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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, November 7, 2009 MLB NOTEBOOK: Manny coming back to Dodgers Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season. The team said Friday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed general manager Ned Colletti of the decision, which Ramirez had until this month to make. He could have exercised an out clause in the two-year, $45 million deal he signed in March. Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI in 104 regular season games. He missed 50 games while suspended for violating baseball’s drug policy. In the NL division series against St. Louis, Ramirez batted .308 with no homers and two RBI. Against Philadelphia in the NL championship series, he hit .263 with one homer and two RBI. Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers from Boston in July 2008. Report: Lincecum reaches deal SEATTLE — San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum has an agreement with a prosecutor in Washington state that could settle his misdemeanor marijuana charge, The Columbian reported Friday. The Vancouver newspaper said Clark County prosecutors have reached a deal with a lawyer for the 2008 Cy Young Award winner that would result in a $250 fine for possessing a marijuana pipe. Brewers trade Hardy MINNEAPOLIS — The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process. The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins on Friday for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez. Hardy winds up with the Twins’ All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said the move could help him move on from a forgettable season. The 27-year-old Hardy batted a career-low .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. He was demoted to Triple-A in August. The Twins think a fresh start can help Hardy regain the form that made him one of the league’s most promising young shortstops. A 2007 All-Star, he is just the third shortstop in Brewers’ history to hit more than 20 home runs in a season twice, along with Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez. He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and 265 RBI in 571 games. Hardy will replace free agent-to-be Orlando Cabrera. Also Friday, the Brewers declined a $3.7 million club option on right-handed reliever David Weathers for next season. Royals trade Teahen to White Sox CHICAGO — Mark Teahen has a new team and a new city. Happily for him, he’s got his old position back. The Kansas City Royals sent Teahen to the White Sox on Friday and Chicago will find a home for him at third base. The Royals got Chris Getz and Josh Fields from the White Sox in exchange. Teahen was established at third base in Kansas City, but three years ago the Royals called up Alex Gordon, who’d been the No. 2 overall draft pick two years earlier. Chicago general manager Ken Williams said Teahen — who batted .271 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 2009 — would be the White Sox’s starting third baseman and last year’s rookie star, Gordon Beckham, would be switched from third to second. Also Friday, the White Sox declined the mutual option on veteran right fielder and former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye, clearing the way for him to become a free agent. Mets pass on former Mariner Putz NEW YORK — The New York Mets have declined an option on reliever and former Seattle Mariner J.J. Putz, making him eligible for free agency. Putz was due to make $9.1 million in 2010. Instead, the Mets decided Friday to pay him a $1 million buyout. Phillies pick up Lee’s option PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee’s $9 million option for 2010. The team announced the expected move on Friday, two days after losing the World Series to the New York Yankees. Lee’s contract expires after next season, though general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is open to signing the star left-hander to a long-term deal. Lee, 31, was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for four minor leaguers, and quickly became Philadelphia’s ace. Lee went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason outings, including 2-0 in the World Series. D-backs pick up Webb’s option PHOENIX — Brandon Webb’s $8.5 million option was exercised Friday by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team counting on the former Cy Young winner coming back successfully from shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old right-hander was the team’s opening day pitcher last season, giving up six runs in four innings, then did not take the mound again the rest of the year, eventually undergoing surgery on his pitching shoulder on Aug. 4. A three-time All-Star, Webb won the 2006 NL Cy Young Award and was second in voting the next two years. Indians hires Belcher CLEVELAND — Former Indians pitcher Tim Belcher is the team’s new pitching coach and the first member of manager Manny Acta’s staff. Belcher has spent the past eight years as a special assistant to baseball operations in the Indians organization. Ripken thieves plead out BALTIMORE — Three young men pleaded guilty Friday in Baltimore Circuit Court to stealing Cal Ripken Jr.’s “No. 8” aluminum sculpture from Camden Yards in September and paid the Baltimore Orioles baseball team $7,618 to cover the cost of repairs. A fourth man pleaded guilty in the case earlier this week. Nationals buy out Kearns WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have declined their $10 million option on outfielder Austin Kearns and are paying a $1 million buyout, presumably ending his disappointing tenure with the team. Angels GM Reagins gets extension ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins has agreed to a long-term contract extension. The Angels have won the AL West in both of his years as GM. Reagins received the extension Friday. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. 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