Indians acquire Canzler to compete for first base
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The Cleveland Indians added an MVP to their roster, and a possible replacement at first base.
Cleveland acquired versatile Russ Canzler, the top player in the International League last season, Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
Canzler, 25, played four positions -- right and left field, third and first base -- last season for Class AAA Durham, where he batted .314 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs in 131 games. Canzler made his major league debut for the Rays on Sept. 11 and had one hit in three games.
- What: Pirates pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 18, with position players reporting by Feb. 23.
- Where: Pirate City, Bradenton, Fla.
- Of note: The Pirates open their spring schedule vs. Toronto March 3.
He was expected to be on Tampa Bay's roster this season, however, the club re-signed first baseman Carlos Pena and free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger, making Canzler the odd man out.
The Rays designated him for assignment last week after signing Keppinger.
Canzler led the International League in doubles (40) and slugging percentage (.530), finished second in runs (78) and third in hits (149). He appeared in 41 games in right field, 33 in left, 40 at third base and 17 at first.
Former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was hired to be a special assignment scout for New York. Hendry spent 17 seasons with the Cubs and was GM from July 2002 until he was fired on Aug. 18, unable to help the team win the World Series for the first time since 1908. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he believes Hendry will be an invaluable resource. "He can scout amateur players; he scouts pro players for us," he said. "He's as connected in the game as you can possibly be. Everybody loves this man."
Chicago's new academy in the Dominican Republic is 12 to 18 months away from completion, but that won't stop chairman Tom Ricketts, his siblings and the team's key staff members from traveling to Santo Domingo this week. Ricketts is having a quarterly board meeting on the island, which he and his baseball staff view as key for player acquisition and development. Ricketts said, "It's also a chance to reiterate our commitment to the facilities down there."
First Published February 1, 2012 12:00 am
