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| ANAHEIM -- The Yankees may have found a left-handed specialist for the 2005 season. Several reports indicate that New York is close to signing South Korean pitcher Dae-Sung Koo. The pitcher's agent, Douglas Jo, told the Yonhap News Agency that the two sides were closing on an agreement. "The deal was already made," said Jo. Although the agent said that a deal was done, the Yankees have not made any announcement about the 35-year-old. General manager Brian Cashman couldn't be reached for comment on Thursday. He is scheduled to arrive in Anaheim on Friday afternoon. Koo is reportedly set to receive a two-year deal worth $3 million, according to a report in the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. The Korea Times reported that Koo flew to Tampa on Thursday to undergo a physical examination, and that he would meet with Cashman next week after the Winter Meetings. Koo was a member of South Korea's bronze medal-winning team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, and he went 6-10 with a 4.32 ERA in 2004 for the Orix Blue Wave of Japan's Pacific League, the team with which Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki played in Japan. Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. |
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| Anahiem Angels: Signed free agent outfielder Steve Finley, who had been with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a two-year contract with a club option for 2007. |
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| Los Angeles Dodgers: Announced a working agreement with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League for the 2005 season. |
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| Florida Marlins: Signed free agent pitcher Antonio Alfonseca, who had been with the Atlanta Braves, to a two-year contract; signed free agent pitcher Todd Jones, who had been with the Philadelphia Phillies, to a one-year contract. |
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| Clevland Indians: Aquired pitcher Arthur Rhodes from the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Matt Lawton; named Nick Kenney assistant trainer. |
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| ANAHEIM -- Persistence might finally pay off for the Mariners in their pursuit of a run-producing free agent hitter at the Winter Meetings. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on its Web site Sunday night that the Mariners had reached a contract agreement with free agent slugger Richie Sexson. The newspaper, citing an anonymous team official, did not have details of the agreement, which it said was contingent upon Sexson passing a physical exam. Several Major League sources told MLB.com on Sunday night that the Mariners were on the verge of signing Sexson to a multiyear contract and one agent said the deal already had been completed. But a Mariners official said nothing has been finalized. Sexson, who grew up in Vancouver, Wash., would definitely upgrade an offense that finished last in home runs and runs scored in the American League last season. The 6-foot-8 Sexson has hit 200 home runs -- including 45 in 2001 and 2003 -- during his six-plus Major League seasons. Last season in Arizona, he was limited to just 23 games, however, because of a shoulder injury. Getting a bonafide home run threat under contract definitely would provide a boost to an organization that came to the four-day Winter Meetings with the wherewithall (and cash) to spend on a top-of-the-line free agent. Mariners officials, including president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Bill Bavasi, met with Sexson and is agent, Casey Close, Saturday afternoon and further negotiations continued Saturday night and again on Sunday. Former Mariners general manager Pat Gillick is familiar with how the baseball business works, so he understands that even the best-laid plans can be slow developing. He also knows that an organization eager to jump into the costly free agent market must have patience, something the Mariners have shown the past few days. "The one thing you really have to prevent is getting frustrated," Gillick said. "You have your game plan, and course of action you want to take, and you have to stick to it. You know that in the free-agent market there are bumps along the road. It's not as if you are dealing with an amateur free agent that you have exclusive rights to." With the Sexson deal still not announced, the Mariners have been riding a very bumpy road in Anaheim. They have money to spend, are willing to spend it, but hadn't been able to find a free agent to accept millions of dollars. It is difficult to improve a team that lost 99 games when your money doesn't speak loudly enough. On the next-to-last day of the meetings and a few hours before rumors of Sexson's possible signing started, Bavasi finally had something to celebrate. But he had to drive 70 miles. That's the distance between the Anaheim Marriott and La Jolla, Calif., where he attended a birthday party for his 90-year-old father, Buzzie, a former Dodgers and Padres executive. Before leaving the hotel, Bavasi said the Mariners had a "lot of discussions" on Sunday and sensed that some headway is being made in attempts to sign free agents and/or make trades. "Every time you have a discussion, you are at least getting a step closer to a player," he said. "So we spent most of the day talking and it is getting us closer, but nothing that I can report." He said "headway" was being made on both the free agent and trade markets, but wouldn't be more specific than that. Besides courting Sexson, who turns 30 later this month, the Mariners are interested in first baseman Carlos Delgado (who reportedly wants $64 million over four years), third baseman Corey Koskie, and possibly third baseman Adrian Beltre. A potential trade materialized Saturday when the Mets and Mariners reportedly discussed a deal that would bring shortstop Kaz Matsui to Seattle for outfielder Randy Winn. "A couple of discussions we had [Saturday] were interesting," Bavasi said, "but we're not close to a deal by any means. At least we have something interesting on the table, something to look at." For most of the weekend, this has been a look-only convention for the Mariners -- and numerous other teams. "It doesn't surprise me," Bavasi said earlier in the evening. "Things could happen all at once, but I'm not surprised with what has happened. The fact that nothing happened [Sunday] doesn't surprise me. It probably compares to other meetings." Bavasi knew coming in that the Mariners could make several offers with no guarantees that any would be accepted. "There are other clubs interested in the same players," said Gillick, who currently serves as a special consultant to Bavasi. "There are a lot of things a player has to take into consideration before he makes a decision." The way Gillick sees it, "Bill is keeping his cool and staying the course and I think we're going to get a positive result one of these days." Bavasi acknowledged that the Mariners' 99-loss season in 2004 has been "a little bit" of a detriment in dealings with prospective free agents. "We have to do a bit of explaining, yes." Gillick said, "I think players should view it as an opportunity. We have a lot of things going for us -- a good organization, good facility and good city. I think we are very attractive." While management keeps its collective chin up, so does new manager Mike Hargrove. Asked if the lack of action at the meetings makes him somewhat antsy, Hargrove said, "Not at all. It's a process that's going to take time and you have to be patient. Would I like to know in the next 15 minutes who the players are going to be? You bet. But that's not going to happen. "This is a process that is going to take as much time as it needs to take. The good thing is that I know the people here involved in that process are working very hard to get things accomplished." |
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| Blue Jays acquired RHP Chad Gaudin from the Devil Rays for catcher Kevin Cash. |
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| I find it funny that after just a few short years after complaining to Congress about losses that the owners are dishing out some huge contracts this year. And this isn't superstar talent we're talking about. There are some very marginal players that signed some big deals recently. The Mets, who always offer horribly inflated deals, signed Kris Benson to a 3 year, 22.5 million dollar contract. Benson's career ERA is 4.28 and his W-L is 47-53. So essentially they're paying a very average pitcher 7.5 million dollars a year. Corey Lidle who was horrible through most of last year got a 2 year deal for 6.3 million. While that's not as horrible as the Benson deal you're still paying a very below average guy a lot of money. His career ERA is 4.52 and his W-L is 57-51. The Yankees being the Yankess decided to sign Jaret Wright to a 3 year deal for 21 million. That's actually pretty good for them as they usually just throw 10 million a year in their lap to get them. Wright had a career season last year but his ERA is still 5.09 for his career. But George lost so of course the team payroll for next year will probably be well over 200 million. That gives you the kind of idea on what some guys will be making over the next few seasons. Just keep in mind that all three of those guys are very middle of the road talent making 3-7 million a year. |
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| Yankees, D-Backs resume talks Trade involving Randy Johnson back on the table By Barry M. Bloom and Steve Gilbert / MLB.com Trade talks between the Diamondbacks and Yankees regarding Randy Johnson have resumed. (James A. Finley/AP) PHOENIX -- The Yankees' on-again, off-again pursuit of Randy Johnson is back on again, only a week after a three-team mega deal that would have sent the 41-year-old Diamondbacks' left-hander to New York collapsed because the Dodgers pulled out of the transaction. And this time there is no third team involved. Multiple sources told MLB.com that the two teams have had several discussions already this week to discuss parameters of a revitalized trade. The new deal could send Johnson to New York in exchange for right-handed starter Javier Vazquez, prospects and a sizeable amount of cash. The two teams talked about a similar deal nearly two weeks ago before the Dodgers became involved. That mega trade would have sent Johnson to the Yankees, Vazquez and two prospects to the Dodgers and Shawn Green, Brad Penny, Yhency Brazoban and minor-leaguer Brandon Weeden to the Diamondbacks. Los Angeles also would have received Arizona's Mike Koplove, with the Yankees getting Kazuhisa Ishii from the Dodgers in addition to paying about $3 million of the $5.2 guaranteed to the Japanese left-hander over next two seasons. After the Dodgers pulled out, the Diamondbacks said they were going to take a step back for the holidays while the Big Unit went on vacation. He wasn't due back to his Arizona home until Tuesday. Sources told MLB.com that the teams were involved in general discussions on Monday and Tuesday, but that no new hard details for a deal had been discussed. "Could it happen today? Very unlikely," the source said. "Could it happen tomorrow? Possibly. But it's also possible it could never happen." The Yankees have been trying to obtain Johnson with no results since this past season's July 31 non-waver trade deadline. The Yankees broke off talks back then and broke them off again prior to this month's Winter Meetings, saying that the Diamondbacks wanted too much in return. Before the Dodgers became involved in the talks, the Diamondbacks seemed to have been lukewarm to a deal that would've sent Vazquez, lower level prospects and $12 million to Arizona for Johnson, who has the most strikeouts of any left-hander in baseball history and with 4,161 is third on the all-time list behind Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. During those negotiations, the Diamondbacks were also told that they could pick from a list of higher-level prospects if they were willing to take less cash. Vazquez is scheduled to make $9 million this coming season on the second year of a four-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Yankees after his trade from Montreal. Johnson is in the final year of a multi-year deal that will pay him $16 million, part of which is deferred. He has a no-trade clause in the contract and is also protected by a clause in the Basic Agreement that allows a player with 10 years of big league experience -- the last five with the same team -- to nix any deal. The Big Unit, though, has said he would agree to go only to the Yankees, who reportedly would give him at least a two-year extension. The Diamondbacks hoped to have had the situation resolved one way or another by the end of the year, but lead general partner Ken Kendrick told MLB.com last week that that goal might not be reached. Kendrick also said that the Diamondbacks wouldn't deal Johnson if it would decrease their competitiveness in 2005. This offseason, the team that lost 111 games in 2004 has spent about $82.5 million signing free agents Troy Glaus, Russ Ortiz, Royce Clayton and Craig Counsell. The Yankees have already added free agents Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright to their starting staff. Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. |
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| Tino to return to the Bronx First baseman played for Yankees from 1996-2001 By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com NEW YORK -- As the Yankees waited to complete a trade for Randy Johnson, the club made another move on Thursday, bringing former Yankee Tino Martinez back to the Bronx. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Martinez passed his physical at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., and the deal could be announced within a day or two. Martinez signed a one-year deal with a team option for 2006, in a package potentially worth $3 million. He will likely share time at first base and DH with Jason Giambi. He also gives New York a viable option at first base should Giambi experience any health problems. When reached by phone, general manager Brian Cashman declined comment on the matter. Martinez played for the Yankees from 1996-2001, and helped the team win four World Series titles in that time. He drove in 100 or more runs in five of his six seasons in pinstripes, including 1997, when he finished second in the American League's MVP voting. In 15 seasons, Martinez has a .272 average, 322 home runs and 1,222 RBIs, and has played in two All-Star Games. Last season, Martinez hit .262 with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. New York has spent its offseason focused on pitching, signing Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright to bolster its rotation. The team also traded for relievers Mike Stanton and Felix Rodriguez, filling out the bullpen for 2005. Martinez is just the second position player added by the Yankees this winter, joining second baseman Tony Womack. Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs |
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| Cincinnati Reds Signed INF Luis Lopez and C Bobby Estalella to minor league contracts and invited them to Spring Training. New York Yankees Signed RHP Jaret Wright to a three-year contract. |
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| Yankees, D'backs Agree on Tentative Johnson Trade Deal Will Send 'Big Unit' to New York for Vazquez, Prospects, $9 Million NEW YORK (Dec. 31) -- One week later, Randy Johnson again appears headed to the New York Yankees. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Yankees reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a deal to send the Big Unit to the Bronx for pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, young catcher Dioner Navarro and $9 million, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity. The teams finished putting the deal in writing Friday but do not intend to submit it to the commissioner's office until Monday, the official said. While not confirming the substance of the report, Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick said the teams "are in serious discussions." Kendrick also indicated Arizona was working on another deal involving Vazquez. One possible suitor was the Los Angeles Dodgers, who could send outfielder Shawn Green and pitcher Brad Penny to Arizona. Separate trades, if they include Los Angeles, would in essence reach the same conclusion as the three-team effort that fell apart Dec. 21 when the Dodgers backed out. Arizona also could deal Vazquez to another team. "We would not agree to a final deal or a trade of Randy Johnson unless we believed it would benefit our team," Kendrick said. "That would require in return at least two significant major league ballplayers." Kendrick said, however, that no deal could be completed, or the paperwork even submitted to the commissioner's office, until early next week. In addition, the Yankees finalized a $3 million, one-year contract with Tino Martinez, a deal that includes a club option for 2006. Even after the Yankees and Diamondbacks finalize their deal, several things must happen before the trade could become complete. Because the money was greater than $1 million, commissioner Bud Selig must give his approval, which probably won't happen until next week. The Yankees want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with the 41-year-old Johnson, whose current contract expires after the 2005 season. Johnson, a 10-time All-Star, would join a reshaped rotation that now includes Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. The Yankees already had Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown, but blew a 3-0 lead in the AL championship series and lost to Boston. The money New York is sending Arizona, which will be paid over several seasons, would offset some of the $34.5 million Vazquez is owed: $10.5 million in 2005, $11.5 million in 2006 and $12.5 million in 2007. New York is making the final $1 million payment of his signing bonus, which is due Friday. Johnson was 16-14, a record skewed by playing for a team that went 51-111, tied for the 10th-most losses in major league history. The Diamondbacks scored two runs or fewer in 17 of his 35 starts. He led the majors with 290 strikeouts, was second with a 2.60 ERA and pitched a perfect game against Atlanta. Johnson is owed $16 million next season, and his contract contains a $1 million personal services contract payable in the first season of his retirement, money Arizona still will give him. Vazquez, a 28-year-old right-hander, was an All-Star in his first season since being traded from Montreal to the Yankees. He was 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA, but won just once in his last nine regular-season starts and had a 9.53 ERA in three postseason games. Halsey, a 23-year-old left-hander, was 1-3 with a 6.47 ERA in seven starts and one relief appearance for the Yankees last season. Navarro, 20, made his big league debut this year after rapid progress in the Yankees' minor league system. He batted .254 with one homer and 15 RBI in 134 at-bats for Columbus of the Triple-A International League after hitting .271 with three homers and 29 RBI in 255 at-bats for Double-A Trenton of the Eastern League. Bringing back Martinez gives the Yankees a backup in case Jason Giambi's physical problems continue. Martinez, 37, a two-time All-Star, played for New York from 1996-01, helping the Yankees win five AL pennants and four World Series titles. A close friend of Derek Jeter, Martinez hit .262 with 23 homers and 76 RBI for Tampa Bay last season. Martinez gets $2.75 million next season, and New York has a $3 million option for 2006 with a $250,000 buyout. Tony Clark and John Olerud played first base in Giambi's absence last season. They both became free agents. AP Sports Writer Bob Baum in Phoenix contributed to this story. |
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| Yankees bring Tino back to Bronx First baseman won four World Series in New York By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com NEW YORK -- When Tino Martinez left the Yankees after the 2001 season, he figured he would never put on Yankee pinstripes again. With Jason Giambi's new seven-year deal, it seemed unlikely he would return to the Bronx before the end of his career. He was wrong. Friday, Martinez was introduced as the newest member of the 2005 Yankees, as New York inked the veteran first baseman to a one-year deal for $3 million with a club option for 2006. "This is the last uniform I'm going to put on," Martinez said. "I'm playing for the Yankees, and I'm never going to play for another team again, whether it's one year or two years." Martinez, who played for Tampa Bay last season after two years in St. Louis, spent six seasons with the Yankees, helping New York to four World Series titles between 1996-2001. "Coming back to the Bronx was my first and only choice," Martinez said. "I really wanted to come back and play for the Yankees and my family wanted me to come back. The chance to come back and win a World Series, play for that great team in the place that I loved playing all those years, it's a great opportunity." "He's played here before, he knows the score, and his leadership and presence in the past has helped lead us to championships," said general manager Brian Cashman. "Hopefully he'll again have a positive effect on us as we try to take from Boston what they've earned this past year." Shortly after this year's World Series, Yankees officials contacted Martinez's agent, Jim Krivacks, to gauge the player's interest in returning to the Bronx. Martinez expressed interest, but as the team focused primarily on its pitching staff, he was asked to be patient. The Florida Marlins made a strong push to sign Martinez, as he spoke several times with owner Jeffrey Loria. But Martinez, 37, knew that if the Yankees wanted to sign him, he would be a Yankee. "It got to the point where if the Yankees had any interest at all whatsoever, it's where I wanted to be," he said. "It's where I want to finish my career." The role in which he will finish his career, however, remains unclear. Martinez's playing time will depend largely upon the status of Jason Giambi, who has been at the center of a steroid controversy for much of the offseason. Joe Torre called Martinez on Thursday night, and Martinez informed his manager that he would do whatever he was asked to do this season, whether it be as the starting first baseman, a DH or a bench player. "I don't think anybody knows what Jason's situation is, or what's going to happen," Martinez said. "I think I have a chance to play quite a bit if he doesn't come back, but if he does, this is the only place that I would love to come off the bench. When Spring Training comes around, those questions will be answered a little more. "It is a strange, strange situation," Martinez added. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better and win. Hopefully if he comes back, he comes back healthy and he can help our team win. We'd love to have him back." Giambi has four years and $82 million remaining on his contract, though there has been speculation that the Yankees would like to find a way to void the contract following reports that Giambi admitted to steroid use in front of a federal grand jury in December 2003. "The signing of Tino Martinez, or somebody else, would have happened regardless of the current controversy surrounding Jason," Cashman said. "Jason Giambi is a member of this team. I know there's a lot of speculation about his situation, but he's a member of this organization until circumstances dictate otherwise. I expect him to be in camp with us, 100 percent healthy and ready to contribute to the 2005 Yankees." Martinez is the second member of Torre's championship teams to return to the team this winter, joining reliever Mike Stanton, who was acquired earlier this month from the Mets for Felix Heredia. They join Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada in their old clubhouse, giving New York two more links to the '96-2000 teams. With most of the roster turned over since his departure, Martinez doesn't know what to expect in the clubhouse, other than to say that he believes his new teammates will be hungrier than ever after October's ALCS disappointment against the Red Sox. "I don't know much about the chemistry in the clubhouse, but I know that guys like [Gary] Sheffield and A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez) are driven to be great, to put up big numbers," Martinez said. "When you accept big money from Mr. Steinbrenner, you have to win a World Series. They know it and that whole team knows that they came up short and failed. They have to win a world championship. That's what they're there for, and that's what they'll be remembered for as Yankees. I know I'm coming back to a very hungry team." Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. |
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| Reports: Green to Diamondbacks By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com PHOENIX -- The Dodgers and Diamondbacks have agreed in principle on a trade that would send first baseman/outfielder Shawn Green to Arizona in exchange for two players, according to multiple reports on Monday. The Los Angeles Times said that paperwork is expected to be submitted to Major League Baseball on Monday. The Diamondbacks are also apparently close to a deal with the Yankees that would send Randy Johnson to New York in exchange for Javier Vazquez, minor league catcher Dioner Navarro, and between $8 million and $9 million. Arizona would then trade Navarro and a minor league pitcher to the Dodgers for Green and cash. According to the Times report, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks also have a trade in place that would send Green to the desert even if the Johnson-to-New York deal falls through. In that case the D-Backs would send one of two catching prospects -- either Koyie Hill or Chris Snyder -- along with the same pitching prospect to the Dodgers for Green. Hill, 25, was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Dodgers last year at the trading deadline in a deal that involved center fielder Steve Finley. The 23-year-old Snyder hit .240 with five home runs and 15 RBIs after having his contract purchased from Double-A in August. There are several potential roadblocks to Arizona's trade with the Yankees. First, the trade must be approved by Commissioner Bud Selig. Then the players involved have to pass physicals. Once those steps are complete, the Yankees will have 72 hours to convince Johnson to waive his no-trade clause. Considering that the Big Unit has desired a trade to the Bronx for some time, and given reports that the Yankees would be willing to give him a two-year contract extension, it is not expected that he would hold up any deal. The Diamondbacks would also have to persuade Green to waive his no-trade clause. The veteran is slated to make $16 million in 2005, the final year of a six-year, $84 million contract that was negotiated by former agent and now Arizona CEO-elect Jeff Moorad. Moving Green would allow the Dodgers to play Hee-Seop Choi at first base -- they recently signed J.D. Drew to play right field -- and free up money to help them pursue some pitching help to bolster their starting rotation. The Dodgers covet Navarro, 20, a switch-hitter who spent time at Double-A and Triple-A last year before appearing in five games for the Yankees, for whom he went 3-for-7. Green, Navarro and Vazquez were part of a three-team mega-trade between the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and Yankees that fell apart two weeks ago. Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. |
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| New York Yankees Re-signed RHP Tanyon Sturtze to a one-year contract with a club option for 2006 |