The Kansas City Royals have signed right-handed reliever David Riske to one-year contract for the 2007 season with an option for 2008. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "David has been one of the most consistent relief pitchers in the game the last four years," Royals Senior Vice President-Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore said. His experience and success will give us a better opportunity to match up the last three innings of the game."

The Royals also have signed right-handed pitchers Zach Day and Brandon Duckworth to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training Camp. Duckworth was designated for assignment by the Royals on Dec. 11 and became a free agent on Dec. 13 when he was non-tendered by the club.

- The Atlanta Braves today agreed to terms with free-agent infielder/outfielder Chris Woodward on a one-year contract for the 2007 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Woodward, 30, played the last two seasons with the New York Mets. He batted .283 in 2005, but a left shoulder injury limited him to 83 games and a .216 average in 2006.

For the Braves, Woodward is expected to see time as an infielder and outfielder. He owns a .247 career batting average and in his eight Major League seasons he has played shortstop (302 games), second base (70), first base (43), third base (40) and the outfield (32). Woodward began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995 and reached the majors in 1999, playing in 351 games for the Blue Jays from 1999 to 2004.

- The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with catcher/first baseman Robert Fick on a non-guaranteed minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

Fick batted .266 with two homers and nine RBI in 60 games with the Nationals in 2006. He started 27 games, including 18 at catcher, six at first base and three in right field. The Nationals went 11-7 when he started behind the plate. Fick batted .333 (14-for-42) in 21 games in September/October and went 7-for-22 (.318) with a walk and a sacrifice bunt in 24 pinch-hit appearances.

Fick is a career .261 hitter with 67 homers and 308 RBI in 728 games with Detroit (1999-2002), Atlanta (2003), Tampa Bay (2004), San Diego (2004-05) and Washington (2006). He was an American League All-Star with Detroit in 2002.

- The San Diego Padres announced today that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Doug Brocail on a one-year contract. The club also claimed infielder Craig Stansberry off outright waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.

Brocail, 39, made 25 relief appearances for the Padres in 2006, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.76 ERA (15 ER/28.1 IP). He recorded 19 strikeouts compared to eight walks in his 28.1 innings of work. Brocail missed the club’s first 88 games last season after undergoing an angioplasty on March 11. He discovered blockage of his left anterior descending coronary artery after undergoing an angiogram during Spring Training and underwent a second angioplasty on April 10.

- The Red Sox today announced the signings of eight free agents to 2007 contracts with Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League. In addition, all eight players have been invited to Boston's major league spring training camp as non-roster players.
The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

The eight free agents are righthanded pitcher Travis Hughes, catcher Alberto Castillo, infielders Jeff Bailey, Luis Jimenez, Joe McEwing, Ed Rogers, and Bobby Scales, and outfielder Kerry Robinson.

- According to the St. Petersburg Times, former Devil Rays outfielder Damon Hollins is on the verge of a big move, as he is about to finalize a deal to play next season in Japan.

The Padres have called a 1:30 PST press conference to presumably announce the signing of second baseman Marcus Giles.
Rod Barajas has agreed to terms with Philadelphia on a one-year deal with an option for a second year, pending a physical.

Outfielder Jayson Werth joined the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday agreeing to an $850,000, one-year contract with the chance to earn $150,000 more in performance bonuses.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced yesterday that they agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Masumi Kuwata on a minor league contract, with an invitation to major league spring training. Kuwata, 38, is a 20-year veteran of the Japanese Central League, having played with the Yomiuri Giants since 1986. In that time, he has recorded 173 wins in 442 career games. His win total is tied for 37th on the all-time list while his 2761.2 innings pitched ranks 35th. He also threw 118 complete games, including 21 shutouts.

The Cubs finalized their deal on Tuesday with pitcher Jason Marquis, signing him to a three-year, $21 million contract.

Hello again, Prospect Lovers -

It's almost midnight, Tuesday, December 19. The College Bowl games have begun. And in baseball ... NOTHING IS HAPPENING!! Well, almost nothing. Except...

(drum roll please)

The Top Fifty Prospects!!

Look for it on the Home page, and under Articles. And post your questions and comments here! We will all find time in our busy Holiday schedule to answer your questions.

Enjoy! And Happy Holidays to all!

Labels: prospects