ities said four men were arrested at the abductors

Posted in IYH Forums by lavender123456 at 00:51, Jun 19 2014

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson is heading across town, where the New York Mets hope his home run swing wont suffer at Citi Field. The free-agent outfielder agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract with the Mets, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal was pending a physical and no announcement had been made. Granderson, who turns 33 in March, comes over from the crosstown Yankees and gives the Mets much-needed power in their punchless outfield. He batted .229 with seven homers and 15 RBIs this year, when wrist and hand injuries limited him to 61 games. But he surpassed 40 homers in each of his previous two seasons in pinstripes. The move marks general manager Sandy Aldersons most expensive free-agent signing -- by far -- after three years of bargain shopping as the Mets rebuilt. A three-time All-Star, Granderson provides proven thump from the left side of the plate to complement right-handed hitter David Wright in a lineup that managed only 130 home runs last season -- tied for 25th among 30 major league teams. New York also signed free-agent outfielder Chris Young to a $7.25 million, one-year contract this off-season. Granderson has played centre field most of his career but spent time in both left and right last season. He figures to fill a corner spot with the Mets, who plan to use defensive whiz Juan Lagares or Young in centre. New Yorks outfield combined to hit .238 this year (29th in the majors) with 50 homers (tied for 24th) and 209 RBIs (16th), according to STATS. The group also includes speedy left fielder Eric Young Jr., the NL stolen base leader. Granderson turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Yankees to test the open market. The Mets, however, would not have to forfeit their first-round draft pick to sign him because they own the 10th overall selection. The top 10 picks are protected. Granderson hit 41 home runs in 2011, when he led the American League in runs (136) and RBIs (119) and finished fourth in MVP voting. He had 43 homers and 106 RBIs in 2012, taking advantage of the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. The Mets hope his power will translate to spacious Citi Field, where its more difficult to clear the fences. Grandersons numbers have declined the past two years, down to a .317 on-base percentage and .407 slugging mark last season. He also is prone to strikeouts -- whiffing 364 times from 2011-2012 -- and joins a Mets lineup that fanned 1,384 times this year, tied with Atlanta for most in the NL. But his bat is a significant upgrade for the Mets, starved for offence following their fifth straight losing season since moving into Citi Field. Now, the club can focus on other areas of need -- shortstop, first base, the pitching staff -- heading into baseballs winter meetings next week. Granderson was on the disabled list twice last season after getting hit by pitches. He missed the first 38 games after breaking his right wrist when he was plunked by Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ in his first spring training plate appearance on Feb. 24. Not long after he returned, Granderson broke a knuckle on his left pinkie when he was hit at Tampa Bay on May 24. That kept him out until August, making Granderson one of several Yankees stars to be sidelined much of the season. New York was unable to overcome all the injuries, missing the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years. Grandersons agreement with the Mets was first reported by the New York Post. http://www.nflvikingsus.com/Womens-Scott-Crichton-Authentic-Jersey/ .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. http://www.nflvikingsus.com/Womens-John-Sullivan-Authentic-Jersey/ . The Bruins play their system and play it well no matter where they play. http://www.nflvikingsus.com/Womens-Captain-Munnerlyn-Authentic-Jersey/. "Im taking my time, its the first time I ever had a groin injury and right now its improving every day, so hopefully Ill be out there pretty soon," Rose said before the game against the Toronto Raptors. http://www.nflvikingsus.com/Womens-Cullen-Loeffler-Authentic-Jersey/ . Imagine what they might do if they get healthy. James Neal scored three times and had two assists, and Sidney Crosby added the go-ahead goal and set up two other tallies to lead the Penguins past the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 on Sunday night. http://www.nflvikingsus.com/Womens-Brett-Favre-Authentic-Jersey/ . In the second half against Memphis, his mission was simply to score as often as possible.CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan authorities formally charged eight suspects Wednesday in the kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos. The charges against include kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, using a stolen vehicle and criminal association, prosecutors said in a statement. Those jailed include six men accused of directly participating in the abduction and a 59-year-old woman and 74-year-old man who are charged as accomplices for allegedly providing food to the group. The 24-year-old baseball player was seized at gunpoint outside his familys home in the city of Valencia last week and was rescued by police commandos two days later in the mountains of Carabobo state. Authorities said four men were arrested at the abductors hideout but other suspects escaped the police raid. On Monday, police arrested a Colombian and a Venezuelan as alleged participants in the kidnapping. The older man and woman were detained before the rescue. Ramos said after his release that his kidnappers had carefully planned the abduction with the help of an informant who had studied his movements.dddddddddddd Ramos said his abductors told him they were going to demand a large ransom. "What they did was laugh, joke about my pain," Ramos said in brief remarks on television Tuesday. The 74-year-old suspect, Aristides Sanchez, was granted house arrest by a court as permitted in Venezuela for suspects older than 70. However, officials said he will remain jailed until authorities confirm his age. Sanchez is the father of another jailed suspect, 26-year-old Alexander Sanchez, the attorney generals office said in a statement. Ramos recently returned to his homeland after his rookie year with the Nationals to play during the off-season for his Venezuelan team, the Aragua Tigers. He has said he expects to be on the field playing for the Tigers again soon. "Im very thankful, and I feel like Ive been born again," Ramos said. ' ' '