Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland retires from baseball

Ryan Westmoreland announced his retirement from professional baseball in an email to several members of the media on Wednesday.

“With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family, friends, agent(s), doctors, therapists and the Boston Red Sox, I have decided to voluntarily retire as a professional baseball player,” Westmoreland wrote. “Although it is a very difficult decision for me, it has become clear that the neurological damage caused by the most recent cavernous malformation and surgery leaves me with physical challenges that make it impossible to play the game at such a high level.”

A former star at Portsmouth High School, the 22-year-old Westmoreland emerged one of the top prospects in the Red Sox organization shortly after he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, signing a $2 million contract to forgo a commitment to Vanderbilt.

Vernon Wells plans to retire at 35 after 2014 season

When Vernon Wells’ seven-year, $126 million contract comes to an end in two years, so will his baseball career. The Angels outfielder, owed $42 million over the next two seasons, plans to retire at the end of 2014, even though he’ll be only 35.

He’s got two good reasons: One is 10, the other is 7, and both are boys.

“My kids,” Wells said Monday morning. “It’ll be time to invest more in their lives. I’ve gone through this for long enough. My thoughts right now as a family is to be done after two years, enjoy them, get to be there for them in those years where they’re going to need their dad every day, not just every now and then.”

Wells still loves the game, but is eager to return to his home in Southlake, Texas, long-term so he can be a full-time father.

He also has an interesting career route he’s eager to pursue: ownership.

Wells, who will end up grossing close to $150 million as a ballplayer, wants to own a Major League team someday. In fact, the plan is to partner with former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.

Worked out for Roger Dorn. Why not?

Alex Rodriguez unlikely to return to Yankees, sources say, as third baseman is dealing with new drug scandal and lengthy hip surgery rehab

If A-Rod leaves, who will Yankees media have left to blame?

Alex Rodriguez is unlikely to ever wear the pinstripes again, sources familiar with the Yankees’ situation with their troubled third baseman told the Daily News, no matter what happens regarding new allegations that he is again involved with performance-enhancing drugs.

According to numerous baseball sources, the hip surgery Rodriguez is now recovering from will likely derail his playing career, leaving him in such a diminished role that he may consider a settlement or an outright retirement. He still has five years and $114 million left on his contract.

“I don’t know why he would want to go through the pain of rehabbing and trying to play up to the caliber of player he was, and come back to a game where nobody wants him,” said a baseball official.

“If he did that, he’d be a part-time player and presumably unable to achieve any of the incentive clauses in the contract or even the milestones.”

Even before the latest steroid allegations surfaced, Yankee officials had already privately begun preparing for the likelihood that Rodriguez would never finish out the mega-deal he signed in 2007.

Chan-Ho Park retires

Ending his 19-year professional baseball career, veteran pitcher Park Chan-ho said Friday he is looking forward to opening a new chapter in his life and helping develop the sport in his native land.
   Park, 39, first announced his retirement on Thursday through his South Korean club, the Hanwha Eagles, and held a press conference Friday to talk about his decision.
   “I’d like to say this is not an end, but a new beginning for me,” Park said, at times choking back on tears. “I decided to call it quits to map out a new future and to pursue new challenges and dreams.”