best, he becomes a .320/.380/.475 hitter. Both players represent the top of the Red Sox lineup for the foreseeable future. Both are young, improving, and will provide plenty of RBI opportunities for the aging, but still talented, heart of the order.

That heart of the order is diverse, aging, but productive. Kevin Youkilis is entering his age 31 season, his fifth full season in the Majors. With his trademark patience, Youkilis has developed 25 to 30 homerun power. He has increased his on base percentage in every season of his career while continuing to hit 35+ doubles, and developing the aforementioned power. He may have reached his ceiling, but the Red Sox can count on another season of .290/.400/.500 with 25 homeruns. Victor Martinez is also entering his age 31 season and the walk year of his contract. The switch-hitting catcher will take over full-time duty from Jason Varitek in 2010 and will provide the Red Sox with offensive production that few teams get from their catchers. Since 2004, Martinez is a .300/.373/.473 hitter who has averaged 22 homeruns and 95 RBI. A similar season can be expected. When compared to Jason Varitek’s performance over the past two seasons, .215/.315/.374, Martinez is giving the Red Sox a significant offensive boost.

The X-Factor

David Ortiz looked as if he was done as a middle of the order threat. But, he gave signs in the second half that his first two months could’ve been merely a slump. The million-dollar question for the Red Sox is which David Ortiz will show up. If the two months were merely a slump, one can expect a .260/.360/.520 season with 30 homeruns. If those two months were a sign of an aging player about to lose his ability to turn on a fastball, the Red Sox will need a new designated hitter. For his part, Ortiz has come to camp in great shape, having lost a significant amount of his trademark girth. The core of the Red Sox lineup doesn’t have many questions. Most are expected to at least replicate 2009. But, Ortiz is the one player who can either make the Red Sox a lethal offense or a lineup in need of one big bat. The rest of the Red Sox lineup has good power hitters, but it lacks the one explosive power threat. The Yankees have Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. The Rays have Carlos Pena. Ortiz has to be the Red Sox’s threat.

Closing Thoughts

Surely, the Red Sox have improved their defense and pitching. It can and should be the headline of their offseason. But, in improving those two areas, Theo Epstein hasn’t ignored the offense. Victor Martinez, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, and Marco Scutaro are more than adequate replacements for Jason Varitek, Jason Bay, Mike Lowell (who still might have a bench role), and anyone who manned shortstop in 2009. As a whole, the Red Sox lineup looks more powerful, more consistent, and more diverse through the entire order. There aren’t any weak spots whereas last season a team could pitch around Varitek and the shortstop at any point. This season, Cameron and Scutaro are the likely 8^th and 9^th place hitters. Both are tougher outs. The Red Sox did add many strikeouts, but they also added more power to the lineup.

The scary part for their competitors is this: the Red Sox improved the defense and pitching, but will likely score as many runs as they did in 2009. They may even score more given their deeper lineup and deeper bench. Yes, the Red Sox can still hit.

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have claimed INF ANDERSON HERNANDEZ off of outright waivers from the New York Mets. To allow room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, INF BRIAN BIXLER was designated for assignment.

Hernandez, 27, spent all but one game last year with the New York Mets and Washington Nationals. He hit a combined .251 (92-366) in 123 games with 15 2B, 4 3B, 3HR, 37RBI and 39R. He began the season on the 15-Day Disabled List and appeared in one game with Triple-A Syracuse before spending the next 77 games with the Nationals, where he hit .251 (58-231) and started in 57 games all at 2B. Hernandez was traded to the Mets on Aug. 6 where he proceeded to hit .303 (53-175) with 20 runs scored, 10 2B, 2 3B, 3HR and 18RBI in 58 games to close out the season.

The Santo Domingo, DR native owns a career Major League batting average of .245 (131-534) with 20 2B, 5 3B, 4HR and 57RBI in 186 games over a span of five seasons with the Mets and Nationals. He was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers as a non-drafted free agent in 2001. Anderson will report to Goodyear, AZ in the coming days and will wear #35.

Bixler was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Jan. 18 after splitting the 2009 season with the Pirates and Triple-A Indianapolis. He has hit .250 (4-16) in 11 games with 1RBI and 2R this spring.

The Tribe’s 40-man roster now stands at 39.

Padres Trim to 42

Peoria, AZ – The San Diego Padres announced today they have reassigned four players to minor league camp and optioned one player to Triple-A Portland. Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer made the announcements.

Among the reassigned players are right-handed pitchers Simon Castro and Wynn Pelzer and infielders James Darnell and Lance Zawadzki. Additionally, outfielder Chad Huffman was optioned to Triple-A Portland.

With today’s moves the Padres now have 42 players in Major League camp, including 35 players from the 40-man roster and seven non-roster invitees.

Unless appealed, Lee is scheduled to begin serving his suspension on Opening Day, Monday, April 5. If appealed, Lee’s suspension will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

I am not here to make excuses. There are none.

I am not here to ask for sympathy. That would be asking too much.

I fully understand that I disappointed a lot of people—-my family, my players, coaches, as well as the team’s leadership, especially Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels, as well as young people who may have looked up to me.

I am truly sorry for my careless, dangerous, and frankly, stupid, behavior last year.

Clearly, you have never seen me speak from a script before. But this is a time that I need to get the words exactly right.

Here’s the biggest question: how and why did this happen?

That’s a question I have had to face in numerous sessions with counselors. I’ve learned a lot about myself personally, and I recognize that this episode was an attempt to dodge personal anxieties and personal issues I needed to confront.

That was the wrong way to do it. It was self-serving, and believe me, not worth it. I know you will ask, and so here’s the answer: this was the one and only time I used this drug.

I made a huge mistake, and it almost caused me to lose everything I have worked for all of my life.

Shortly after I did this, MLB notified me that I would have a routine drug test. Before even taking the test, I notified the league about the drug use. Right after that test, I told Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan about my shameful behavior. I offered them my resignation.

They asked a lot of difficult questions. Remarkably, these two men, after a lot of thought and prayer, allowed me to stay here through last season.

However, they also directed me to immediately begin MLB’s drug treatment program, which is a thorough and exhaustive process, and it includes the administration of drug tests at least three times a week.

I am proud to report to you that I have completed that program.

I am not proud to admit this terrible error.

This morning, I talked to our players. I assured them that this will never happen again, and I asked them to forgive me. In the true spirit of a “team,” they seemed to embrace me not only as a manager but as a human being. I won’t let you down again. Please know that I will personally take on the challenge of telling young people my story and my mistake. I don’t know what form that will take, but I am committed to do that.

I am hopeful that our fans, both Rangers fans and Major League Baseball fans, will accept this heartfelt and humble attempt to say: I’m so sorry for what I did.

SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has released right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit.

The roster move leaves Seattle with 44 players in their Major League Camp, 32 roster players and 12 non-roster invitees.

Petit was out-righted to Triple-A Tacoma on February 10. He was designated for assignment on Feb. 6 to make room on the Major League, 40-man roster for Erik Bedard. He was claimed on waivers by Seattle from Arizona on Nov. 4, 2009.

Yusmeiro (use-MAY-roe) Petit (pa-TEET), 25, appeared in 23 games for the Diamondbacks last season, going 3-10 with a 5.82 ERA. In 17 starts, he went 3-9, 5.72 (53 ER, 83.1 IP) and struck out 71 batters.

Over his Major League career with the Marlins (2006) and Diamondbacks (2007-09), Petit is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA in 71 appearances (36 GS). In eight seasons in the minor leagues, he compiled a 43-34 record with a 3.41 ERA in 126 appearances (125 GS).

He was originally signed by the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 15, 2001 and spent his first four professional seasons in the Mets organization. He was traded to the Marlins following the 2005 season as part of the Carlos Delgado trade and joined the Diamondbacks in 2007 in exchange for RHP Jorge Julio.

White Sox Trim to 39

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Prior to today’s game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago White Sox made the following five roster moves:

• Optioned OF Stefan Gartrell, RHP Jeff Marquez and INF Dayan Viciedo to Class AAA Charlotte;
• Released OF Jason Botts and RHP Daniel Cabrera.

With the moves, the White Sox have 39 players remaining in major-league camp: 18 pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders and seven outfielders.

Benson, who will be assigned to the D-backs’ minor league camp, has a 69-74 record and 4.41 ERA in 203 games, including 197 starts, during his eight-year Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. He was the No. 1 overall selection in the 1996 First-Year Player Draft by the Pirates and went 21-26 with a 3.95 ERA from 1999-2000 after making his Major League debut. Benson missed the entire 2001 season after having Tommy John surgery and was later traded to the Mets near the trading deadline in 2004. He compiled a 10-8 mark and 4.13 ERA in 28 starts for the Mets in 2005 and then was traded to the Orioles prior to the 2006 season, when he was 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA in 30 starts.

Benson missed the entire 2007 season after having rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in February 2008 and posted a 1-4 record and 5.52 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley over a two-month period before being granted his release on Aug. 30, 2008. Benson made the Rangers’ 2009 Opening Day roster as one of their starting pitchers, but after a short stint on the disabled list, he was relegated to the bullpen in long relief and was 1-1 with an 8.46 ERA in 8 games, 2 starts, overall.

The 25 year old outfielder has a career batting line of .242/.349/.421 in 220 Major League games. A third round pick in 2002 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the oft-trouble talent was traded to the Washington Nationals in December of 2007 in exchange for Greg Gibson.

Dukes’ talent has been overshadowed by various off the field incidents and team disciplinary infractions. While he has displayed flashes of his talent, he has largely struggled at the Major League level. News of his release is surprising as Dukes entered Spring Training as the favorite to start in right field.

Source: Washington Nationals