Baseball Capsules: Rangers offer Byrd, Pudge salary arbitration

ARLINGTON — Outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Ivan Rodriguez have been offered salary arbitration by the Texas Rangers.

Texas didn’t offer arbitration to infielder Hank Blalock, right-hander Joaquin Benoit and left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado.

Teams had until Tuesday night to make arbitration offers to former players who became free agents.

Byrd and Rodriguez have until Sunday to accept the offer and would be considered signed if they do. They can still re-sign with the Rangers if they reject arbitration, but the Rangers would be compensated with a supplemental draft pick if either signed with another team.

"We’ve had dialogue with the agents for both guys and have interest in them returning under the right circumstances. At the same time, we understand they have options they’re going to look into," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We’ll continue to stay in touch. Either we have a winning player for 2010 or a draft pick for the future."

Byrd, who is seeking a multiyear deal, hit .283 with 20 home runs and 89 RBI in 146 games for Texas last season, his third with the Rangers. He established career highs in games, hits (155), doubles (43), and RBI.

Rodriguez started 25 games at catcher after the 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner rejoined his original team Aug. 18, when he was traded from Houston to Texas. He is the Rangers’ career leader in hits (1,747) and doubles (352).

Pudge made his major league debut with the Rangers as a 19-year-old in 1991. He left after the 2002 season when the Rangers refused to offer salary arbitration.

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia had surgery in September for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a problem in the shoulder that is the likely cause of the numbness in his throwing hand.

Rodriguez could provide needed depth if Saltalamacchia isn’t ready for next season. If both Rodriguez and Saltalamacchia are on the roster to start 2010, that could mean Taylor Teagarden goes back to Triple-A.

Blalock was an All-Star third baseman in 2003 and 2004 before being plagued by a shoulder problem and other injuries. The Rangers then primarily used him as a first baseman and designated hitter. Blalock made $6.2 million last season, when he hit .234 with 25 home runs and 66 RBIS in 123 games. with a paltry .277 on-base percentage.

Benoit hasn’t pitched for Texas since having surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff last winter. The 39-year-old Guardado had indicated at the end of last season that he was considering retirement, but has since said he’d like to play again.

Houston offers arbitration to Valverde

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have offered salary arbitration to closer Jose Valverde but not to shortstop Miguel Tejada and pitchers LaTroy Hawkins and Doug Brocail.

Valverde had 25 saves and a 2.33 ERA in 52 appearances for the Astros last season.

Houston general manager Ed Wade says the team will continue to negotiate with the players and that the Astros would "love" to retain them.

Tuesday is the cutoff for teams to offer salary arbitration to free agents to receive compensation.

Leaguewide News

Damon, Tejada, Wolf not offered arbitration

NEW YORK — Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, Houston shortstop Miguel Tejada and Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf were among the free agents who weren't offered salary arbitration by Tuesday night's deadline, moves that enable new teams to sign them without losing draft picks.

Because all three were Type A players under the free-agent rankings, their former teams would have received two draft picks if they had been offered arbitration and then signed with different clubs.

Other Type As who did not receive arbitration offers included Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson; San Francisco catcher Bengie Molina; White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye and reliever Octavio Dotel; Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco; Angels pitcher Darren Oliver; Houston pitcher LaTroy Hawkins; Minnesota shortstop Orlando Cabrera; and Cubs pitcher Kevin Gregg.

Tuesday night was the first big deadline of baseball's offseason. Players have until Monday to accept arbitration offers; if they reject, they still can re-sign with their former clubs at any time.

Just 23 players received arbitration offers — one fewer than last year — and only 10 were position players: St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Mark DeRosa; Boston outfielder Jason Bay; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins; Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre; Tampa Bay catcher Gregg Zaun; Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Marlon Byrd; and Toronto catcher Rod Barajas and shortstop Marco Scutaro.

Pitchers offered arbitration included Angels ace John Lackey; Boston reliever Billy Wagner; Detroit's Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney; Minnesota's Carl Pavano; Oakland's Justin Duchscherer; Tampa Bay's Brian Shouse; Atlanta's Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano; Colorado's Rafael Betancourt and Jason Marquis; Houston's Jose Valverde; and St. Louis' Joel Pineiro.

In addition to Damon, the Yankees declined to offer arbitration to World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and pitcher Andy Pettitte. The Angels turned down slugger Vladimir Guerrero and pitcher Kelvim Escobar. Besides Wolf and Hudson, the Dodgers said no to pitcher Jon Garland.

Among others declined arbitration were Detroit pitcher Jarrod Washburn, Seattle lefty Erik Bedard, Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, Milwaukee center fielder Mike Cameron and Kansas City catcher Miguel Olivo.

Before 2006, players not offered arbitration could not re-sign with their former clubs from Dec. 8 to April 30, but that provision was eliminated in the latest collective bargaining agreement.

Teams losing top free agents, as defined by a complicated statistical formula, get draft picks next June as compensation if those free agents were offered arbitration by their former clubs.

Type A free agents are among the top 20 percent of players at their position, as defined by the formula created in the 1981 strike settlement, and Type B are from 21-40 percent. Teams receive one extra pick if they lose a Type B.

One free agent agreed to a contract Tuesday, with catcher Brian Schneider getting a $2.75 million, two-year deal from Philadelphia to back up Carlos Ruiz.

In the day's only trade, Cleveland sent catcher Kelly Shoppach to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named. Shoppach hit .214 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 89 games this year, striking out 89 times in 271 at-bats.

-- Ronald Blum

Stimulant exemptions in MLB slightly rise again

NEW YORK — There was just one positive steroids test in the major leagues over the full first year of the toughened program, but the number of players authorized to use otherwise banned stimulants because they have ADHD rose by a small amount for the second straight year.

Baseball granted 108 therapeutic use exemptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during the year ending with this World Series, according to the annual report released Tuesday by MLB’s independent drug-testing administrator. That was up from 106 a year earlier and 103 in 2007.

"Today’s report contains good news and bad news," said Rep. Henry Waxman, who has held hearings on drug use in sports.

"The good news is very good — only one positive steroid test. But the bad news is deeply disturbing," the California Democrat said. "It is hard to believe that the ADD prevalence rate in baseball is that high."

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s executive vice president for labor relations, said the level of ADHD exemptions, known as TUEs, was not cause for alarm. Manfred said concerns were not justified because ADHD is more prevalent among males and young people.

"These TUEs are based on diagnoses that originally are made by a doctor and they are reviewed by one if not more doctors to verify the diagnoses," Manfred said. "And I’ve got to rely on the medical people."

Dr. Gary Wadler, a frequent critic of baseball’s drug-testing program, also praised the sport’s overall progress but said the amount of the TUEs was a concern.

"Is there something unique about the sport of baseball that attracts individuals with ADD? I suspect not. It seems to me an excessively high number," said Wadler, chairman of the committee that determines the banned-substances list for the World Anti-Doping Agency. "This is a problem that merits some independent analysis. Is the TUE process as tight as it needs to be or does it represent some sort of a loophole?"

Other than ADHD, there were just seven TUEs: two each for hypertension and hypogonadism, and one each for narcolepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-concussion syndrome.

"I first raised concerns about these therapeutic use exemptions in hearings in 2008, and baseball promised they would look into the matter. But it appears that no progress has been made," said Waxman, now chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "I hope that MLB-sanctioned use of ADD drugs has not become a substitute for the rampant steroid use that the league and its players worked so hard to eliminate."

There were 12 positives for banned stimulants among 3,722 tests under the major league program. Since no players were suspended for stimulants, they either were initial positive tests, which don’t cause suspensions, or are still in the arbitration process. Eleven of the positives were for Adderall, the other for Clobenzorex.

The one positive for a performance-enhancing substance was for nandrolone. Baseball’s only announced suspension for a positive test taken this year under the major league program was given in March to San Francisco Giants pitcher Kelvin Pichardo, who was banned for 50 games.

There also was one positive not related to a test. In March, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games after baseball obtained records that showed he used the female fertility drug HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin.

Baseball conducted 3,722 tests, up from 3,486 the previous year.

"We had a very low number of positives, low numbers on the stimulants and steroids, which is a very good development," Manfred said.

Wadler agreed with Manfred’s assessment of the overall program.

"Baseball has done a good job over the last several years in cleaning house over the whole issue of performance-enhancing drugs, anabolic steroids," he said.

Dr. Bryan Smith issued the report under toughened rules baseball adopted last year at the recommendation of former Senate majority leader George Mitchell.

-- Ronald Blum

American League

Indians trade catcher Kelly Shoppach to Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Kelly Shoppach wants to get back to being the player he was in 2008. That’s exactly what the Tampa Bay Rays are counting on.

The 29-year-old catcher was acquired Tuesday from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named, giving Tampa Bay depth at the position and new competition for incumbent starter Dioner Navarro.

"We’ve admired Kelly from afar for a while now," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

A .241 career hitter, Shoppach struggled last season after posting impressive numbers while filling in for an injured Victor Martinez with Cleveland in 2008.

"He’s coming off a disappointing ‘09 season," Friedman said, "but we feel like he has all the ability to be a much better player than that."

After leading American League catchers with 21 homers two years ago, the Indians were expecting big things from Shoppach in 2009. But he batted just .214 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 89 games, striking out 89 times in 271 at-bats.

"You can look at (last season) any way you want," Shoppach said. "Obviously, it was a disappointing year for me. Of course I would have liked to play better. I think everyone would have liked to play better."

Shoppach, who spent four seasons with Cleveland after being acquired in a 2006 trade with Boston, likes the idea of joining a young team that’s only a year removed from its first World Series appearance.

"Obviously, it’s an opportunity for me to compete now rather than the rebuilding process that Cleveland was going to do," Shoppach said during a telephone conference call. "Ultimately that is what I want to do. Help a team win."

Shoppach’s departure from the Indians could make Lou Marson, acquired in the deal that sent ace pitcher Cliff Lee to Philadelphia, Cleveland’s starter behind the plate. Wyatt Toregas likely will be the backup catcher.

Highly touted prospect Carlos Santana is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Columbus, but the Indians hope he will be in the majors at some point next season.

"This is most about our young players," Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro said. "We are excited about giving them an opportunity to play. It’s an area of strength for us."

Marson and Toregas both spent time with the Indians late last season, but the 23-year-old Santana is clearly Cleveland’s catcher of the future. He batted .290 with 23 homers and 97 RBIs last season at Double-A Akron and was selected MVP of the Eastern League.

"Most likely for Carlos some time at Triple-A continuing to develop his game-calling, his leadership skills and honing his defensive game will be beneficial," Shapiro said. "I would expect at some point (next) season, between April and September, we’ll see him in Cleveland."

Shapiro acknowledged financial considerations were involved in the trade. Shoppach, who made $1.95 million last season, is eligible for salary arbitration and could earn close to $3 million in 2010.

Adding a catcher was one of Tampa Bay’s top priorities this offseason. The switch-hitting Navarro was an All-Star in 2008 but slumped to .218 this year — down 75 points from the previous season. His batting average ranked 219th out of 222 major leaguers with 400 or more plate appearances.

In five seasons with the Indians and Red Sox, the right-handed hitting Shoppach has 43 homers and 141 RBIs. He is a .295 career hitter against left-handed pitching.

"Kelly’s a guy who has great talent and the ability to be a complete catcher," Shapiro said. "He calls a good game, he throws well and, obviously, he hits for power. I know he strikes out a lot, but he’s got great power. The more contact he makes the more a run producer he will be."

The Indians will complete the trade before Dec. 20. Shapiro said the player the Indians receive could be on the 25-man roster when the season begins.

-- Fred Goodall

National League

Schneider & Phillies agree to $2.75M, 2-year deal

PHILADELPHIA — Free-agent catcher Brian Schneider and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed Tuesday to a $2.75 million, two-year contract.

Schneider, who spent the last two seasons with the rival New York Mets, will be a backup to Carlos Ruiz for the NL champions.

"We feel Brian is ideal for our ballclub," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He’s a guy that we would feel comfortable with playing for an extended period of time, if needed."

The 33-year-old Schneider hit .218 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 59 games last season for the Mets. He threw out nine of 28 runners attempting to steal.

"It feels great, coming back home," said Schneider, who grew up near Allentown, Pa. "All my friends and family are die-hard Phillies fans. It’s good to be on that side again. I thought it was a good fit and that I’d be happy here."

Schneider began his career with the Montreal Expos in 2000 and played with the Expos/Washington Nationals through 2007. He is a .251 career hitter with 59 homers and 356 RBIs.

He gets a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $1 million next season and $1.5 million in 2011. The deal also includes performance bonuses based on playing time.

In other news, Amaro said the team was unlikely to offer arbitration to relievers Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre.

"It doesn’t mean we don’t want to bring them back. We can still sign them back," Amaro said.

Amaro also said that pitcher Jamie Moyer is back home after being hospitalized last week due to recurring symptoms from groin surgery in September. Moyer is likely to have surgery on his left knee in January, but that might not affect his ability to start the season on time.

Cora agrees to $2M, 1-yr deal to stay with Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Cora is staying with the New York Mets, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2011.

The 34-year-old backup infielder played 82 games this year, batting .251 with one home run, 18 RBIs and eight steals. He made 54 starts at shortstop, becoming the regular after Jose Reyes got hurt. But Cora didn’t play after Aug. 12 because of torn ligaments in both thumbs that required surgery.

Cora also started 13 games at second base for a fourth-place team that finished 70-92. He often was praised by manager Jerry Manuel and other Mets decision-makers for his instincts and leadership.

A light hitter with a reliable glove, Cora has a .246 career batting average in 1,116 big league games with the Dodgers, Indians, Red Sox and Mets.

He can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses: $250,000 each for 80, 90, 100 and 110 starts. There is a $2 million option for 2011 that becomes guaranteed if he plays in 80 games next season.

"I am excited about coming back," Cora said in a statement Monday. "We have a lot to prove as a team after what happened last year. As for me personally, there is unfinished business. I was hurt a great deal of the time and I really wasn’t able to perform like I know I can. I’m healthy now and I can’t wait to get to spring training. We all have something to prove."

-- Ronald Blum

Rockies offer arbitration to Betancourt, Marquis

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have offered salary arbitration to free agent right-handed pitchers Rafael Betancourt and Jason Marquis.

They declined to offer arbitration to left-handed pitcher Joe Beimel and catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

If Betancourt and Marquis decline the offers and sign with other teams, the Rockies would receive compensatory draft selections for the June draft.

Betancourt went 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 32 appearances for the Rockies last season.

Marquis was 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts and made the National League All-Star team. He fizzled down the stretch and wasn’t part of the Rockies’ postseason starting rotation.

Beimel went 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 26 games for Colorado last season. Torrealba hit .291 in 2009.

Elsewhere

Former Yankees star Tommy Henrich dies at 96

NEW YORK — Tommy Henrich, nicknamed "Old Reliable" for his knack of delivering clutch hits for the New York Yankees, died Tuesday. He was 96.

Henrich died in Dayton, Ohio, the team said.

Henrich was a five-time All-Star outfielder who joined the Yankees in 1937 and finished in 1950, winning four World Series championships. He missed three seasons while serving in the Coast Guard during World War II.

Henrich hit the first game-ending home run in World Series history, leading off the bottom of the ninth inning with a drive against Don Newcombe to beat Brooklyn 1-0 in the 1949 opener.

"He was extremely good in big games, games that meant something," former teammate and family friend Bobby Brown told The Associated Press by telephone from his home in Texas.

"If we were ahead 10-1 or 10-2, he was just average. If we were behind 10-1 or 10-2, same thing. But get him in a big game and he was terrific," Brown said. "We didn’t call him ‘Old Reliable.’ We just knew he was ‘Old Reliable."’

Yet Henrich’s most famous at-bat may’ve been a time when he didn’t hit the ball.

In Game 4 of the 1941 Series against the Dodgers, Henrich struck out to seemingly end the game. But Brooklyn catcher Mickey Owen dropped the third strike, and Henrich raced safely to first base.

Given another chance, the Yankees rallied for four runs in the ninth inning for a 7-4 win and a 3-1 Series edge.

Henrich hit .282 with 183 home runs and 795 RBIs. He twice led the American League in triples and topped the AL by scoring 138 runs in 1948. Late in his career, he moved from right field and finished as a part-time first baseman.

Henrich played in the World Series in 1938, 1941, 1947 and 1949, and won championships every time. He hit one home run in each Series.

"I am saddened by the loss of Tommy Henrich, who was truly one of my personal favorites," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "‘Old Reliable’ was beloved by his Yankee teammates."

Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford were among Henrich’s Hall of Fame teammates. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, pitcher Virgil Trucks is now believed to be the oldest living Yankee at 92 years.

Henrich was born in Massillon, Ohio, a city known for its football prowess, and was longtime friends with famed coach Paul Brown. After retiring, Henrich was a coach with the Yankees, New York Giants and Detroit Tigers.

Bobby Brown had stayed in touch with Henrich, and said he last saw him about four years ago. Brown said he got a phone call from Henrich’s daughter on Tuesday informing him of the death.

"Tommy was a darn good ballplayer and teammate," Berra said in a statement released by the team. "He always took being a Yankee to heart."

"When I came up in 1947, he taught me little nuances about playing the outfield. Being around Tommy made you feel good, whether playing cards or listening to him sing with that great voice. He was a proud man, and if you knew him, he made you proud, too," Berra said.

Henrich hit a career-high 31 home runs in 1941 and had 100 RBIs in 1948.

A private memorial service is scheduled for Saturday.

-- Ben Walker

Dodgers announcer Scully to return in ‘10

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed broadcaster Vin Scully will return to the booth for his 61st season in 2010.

Scully already had said he planned to return for another season before deciding his future next fall.

The Dodgers say Scully’s 60 years of service are the longest tenure of any broadcaster in sports history.

The Hall of Fame announcer told The Associated Press last month that he still loves the job he’s had with the team since 1950, but it’s hard to be away from his wife during a long season.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt says the club is honored that Scully decided to come back.

Scully turned 82 on Sunday. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Fla. Gov. Crist wants to woo Cubs to train in Fla.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist is trying to persuade the Chicago Cubs to move their spring training facilities from Arizona to Florida.

Crist met with Cubs president Crane Kenney, chairman Tom Ricketts and other team officials about possibly moving from Mesa to Naples. Crist says he’s willing to go as far as possible to woo the team.

Crist says, "We like palm trees better than cactus and hope that the Cubs might too."

Ricketts says "it’s really about getting the best facility."

Kenney says if the move is made, the team would likely relocate its Class A Florida State League team from Daytona to the new stadium.