June 2011 - Baseball Wiretap

Chipper Jones is hoping he'll be ready to play by Opening Day. Jones began receiving daily cortisone treatments last week that have calmed the tendinitis in his surgically repaired left knee. He will soon start agility drills. "I'm starting to get ready to do it for real," Jones said. "That's when I'll see where I'm really at." Jones, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in August, will report to Spring Training on Feb. 14.

The Reds have agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Edinson Volquez. The deal is worth $1.6 million and includes $50,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 24 and 28 starts. Cincinnati offered a multiyear deal to Volquez, who returned from re-constructive elbow surgery last season.

The Mets and right-hander R.A. Dickey have finalized a two-year contract with an option for 2013. The deal will guarantee Dickey, who would have been eligible for free agency next offseason, $7.8 million. He gets a $1 million signing bonus, $2.25 million this year and $4.25 million in 2012 under Monday's agreement. Dickey emerged as a finalist for National League Comeback Player of the Year after resurrecting his career with the Mets last season at age 35.

The Giants are hoping their strong pitching staff will allow them to win another National League West crown. They have kept their 2010 pitching staff in intact, which isn't a bad idea considering the fact that they won the World Series last season. It was their first championship since 1955. "I think legitimately we can start the season saying that our goal is to win the division," general manager Brian Sabean said. "We should be in a position to be favored to do that. We have to live up to that."

Frank Viola is returning to baseball, agreeing to become the pitching coach for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones, an affiliate of the Mets. The 1988 AL Cy Young Award winner, now 50, pitched for the Mets from 1989-91 and retired as a player in 1996.

Manny Ramirez arrived in Tampa on Sunday to finalize his contract with the Rays. Ramirez, 38, has been working out in Arizona and looked to be in tremendous shape. "I am. I am," he said. "Last year, I weighed like 237. This offseason, I'm down to 225, and I feel good." Ramirez hit .293 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs in 196 games over the past two seasons with the Dodgers and White Sox.

Jason Isringhausen will attempt another comeback with the Reds. He is scheduled to throw on Monday at the Reds complex in Arizona with the hopes of securing a Minor League deal and Spring Training invite. "He's contacted me and said he was healthy again and wanted to throw for us," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He'll throw for [pitching coach] Bryan Price on Monday in Goodyear and we'll see how he throws and how healthy he is." Isringhausen, 38, signed a Minor League deal with the Reds on July 22, 2010, and posted a 9.53 ERA in seven appearances with Triple-A Louisville before he was shut down on Aug. 16 with a strained right elbow.

Dustin Ackley, Seattle's top prospect, isn't going to rush his major league debut. He is expected to be called up at some point this season. "I really haven't thought about where I'm going to be," Ackley said. "I'm hoping for good things this Spring Training. I'm going to push for a job, whether that's Triple-A or the big leagues. I'll accept either way. They're going to put me where it's best for the team. And if that is Triple-A, then that's where it'll be." Ackley made the jump from Double-A West Tennessee to Triple-A Tacoma around midseason last year, then dominated the Arizona Fall League with a Most Valuable Player campaign in which he hit .424. The second overall pick in 2009, Ackley is the fifth-rated prospect in baseball in the recent MLB.com rankings.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer is focused on being more durable heading into the 2011 season. He is coming off a number of nagging injuries suffered last season and minor surgery in December to alleviate some swelling in his left knee. Mauer has also advised closer Joe Nathan, who had elbow surgery last year, to take it slow. "My advice to Nathan, I'm taking that to heart, too," Mauer said, looking ahead to his own spring plan. "I should be ready to go when we report. Just got to be smart about it and get ready for the season."

The Orioles and free-agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer have reach an agreement on a one-year contract, according to a source. The deal, which is pending completion of a physical exam, could pay Duchscherer up to $4.5 million in salary and incentives. Duchscherer, 33, has a 33-25 record with a 3.13 ERA in eight seasons with Texas and Oakland.