Thursday, October 30, 2008

Offseason off and running

Baseball does not waste any time in getting its offseason started. Here we are just hours removed from the Phillies World Series win and we already have a couple of moves.

Detroit has decided to decline shortstop Edgar Renteria's option, while it appears Milwaukee will name Ken Macha as its new manager. The Brewers will make it official at a 2:00 p.m. (et) press conference.

Also the Kansas City Royals have acquired first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins for right-hander Leo Nunez. Here is the release from the Royals:

ROYALS ACQUIRE FIRST BASEMAN MIKE JACOBS FROM FLORIDA FOR PITCHER LEO NUNEZ

KANSAS CITY, MO (October 30, 2008) – The Kansas City Royals have acquired first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Leo Nunez.

“We’re delighted to acquire a productive hitter to impact the middle of our lineup,” said Dayton Moore, Royals’ Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “Mike’s a winner and has a very aggressive approach to baseball and we look forward to his presence on our club.”

Jacobs, who turned 28 today, hit .247 (118-for-477) with a career-high 32 home runs and 93 RBI for the Marlins in 2008. The left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower also recorded 27 doubles, two triples and scored 67 runs in 141 games. His 32 homers were the second-most among left-handed hitters in Marlins history, trailing Carlos Delgado's 33 in 2005. Jacobs' 18 home runs away from home in 2008 ranked tied for seventh in the Majors. He homered once every 14.9 at bats, which ranked 10th in the Majors and among first basemen trailed only Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Jacobs was acquired by Florida from the New York Mets on November 24, 2005 with Yusmeiro Petit and Grant Psomas in exchange for Carlos Delgado and cash. He is a .262 career hitter with 80 home runs and 247 RBI. He homered in his first Major League at bat on August 21, 2005 with the Mets. Originally a ninth-round pick of the Mets in 1999, he was named the New York Minor League Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2005.

Drafted as a catcher, Jacobs was converted to first base during the 2005 season. He and his wife, Vanessa, had twin daughters, Gabriella and Havana, on July 29, 2007.

The 25-year old Nunez was 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 45 relief appearances for the Royals in 2008.

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