MLB Capsules: Rangers make second visit to talk to Lee in Arkansas
ARLINGTON AP) — Cliff Lee got another visit this week from the Texas Rangers, who are hoping the free-agent ace left-hander will return after helping them get to their first World Series.
Rangers president Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels met with Lee and his agent, Darek Braunecker, in Arkansas on Tuesday. It was their second face-to-face meeting in the pitcher's home state since the end of the season .
Daniels has refused to say if the AL champions have made an offer to the coveted free agent pitcher. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also visited Lee in Arkansas last month.
Lee's agent hasn't disclosed whether the Rangers, the Yankees or any other team has made a formal offer to the pitcher.
Rangers decline to offer Nippert contract for '11
ARLINGTON (AP) — Right-hander Dustin Nippert is a free agent after the Texas Rangers declined to offer him a contract for next season.
The American League champions did make offers to five other arbitration-eligible players Thursday, including AL MVP Josh Hamilton and left-handed starter C.J. Wilson. The others were outfielders Nelson Cruz and David Murphy, and right-handed reliever Darren O'Day.
Nippert was 4-5 with a 4.29 ERA in 38 games (two starts). He was on the disabled list from July 20 to Sept. 2 after getting struck on his head by a liner on July 19 at Detroit.
Right-hander Frank Francisco, who could have opted to become a free agent, accepted the Rangers arbitration offer Tuesday. Right-hander Mark Lowe already has agreed to a 2011 contract.
Astros won’t offer contract to RHP Gervacio
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros will offer 2011 contracts to every unsigned player on their 40-man roster except right-handed pitcher Sammy Gervacio.
Gervacio, who is recovering from arm injuries, will become a free agent at midnight Friday. Houston general manager Ed Wade says the Astros will try to re-sign Gervacio later.
The 25-year-old Gervacio limited to 13 appearances between Triple-A Round Rock and Houston last season.
Houston has six arbitration eligible players: outfielders Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn, infielders Clint Barmes and Jeff Keppinger, right-hander Matt Lindstrom and lefty Wandy Rodriguez.
Roundup: Dunn to White Sox; Burrell stays with Giants
NEW YORK (AP) — First baseman Adam Dunn is joining the Chicago White Sox, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $56 million, four-year contract.
The free-agent deal is subject to the slugger passing a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
It was a busy day for all teams, with 52 more players becoming free agents when their teams chose not to offer them contracts by midnight EST. Among those on 40-man rosters who were let go were White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, Red Sox setup man Hideki Okajima, Atlanta outfielder Matt Diaz, and Dodgers catcher Russell Martin and pitcher George Sherrill.
The new free-agent group also included Tampa Bay pitcher Lance Cormier, San Diego outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., and Oakland designated hitter Jack Cust and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.
The White Sox had been seeking a left-handed power hitter, and the 31-year-old Dunn batted .260 with 38 homers with 103 RBIs — and 199 strikeouts — for Washington last season.
All-Star closer Mariano Rivera and the Yankees neared an agreement on a two-year contract for about $30 million and New York increased its offer to free-agent shortstop Derek Jeter, a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP.
"The ball's in Derek's court now, and his agent," Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. "We don't know how happy they are. We'll see,"
Cliff Lee, the free-agent lefty sought by the Yankees, got another visit in Arkansas on Tuesday from the Texas Rangers, who are hoping the postseason ace will return after helping them reach the World Series for the first time.
"It's no secret we want Cliff, and we will do what we can to get him," Steinbrenner said.
Pat Burrell decided to stay with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told the AP, also speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not been made.
San Francisco signed him after he was released by Tampa Bay in May, and the 34-year-old hit .266 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs in 96 games.
Miguel Tejada's $6.5 million, one-year contract with the Giants was announced after he passed his physical. The infielder, the 2002 AL MVP with Oakland, hit .269 with 15 homers and 71 RBIs this year for Baltimore and San Diego.
Left-hander Hisanori Takahashi agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels after going 10-6 with eight saves and a 3.61 ERA in 12 starts and 41 relief appearances last season for the New York Mets. He took over as closer after Francisco Rodriguez got hurt.
Right-hander Javier Vazquez finalized his $7 million, one-year deal with Florida after passing a physical. He was 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA this year in his return to the New York Yankees, getting dropped from the rotation in the second half.
"I'm at a point in my career where I'm not looking for too many more years," the 34-year-old Vazquez said. "I identified a few teams I wanted to play for. Thankfully the Marlins were first on that list, and we made it happen."
Utilityman Eric Hinske stayed with the Atlanta Braves for a $1.45 million, one-year contract that includes a team option for 2012. The 33-year-old hit .256 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs last season while playing left field, first base and third base. He provides insurance for rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman, the projected 2011 starter.
Arizona agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract with left-hander Zach Duke, acquired last month from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named. Seattle agreed to a one-year deal with oft-injured pitcher Erik Bedard, who had been let go a month earlier.
Also, shortstop Alexei Ramirez's $2.75 million was exercised by the White Sox.
Other players not offered contracts by their teams were Baltimore pitcher Matt Albers, Detroit pitcher Zach Miner and Yankees pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Dustin Moseley.
Among those agreeing to deals were Cubs infielder Jeff Baker ($1,175,000); Kansas City infielder Wilson Betemit ($1 million) and catcher Brayan Pena ($660,000); Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre ($900,000); Twins pitcher Pat Neshek ($625,000) and outfielder Jason Repko ($600,000); Toronto right-hander Dustin McGowan ($450,000); Cleveland right-hander Joe Smith ($870,000); and Florida right-hander Burke Badenhop.
-- Ronald Blum
American League
AP source: Dunn has $56M, 4-yr deal with White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Slugging first baseman Adam Dunn has agreed to join the Chicago White Sox for a four-year, $56 million contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced. If Dunn passes a physical, he could be introduced Friday at a news conference.
Dunn hit 38 home runs with 103 RBIs for Washington last season. He hit .260 and is the big, left-handed bat the White Sox were seeking.
Even after adding Dunn, the White Sox are still hoping to re-sign Paul Konerko, who is a free agent after turning down Chicago’s arbitration offer.
The 31-year-old Dunn has a career batting average of .250, with 354 homers and 880 RBIs in 10 major league seasons with the Reds, Diamondbacks and Nationals. He is also prolific with strikeouts and had 199 last season, but would potentially put up big offensive numbers in homer-friendly U.S. Cellular Field.
The Nationals listened to trade offers for Dunn at the July deadline but decided not to make a deal. Reports say the White Sox were one of those teams interested at the time.
Dunn will give the White Sox the power lefty they have been missing since Jim Thome was shipped to the Dodgers at the end of the 2009 season. And when the White Sox decided not to reacquire Thome in 2010, he signed with the AL Central rival Twins.
During a conference call Thursday, White Sox general manager Ken Williams declined to directly address Dunn’s deal with Chicago, saying questions could be answered during a news conference Friday at 2 p.m. at the ballpark.
Williams said he definitely hopes to bring Konerko back and have his right-handed bat in the same lineup with Dunn. They would likely alternate at first and DH.
"Not only is there room for it, it would be the ideal fit from our perspective," Williams said. "We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves."
Williams said he’s trying to be patient and respect Konerko’s right to explore the free agent market. Konerko finished fifth in the AL MVP balloting last season when he batted .312 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs.
Williams said he presented two scenarios to owner Jerry Reinsdorf for approaching the season — one to go with younger players and move out veterans and the second to add to the current mix.
It’s obvious, that with the acquisition of Dunn, they went with the latter.
"We just didn’t want to be in the middle," Williams said. "So the decision was if we’re going all in, we’re going all in. It’s been a difficult challenge to find the revenue to support the payroll and we’re out there on a limb a little bit obviously, but we think it is important we continue to try to add a few more significant pieces to the mix."
It was a busy day for the White Sox. They declined to tender a contract to closer Bobby Jenks, who is second in club history with 173 saves. Jenks missed the final 27 games last season with ulnar neuritis in his right forearm.
Williams said he hasn’t closed the door on bringing back Jenks at a lesser salary. He made $7.5 million last year. Williams said he’d also had conversations with free agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who was not offered arbitration by the White Sox.
"I got to be careful at this point," Williams said. "I’ll be completely honest, the next thing I would really like to put on the table or put back in uniform is Paul Konerko."
Earlier Thursday the White Sox exercised a club option on shortstop Alexei Ramirez. He will earn a base salary of $2.75 million. He had opted out of the final year of the deal he signed on Jan. 22, 2008.
-- Rick Gano
AP source: Rivera & the Yanks close at $30M
NEW YORK (AP) — Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees are close to an agreement on a two-year contract for about $30 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke early Friday on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. The person said negotiations were not quite complete.
While talks with Derek Jeter have gone slowly, negotiations with Rivera, who turned 41 this week, had proceeded smoothy.
Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said Thursday night that the sides were moving toward a deal.
"I think you can be pretty confident in Mo," he said. "We're looking good."
Earlier Thursday, the Yankees increased their contract offer to Jeter. The team informed Jeter's side of the new offer during a telephone conversation early Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.
"The ball's in Derek's court now, and his agent," Steinbrenner said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It's up to them."
Jeter's agent, Casey Close, declined comment. But since negotiations resumed Tuesday, talks have appeared to gain a little momentum.
"We don't know how happy they are. We'll see," Steinbrenner said. "There's no possible way anybody could criticize us for what we've offered."
New York opened with a $45 million, three-year proposal last month, then awaited a formal counteroffer from its captain. It was not known whether the new offer improved the value, contract length or both.
Before the sides met this week in their first session since Nov. 8, Close had suggested a contract averaging about $23 million for four or five seasons.
While negotiating with their own players who became free agents, the Yankees are anticipating talks will intensify at next week's winter meetings with Cliff Lee. Among other team's free agents, the 32-year-old left-hander is New York's No. 1 priority.
"It's no secret we want Cliff, and we will do what we can to get him," Steinbrenner said. "That's the bottom line."
NOTES: The Yankees and RHP Sergio Mitre agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. He can earn $200,000 more in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 40, 55, 65 and 70 games. New York did not offer contracts to RHP Alfredo Aceves and RHP Dustin Moseley, allowing both to become free agents.
-- Ronald Blum
AP source: Red Sox, Varitek reach agreement
BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox are keeping captain Jason Varitek.
A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the catcher has reached a preliminary agreement with Boston on a $2 million, one-year contract. The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical and no announcement had been made.
The 38-year-old Varitek has spent his entire major league career with the Red Sox after making his debut in 1997. He batted .232 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in a substitute role last season, when injuries helped limit him to 39 games.
In other news, the Red Sox declined to offer 2011 contracts to pitchers Hideki Okajima, Taylor Buchholz and Andrew Miller, making all three free agents.
Varitek backed up All-Star Victor Martinez this year. Martinez became a free agent in the offseason and agreed to a $50 million, four-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Varitek can earn another $300,000 in performance bonuses: $100,000 each for 60, 70 and 80 games started at catcher.
The Red Sox hope he can serve as a mentor to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a 25-year-old switch-hitter who hasn't lived up to expectations since reaching the majors with the Atlanta Braves in 2007. Boston obtained him from the Texas Rangers on July 31 for two minor leaguers, a player to be named and cash.
Saltalamacchia had trouble throwing the ball back to the pitcher at Triple-A before the trade. The Red Sox hope bullpen coach Gary Tuck, known for his ability to work with catchers, can help solve that problem and turn Saltalamacchia into an everyday catcher.
Varitek always emphasized that handling pitchers and playing defense were his primary responsibilities. His career highs are 25 homers and 85 RBIs in 2003, and a .296 batting average in 2004. He has a .258 career average with 182 homers and 721 RBIs.
He broke his foot on July 1 and returned to the lineup Sept. 7. He played only five games after coming back, going 0 for 13 before his single in Boston's final game.
After that game, he said he "absolutely" wanted to stay with the Red Sox. Asked about his legacy, he said, "I don't know if I can really answer that, but all I can be is appreciative of being here, my time here, my teammates, the organization and, importantly, the fans."
The 34-year-old Okajima was an important part of Boston's bullpen the past four seasons, going 16-8 with six saves and a 3.06 ERA in 254 games. The left-hander was 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 56 relief appearances this year.
Buchholz was claimed off waivers from Toronto last month.
Miller, drafted sixth overall by Detroit in 2006, was obtained from Florida on Nov. 12. The 6-foot-7 lefty was 1-5 with an 8.54 ERA in nine games (seven starts) for the Marlins this year.
-- Howard ulman
Seattle brings back Bedard, sends away Lopez
SEATTLE (AP) — Erik Bedard, surprisingly, and Josh Wilson are coming back to Seattle. Jose Lopez is on his way to Colorado. And Ryan Rowland-Smith is a free agent.
It was a busy Thursday night for the Mariners, highlighted by the decision to bring back Bedard, their oft-injured left-hander who has never matched his potential, with a one-year deal. The contract is a non-guaranteed deal, meaning Seattle doesn't pay Bedard anything unless he pitches in a game this season.
Seattle also tendered contracts to closer David Aardsma, reliever Brandon League and left-handed starter Jason Vargas.
Considering Bedard's past two years, pitching in a game will be quite the accomplishment. Bedard hasn't been able to stay healthy following his trade from Baltimore before the 2009 season. He hasn't pitched since the middle of the 2009 season and started just 30 games in three seasons with the Mariners.
Seattle turned down an $8 million option on Bedard last month. Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said during a conference call late Thursday night that all reports on Bedard are positive and that he'll get a chance to make the club out of spring training.
"I think under the terms we bring Erik back it gives us an opportunity and it gives him an opportunity to where it could be a win-win for both sides," Zduriencik said.
While Bedard's return is a bit of a shock, the departure of Lopez in one form or another is of little surprise.
Seattle had turned down a $4.5 million option on Lopez, signed as a free agent in 2000. He hit .239 with 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 29 doubles in 150 games this year for the Mariners, who used him as a third baseman. He also has played second.
But Lopez regressed from his career highs of 25 homers and 96 RBIs in 2009 and never seemed to match his potential throughout his Seattle career.
Roe, 24, a first-round draft pick in 2005, was 9-13 with a 5.98 ERA in 27 starts this year at Triple-A Colorado Springs, striking out 115 and walking 53. Zduriencik was high on Roe's youth and his strong sinker.
"You just get to a point where you have to make a decision, make a call," Zduriencik said of Lopez. "There are points here where he was a very nice player, but we have to move forward."
Rowland-Smith was expected to lock himself into Seattle's rotation coming into the 2009 season, then went 1-10 with a 6.75 ERA in 20 starts in 2010.
Seattle offered Rowland-Smith a chance to return on what Zduriencik said was "their terms." He said Rowland-Smith was offered a major league contract and a chance to make the club out of spring training, but chose to look elsewhere.
"We had our parameters set up and talked about giving (him) a chance to come back and be part of the organization but it would have to be on our terms," Zduriencik said. "As they thought through it, in the end, Ryan decided what our terms were not necessarily what his terms were."
Wilson started last season at Triple-A Tacoma, but played a career-high 108 games with the Mariners. He batted .227 with 14 doubles, two homers and 25 RBIs. Wilson played 98 games at shortstop.
Wilson was originally claimed on waivers from San Diego in June 2009.
-- Tim Booth
Repko and Neshek agree with Twins on 1-year deals
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins agreed to one-year contracts with outfielder Jason Repko and right-hander Pat Neshek on Thursday and offered 2011 contracts to 26 other players including shortstop J.J. Hardy and left-hander Francisco Liriano.
Repko agreed to a $600,000 deal and Neshek agreed to a $625,000 contract, with both avoiding arbitration. Repko became a reliable backup, a defensive specialist who could play at all three positions, in his first season with the Twins.
Neshek returned in 2010 after missing the previous year following elbow surgery, but he struggled to stay healthy and spent most of the season in the minors.
The Twins saw six relievers become free agents, including Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch and Brian Fuentes, so there are spots available for Neshek if he can return to the form he showed in 2006 and 2007 before first hurting his elbow in 2008.
"We've got some holes to fill in that bullpen," general manager Bill Smith said.
Four-time All-Star closer Joe Nathan, who missed last season following elbow ligament replacement surgery, is expected to return in 2011. Smith said Nathan is scheduled to start throwing off of a mound soon.
The Twins have 11 players already under contract for at least 2011. They tendered contracts to every other player on their 40-man roster — which currently stands at 37 — including closer Matt Capps, who gives them insurance if Nathan struggles in his return. Other arbitration-eligible players also offered contracts were outfielder Delmon Young and pitchers Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins.
Third baseman Danny Valencia, catchers Drew Butera and Jose Morales, infielder Alexi Casilla, outfielder Ben Revere, pitcher Brian Duensing and relievers Jose Mijares and Alex Burnett were among the other players offered contracts.
White Sox keep Ramirez, but no contract for Jenks
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have declined to offer a contract to closer Bobby Jenks, but have exercised a club option on shortstop Alexei Ramirez for next season.
The White Sox also chose Thursday to not give a contract to lefty reliever Erick Threats.
Jenks is second in club history with 173 saves. The 29-year-old reliever was 27-for-31 on save chances last season, but missed the final 27 games with a problem in his right forearm. He was 1-3 with a 4.44 ERA.
Jenks recorded two saves when the White Sox won the 2005 World Series.
Threats was 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA in 11 games before tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow on Aug. 27.
Ramirez will earn a base salary of $2.75 million after the move Thursday. He had opted out of the final year of the deal he signed on Jan. 22, 2008. He was eligible for salary arbitration.
The 29-year-old Ramirez hit .282 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs last season and is considered one of the AL’s best-fielding shortstops.
Ramirez led AL shortstops in batting average, slugging percentage (.431), home runs and total bases (252) and ranked second in RBIs.
Tigers want Zumaya and Galarraga back, not Miner
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers want to keep pitchers Joel Zumaya and Armando Galarraga but have chosen to let Zach Miner become a free agent.
The Tigers announced Thursday they didn’t offer Miner a contract, three days after they designated the right-hander for assignment.
Detroit has offered deals to Zumaya and Galarraga, who were both eligible for salary arbitration.
Miner didn’t play last season and had surgery on his right elbow in May. He was 25-20 with a 4.24 ERA in 157 appearances, including 35 starts, over four seasons with the Tigers.
Zumaya’s season ended in June when he broke his right elbow. He missed a lot of the previous three seasons because of a shoulder and finger injuries. He helped the Tigers reach the World Series as a rookie in 2006 with a 1.94 ERA in 62 games.
Galarraga came famously close to a perfect game in June when umpire Jim Joyce ruled a runner safe at first base on what would’ve been the final out, then acknowledged after the game he made the wrong call. Galarraga finished the year 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA.
Takahashi agrees to tw0-year deal with Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels bolstered their bullpen Thursday, agreeing to a two-year deal with Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi.
Takahashi appeared in 53 games this year with the New York Mets in his first season in the majors. He went 10-6 with eight saves and a 3.61 ERA.
The 35-year-old Takahashi made 12 starts and became the first Mets pitcher since Roger McDowell in 1986 to record double digits in victories and eight or more saves in the same season.
"We believe that his contributions in various roles in our bullpen will be extremely important to the overall success of our club," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said in a release.
Takahashi agreed to a minor league deal with the Mets in February after 10 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League.
Also Thursday, the Angels did not tender a contract to infielder Kevin Frandsen, making him a free agent. Frandsen batted .250 with 14 RBIs in 54 games with Los Angeles last season.
Report: Red Sox meet with Rays OF Carl Crawford
BOSTON (AP) — A baseball official says the Boston Red Sox have met with free agent outfielder Carl Crawford.
The Red Sox are targeting Crawford as the centerpiece of their offseason shopping. A major-league official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the meeting, confirmed that it took place.
A four-time All-Star, Crawford is one of the top players on the free-agent market. He earned $10 million from the Tampa Bay Rays last season while hitting .307 with 47 stolen bases and career bests of 19 homers, 90 RBIs and 110 runs scored.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and owner John Henry did not immediately respond to e-mails asking about the meeting. It was originally reported on a Yahoo! Sports Twitter feed.
Crawford is the longest-tenured player in Rays history. Over nine seasons, he is the franchise's career leader in batting average, RBIs, hits, doubles, triples, runs scored and stolen bases.
-- Jimmy Golen
RHP McGowan agrees to deal with Blue Jays
TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Dustin McGowan have agreed to a one-year contract worth $450,000.
McGowan hasn’t pitched in a major league game since he went 6-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 19 starts for the Blue Jays in 2008. He had surgery in June to repair a torn rotator cuff and improve range of motion in his pitching shoulder.
The team announced the deal Thursday and said the 28-year-old McGowan recently started a throwing program. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. McGowan is 20-22 with a 4.71 ERA in 75 games over four seasons with Toronto.
Also Thursday, the Blue Jays did not offer contracts to reliever Jeremy Accardo and outfielder Fred Lewis, making them free agents.
A's don't offer deals to Cust, Buck, Encarnacion
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics are not offering contracts to designated hitter Jack Cust, outfielder Travis Buck and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, making them all free agents.
Cust hit .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 112 games last season. He added 68 walks for a .395 on-base percentage. Buck batted just .167 in 14 games.
Encarnacion was claimed by the A's off waivers from Toronto last month. He batted .244 with 21 homers and 51 RBIs with the Blue Jays.
The A's offered contracts Thursday to all other unsigned players on their 40-man roster. That includes their seven remaining arbitration eligible players: left-hander Dallas Braden; relievers Craig Breslow, Brad Ziegler and Joey Devine; outfielders Conor Jackson and Ryan Sweeney; and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Orioles don't offer contract to RHP Albers
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have declined to make a contract offer to right-hander Matt Albers, allowing the reliever to become a free agent.
Albers went 5-3 with a 4.52 ERA in 62 appearances with Baltimore last season. He was third in the AL with 75 2-3 innings of relief. Albers allowed no more than one earned run in all but 10 of his appearances and had a 0.68 ERA during a 12-game stretch from Aug. 7 to Sept. 7.
Obtained in the December 2007 trade that sent Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros, the 27-year-old Albers was 11-12 in 146 games over three seasons with Baltimore.
Royals agree to deals with INF Betemit, C Pena
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Infielder Wilson Betemit and catcher Brayan Pena have agreed to one-year deals with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding arbitration. Betemit's agreement is worth $1 million. Pena's contract is for $660,000.
The Royals also announced Thursday that they did not tender a contract to infielder Josh Fields, making him a free agent. Fields missed most of last season after undergoing surgery on his right hip.
The 29-year-old Betemit batted .297 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 84 games after he was promoted from Triple-A Omaha on May 25. The 28-year-old Pena hit .253 in 60 games while serving as Kansas City's backup catcher in 2010.
Smith agrees to $870,000 deal with Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) — Right-hander Joe Smith and the Cleveland Indians have agree to a one-year contract worth $870,000.
The 26-year-old was 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA in 53 relief appearances for the Indians this year. He has an 11-7 record and 3.57 ERA in four major league seasons, beginning his career with the New York Mets.
Smith had been eligible for salary arbitration. He can earn an additional $30,000 in performance bonuses under Thursday's agreement.
National League
Vazquez and Marlins finalize 1-year, $7M deal
MIAMI (AP) — Pitcher Javier Vazquez says he turned down a couple of multiyear offers to sign a one-year deal with the Florida Marlins.
He liked the fit with Florida that much.
"I’m at a point in my career where I’m not looking for too many more years," the 34-year-old Vazquez said with a chuckle Thursday after he and the Marlins finalized a $7 million deal for 2011. "I identified a few teams I wanted to play for. Thankfully the Marlins were first on that list, and we made it happen."
Vazquez said there were many reasons he wanted to play in Florida. It’s close to his native Puerto Rico, and he expects the Marlins to contend next season. He’s familiar with many people in the organization, including owner Jeffrey Loria, and has known manager Edwin Rodriguez since the mid-1990s.
The Marlins are counting on Vazquez to fill out an otherwise-young rotation that includes Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad.
"When the opportunity arose to sign such a professional, experienced veteran, it made 100-percent sense to us," general manager Mike Hill said. "He’s a true professional on and off the field — how he handles himself, how he prepares himself. Those things are important to us. We were confident in his ability to get people out and help this team win."
Right-hander Burke Badenhop also agreed to a one-year deal with the Marlins. He went 2-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 67 2-3 innings with Florida this year.
Vazquez went 10-10 this year with a 5.32 ERA for the New York Yankees. The right-hander was dropped from the rotation during the second half of the season and didn’t appear in the playoffs.
But Vazquez’s durability made him appealing to the Marlins. While compiling a record of 152-149, he has averaged 203 innings a year since his rookie season with Montreal in 1998.
And he provides veteran leadership on a rotation dominated by twentysomethings.
"I’ve seen all those guys — Josh and Ricky and Sanchez and Volstad — and they all pitch great last year," Vazquez said. "They’re growing. They’re young guys with a lot of ability. I just want to come in and be a part of that. Hopefully all five of us can stay healthy and do good things.
"I’m there to help the young guys, but I’ve never stopped learning, either. I’m sure I can learn from them, too."
Vazquez said his arm feels great, and he’s confident he can bounce back from last year’s struggles. If things go well next season, he would like to sign another contract with the Marlins and help them open their new ballpark in 2012.
"It’s actually something I’ve thought about," he said. "I have to do my job and do well for them to want me to stay a Marlin. It would be great for me to have a good year and keep pitching for the Marlins in the new stadium."
-- Steven Wine
Giants announce deal with Miguel Tejada
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Miguel Tejada watched from the visiting side when the San Francisco Giants celebrated their NL West title after knocking out his San Diego Padres on the final day of the regular season.
That's one reason why Tejada jumped at the opportunity to join the World Series champions when they came calling in free agency.
"A team like San Francisco, you don't say no," Tejada said. "They already won it. That's what I have in my mind. I'm going to be walking in here, playing and wearing the same uniform as the champions."
The Giants formally announced their $6.5 million, one-year deal with Tejada after he passed his physical Thursday. Tejada will replace World Series MVP Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe as San Francisco's regular shortstop next season.
General manager Brian Sabean said he has admired Tejada for years, back to his days starring across the bay for the Oakland Athletics. He looked into trading for Tejada early last season and then saw quite a bit of him down the stretch as the Padres and Giants battled for the division title.
After watching Tejada so closely last season, Sabean has no concerns about how the 36-year-old Tejada will handle the crucial defensive responsibilities at shortstop — especially with a pitching staff as talented as San Francisco's.
"The pitching staff is a fly ball, popup and strikeout pitching staff," Sabean said "That's one of our strengths. We gave him high marks, or certainly passing marks, as a shortstop or we never would have put ourselves in this position."
Tejada played 156 games last season with Baltimore and San Diego, batting .269 with 15 homers, 26 doubles and 71 RBIs. He had an on-base percentage of .312 and slugged .381.
The Padres declined to offer Tejada salary arbitration last week.
Tejada spent the first seven of his 14 major league seasons as a fan favorite with the Athletics, winning the 2002 AL MVP award in his second-to-last year with the A's. His experience in Oakland made him want to return to the Bay Area when he had the chance.
He also is excited that he no longer has to face the Giants' stellar starting staff with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Jonathan Sanchez.
"They are really tough pitchers to hit," he said.
Tejada left for the Baltimore Orioles after the 2003 season and also has played for Houston. In 14 career seasons, Tejada has a .287 batting average with 300 homers, 1,256 RBIs and 2,285 hits.
"He has a knack for driving in runs," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's dangerous up there. I didn't like it when he was up at the plate. It will be nice to have someone hitting in the middle of our order with his experience."
The Giants had a void at shortstop after declining to exercise their $9.5 million option on Renteria earlier this month, instead paying him a $500,000 buyout. Then they lost Uribe, who signed a $21 million, three-year deal with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
That's when they quickly moved to get Tejada.
"It was quite a relief once we signed Miggy," Bochy said. "That's a pretty big hole we had to fill there. We couldn't have had a better player available to fill that hole at such a key position."
The Giants last week brought back first baseman Aubrey Huff on a $22 million, two-year contract. They also agreed this week on a one-year, $1 million deal to bring back outfielder Pat Burrell.
The 34-year-old Burrell came to the Giants on a minor league deal May 29 after his release by Tampa Bay and spent a short stint with Triple-A Fresno before joining the Giants on June 4. He batted .266 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs in 96 games for San Francisco, becoming the everyday left fielder.
Burrell, who also won a ring with the Phillies in 2008, struggled in the World Series — won in five games by the Giants over the Texas Rangers. He went 0 for 13 with 11 strikeouts and was benched for Game 4 at Texas. He had 22 strikeouts in 49 at-bats overall during the postseason.
San Francisco also agreed to a one-year deal with infielder Mike Fontenot on Thursday and did not tender contracts to right-hander Chris Ray and outfielder Eugenio Velez, making them free agents.
-- Josh Dubow
AP source: Giants, LF Burrell agree to 1-year deal
Pat Burrell and the World Series champion San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, giving the club another returning face for what it hopes will be another deep run in 2011.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Thursday on the condition of anonymity because no formal announcement has been made.
The 34-year-old Burrell came to the Giants on a minor league deal May 29 after his release by Tampa Bay and spent a short stint with Triple-A Fresno before joining the Giants on June 4. He batted .266 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs in 96 games for San Francisco, becoming the everyday left fielder. Burrell was a key member of a team dubbed "characters and misfits" by manager Bruce Bochy. The Giants clinched the NL West on the season’s final day, ending a six-year playoff drought.
Burrell, who also won a ring with the Phillies in 2008, struggled in the World Series — won in five games by the Giants over the Texas Rangers. He went 0 for 13 with 11 strikeouts and was benched for Game 4 at Texas. He had 22 strikeouts in 49 at-bats overall during the postseason.
General manager Brian Sabean has said he didn’t know whether the Giants would be able to re-sign Burrell, though first baseman Aubrey Huff certainly hoped so after receiving a new $22 million, two-year contract last week. After losing infielder Juan Uribe to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week, San Francisco also agreed on a $6.5 million, one-year contract with free agent shortstop Miguel Tejada on Tuesday. Sabean’s priorities had been to fill the other spots first, so this happened more quickly with Burrell than would have been expected.
Sabean and Bochy have praised Burrell for his leadership in the clubhouse and on the field.
-- Janie McCauley
Hinske stays with Braves, who cut loose Diaz
ATLANTA (AP) — Eric Hinske is staying with the Atlanta Braves, agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday as the team decided not to offer a 2011 contract to outfielder Matt Diaz.
The 32-year-old Diaz, a .300 hitter through five seasons with the team becomes a free agent.
Hinske, 33, was gets a deal worth $1.45 million. He receives $1.35 million next year, and the Braves hold a $1.5 million option for 2012 with a $100,000 buyout.
Hinske hit .256 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs last season while playing left field, first base and third base. He provides insurance for rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman, the projected 2011 starter. Hinske hit .298 (14-for-47) with three homers and 12 RBIs as a pinch-hitter.
Diaz spent most of his time with the Braves in a left-field platoon. The Braves recently acquired second baseman Dan Uggla from Florida. If third baseman Chipper Jones returns from knee surgery, Martin Prado is expected to move to left field.
Diaz was slowed by a right thumb infection in 2010, when he hit only .250 with seven homers and 31 RBIs.
His overall average for five seasons with the Braves was .305. He hit .338 in 2007 and .313 in 2009, when he set career highs with 13 homers and 58 RBIs.
Pirates release India-born pitcher Dinesh Patel
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have released right-hander Dinesh Patel, one of two pitchers from India who signed in 2008 despite never having played baseball.
Left-hander Rinku Singh, who advanced from rookie ball to short-season Class A last summer, remains in their organization.
Singh won an India TV reality show called the Million Dollar Arm in which scouts sought to discover prospective pitchers with strong throwing arms. Patel was the runner-up.
Patel had an 8.59 ERA in 7 1/3 innings last season in rookie ball.
Pittsburgh also released two Taiwan prospects signed out of high school in 2009, right-hander Sheng-Cin Hong (14.18 ERA in 11 games at rookie level Bradenton) and first baseman Chih-Wei Hsu (.154 batting average in 16 games).
Dodgers cut ties with two former All-Stars
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided not to offer contracts for next season to a pair of former All-Stars: catcher Russell Martin and reliever George Sherrill. The team announced the moves shortly after Thursday's midnight EST deadline. Both players became free agents.
Martin appeared to be a rising star in 2007, when he batted .293 with 19 homers and 87 RBIs. He won a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger award and made the first of two consecutive All-Star appearances. But his production has dropped off the past two seasons and he hit only .248 with five homers and 26 RBIs in 97 games this year, when his salary was $5.05 million. A hip injury ended his season Aug. 3.
Sherrill, an AL All-Star in 2008, was acquired from Baltimore in July 2009. The left-hander made $4.5 million last season, when he was 2-2 with a 6.69 ERA in 65 appearances.
The Dodgers also declined to offer a 2011 contract to outfielder Trent Oeltjen.
Arizona agrees to $4.25M, 1-year deal with Duke
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed Thursday to a $4.25 million, one-year contract with left-hander Zach Duke.
The 27-year-old, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates last month for a player to be named, went 8-15 with a 5.72 ERA in 29 starts last season. He has allowed 443 hits over the last two seasons, sixth-most in the majors. He gets $3.5 million next year, and the Nationals receicve a $5.5 million option for 2011 with a $750,000 buyout.
Arizona also tendered contracts for next season to four arbitration-eligible players: shortstop Stephen Drew, second baseman Kelly Johnson, catcher Miguel Montero and pitcher Joe Saunders.
The Diamondbacks did not offer contracts to outfielder Ryan Church, utilityman Augie Ojeda and pitchers Blaine Boyer and D.J. Carrasco, making them free agents.
Padres decline offers to Gwynn Jr., Scott Hairston
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have declined to offer contracts to outfielders Tony Gwynn Jr. and Scott Hairston, infielder Matt Antonelli and right-hander Luis Perdomo.
Gwynn, the son of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, struggled at the plate in 2010, hitting .204 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. Over parts of five major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and Padres, he has hit .244 with five home runs and 56 RBIs.
Hairston hit .210 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs. Antonelli missed the majority of the 2010 season after being placed on the 60-day disabled list April 30 with a broken wrist. Perdomo made one appearance for the Padres.
The Padres tendered contracts to 33 players. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Chris Denorfia already are under contract. The Padres have 35 players on their 40-man roster.
Brewers decline offers to Coffey, Inglett
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have declined to offer contracts to reliever Todd Coffey and utilityman Joe Inglett for next season. The decisions Thursday made both players free agents.
The right-handed Coffey was 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA last season. His enthusiastic runs from the bullpen to the mound when he came into the game made him a fan favorite, but his performance had declined from 2009, when he was 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA.
Inglett batted .254 in 102 games for the Brewers last season.
The Brewers' other arbitration-eligible players include first baseman Prince Fielder, second baseman Rickie Weeks, outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Manny Parra, Carlos Villanueva and Kameron Loe.
Mets decline offers to Maine, Green, Carter
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have cut ties with oft-injured pitcher John Maine.
The right-hander was one of three players who did not receive a 2011 contract offer from the Mets before the midnight deadline Thursday. New York also chose to non-tender reliever Sean Green and outfielder Chris Carter, making them free agents.
Maine got off to a promising start with the Mets after he was acquired in January 2006 from Baltimore. He beat St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter in Game 6 of the 2006 NL championship series, then went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA the following season.
Maine's career has been derailed by shoulder problems, however, and he had arthroscopic surgery in July to clean out scar tissue. He finished 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA in nine starts last season, when his salary was $3.3 million.
Mets' pitcher K-Rod due in court in assault case
NEW YORK (AP) — A plea deal may be reached in the assault case against Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, accused of attacking his girlfriend's father at Citi Field.
Rodriguez was due in court Friday. At an Oct. 7 appearance, his attorney said the pitcher was working on a plea deal and was in anger management classes. The Queens District Attorney did not say whether a deal had been reached.
The 28-year-old reliever was accused of grabbing 53-year-old Carlos Pena, hauling him into a tunnel near the family lounge at the ballpark and hitting him in the face after a game Aug. 11.
Rodriguez also was charged with criminal contempt for violating a restraining order by sending his girlfriend, Daian Pena, dozens of text messages after the incident.
-- Colleen Long
INF Baker agrees to 1-year-deal with Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have reached a $1,175,000, one-year deal with Jeff Baker, avoiding arbitration with the versatile infielder.
Baker hit .272 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 79 games for the Cubs last season, including a .326 average after the All-Star break. He made 23 starts at third base, 20 starts at second base, four in right field and one at first.
Chicago acquired the 29-year-old Baker in a trade with Colorado in 2009. The Cubs announced the agreement on Thursday. Baker has a .270 career batting average over six seasons in the majors, with 30 homers and 130 RBIs in 379 games.
Flores, Gonzalez agree to deals with Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — Catcher Jesus Flores and infielder Alberto Gonzalez have agreed to one-year deals with the Washington Nationals, avoiding arbitration.
Washington did not tender contracts to right-handers Chien-Ming Wang and Joel Peralta, and catcher Wil Nieves, making them free agents.
Flores hit .301 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 29 games with Washington last season. His deal is worth $750,000.
Gonzalez appeared in a career-best 114 games this year, batting .247 for the Nationals with five RBIs. His agreement is worth $600,000. The team announced the moves early Friday.
Trade
Rockies acquire Jose Lopez from Seattle Mariners
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have acquired infielder Jose Lopez from the Seattle Mariners for right-hander Chaz Roe.
Seattle had turned down a $4.5 million option on Lopez, signed as a free agent in 2000. He hit .239 with 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 29 doubles in 150 games this year for the Mariners, who used him as a third baseman. He also has played second.
Roe was 9-13 with a 5.98 ERA in 27 starts this year at Triple-A Colorado Springs, striking out 115 and walking 53.
Minor League
Baseball’s Coastal Bend Thunder behind on rent
ROBSTOWN (AP) — A minor league baseball team in the Corpus Christi area owes Nueces County $24,000 in unpaid rent.
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported Thursday that the gates to home of the Coastal Bend Thunder, the Fairgrounds Field in Robstown, have been locked.
The team’s website was still active Thursday, but phone calls to the listed contact number rang to a message saying the call could not be completed.
The team faces a Jan. 15 deadline to pay the county, or the rental contract, which expires Dec. 31, will be terminated. County commissioners on Wednesday decided on the deadline.
Commissioner Oscar Ortiz says the county for weeks has tried to recover the money. The Thunder, part of the United League Baseball, is five months behind on its rent.
Elsewhere
Ex-Yankee Leyritz gets probation, fine in Fla. DUI
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Former New York Yankees World Series hero Jim Leyritz was sentenced Thursday to one year’s probation and fined $500 for a drunk driving conviction, a far lesser penalty than he had faced before a jury decided he wasn’t responsible for a woman’s death in a 2007 traffic crash.
Circuit Judge Marc Gold imposed the sentence for the misdemeanor on the 47-year-old former ballplayer, who was acquitted last month of DUI manslaughter in the death of 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch. Leyritz could have gotten up to 15 years if convicted of manslaughter, but he said Thursday it was no victory.
"I said it from the very beginning, there would be no winners in this case," Leyritz said in a tearful statement to the judge. "This was a horrible, horrible tragedy."
Leyritz could have gotten up to six months in jail for the DUI, but his attorney David Bogenschutz said that was far too severe for a first offense DUI.
"He is a first offender, plain and simple," Bogenschutz said, adding that the sentence should be the same "whether it be Jim Leyritz or Jim Smith."
Prosecutor Stefanie Newman wanted a four-month jail term for what she called Leyritz’s "air of entitlement" as a former professional athlete and because he had several violations while out on bail of a vehicle interlock device that detects alcohol on a driver’s breath.
"He acted with reckless disregard," Newman said of the 2007 crash. "He put the public at risk. He put himself at risk."
Gold noted that Leyritz had completed two alcohol treatment programs, but warned him not to violate probation or the law again.
"If you violate probation, I will give you the maximum jail sentence," Gold said.
Jurors decided that Leyritz did not run a red light and cause the crash, and evidence showed it was Veitch who likely ran the light. Veitch was also driving drunk before the crash and was thrown from her vehicle because she was not wearing a seat belt, according to court documents.
But the jury found that Leyritz was driving with a blood alcohol level above Florida’s 0.08 limit and convicted him Nov. 20 of the lesser charge. A blood sample taken three hours after the crash showed Leyritz had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14; a state expert testified it could have been as high as 0.19 when the crash happened about 3 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2007.
A state toxicologist said Leyritz downed the equivalent of 11 to 12 shots of liquor.
Veitch’s husband, Jordan Veitch, said he hoped the case would deter people from deciding to drink and drive.
"Making the decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated is selfish and irresponsible and shows a lack of respect for the lives of others as well as yourself," Veitch said in a prepared statement.
Leyritz settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Veitch’s family for $350,000, with $250,000 covered by insurance and the rest to be paid beginning in April 2011 out of his own pocket. Leyritz, a divorced father of three boys, had been out celebrating his birthday at local bars before the crash.
Leyritz played 11 major league seasons — primarily as a catcher and mostly with the Yankees — and is best remembered for a dramatic 1996 home run that helped the Yankees win the championship that year. He also played with the Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers, with 90 career homers and a .264 average.
-- Curt Anderson
