Well the arbitration period came and went, 70 players avoided it. Notables include: Johnathon Papelbon, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen, Tim Lincecum, Joe Blanton, Justin Verlander, Wandy Rodriguez, Francisco Liriano, Mike Napoli, Reggie Willits, Howie Kendrick, Josh Willingham, Josh Hamilton, and Zach Duke.
The Mariners have agreed to a 5yr/$78M extension with SP Felix Hernandez. Hernandez (19-5; 2.49ERA) simply blew the competition away last season and this one should be no different with Cliff Lee on board. Look out AL West, this is the team for the next few years. Hernandez's contract also has a no-trade clause with it.
Cheer up Rockies fan, your bullpen is back. Houston Street and Rafael Betancourt have re-signed multi-year deals to stay with the Rox. Street (4-1 ;3.06ERA; 35 saves) was good after coming over in the Matt Holliday trade. Betancourt (4-3; 2.73ERA) signed for 2yr/ $3.7M with a third year option. Street's deal is worth 3yrs/$22.5M with a fourth year option. The Rockies have signed C Paul Lo Duca to a minor league contract. Lo Duca has really bounced around the league after being injured and admitting to use steroids. Not a lot of promise there, but maybe Coors Field could be used to his advantage.
The Dodgers did what they needed to do to keep attendance and a fan base by signing Andre Ethier (.272; 31 HRs; 106RBIs) and Johnathon Broxton (7-2; 2.61ERA; 36 saves) to two year deals. Aside from Matt Kemp, these signings have been the only bright spot in the Dodgers offseason. Ethier's is worth $15.2M and Broxton's totals $11M.
The Brewers have reached an agreement with RP Doug Davis. Davis(9-14; 4.12ERA) agreed yesterday to a 1yr/$5.2M(which seems a bit overpaid for a sub .500 winner and career 4.31ERA). Somehow, Davis was very sought after, but will be in Milwaukee for his second stint with the Brew Crew.
Joel Pineiro has a team and it's no the Mets. Pineiro agreed to terms on a 2yr/$16M contract to fill John Lackey's void. He's no Lackey, but is serviceable. Piniero went 15-12 with a 3.29ERA in 32 games for the Cardinals.
The Pirates may have their man in RP Octavio Dotel. Dotel is slated to accept a 1r/$3M contract with a 2011 option. Dotel (3-3; 3.32ERA) has really bounced around the league since 2004, but has been good-serviceable. I expect Dotel to be the anchor of the Pirates bullpen. They just need to give him run support.
The Phils have extended SP Joe Blanton for 3yrs/$24M. Blanton, oft-criticized, went 12-8 with a 4.05ERA last season in Philly. He's a mediocre pitcher at best, but is serviceable which most people forget. Twenty-four million is too much in my opinion.
Finally, the Bengie Molina drama is over. Molina (.265, 20HRs, 80 RBIs) agreed to a 1yr/$4.5M deal to stay with the Giants. Bad move for San Fran, good for Mets. The Mets can now focus on Yorvit Torrealba if they really need a third catcher, but I'd worry more about pitching for them. Molina is in a cramped infield already as well as catching position. If he doesn't play well this season, it's going to hurt him next year trying to sign a contract. The Mets were prepared to hand him the starting job at $5M over two years.
Rumors and Notes:
RP Eric Gagne is going to try-out for the Phillies, Rockies, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. "We don't expect much," says GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. Why bother?
D-Backs are out on the Ben Sheets sweepstakes citing, "Broke."
The Cards may sign OF Jim Edmonds by week's end. The organization is looking at SP Chien Ming Wang's medical records.
Jay Payton has signed on with the Rockies.
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