Banned Coppolella a sorry character
Banned from baseball for life, former general manager John Coppolella apologized yesterday for rules violations that led to major sanctions against the Atlanta Braves and “cost me my dream job and my future in the game that I love.” In his first public comments since losing his job in the midst of Major League Baseball’s investigation, Coppolella sent out a five-paragraph statement to ESPN and other media outlets.
“I have been hesitant to speak publicly as my family and I have been devastated and embarrassed by the repercussions of my actions,” he said. “I realize now that I need to address what happened and speak to those affected.”
Coppolella was forced to resign the day after the regular season ended. MLB found the Braves circumvented international signing rules from 2015-17, which led to the team forfeiting the rights to 13 prospects and facing major restrictions on signing players outside the United States until 2021.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Braves organization fully cooperated in the investigation, but he also indicated Coppolella received the harshest penalty the game can dole out because he wouldn’t come clean.
“To everyone who supports the Atlanta Braves and to everyone who loves the game of baseball, I am deeply sorry,” Coppolella said in his statement. “Throughout my 20-year baseball career, my singular focus has been to help make my team more successful. I am heartbroken that in this case, my conduct has done the opposite for the Atlanta Braves organization. I accept full responsibility for my actions.”
Coppolella, 38, and his associates were found to have covertly funneled extra money to international prospects, as well as violated rules in the domestic draft. Former Braves special assistant Gordon Blakeley, who was the team’s international scouting chief, was suspended from baseball for one year. President of baseball operations John Hart resigned last month.
Minor move in Texas
The Texas Rangers will have another starting option with free agent lefthander Mike Minor close on a multiyear contract. He was a reliever for the Kansas City Royals last season.
Last week, the Rangers signed right-hander Doug Fister to a one-year, $4 million free agent deal that could be worth up to $11.5 million for two seasons . . . .
Cleveland Indians righty reliever Dan Otero agreed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract that includes a 2020 team option and could be worth $3.9 million plus bonuses for three seasons . . . .
Miles Mikolas is returning from Japan after three seasons, agreeing to a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals . . . .
Righty starter/reliever Wily Peralta and the Royals agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,525,000, a deal that includes a club option for 2019 . . . .
The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms with outfielder Leonys Martin on a one-year, $1.75 million contract . ...
Rob Thomson will be the bench coach for rookie manager Gabe Kapler with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Supreme win for MLB
The Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit filed by minor league baseball players accusing Major League Baseball of colluding to suppress wages, leaving intact a District Court ruling that dismissed it.
In a one-sentence announcement in Washington, the Supreme Court said it would not accept Miranda v. Selig, a suit filed by four minor leaguers in December 2014 alleging MLB’s hiring and employment policies violated antitrust laws by restraining competition among teams and illegally depressing minor league salaries.