Baseball Digest Daily

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Yoslan Herrera to a three-year contract. No other terms of the deal were disclosed. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dave Littlefield.

Herrera, 25, posted a combined record of 18-7 with a 3.27 ERA during his career in Cuba. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound hurler was a member of the Youth Cuban National Team for two years (1999-2000) and also spent four seasons playing for the Cuban National Team (2001-2004).

“Yoslan enjoyed a successful career while pitching in Cuba,” said Littlefield. “He’s a right-handed starter with a good arm and someone who has been very intriguing to us based on his international success.”

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Tigers Lock Up Bonderman

by Joe Hamrahi on Mon 18 Dec 2006 01:54 PM EST

The Detroit Tigers announced today the club has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension (worth a reported $38 million) with righthanded pitcher Jeremy Bonderman. Bonderman’s four-year contract extension will keep him in a Tigers uniform through the 2010 season.

Bonderman finished 14-8 with a 4.08 ERA (214.0IP/97ER) in 34 starts for the Tigers in 2006. He tied for the lead in the American League with 34 starts, while he was second with 202 strikeouts and 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings and ninth with 214.0 innings pitched. Bonderman became the first Tigers pitcher to strike out at least 200 batters in a season since Jack Morris fanned 208 batters in 1987.

“We are thrilled Jeremy Bonderman will remain part of the Tigers organization,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “He is developing into one of the top young pitchers in baseball and we expect him to be a big part of our rotation for years to come.”

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Free Agent Odds and Ends

by Joe Hamrahi on Mon 18 Dec 2006 11:28 AM EST

Free-agent second baseman Marcus Giles is expected to sign with the Padres early this week, joining his older brother, right fielder Brian Giles. Marcus likely will agree to a one-year deal and possibly a club option.

The Minnesota Twins will hold a press conference at 4:00 pm on Tuesday. Righthander Brad Radke is expected to announce his retirement.

The Orioles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with utility man Chris Gomez, who will return for his third season in Baltimore. Gomez hit .341 last season with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 55 games last season. The 35-year-old missed most of the first half last season, breaking a bone in his left hand after getting hit by a fastball from Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya. He'll compete with Brandon Fahey and recent trade acquisition Freddie Bynum for a utility spot.

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