The offseason regimen for Brewers utility man Elian Herrera includes shoveling snow, rare for someone from the Dominican Republic

The Tigers snagged an experienced college third baseman in the 2014 MLB Draft in Joey Pankake

9:33 PM

Beware! Scorpions invade White Sox Spring Training facility

By Michael Clair

A horrifying discovery was made on Saturday: The White Sox Spring Training facility in Glendale, Ari., was filled with scorpions.
And no, it was not the band.

I'm just going to suggest that every player double check their cleats and their gloves before putting them on. Might be the smart move to make.
And since this came up when I was searching for "scorpion pictures" and because Michael Jordan makes every post better, here's Michael Jordan while he was on the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League in 1994.

The Tigers snagged an experienced college third baseman in the 2014 MLB Draft in Joey Pankake

Not sure if that was posted for humor, although I have known people named Pancake. If the post is to stress the strength of the Tigers' farm system, I note that he's rated their No. 30 prospect by BA whose writeup throws in a bit of pancake humor: The Tigers flipped Pancake between SS and 3rd base in his debut"

Yeah! Written in humor

Jeff Samardzija on sabermetrics--

"Sounds like a lot of hot air," he said. "You know, there is definitely positive aspects to it. There are things you can take from it, but ultimately with the coach, from a player's point of view, you want a guy who can relate to you and can help you with adjustments mid game. Preparation with stats and all that is important going into a game, but when the balls start flying you need a guy that knows your personality, can relate to you, and can get you to change or fix what's going wrong."

Source: Red Sox land Cuban prospect Moncada for $31.5M

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 3:38 PM ET + 599 COMMENTS

Cuban top infield prospect Yoan Moncada has agreed to a record-setting bonus with the Red Sox, according to an industry source.

The agreement is pending a physical, which is scheduled to take place this week. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is worth $31.5 million -- a figure that smashes the $8.27 million bonus record for an international amateur under the current signing guidelines, which was given to right-hander Yoan Lopez by the D-backs in January.

It is believed Moncada considered offers from five teams before choosing Boston. He worked out privately for the Brewers, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Rangers, Rays, Tigers and Yankees during the past six weeks, according to industry sources.

• Callis: Moncada a bona fide star in the making

"There's really nothing to fill you in [on]," Red Sox manager John Farrell said at the team's training camp in Fort Myers, Fla. "I'm aware of the reports and the story that's been broken but there's nothing official to announce. I know [general manager] Ben [Cherington] and ownership will be talking to everyone here over the coming days [at the annual spring news conference]. But as of now, there's really nothing else to say about it."

Cherington didn't confirm the signing, but spoke about Moncada in general terms in a television interview with CSNNE that was set to air Monday night.

"He's a very talented young man," Cherington told CSNNE. "You can tell from reading reports there's been a lot of interest in him. We do have interest in him, so we'll see what happens. We're always looking to add talent to the organization. And we have to be aggressive and open-minded about how we do that."

Because he is not yet 23 years old and did not play in a Cuban professional league for at least five seasons, Moncada is subject to Major League Baseball's international signing guidelines, under which each team is allotted $700,000 and an additional bonus pool based on the team's record the previous year to be used during the international signing period. The current period started July 2 and ends on June 15.

According to those guidelines, clubs are penalized during the upcoming 2015-16 signing period if they exceed their bonus pools by certain amounts. The Red Sox had already exceeded their bonus pool before this signing and been given the maximum penalty. It's a severe measure that includes a 100-percent tax on their pool overage and prohibits them from signing any pool-eligible player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods. Including the penalty for exceeding their bonus pool, Moncada's deal will cost the Red Sox $63 million -- the bonus plus the penalty.

The Red Sox have until July 15 to pay the overage tax and up to three years to pay Moncada's bonus.

It's been quite a journey for Moncada. The teenager -- who plays second base, shortstop and third base -- starred for Cuba's top team of 15- and 16-year-olds, and he made a name for himself at the U-16 IBAF World Baseball Championships in Mexico.

Moncada made his debut for Cienfuegos in Cuba's Serie Nacional at age 17 and hit .277 during parts of two seasons. He played alongside White Sox slugger Jose Abreu and Dodgers infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena. Moncada was also teammates with Abreu, Arruebarrena and other notable players like Yulieski Gourriel, Alfredo Despaigne and Jose Miguel Fernandez on Cuba's national team during the 2013 World Port Tournament in the Netherlands. Raisel Iglesias, who signed a seven-year, $27 million deal with the Reds last June, was also one of Moncada's teammates.

MLB.com's Tracy Ringolsby breaks down the Red Sox reportedly agreeing to a deal with Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada

Moncada was on Cuba's preliminary roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. His story is unique. While many Cuban players are known to leave the island in late-night escapes or defect from the national team during an international tournament, the 6-foot, 210-pound Moncada was granted his release from the Cienfuegos team last year and was later cleared by Cuba's National Baseball Commission. He was granted a visa and a passport by the Cuban government, and he left on an airplane to an unidentified Central American country last summer, where he trained for months before joining agent David Hastings in the St. Petersburg, Fla., area late last year.

Moncada's first showcase for all Major League teams was held Nov. 12 in Guatemala. The private showcases began a few weeks later.

After months of waiting, the infielder became available as as a free agent on Feb. 3 after MLB met with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for clarification regarding new guidelines for a general license for an unblocked Cuban national.

MLB now requires a sworn statement that says a Cuban player is in compliance with Section 515.05 of Cuban Assets Control Regulations in order to sign with a Major League team. It had been MLB's policy to require a specific license for unblocking from OFAC before it allowed a Cuban national to enter into an agreement with a team.

Moncada met the new general license requirements and will be the first to sign under the new guidelines.

<

Yankees made 'significant offer' to Moncada. Cashman says club was intrigued by Cuban infielder, but price moved too high.

<

Brewers put in strong offer for Moncada.

<

Tiant impressed with fellow Cuban Moncada at workout. Former Red Sox great informed infielder what it's like to play in Boston.

<

Rusney Castillo excited about possibility of playing with Moncada. Red Sox outfielder praises fellow Cuban star. Rusney Castillo was the big prize the Red Sox landed out of Cuba six months ago and he's excited that a countryman could be joining him soon.

<

What are the Brewers doing bidding with the big boys?

If Brewers had an inkling of what the Red Sox were offering, a "big offer" that was merely $10M less could impress the fans without risking the actual spending of the money. Tribe used to make those sure-fire losing offers to FA's didnt' they?

Rodon dazzles in first batting practice session

After catching top White Sox prospect, Soto says 'This kid is going to be special'

[ Me too ]

GLENDALE, Ariz. --

With each day spent at his first big league Spring Training, Carlos Rodon seems to learn a little more about his repertoire.

And the rest of the White Sox get a look at the immense talent possessed by the team's No. 1 prospect, per MLB.com.

Tuesday marked the first day when White Sox position players officially joined pitchers in camp at Camelback Ranch, which meant it also was Rodon's first batting practice session after two previous bullpen sessions. The focus for the 22-year-old left-hander continued to fall upon fastball command and the changeup.

"Just a normal bullpen session, getting feel," Rodon said. "[Catcher] Geovany [Soto], we're working on the two-seam, working it off the middle because it had so much run.

"I didn't realize it ran that much, so we got that pitch good. I feel confident with that. A couple of changeups were good to lefties, which is surprising. I didn't know I had that. A couple were bad, but overall it was a good experience. I haven't thrown to a hitter since Aug. 30. Just trying to get comfortable with guys standing in."

Soto praised the "electric stuff" shown by Rodon, common praise across the board for the southpaw. The veteran catcher also was impressed by Rodon's changeup deemed a work in progress.

"He's got a good downhill to it. His arm action is really good, so that's really what you want to see," said Soto of Rodon's change. "Sometimes you leave it up, but if your arm action is really good, you can work around the getting it down part.

"His fastball command to both sides of the plate is really good. He's got a nice two-seam, good changeup, good slider. I think this kid is going to be special. His raw ability is through the roof."

When scorpions attack: Dodgers staffer stung twice

Last week's scorpion invasion of the White Sox training camp hit the Dodgers' side of Camelback Ranch Tuesday, when assistant public relations director Jon Chapper was stung twice. "We're gonna miss Chapper," manager Don Mattingly joked, only for Chapper to emerge from the trainer's room with his left arm wrapped in ice. Chapper said the discomfort initially felt like a bee sting, but he quickly resumed his duties. The scorpion apparently had found its way into the sleeve of Chapper's jacket, which was on the floor in his office. Scorpions were found by the White Sox on Saturday.

Blue Jays Sign Dayan Viciedo

By Brad Johnson [February 28, 2015 at 7:16pm CST]

The Blue Jays have signed outfielder Dayan Viciedo, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). It is a minor league deal per Rosenthal (also Twitter). Viciedo, a career .254/.298/.424 hitter, was released by the White Sox earlier this winter. Chicago is still on the hook for 30 days termination pay on the $4.4MM owed him via arbitration. Rosenthal confirms that payment is separate from the Blue Jays’ agreement. With trade acquisition Michael Saunders expected to miss five to six weeks, Viciedo could help to provide outfield depth. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca tweets that the Jays will look to use Viciedo at left field, third base, and first base. He has limited major league experience at either infield position. Viciedo is known for his power. He’s twice hit at least 20 home runs, and he’s reached that figure twice in the minors too. He’s best against southpaw pitchers with a career .291/.331/.507 line. Advanced metrics and scouting reports dislike his defensive skills, making him a better fit as a platoon designated hitter. If he makes the roster, Toronto can control Viciedo through the 2017 season.

Top 2014 White Sox draft pick Carlos Rodon

could receive more attention in Spring Training with ace Chris Sale out with an avulsion fracture, writes MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. Chris Beck, Scott Carroll, Brad Penny and Francellis Montas could also get extra looks. GM Rick Hahn emphasizes, however, that the timing of Rodon’s eventual promotion to the big leagues will be dictated by how ready he is, not by a vacancy in the rotation. After racing through the minor leagues and getting all the way to Triple-A after signing last year, Rodon appears close to being ready, although he only has a total of nine minor-league outings under his belt.

Sale suffered an avulsion fracture in his right foot, sustained Friday in an accident at his home. (GM Rick Hahn says Sale sustained the injury while unloading his truck, according to CSNChicago.com’s Dan Hayes on Twitter.) Sale is expected to be out three weeks. That means he should return to pitching before the start of the season, although it remains to be seen how the timing of the injury will affect his preparations. The White Sox say they’ll evaluate whether Sale will be ready for Opening Day once he undergoes more tests.

The Diamondbacks will have Yasmany Tomas split time between third base and the outfield this spring,

writes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. The club is still expressing optimism about his ability to handle third base, although manager Chip Hale acknowledged it’s a work in progress. Instead, the move is designed to maximize Tomas’ time against competitive pitching. Said Hale, “we’ve told Tomas that if there’s a day when he is not going to play third, we’re going to put him in the outfield just to get at-bats.“

The $31.5MM bonus the Red Sox will reportedly pay Yoan Moncada has generated a variety of reactions from players around the league,

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe writes. Moncada’s bonus is well beyond what most other 19-year-old prospects might be able to make, since he was able to negotiate with all 30 teams. “It’s not right that a Cuban 19-year-old gets paid [$31.5 million] and the best 19-year-old in the entire USA gets probably 1/6 of that,” wrote Rays pitcher Drew Smyly. “Everyone should have to go through the same process.” An international draft would help standardize the system by which amateurs sign with teams, and new commissioner Rob Manfred seems to favor discussing it in the next round of CBA negotiations. Abraham polls Red Sox players about an international draft, leading to a large range of answers. Here’s Jackie Bradley Jr.’s: “I would have loved to be a free agent in college and made the best deal I could. Maybe I should have moved out of the country. If everybody was a free agent, you’d get what your real value is.”