News and Notes
There have been a lot of small moves the last few days so let's catch up...
The White Sox and Darin Erstad will agree to a one-year deal with an option for the 2008 season as confirmed to MLB.com. The deal is pending a physical later in the week.
The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with right-hander Brendan Donnelly on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
Free agent pitcher Tomo Ohka reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
The Dodgers signed RHP Rudy Seanez and IF Fernando Tatis to minor league contracts.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik will be sidelined six weeks after having groin surgery, according to several reports.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they have signed outfielder Luis Matos and infielder Nick Green to minor league contracts, with an invitation to spring training.
Today the Reds acquired from the Oakland Athletics RHP Kirk Saarloos (pronounced SAHR-lohs) and a player to be named in exchange for RHP David Shafer and a player to be named...Saarloos, 27, last season for the A’s went 7-7, 4.75 with 2 saves in 16 starts and 19 relief apps...in his 5-year Major League career he is 27-25, 4.79 with 3 complete games, 2 shutouts and 2 saves in 123 apps, including 69 starts, for the Astros and A’s...Shafer, 24, last season at Class AA Chattanooga posted a 2.36era with 26 saves in 44 relief apps...in November he was added to the Reds’ 40-man roster.
The Reds also signed veteran IF Mark Bellhorn to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League spring training camp.
The Oakland Athletics agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on one-year contract for the 2007 season, avoiding arbitration.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed right-handed pitcher Scott Dohmann to a one-year major league contract. To clear room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Shinji Mori was released from the roster and signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
The Minnesota Twins announced that they have agreed to terms with pitcher Ramon Ortiz on a one-year contract for the 2007 season. Ortiz, 33, was 11-16, 5.57 (190.2 ip, 118 er) with 64 walks and 104 strikeouts in 33 starts last season for the Washington Nationals.
The Cleveland Indians signed OF Jason Michaels to a two-year contract thru the 2008 season. Michaels, 30, hit .267 (132-494) with 32 doubles, 1 triple, 9 homers and 55 RBI in 123 games in his first season with the Indians in 2006.
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Ryan Bukvich and Eduardo Sierra, outfielder Kenny Kelly, infielder Kenny Perez and catcher Wiki Gonzalez.
The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed outfielder Alex Romero off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Romero, 23, split time last season between Rochester (AAA) and New Britain (AA), batting .263 with 19 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs and 42 RBI in 119 games overall. During his five seasons in the Minnesota farm system, he batted .293 with 100 doubles, 13 triples, 32 home runs and 243 RBI over 539 games. A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Romero was signed by the Twins as a free agent on July 2, 2000.
The Detroit Tigers announced the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with righthanded pitcher Fernando Rodney.
The Houston Astros signed right-handed pitcher Brian Moehler to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. The announcement was made by General Manager Tim Purpura.
Dean Jones Jr. is back with the second installment of his college baseball preview. This week Dean takes a look at the powerhouse known as the SEC. Head on over and check it out now! SEC Preview: 12 Teams with CWS Hopes
Ned Colletti is the next general manager to join us in our ongoing interview series. See what Ned has to say about Juan Pierre, Jason Schmidt, and rookie phenoms James Loney and Chad Billingsley. Head on over and check it out now: BDD GM Interview: Ned Colletti, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Martin Gandy takes the Royals and Brewers to task for their off-season free agent acquisitions in GMs Sign Placebos. Find out now why Martin is so upset with Dayton Moore and Doug Melvin!
Craig Brown pens an interesting piece with his 30th anniversary look back at free agency. Boy, have things changed! You won't want to miss Free Agency 1976!