Archive for December, 2006

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Huff, Orioles close to three-year deal

Saturday, December 30th, 2006

The Orioles are close to signing free agent Aubrey Huff to a three-year contract worth at least $18 million.

Huff, who recently turned 30, will be the Orioles’ second offensive addition of the off-season, joining free-agent outfielder Jay Payton. The Orioles plan to use Huff mostly in left field, but he also could get at-bats at first base and designated hitter. The Orioles’ outfield currently consists of Payton in left, Corey Patterson in center and Nick Markakis in right. The addition of Huff will give the team the flexibility to trade Patterson or designated hitter Jay Gibbons — or stand pat and benefit from its increased depth.

Huff batted .267 with 21 homers and 66 RBIs in 454 at-bats with the Devil Rays and Astros last season. He missed nearly a month early in the season with a left knee injury, but otherwise has been durable, averaging 158 games from 2003-05. He is one of only 10 major leaguers to produce 20 homers and 25 RBIs in each of the past five seasons. Defense is not Huff’s forte. He has spent most of his career at third base, but also has played first base, right and left. He has made only eight career appearances in left, seven starts.

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Yankees after Mientkiewicz and Loretta

Friday, December 29th, 2006

While the Yankees have been pursuing pitchers in their talks with the D-Backs, Padres and other West Coast teams, it’s believed they have made progress in their plans for the spare parts they need at first base and utility infielder.

A source said the Yankees are zeroing in on Doug Mientkiewicz to play first while Jason Giambi is the designated hitter, even though Mientkiewicz is a lefthanded batter.

Also, the source said, Mark Loretta may be the Yankees’ first choice to be a utility infielder. Loretta had hoped to find a job as a regular second baseman, but hasn’t.

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3 Teams in Running for Mulder

Friday, December 29th, 2006

Agent Gregg Clifton said Thursday that the Indians, Texas and St. Louis are the three finalists in the bidding for injured left-hander Mark Mulder. Mulder wants a two-year deal to keep his options open as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder. The Indians have offered him a two-year contract.

Mulder, 29, went 6-7 in 17 starts last season for St. Louis before having surgery. He won 21 games for Oakland in 2001 and is 103-57 in his career.

Over the last two years, the Indians’ coaching and training staff have done a good job keeping their pitchers healthy and durable. The top five starters in 2005 made 158 of a possible 162 starts. Last year, despite having trouble with the No. 5 spot, the top four starters made 124 of 162 starts.

A healthy Mulder would be a good fit for the Tribe. Starters Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook can be free agents after 2007. C.C. Sabathia will be eligible after 2008.

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Zito signs with Giants

Thursday, December 28th, 2006

Barry Zito is staying in the Bay Area with the San Francisco Giants. Sources told ESPN’s Peter Gammons that the former Oakland A’s pitcher has agreed to a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Giants. The deal includes an $18 million option for 2014 and a complete no-trade clause, a source told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. Zito’s deal ties for the sixth largest overall.

If Zito pitches 600 innings over the last three years of the agreement, 400 innings over the last two or 200 in the final year of the deal, he can either exercise a player option or opt out of the contract.

Texas, Seattle and the New York Mets also pursued Zito, the top available pitcher on the free-agent market. New York’s initial offer was for about $75 million over five years, and the Mets were prepared to go somewhat higher in average salary but were wary of offering a longer deal. Texas had told Zito’s agent, Scott Boras, that it would withdraw its proposal — valued at six years, $87 million, a source told Crasnick — if it wasn’t accepted by the end of the week.

Zito is 102-63 in 222 career starts, including a 16-10 mark with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts last season before becoming a free agent. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound 28-year-old was drafted in the first round, ninth overall, by the A’s in 1999 and made his debut the following season. By 2002 he was a star, making his first All-Star team and winning the American League Cy Young award. His 23-5 record led the league and he also boasted a 2.75 ERA. Zito was also an All-Star in 2003 and last season.

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Braves aren’t closed for business

Wednesday, December 27th, 2006

The Braves are still talking to teams, trying to add another quality arm and perhaps a leadoff man, but they’re not going to trade Adam LaRoche or anyone else unless it’s a deal they believe makes their team better — now. “We’re still talking, still looking for moves we can make that make us stronger,” Schuerholz said. “But if we can’t [make any more] we think our team… it’s already stronger.”

Schuerholz sounds like he’s comfortable enough to go to spring training with this team and see if he needs to add pieces then, rather than do another trade now just to do another trade. I get a sense that he’d trade Adam LaRoche, but not without a “wow” return.

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Pitch for Johnson better from Padres

Wednesday, December 27th, 2006

The San Diego Padres have made a more attractive offer for Randy Johnson than the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Yankees will trade Johnson only if they consider it a good baseball move.

The Padres were believed not to be close to an agreement with the Yankees and reluctant to absorb Johnson’s $16 million salary ($1.5 million deferred without interest) in 2007.

While the Yankees might just be hoping the Diamondbacks increase their offer, Arizona is said to be waiting for a response from the Yankees and perhaps hoping that Johnson uses his trade-veto power in their favor.

Teams have asked San Diego about setup man Scott Linebrink all year, and if the Padres are now willing to move him, that could facilitate a deal with the Yankees. Linebrink, 30, had a 3.57 ERA in 73 appearances last season. Since San Diego claimed him off waivers in May 2003, he has gone 14-9 with a 2.57 ERA over 262 games.

San Francisco has also been involved in talks, and the Yankees official said two more teams he would not identify entered the derby yesterday (the two Los Angeles franchises fit Johnson’s desire to be closer to his Phoenix-area home).

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Rangers set weekend deadline on Zito

Wednesday, December 27th, 2006

The Rangers have let Barry Zito’s agent, Scott Boras, know that they don’t plan to wait around all winter waiting for his response. The Rangers want to hear by this weekend whether or not Zito plans to accept their contract offer.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks wrote via e-mail: “We’ve made a very strong offer. If we don’t have agreement with his agent by this weekend, we will pursue other alternatives.” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels also confirmed that deadline, writing, “That’s accurate. End of the week.”

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Angels sign Hillenbrand to one-year deal

Tuesday, December 26th, 2006

Free-agent first baseman Shea Hillenbrand has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The New York Yankees had shown interest in Hillenbrand, but are now believed to be turning their attention toward Doug Mientkiewicz or Mark Loretta to fill their first base needs.

Hillenbrand, entering his seventh major league season, split last season between Toronto and San Francisco. His combined totals for 2006 included a .277 batting average with 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 520 at-bats.

For his career, Hillenbrand, 31, is a .287 hitter with 104 home runs and 459 RBI. He’s spent time with the Red Sox, Diamonbacks, Blue Jays and Giants.

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Yankees talking about trading Johnson

Monday, December 25th, 2006

Randy Johnson could be leaving the New York Yankees after just two seasons. The Yankees have started trade talks with several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal. Alan Nero, one of Johnson’s agents, said Monday he was informed of trade talks by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Johnson has a no-trade clause, meaning the 10-time All-Star must approve any deal. Nero said it was too early to say whether Arizona would be the pitcher’s first choice if the Yankees do decide to trade the 43-year-old left-hander.

A five-time Cy Young Award winner, Johnson has been a disappointment with the Yankees despite a 34-19 regular-season record. He has a 4.37 ERA with New York – including 5.00 last season – and he is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances with the Yankees, struggling with his arm angle and a slider that often has lacked bite.

Johnson is owed $16 million next year, the final season of his contract, with $1.5 million deferred without interest and payable through 2010.

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Suppan signs four-year deal with Brewers

Sunday, December 24th, 2006

Jeff Suppan, the MVP of the NL championship series for the St. Louis Cardinals this season, has signed a four-year free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers said Sunday they also have an option for a fifth year.

The 31-year-old right-hander went 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA for St. Louis last season, and was 1-1 in four postseason starts — including a win in Game 3 and seven solid innings in Game 7 of the NLCS against the New York Mets.

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