Nomar Mazara Agrees to One-Year, $1.75 Million Deal with Detroit Tigers

Nomar Mazara is roarin’ into the Motor City

The 25-year-old Dominican professional baseball right fielder has sealed the deal with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

Nomar Mazara

Mazara, who turns 26 in April, hit .228 with one home run in 42 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. That was his first season with the Chicago White Sox after he spent four with the Texas Rangers.

“After a frustrating 2020 season, I’m looking forward to a fresh start and getting to work with the coaching staff, especially AJ Hinch, who I always enjoyed competing against during his time in Houston,” Mazara said. “I’ve come to really appreciate coming to Detroit as a visiting player and can’t wait to join their baseball community this season.”

Hinch took over as Detroit’s manager this offseason.

Mazara hit 20 home runs in each of his first three years with the Texas Rangers, then 19 in 2019. He tied for fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2016, the year Detroit pitcher Michael Fulmer won the award.

“Heading through the offseason we were looking to add a left-handed-hitting outfielder to provide AJ with more options for the lineup, and bringing Nomar on board does exactly that,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said.

Mazara’s deal includes $500,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $100,000 each for 350, 400, 450, 500 and 550.

To make room for Mazara, the Tigers designated right-hander John Schreiber for assignment.

Seattle Mariners’ Robinson Cano Headed to the MLB All-Star Game

Robinson Cano will be reporting for MLB All-Star duty…

The 34-year-old Dominican professional baseball player, a second basemen for the Seattle Mariners, is among seven replacement players selected for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Miami.

Robinson Cano

Cano, who has the world’s fifth-largest sports contract at $240 million, is an 8-time All-Star.

Other replacement players to the American League roster include Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros reliever Chris Devenski, Minnesota Twins reliever Brandon Kintzler and Detroit Tigers outfielder Justin Upton.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood was added to the National League All-Stars.

Three of the original All-Stars are on the disabled list and won’t be active for the game: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro and Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Four pitchers on the All-Star rosters won’t be active because they are scheduled to start Sunday: the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, Texas RangersYu Darvish, Cleveland IndiansCorey Kluber and Detroit’s Michael Fulmer.

Cespedes Seeking Long-Term Contract with New York Mets

It appears Yoenis Cespedes is looking for a long-term commitment…

A recent waiver will allow the New York Mets to negotiate with the 29-year-old Cuban professional baseball player and free-agent-to-be throughout the offseason.

Yoenis Cespedes

It nonetheless will require a long-term commitment to re-sign him.

Cespedes will be seeking a contract of at least six years this winter, according to ESPN Deportes.

“My only hope is to stay healthy,” Cespedes said. “I’m not thinking about a contract, but I do know that I will be looking for a contract that is six years or more, has to be six years or more. We’ll see what happens.”

Asked if he thinks he will remain in New York, Cespedes said, “At the moment I’m not thinking about any of that … I’d say 50-50. We’ll see after the season ends.”

Cespedes, an outfielder, is hitting .289 with 17 homers and 42 RBIs in 44 games since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 31 for minor league right-handers Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa. That performance has propelled Cespedes into the conversation for National League MVP.

Cespedes thought he was ineligible for the award after hearing many suggest he should not be considered because he has been with the Mets for only the final two months of the season. Told he actually is eligible, Cespedes nonetheless said a player who has been in the NL the entire season should receive the award.