Braves News
Braves showing increased interest in Tomas
The Atlanta Braves are still pursuing Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas and were well represented at his workout on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic reports MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
The Braves got a glimpse of Tomas during a workout in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, assistant general manager John Coppolella and top international scout Gordon Blakeley were among the club representatives in attendance.
Cubs reportedly offer Jon Lester 'north of $135 million'
Wait why is this in the Braves news section? Because Atlanta continues to be mentioned among teams in the chase for Lester. Add the Cubs to that list after a reported big offer of over $135 million.
The Braves probably aren't signing Jon Lester
Our own Scott Coleman writes that "money may not mean everything to Lester but it does mean something." After Lester received a major offer from the Cubs and with a couple of more teams in the chase, Coleman thinks what little chance the Braves had at landing the left hander has passed.
This latest report out of Chicago says the Cubs have offered the southpaw "north of $135 million" over six years, which is obviously way out of the Braves' price range. It has also been reported that the Giants, Red Sox and other teams with deep pockets are intrigued by Lester. Money may not be everything to him, but it certainly counts for something, and there's no way John Hart wins a bidding war with some of baseball's richest franchises.
MLB News
Red Sox Designate Juan Francisco for assignment
The Red Sox announced that they have designated corner infielder Juan Francisco for assignment. The move clears roster space for Hanley Ramirez, whose deal has now been officially announced by the team.
Francisco's tenure with the BoSox was brief, to put it lightly. Boston claimed the lefty slugger off waivers from the Blue Jays not one week ago, but the addition of Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to the roster left little room for Francisco on the roster.
Pablo Sandoval contract details revealed
Sandoval's contract includes a $3 million signing bonus and salaries of $17 million in 2015, $17 million in 2016, $17 million in 2017, $18 million in 2018 and $18 million in 2019, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The club option for 2020 is worth $17 million, with a $5 million buyout.