Baseball Capsules: AP Interview: Jenkins wants more McGwire apologies

NEW YORK — Ferguson Jenkins says Mark McGwire owes an apology to all those pitchers who gave up his home runs.

The Hall of Fame ace sent an open letter to The Associated Press this week, telling the former home-run king: "You have not even begun to apologize to those you have harmed."

"How many pitchers do you think he ended their careers by hitting numbers of home runs off them?" Jenkins said during a telephone interview Wednesday.

Jenkins, a former Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers mound star, also maintained he would have known how to handle the bulked-up McGwire, who hit a then-record 70 homers in 1998 and followed with 65 the following year.

"It’s tough to hit a home run off your back," Jenkins said. "In my era, Seaver, Gibson, Drysdale, Carlton, there were so many guys that would have probably knocked him on his butt. He wouldn’t have hit home runs the way he did in that era."

Thirty years ago, Jenkins himself became one of the first players caught up in baseball’s struggles with drug discipline. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended Jenkins following the pitcher’s arrest in Canada on charges of cocaine possession, but the penalty was overturned by an arbitrator less than two weeks later — the first time a baseball commissioner’s ruling was reversed. A judge gave Jenkins an absolute discharge: no fine, no jail term and no record.

Hired in October by manager Tony La Russa as hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. McGwire last week admitted he used steroids for a decade, including when he broke Roger Maris’ season home-run record in 1998. Jenkins is one of several Hall of Famers to criticize McGwire, a group that includes Goose Gossage and Carlton Fisk.

Hank Aaron has said he’s willing to forgive McGwire, tied for eighth with 583 home runs.

"You have yet to apologize to all the pitchers you faced while juiced," Jenkins wrote. "You altered pitchers’ lives. You may have shortened pitchers careers because of the advantage you forced over them while juiced. Have you thought about what happened when they couldn’t get you out and lost the confidence of their managers and general managers? You even managed to alter the place some athletes have achieved in record books by making your steroid-fueled run to the season home run record."

Fifty-one pitchers gave up a total of 57 homers to McGwire in what turned out to be their final major league seasons, according to STATS LLC, among them Bert Blyleven, Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez, Charlie Leibrandt and Donnie Moore.

Jenkins said in his letter that McGwire needs to apologize to several constituencies.

"You need to apologize to your family for depriving them of your presence as time goes on because you are likely going to die earlier than if you had never relied on andro to carry you to all your successes," he said.

McGwire admitted at the time of the home-run chase in 1998 that he used androstenedione, a steroid precursor that was made a controlled substance in 2004, when it also was banned by baseball.

Jenkins dismissed McGwire’s assertion that he took steroids because of injuries and that they didn’t help improve his performance. He also didn’t think McGwire will make a very effective hitting coach.

"La Russa is his buddy," Jenkins said. "That’s the only reason he got to be hitting coach. I’m not sure a home-run hitter can teach a good hitter, a contact hitter, how to play, how to hit. He swung for the fences most of the time. How you going to teach a guy that’s a .240 hitter to put it in play?"

Jenkins, who plans to make appearances at spring training for the Chicago Cubs, was especially vocal about McGwire’s scant Hall of Fame support: He doesn’t expect it to increase. He also thinks the admission last week was directly related to McGwire re-entering baseball.

"He wasn’t going to stay in hiding the rest of his life. Why did it take five years? Why didn’t he come clean as soon as he quit?" Jenkins said. "They’ll be a lot of pressure put on him by a lot more reporters come spring training. He really hasn’t touched on what he ought to be saying to the public or to fellow ballplayers. If you’re going to hold a press conference, hold a press conference."

Rangers, Greene finalize $750,000, 1-year deal

ARLINGTON — Khalil Greene is ready to take on the role as a utility infielder for the Texas Rangers after completing a $750,000, one-year contract Thursday.

Texas was looking for a utility infielder who could play shortstop after the departure of free agent Omar Vizquel, who signed with the Chicago White Sox.

Greene has played 678 games at shortstop in his career, including five seasons as the starter for San Diego before being traded last winter to St. Louis, where he also played 16 games at third base.

"This is a situation that will be good for me in a lot of ways," Greene said on a conference call. "It’s an exciting team to play for and it looks like a neat place to play. There are a lot of things that work in my favor. I’m ready to help the team out in whatever capacity they need me to do."

To make room of their 40-man roster, the Rangers designated outfielder Greg Golson for assignment. They have 10 days to trade him, put on him unconditional release waivers or send him outright to the minors.

Greene was acquired by St. Louis from San Diego last winter with expectations that he would be the Cardinals’ starting shortstop. But he struggled and twice last summer went on the disabled list with social anxiety disorder. He lost his starting job at shortstop, then the Cardinals used him some at third base before leaving him off their postseason roster.

Still, Greene said he enjoyed playing the game again after dealing with some personal things and coming back from the DL stints.

"When I came back after that, I felt reborn as a player," Greene said. "I felt like was able to enjoy what I was doing."

Greene hit .200 with six homers in 77 games for the Cardinals last season. Before that, he was the starting shortstop for San Diego from 2004-08.

His final season with San Diego was cut short when he broke his left hand after punching a wall near the dugout in July 2008. He played only 105 games that season.

The 30-year-old Greene, a first-round pick by the Padres in the 2002 draft, is a .245 career hitter in 736 games the past seven seasons. He has a .975 career fielding average, and had only 11 errors in 153 starts at shortstop in 2007 for San Diego.

American League

Hernandez finalizes $78M, 5-year deal with Seattle

SEATTLE — His fans from Seattle to Venezuela call him "King Felix," yet it’s another, more personal title that Felix Hernandez cites as the reason his career took off last year, when he went from maddening inconsistency and unfulfilled potential to dominant pitching that earned him a $78 million, five-year deal with the Mariners: dad.

"It’s the maturity, man. I had my kids and it made me grow up," the 23-year-old ace said Thursday after finalizing his first big contract.

The move averted an arbitration hearing between Hernandez and the Mariners, and it keeps him under contract through 2014. The right-hander gave up a chance to become a free agent after the 2011 season.

Wearing a constant grin, a sharp, black, three-piece suit, a silver tie plus diamonds in each earlobe, the son of a truck driver rolled up his cuffs. He pulled away his jeweled watch and proudly showed off script tattoos inside each wrist — the names and birthdates of his and wife Sandra’s 4-year-old daughter, Mia, and 11-month-old son, Jeremy.

"My daughter and my son, they made me a great person," Hernandez said. "They are the best thing that’s happened to me."

His deal could become one of the best things to happen to the freshly loaded Mariners.

Now that they’ve capped a huge offseason by succeeding with their top priority, the Mariners think they’re poised to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

"This one was immense," general manager Jack Zduriencik said, seated next to the beaming pitcher he called Seattle’s "cornerstone."

"It’s rare when you can secure a guy like this. And it’s rare to have a guy with this kind of ability. There’s no better move than to secure a Felix Hernandez."

Hernandez could have become a free agent after two more seasons. Instead, he finalized the huge payday after taking a physical Thursday morning that was required to finish the deal.

"I just wanted to be here. I didn’t care about free agency," Hernandez said. "I’m here for five more years. I hope we make the playoffs and the World Series for the fans. They need it. We got this out of the way, now my mind is ready to play baseball."

Seattle and Hernandez’s agents opened talks soon after he finished second in voting for last year’s AL Cy Young Award. He gets a $3.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $6.5 million in 2010, $10 million in 2011, $18.5 million in 2012, $19.5 million in 2013 and $20 million in 2014.

He would get bonuses of $50,000 each time he’s an All-Star, $50,000 each for winning the LCS MVP award or a Gold Glove, $100,000 for the World Series MVP and $200,000 if he wins a Cy Young Award.

Hernandez was 19-5 last season, tied for the most wins in the majors, and made his first All-Star team. He had a career-high 217 strikeouts with a career-low 2.49 ERA.

Seattle and Hernandez exchanged arbitration figures Tuesday, with the pitcher asking for $11.5 million and the Mariners offering $7.2 million.

His agent, Wil Polidor, said Hernandez wanted a six-year contract and the Mariners wanted a four-year deal. Polidor said that compromise wasn’t difficult to strike.

But the agreement was. Polidor said he’d been trying for three years to get Seattle to commit to Hernandez beyond 2011, but that the previous regime with GM Bill Bavasi kept saying no.

Only after Zduriencik took over 15 months ago did Hernandez’s wish for security gain momentum, Polidor said.

"It’s very important for me to have security — not security for me, for my family," Hernandez said. "I’ve got two kids now. I work for them.

"The other thing is," he added with another big grin, "I’ve got to buy a house."

The deal includes a no-trade clause for all five years that lists 10 teams Hernandez cannot be dealt to, Polidor said.

Asked how attractive it is that he gets $78 million — and can still pursue more free-agent riches at the prime age of 28 — Hernandez smiled and deadpanned, "It’s good."

Surging Seattle has made several major moves in an effort to seize the AL West title from the Los Angeles Angels: acquiring former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from Philadelphia, signing All-Star third baseman Chone Figgins, trading for outfielder and designated hitter Milton Bradley and re-signing active home run leader Ken Griffey Jr.

Hernandez and Lee, signed through 2010, give Seattle one of baseball’s best pairs atop a rotation.

"We’re really close right now," Hernandez said of a team that improved from 61-101 in 2008 to 85-77 last year — before the splashy moves this winter. "I think we’re going to be good, man. I think this is our year."

Hernandez, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, dubbed "King Felix" soon after he arrived in the majors, is 58-41 in 4½ seasons. He has averaged 14 wins and 183 strikeouts in his four full seasons in the big leagues.

Hernandez is Seattle’s fourth arbitration-eligible pitcher to sign a contract this week, after one-year deals for relievers Mark Lowe ($1.15 million), Brandon League ($1,087,500) and closer David Aardsma ($2.75 million).

Recently acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman is the Mariners’ lone remaining player in arbitration, and Zduriencik said he is hopeful to sign him soon, too.

-- Gregg Bell

Oakland 3B Chavez ready for any role this season

OAKLAND, Calif. — Eric Chavez is already embracing his new role with the Oakland Athletics this season: backup and utilityman.

The six-time Gold Glove third baseman has ordered himself a first baseman’s mitt and one to play the outfield, too.

"I’m going to have to get a bigger bag," Chavez said.

He’s not going to be picky about where he plays — he’s just happy to be returning to the A’s at all following season-ending back surgery last June.

Chavez has undergone five operations since Sept. 5, 2007, including two microdiscectomy surgeries in different spots in his back.

"So, how’s my back feel, right?" Chavez asked with a grin as he sat down with reporters Thursday at the Coliseum.

The 32-year-old Chavez, limited by injuries the last three years, has been taking swings for three weeks now and is eager to test his body with the daily rigors of spring training next month.

At 210 pounds, Chavez is 10 pounds lighter than his 2009 playing weight. He hopes the hard work on his fitness this winter will help his cause.

A’s manager Bob Geren figures Chavez will make the opening-day roster. Chavez enters the final season of a $66 million, six-year contract extension he signed in March 2004 that includes a 2011 club option.

"I’m sure he just wants to get out there and play," Geren said. "His health and performance will dictate how much he plays. He looks great. He’s in really good physical shape and he’s smiling, happy. If he can work hard in a part-time role and he embraces it, his chances of staying on the field go way up."

Chavez had the latest operation performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles on June 23. He also has undergone three shoulder surgeries.

The A’s hoped all along that Chavez would be ready for spring training, but general manager Billy Beane has known it probably wouldn’t be in a full-time role. The GM traded for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff last week.

"I don’t see it as a threat," Chavez said. "Kouzmanoff’s a great player. It was a good move for them."

Chavez appeared in only eight games in 2009. He had one hit in his last 22 at-bats and was in an 0-for-15 stretch. He hit .100 with one RBI. That’s after he played in only 23 games in 2008, and 90 in ‘07.

Chavez said the depth the A’s have now will allow him to take three, four or even five days off if there’s a point in the season when his body needs such a break. He said he won’t know until he’s back in the full-time baseball grind how he will respond physically.

"I’m going into spring training getting ready to play third base," Chavez said, noting he knows he’ll also be taking grounders at first and shortstop. "I’m going to be prepared for anything. ... If I’m healthy, he’ll throw me into the mix and we’ll go from there."

For someone as talented as Chavez, the past three seasons have been "unenjoyable" to say the least. He said he received two or three cortisone injections in his back each season in order to play.

Chavez has accepted he can no longer play every day, and everything he’s been through has given him new perspective about taking on a lesser role.

"I think with my history, being able to count on me to be an everyday player is secondary," he said. "I just know now it’s a necessity. I don’t have to be a star player and play in 155 games like I used to. If I’m the ace in the hole here and can be healthy and productive, that would be icing on the cake."

Chavez plans to push himself from the first workout in Phoenix so he can quickly gauge his health. He said he won’t have another surgery to keep playing baseball, and will call it a career if he has another injury-plagued season.

"I hate rehab," he said. "I’m pretty much over that."

While he ideally would like to play three more seasons, Chavez isn’t counting on anything. Aside from the countless hours of rehabilitation, being a father to three young children has been his other big job of late.

"By spring training, I want no surprises," Chavez said. "This is it. If my back is hurting, or my shoulder, I’m having no more surgeries. I’m definitely ready for that chapter after baseball."

-- Janie McCauley

Tigers slugger Cabrera treated for alcoholism

DETROIT — Instead of honing his swing this offseason, Miguel Cabrera focused on getting sober.

"My drinking was a problem, and I feel good without it. I feel like a new man," he said Thursday.

The Detroit Tigers slugger spent three months in an outpatient treatment program for alcoholism following a much-publicized drinking binge during the final weekend of last season, a program that general manager Dave Dombrowski said will continue into spring training and the upcoming season.

"I’ve worked very hard with my doctors and my family this winter, and I’m going to keep working," Cabrera said as the Tigers started their Winter Caravan through Michigan.

Cabrera said he has turned his life around. He said he hasn’t had a drink since he was taken into custody by police after a domestic-abuse complaint was filed by his wife in the early morning of Oct. 3 — hours before a crucial game against the Chicago White Sox.

The All-Star first baseman with a $152.3 million contract got drunk enough between Friday night’s game and Saturday morning to have what police said was a 0.26 blood-alcohol reading — three times above Michigan’s legal limit for driving — and a bruised and cut left cheek.

Cabrera said he feels as though he let down his teammates that weekend and he intends to make up for it this season. He acknowledged there have been games in the past when his performance was affected by booze.

"I never played drunk, but there were times where I was very tired or my body just felt lazy," said Cabrera, who went to a treatment program in Miami this offseason. "I don’t feel that way anymore."

Last year, the Tigers were trying to hold off Minnesota and clinch the AL Central title when Cabrera created a stir on the final weekend of the season.

Police said he arrived at his suburban Detroit home at 5 a.m. on Saturday and got into a fight with his wife, who called 911. Cabrera was taken to a police station, where Dombrowski picked him up.

The GM later acknowledged being angry and sad to get a call at 7:30 a.m. to come get Cabrera.

The slugger went 0 for 4 and stranded six runners in a 5-1 loss to Chicago on Saturday night, a game that started about 12 hours after Cabrera left the police station.

"That night, I was trying to hit a five-run homer every time I came up, because I knew I had made a horrible mistake and I wanted to fix it," Cabrera said. "I was just putting too much pressure on myself."

On Friday night, he had gone 0 for 4 and left four runners on base in an 8-0 defeat against the White Sox. He went hitless in three at-bats Sunday, a 5-3 Tigers win that left them tied with the Twins for first place.

Two days later, Minnesota won a one-game tiebreaker at home for the division crown, beating Detroit 6-5 in 12 innings. Cabrera hit a two-run homer and doubled in that game to help the Tigers open a 3-0 lead, but it wasn’t enough.

Before the game, he apologized to his teammates for being drunk the previous weekend.

Still, the entire ordeal overshadowed what had been a strong performance by Cabrera in the second season of an eight-year contract. He ranked among AL leaders with a .324 batting average, 34 home runs and 103 RBIs.

With the collapse, Detroit earned an unwanted place in baseball history, becoming the first team to miss the playoffs after having a three-game lead with four games left.

"That still hurts," Cabrera said. "We’d been ahead in the division all year and we were ready for the playoffs, and it just disappeared."

Cabrera is under contract through 2015 at an average salary of just more than $20 million, and Dombrowski was pleased that the team didn’t have to force him into a treatment program.

"This was not a battle at all," the GM said. "Miguel recognized the issue and understood that something needed to be done. I met with him and his representative the day after the season, and we put together a plan. Miguel followed that plan and continues to follow it."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was "thrilled" that Cabrera chose to address the situation openly on Thursday.

"I think it is great. I’m a firm believer that the best policy in a situation like this is to tell the truth and get it over with," Leyland said. "Now it is out there, and he won’t have to worry about the media hunting around to try to find out what really happened."

Cabrera knows that he will have to win over fans who were angered in October, but Leyland doesn’t think there will be a problem in the Tigers’ clubhouse.

"This is a wonderful kid, and we all know that," Leyland said. "He’s been forgiven by every teammate and by every coach."

Detroit ace Justin Verlander agreed.

"I haven’t spoken to Miguel yet, so I don’t want to say too much, but I can’t imagine there would be any lingering issues," he said. "He’s a great guy that is dealing with a problem, and we’ll support him."

RHP League, Mariners agree to 1-year contract

SEATTLE — Brandon League and the Seattle Mariners settled on a one-year contract Wednesday night for $1,087,500, avoiding an arbitration hearing.

The right-handed reliever was acquired from Toronto last month with minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez for pitcher Brandon Morrow. League appeared in 67 games for the Blue Jays last season, going 3-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 74 2-3 innings. He made $640,000.

League is 7-10 with a 4.09 ERA in 168 major league games over six seasons with Toronto.

He asked the Mariners for $1,325,000 when players and teams exchanged figures Tuesday, while Seattle countered at $900,000. The sides settled $25,000 below the midpoint.

The deal came one day before Seattle is expected to complete a $78 million, five-year contract for ace Felix Hernandez, who also filed for arbitration.

The team expects Hernandez to complete a physical Thursday that will finalize the contract.

First baseman Casey Kotchman is the only other Seattle player still in arbitration.

The 26-year-old League is the third Mariners reliever to sign and avoid arbitration this week, after Mark Lowe and closer David Aardsma.

National League

Marlins believe they’re building a winner

MIAMI — Amid the towering columns that will anchor the Florida Marlins’ new ballpark stood the 6-foot-7 pillar of their pitching staff.

Josh Johnson had just signed a $39 million, four-year contract cementing his status as the Marlins’ ace. Now he surveyed the construction site, looking toward the spot that will be home plate as workers scurried about and cranes swung blocks of concrete into place.

"This is actually my first time to see it," Johnson said Thursday. "I always said, ‘I won’t believe it until I see it."’

Believe it: The frugal Marlins will have their long-sought home in 2012, and they’re starting to spend more money in anticipation of the move.

The Marlins have even decided they can afford Dan Uggla. Team president David Samson said the team won’t trade its slugging second baseman, who agreed Monday to a $7.8 million, one-year contract.

"We’re going at 2010 with the team we have now," Samson said.

That means a payroll of about $45 million, an increase of more than 20 percent from last year’s $36.8 million opening-day figure, which was the lowest in the major leagues. It would be Florida’s largest payroll since 2005.

Samson declined to make a commitment regarding payrolls in 2011 and 2012, saying they will depend in part on whether the Marlins incur cost overruns for the ballpark project.

But Samson said it’s reasonable to envision the Marlins in the middle of the major league pack in spending, which would have put them around $80 million last year.

"We’re not a small-market team," Samson said. "This is a large market in Miami. We’re a low-revenue team."

The Marlins expect revenue and attendance to improve at the new ballpark, which is on schedule to be completed for opening day 2012.

The franchise recently reached an agreement with the players’ union to increase spending in the wake of complaints the payroll has been so small as to violate revenue sharing provisions. But Samson denied the decisions regarding Johnson and Uggla stemmed from the agreement with the union.

"I did not go to bed a single night this offseason thinking Dan Uggla was not going to be in our lineup," Samson said. "We wanted to do everything we could to build on last year as we’re heading into the new ballpark and get momentum."

Despite the tight budget, Florida went 87-75 in 2009 and finished six games behind NL champion Philadelphia in the East.

Johnson was a big part of the Marlins’ success. He made the All-Star team for the first time and went 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 209 innings. He’s 22-6 since returning in July 2008 from elbow ligament replacement surgery.

His injury history makes the multiyear deal riskier for the Marlins, but Johnson said his elbow is better than ever.

"It’s fixed, and there’s a lot less of a chance of anything happening to it again," he said.

Johnson wanted a four-year contract, which stalled negotiations before last week’s agreement. Samson conceded he advised owner Jeffrey Loria to turn Johnson down.

"I was not in favor of a fourth year from a risk standpoint," Samson said. "Jeffrey called me and said, ‘David, I appreciate your advice, and I don’t accept it. Josh is going to be on this team for well over a decade. We’d like him to go into the Hall of Fame as a Marlin."’

Samson turned to Johnson.

"Is that too much pressure?" Samson said. Johnson just smiled.

But it’s true higher spending means higher expectations, and not just for Johnson.

Last year Loria was upset when the Marlins missed the playoffs, raising speculation manager Fredi Gonzalez would be fired. He wasn’t, but it’s clear the owner is counting on a big year in 2010.

While the new ballpark rises near downtown, the Marlins believe they’re also building a winner.

"We have very high expectations going into this season," Samson said. "It is not unreasonable for our fans to believe that we will make the playoffs."

-- Steven Wine

Phillies agree to deals with Blanton, Victorino

PHILADELPHIA — Joe Blanton got his reward for consistency and durability.

Blanton and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $24 million, three-year contract that avoided a salary arbitration hearing next month. The 29-year-old right-hander was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA last year.

Later Thursday, a person familiar with negotiations said the Phillies and All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino agreed to a $22 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz is the only remaining Phillies player in arbitration.

Victorino hit .292 with 39 doubles, 13 triples, 10 homers, 62 RBIs and 25 stolen bases for the NL champions last season. He won his second consecutive Gold Glove.

"They came to me with the prospect of going long term, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled," Blanton said at a news conference. "I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity to stay in the Phillies’ organization. I’ve enjoyed my time here and I feel like the organization just keeps getting better and better every year."

After making $5,475,000 last year, Blanton asked for $10.25 million in arbitration and was offered $7.5 million. He already had agreed to a new deal before those numbers were submitted. Victorino had sought $5.8 million in arbitration. The Phillies offered $4.75 million.

"Joe has been absolutely outstanding since he’s been with us," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He’s probably been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. His consistency and what he brings to the table for us as a person, we’re very pleased to basically buy out two years of free agency and have Joe for the foreseeable future."

Blanton has pitched more than 1,000 innings over the last five years. He joined the Phillies in a midseason trade in 2008 and helped them win the second World Series title in franchise history.

Blanton didn’t get a decision in two postseason starts and two relief appearances last fall when the Phillies lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. He didn’t balk at going to the bullpen, despite being one of Philadelphia’s most reliable starters during the regular season.

"Winning is what I’m about. That’s the big thing," Blanton said.

Blanton won at least 12 games in each of his first three seasons with Oakland. He is 63-54 with a 4.21 ERA in his career.

The Phillies now have four starters — Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Blanton — under contract through 2012.

"That was part of the reason we went long term with Joe," Amaro said. "If you look at the clubs that have sustained success, it’s about having stability in your rotation."

The Phillies still are hoping to add another reliever and a starter to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. They recently scouted former All-Stars Ben Sheets and Eric Gagne. Neither pitched in the majors last season.

-- Rob Maaddi

Freddy Sanchez undergoes shoulder surgery

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez underwent left shoulder surgery and might not be ready by opening day.

Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday night that Sanchez had a recent arthroscopic procedure. Bochy first told KNBR radio of Sanchez’s surgery.

Sanchez had left knee surgery late in the 2009 season.

Bochy said Sanchez might not be fully recovered by opening day.

"He’s going to be a little delayed," Bochy said in a phone interview. "It’ll be close if he can go opening day or not."

The 32-year-old Sanchez was bothered by injuries to his left shoulder and left knee last season after joining the Giants on July 29 in a trade from Pittsburgh and played in only 25 games with San Francisco.

San Francisco acquired Sanchez to help them make a playoff push, but he has spent more time injured than on the field and the Giants missed the postseason for a sixth straight year. Sanchez has repeatedly called that "disappointing" and understands why fans were frustrated.

This is a tough development for a team that seemed to have its 2010 lineup all but set. Catcher Bengie Molina just agreed to return on a $4.5 million, one-year contract that includes the potential to earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on games started.

Sanchez said late in the season he was eager to get off to a fresh start in 2010 fully healthy — but that goal will be tough to meet now.

Sanchez signed a $12 million, two-year contract extension with San Francisco on Oct. 30. He batted .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs last season in 111 games for the two teams.

He had surgery in early October to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Bochy said last week Sanchez would bat in the No. 2 hole behind leadoff man Aaron Rowand. San Francisco will now likely use Juan Uribe at second during Sanchez’s absence.

Earlier this month, the Giants and Uribe finalized a $3.25 million, one-year contract. Uribe was a non-roster invitee to spring training last year but emerged as one of the team’s most steady players down the stretch. He began the 2009 campaign as a backup but wound up playing in 122 games at third, shortstop and second for San Francisco. He batted .289 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs.

Uribe was a big reason the Giants stayed in the NL wild-card chase well into September.

-- Janie McCauley

Despite missteps, Freese on track at 3B

ST. LOUIS — David Freese’s drunk driving arrest in December has not dislodged him as the top contender for the St. Louis Cardinals’ third-base job.

But Freese, 26, knows he has to grow up and earn the team’s trust. During the team’s Winter Warm-Up last weekend, Freese said he hadn’t taken a drink since his DUI arrest for a blood alcohol content of .232 — nearly three times the legal limit.

"It’s an embarrassing and humiliating experience for me, my family and the organization," Freese said. "They obviously have high demands on you as a person on and off the field.

"I’ve just got to learn from it, which I have."

Freese said he had a long discussion with general manager John Mozeliak not long after the arrest. He has entered a treatment program, although he said he was not an alcoholic, and said he had lost 16 pounds during offseason conditioning.

"As of right now I’m not drinking," Freese said. "The future is going to tell you what the future holds, but I’m just kind of taking it one day at a time."

Freese has previous missteps; the arrest report from December listed him as a prior offender. At first, he worried the Cardinals might release him.

"Obviously, right out of the gate that’s the first thing you think about, your career," Freese said. "They’re making sure and I’m making sure I’m taking the necessary steps."

The gravity of the situation hit him after the December arrest.

"A lot of kids would dream to be in the position I’m in," Freese said. "I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions and I’m really pumped and really excited where I’m at."

Freese said manager Tony La Russa told him "I can be a big part of this team."

The Cardinals acquired Freese from the Padres in a deal for Jim Edmonds after the 2007 season and he made the opening-day roster last season before being sidelined by injuries. Third base is open after the departures of free agents Troy Glaus and Khalil Greene, although competition could come from Joe Mather and Tyler Greene.

Freese batted .300 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs at Triple-A Memphis last year and played in 17 games with St. Louis, batting .323 with one homer and seven RBIs.

Mozeliak said Freese will get "every opportunity" to make the team. Teammates have pledged their help in keeping Freese focused.

Second baseman Skip Schumaker was this year’s recipient of the Darryl Kile award for clubhouse leadership, in voting by players. Schumaker is optimistic after several recent chats, but said Freese needs to earn his keep.

"He’s going to have an opportunity to show he’s dependable for us," Schumaker said. "Would I love to see him at third? Absolutely. I think he can do it."

-- R.B. Fallstrom

Octavio Dotel agrees to $3.5M deal with Pirates

PITTSBURGH — Octavio Dotel agreed Thursday to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the only club that offered him the chance to be a closer.

The deal calls for a $3.25 million salary next season and includes a $4.5 million club option for 2011 with a $250,000 buyout. If Dotel is traded, the option becomes mutual.

"Octavio Dotel is an experienced, solid late-inning reliever with quality pitches who will help solidify our bullpen in the closer role," general manager Neal Huntington said.

The 36-year-old Dotel hasn’t been a closer since 2007, when he had 11 saves for Kansas City. He had one save the past two seasons as a setup man for the Chicago White Sox, going 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 62 1-3 innings last year.

Dotel has 83 saves since breaking into the majors with the New York Mets at age 25 in 1999. He saved a combined 36 games for Houston and Oakland in 2004.

The Pirates chose not to re-sign closer Matt Capps, who went to Washington. Capps had 27 saves but a 5.80 ERA last season.

To make room for Dotel on their 40-man roster, the Pirates designated right-hander Anthony Claggett for assignment. Claggett pitched in two games for the Yankees and one for Pittsburgh last season.

For a team supposedly undergoing a youth movement, the Pirates are getting much older in the back of their bullpen. Earlier, they signed 38-year-old Brendan Donnelly to be a setup man, and Dotel will be one of the majors’ oldest closers. Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek will be the other primary relievers.

Padilla stays with Dodgers for $5,025,000

LOS ANGELES — Right-hander Vicente Padilla decided to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers after his outstanding performance down the stretch last season, agreeing Thursday to a one-year contract worth $5,025,000.

Padilla gets a $1 million signing bonus that is deferred and a $4,025,000 salary this season.

Los Angeles signed Padilla for a prorated share of the $400,000 minimum on Aug. 19 after the Texas Rangers abruptly released their No. 2 starter. Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA in seven starts for the Dodgers, bolstering the NL West champions’ inconsistent rotation.

Padilla then allowed just one earned run over 14 1-3 innings in his first two career playoff appearances for the Dodgers before losing Game 5 of the NL championship series to Philadelphia.

The Nicaraguan pitcher is 98-85 with a 4.03 ERA in his 11-year career with Arizona, Philadelphia, Texas and Los Angeles. He made $12 million in 2009, the final season of a $33.75 million, three-year contract he signed with the Rangers.

Coffey, Brewers agree to $2,025,002, 1-year deal

MILWAUKEE — Right-hander Todd Coffey and the Milwaukee Brewers have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a $2,025,002, one-year contract.

Coffey became a key reliever in Milwaukee’s bullpen last year after being claimed off waivers in September 2008. He went 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 78 appearances last year and led NL relievers with 83 2-3 innings pitched. He can also earn $50,000 in performance bonuses.

Coffey made $800,002 last season. He and the Brewers had the biggest gap among the team’s players who swapped arbitration figures. Coffey asked for $2.45 million while Milwaukee offered $1.7 million.

Three Brewers remain in arbitration: pitchers Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva and outfielder Corey Hart.

Marlins finalize Johnson’s $39M, 4-year deal

MIAMI — Pitcher Josh Johnson and the Florida Marlins have finalized their $39 million, four-year contract, announcing the deal at the construction site of the ballpark they expect to move into by 2012.

Florida reached the agreement last week, just days after the Marlins pledged to increase payroll spending in response to complaints from the players’ union.

The right-hander gets $3.75 million in 2010, $7.75 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in both 2012 and 2013.

He was an All-Star last season, going 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 209 innings.

Cubs closing in on deal to stay in Mesa

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are closing in on an agreement to keep their spring training home in Mesa, Ariz., for the next 25 years after the city proposed building an $84 million facility that would include a 15,000-seat ballpark.

The Cubs received the proposal Thursday, and a decision is expected by the end of the month.

"The Cubs are interested in reading through Mesa’s proposal and having our board take it under review," the team said.

A group in Naples, Fla., tried to lure the Cubs, but a move from Arizona — their spring home for most of the past six decades — appears unlikely.

Under the proposed deal with Mesa, the team will manage the stadium, have naming rights and control of signage. The Cubs won’t have to share the facility.