Tag Archives: Alex Rios

Volquez Agrees to Two-Year Deal with the Kansas City Royals

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Edinson Volquez has landed a royal deal…

The 31-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher has finalized a $20 million, two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.

Edinson Volquez

Volquez’s deal includes a mutual option for the 2017 season and was announced this week during a brief news conference at Kauffman Stadium.

The right-handed Volquez, coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will make $7.5 million this season and $9.5 million next season. The option year would be worth $10 million and carries with it a $3 million buyout.

“I want to be here and help the team win some games, the way they did last year,” Volquez told reporters. “We did in Pittsburgh, too, but Kansas City went a little bit farther. They almost won the World Series. Why not do it here?”

The Royals have already signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales and outfielder Alex Rios to fill two of their most pressing needs. They also signed pitcher Kris Medlen, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and could help contribute midway through the season.

Volquez fills the last big hole by taking James Shields‘ place in the rotation. Shields became a free agent and it was unlikely the Royals would be able to keep him.

“We know full-well we’ll have to continue to make adjustments on our roster. It’s not a push-button club, it never was,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said recently. “But right now we feel like we’re in a good position to start spring training and to start the season.”

Volquez was an All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, going 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA. But he struggled with injuries and inconsistency the next few seasons, and started bouncing around the league.

He spent 2012 and part of the 2013 season with the San Diego Padres, finished up that season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and then joined Pittsburgh last season, where he seemed to resurrect his career.

Volquez went 13-7 with a career-best 3.04 ERA, and his 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio was among the best of his career. Volquez also ended the season with a career-best 18 straight scoreless innings, and had a 1.08 ERA in September.

Volquez was 9-1 with a 1.85 ERA after June 23, spanning his final 17 starts.

Volquez should slot into a starting rotation that includes young fireballer Yordano Ventura, left-handers Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas and veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.

The Chicago White Sox Trade Rios to the Texas Rangers

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Alex Rios is heading to the Lone Star State…

The Texas Rangers have acquired the 32-year-old Puerto Rican Major League Baseball shortstop from the Chicago White Sox.

Alex Rios

The White Sox will send $1 million to Texas toward Rios’ salary, according to ESPN sources, while receiving either a player to be named later or cash considerations.

“I’m going to go to a team that is fighting for a playoff spot,” said Rios about his trade. “I believe it’s going to be refreshing. I believe they are hoping to win their division and go to the playoffs so let’s see what happens.”

The player to be named later is expected to be Dominican shortstop Leury Garcia, according to sources.

The Rangers put in a waiver claim for Rios on Thursday. According to Rangers manager Ron Washington, when he’s inserted into the lineup, he’ll bat sixth and play right field.

“He’s a good fit for us,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “We had interest in him prior to learning of Nelson’s suspension and continue to have interest him and we were able to work out a deal.”

Rios’ contract allowed him to block trades to six teams, but Texas was not on the list. He is owed $13 million next season and the remaining portion of his $12 million salary this season. He has a $2 million buyout for 2015. A trade clause in his contract boosted his 2014 and 2015 salary, as well as the 2015 buyout.

“It was a great ride,” Rios said of his time in Chicago. “I enjoyed my whole time here. I had many great moments here. So, I’m going to miss this place.”

Rios is sixth in the American League with 26 steals and he’s tied for fifth in the league with eight outfield assists.

“He’s a complete player,” Washington said. “He’s solid outfielder. He’s a tremendous baserunner. He just gives us completeness. That’s what we needed.”

Rios Ties an AL Record with Six Hits Against the Detroit Tigers

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios has batted his way into the annals of Major League Baseball history…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican baseball pro tied an American League record by going 6-for-6 on Tuesday to help the White Sox defeat Detroit Tigers 11-4.

Alex Rios

The last-place White Sox, who had lost four straight, finished with season high in hits (23) and runs.

Rios became the 32nd AL player to have six hits in a nine-inning game and the first in franchise history since Lance Johnson pulled off the feat in 1995 at Minnesota.

Rios singled in the first, tripled in the third and also singled twice in the eighth inning. He also singled in the fifth and ninth innings.

“He’s as good as anybody in this league,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “Tonight is indicative of that. He’s hitting and running the bases great.”

“It’s been the most fun we’ve had in a quite a while,” Rios said. “We’ve had some tough times, but it shows we haven’t quit.”

Cuban player Dayan Viciedo‘s second homer of the game helped the White Sox score seven runs in the eighth inning, and they scored three more runs in the ninth to surpass a season high for scoring.

Meanwhile, Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera hit his 29th homer during the game, an impressive blast to left-center, in the eighth inning to give him a major league high 92 RBIs and .363 batting average.

He broke the franchise record for homers before the All-Star Game, surpassing the total Cecil Fielder had at the break in 1990 during his 51-homer season.