MLB This Week

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Archive for February 8th, 2010

Cards, 2B Schumaker agree on 2-year deal (AP)

Second baseman Skip Schumaker and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a $4.7 million, two-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing. Schumaker will earn $2 million this season and $2.7 million in 2011. The deal also contains performance bonuses that could bring the total value to $5 million over two years.

Yankees sign Thames to minor league deal (AP)

Marcus Thames agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, who also finalized a $1.1 million, one-year deal with Randy Winn to give themselves more left field options. Thames, who turns 33 next month, began his major league career with the Yankees in 2002 and homered on his first big league pitch that June 10 off Arizona's Randy Johnson.

Pohlad reiterates desire to keep Mauer (AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 29, 2008 file photo, Jim Pohlad  meets with reporters Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Minneapolis.  Pohlad says he's staying out of contract negotiations with catcher Joe Mauer(notes).  Pohlad declined Monday, Feb. 8, 2010,  to discuss specifics or confirm the team is talking about a long-term extension for the American League MVP. Pohlad said the Twins simply want to have Mauer in uniform.

The Minnesota Twins have been spending their way out of that small-budget image, mirroring the imminent increase in revenue from their new ballpark with a big spike in player salary commitments. Lead owner Jim Pohlad said it's a sustainable development. So even if the Twins sign Joe Mauer to a mammoth contract extension, they're not afraid it would cost too much to keep a contending-caliber…

Vizquel to wear Aparicio’s No. 11 (AP)

The Chicago White Sox are taking Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio's number 11 out of retirement for newly acquired 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel. A Venezuelan like Aparicio, Vizquel will wear the number as a tribute to his countryman. "For me, it's like a huge celebration, trying to keep his name alive and trying to spread the word of Venezuelan shortstops," Vizquel said…

Brewers to erect statue of Selig (AP)

The Brewers are erecting a statue of baseball commissioner Bud Selig outside Miller Park and will unveil it on Aug. 24. Selig headed a group that bought the Seattle Pilots in bankruptcy court in 1970, moved the franchise to Milwaukee and renamed it the Brewers. He became acting commissioner in 1992 and took the job full-time six years later, turning control of the team over to his daughter, Wendy…

Vizquel to wear Aparicio’s No. 11 (AP)

Omar Vizquel will wear the No. 11 of former White Sox shortstop and fellow Venezuelan Luis Aparicio this season. The White Sox say they have unretired Aparicio's No. 11 for the 2010 season, with his blessing. Aparicio said Vizquel is the one player he'd like to see don his number. The 42-year-old Vizquel signed with the White Sox this offseason.