Team: Marlins Contract:
1 year, $10 million Jan. 22: Frustrated
and disappointed at offers from other teams, I-Rod signs
with the Marlins for one year. He obviously hopes to have a
productive 2003 and cash in during next season's free-agent
market. With Charles Johnson gone and no DH duties at his
disposal, Rodriguez will do most of the catching.
Contreras
Team: Yankees Contract:
4 years, $32 million Dec. 24: Christmas
came one day early in the Bronx. The Yankees beat out
archrival Boston Red by inking Cuban native Contreras to a
four-year deal. Contreras is considered a top of the
rotation pitcher with a lively fastball (92-94 MPH) and an
excellent breaking ball.
Urbina
Team: Rangers Contract:
1 year, $4.5 million Dec. 22: The
one-year deal works well for both parties. For Urbina, he'll
take a paycut and then see if he could get more next winter.
For the Rangers, Jeff Zimmerman could be recovered from arm
trouble by 2004, or Francisco Cordero could be ready to take
over as closer by then. However, Rangers GM John Hart said
there's still a chance Urbina might be more than a stopgap
answer.
McGriff
Team: Dodgers Contract:
1 year, financial terms undisclosed Dec. 20:
The Dodgers first choice was to land free agent Floyd. Once Floyd signed with
the Mets, the Dodgers went after McGriff to help bolster
their offense. A void was left at first base when Los
Angeles traded Eric Karros to the Cubs. The move will allow
Shawn Green to stay in right field.
Floyd
Team: Mets Contract: 4
years, $26 million Dec. 20: Floyd gives
the Mets a solid, reliable all-around hitter in the middle
of their lineup. He is mentally tough and should have little
trouble adjusting to New York, unlike several of New York's
top offensive signings last season. Floyd is familiar with
the NL East and should feel comfortable. He is a leader by
example, and his intangibles are a definite plus, as well as
his production.
Matsui
Team: Yankees Contract:
3 years, $21 million Dec. 19:
Lefty-swinging outfielder Matsui, 28, was three-time MVP of
Japan's Central League. He owns a .304 career average in
Japan, where had 332 homers and 889 RBIs in 1,268 games.
Nicknamed "Godzilla," Matsui will play left or right for the
Yankees. If Raul Mondesi remains in right, Matsui will play
left. If the Yankees trade Mondesi, Matsui likely will play
right field.
Kent
Team: Astros Contract:
2 years, $18.2 million Dec. 18: Instead
of agreeing to arbitration with the Giants, Kent signs with
the Astros. He will play second, with Craig Biggio moving to
the outfield. He figures to be a major boost to an offense
that already included sluggers Lance Berkman and Jeff
Bagwell. Kent, 34, is the only second baseman to drive in
100 runs in six consecutive seasons. His production could
even improve playing in Minute Maid Park.
Byrd
Team: Braves Contract:
2 years, $10 million Dec. 17: Having
lost Tom Glavine and, perhaps, Greg Maddux, the Braves
continue to revamp their rotation. After acquiring lefty
Mike Hampton and righty Russ Ortiz through trades, the
Braves sign righty Byrd, who was 17-11 with a 3.90 ERA last
season in Kansas City. Maddux is eligible for arbitration,
but the acquisitions of Ortiz and Byrd could mean the end of
his 10-year tenure with the Braves.
Stanton
Team: Mets Contract: 3
years, $9 million Dec. 16: Stanton, 35,
was the Yankees' lefty setup man during World Series-winning
seasons in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He refused a two-year deal
to stay with the Yankees. The Mets got rid of lefty Mark
Guthrie earlier this offseason and needed another southpaw
in the bullpen. Because he wanted to stay in New York,
Stanton got a full no-trade clause from the Mets.
Alfonzo
Team: Giants Contract:
4 years, $26 million Dec. 15: Edgardo
Alfonzo played third for the Mets last season, moving from
second after New York acquired Roberto Alomar. Earlier this
offseason, the Giants signed second baseman Ray Durham, but
it's possible Durham could play the outfield. New manager
Felipe Alou said Alfonzo could bat third or fifth.
Durham
Team: Giants Contract:
3 years, $20.1 million Dec. 7: The
Giants signed Durham to replace free agent Jeff Kent. San
Francisco also signed outfielder Marquis Grissom (2 years,
$4.25 million). Grissom, a four-time Gold Glove with a .270
career batting average, has played for new Giants manager
Felipe Alou. With the departures of free agents Reggie
Sanders and Kenny Lofton, Grissom likely will start for the
Giants.
Glavine
Team: Mets Contract: 3
years, $35 million Dec. 5: Yep, unless
you are affiliated with the Mets and see the world through
black, blue and orange, this one is difficult to explain.
Good luck to Glavine keeping that ERA in check with Roger
Cedeno in the outfield instead of Andruw Jones. The Braves?
They'll slide newly acquired lefty Mike Hampton into
Glavine's slot. The Phillies? They're not done, not by a
long shot.
Remlinger
Team: Cubs Contract: 3
years, $10.65 million Dec. 3: Even at
36, Remlinger will make the Cubs better. The bullpen was a
major weakness in Chicago last summer after the Cubs had it
going two years ago, with Todd Van Poppel and David
Weathers. The departure of those two, along with injuries to
Flash Gordon and Kyle Farnsworth, put a severe dent into the
2002 Cubs. Remlinger helped make Atlanta's bullpen
surprisingly good last summer, going 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA
last season while holding opponents to a .198 batting
average. If he can come even close to that again next
summer, this little-noticed winter move will look brilliant.
Thome
Team: Phillies Contract:
6 years, $87.5 million Dec. 2: What a
bleak day in Cleveland. Losing Thome isn't simply a case of
saying so long to a potent bat. In addition to providing
Cleveland with whopping offensive production during his 12
years there, Thome became the heart and soul of the Indians.
His emergence in Philadelphia undoubtedly will help the
Phillies, though it's worth keeping the yellow caution light
on if only because of the recent example set by the Mets.
Thome looks terrific next to David Bell in the Phillies'
visions, but they still need a starting pitcher -- Tom
Glavine and, if not him, then another guy who can win.
Bell
Team: Phillies Contract:
4 years, $17 million Nov. 24: Bell, 30,
leaves the defending NL-champion Giants to sign with the
Phillies. He doesn't have Scott Rolen's range or arm but
he's a sound defensive player. The Phils can shift Placido
Polanco to second base, a move that makes their middle
infield better. As a veteran of winning teams, Bell should
provide a welcomed attitude.
Trout's bomb
