MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins agreed Thursday to a one-year contract with former Atlanta catcher Henry Blanco, a deal that includes a team option for 2005.
The Twins hope Blanco, who was the backup starter to Javy Lopez, can provide some depth at catcher in the departure of All-Star A.J. Pierzynski, who was traded to San Francisco last month.
Blanco, 32, batted .199 with 13 RBI and one home run in 55 games for the Braves last season. He became a free agent last month when he refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Richmond. Full story
Tigers, DiFelice agree to deal
DETROIT -- Catcher Mike DiFelice and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a $650,000, one-year contract.
DiFelice, 34, hit .254 for Kansas City last season with 16 doubles, three homers and 25 RBI in 62 games, and threw out 30 percent of runners attempting to steal.
He also has played for St. Louis (1996-97, 2002), Tampa Bay (1998-2001) and Arizona (2001).
Pudge: Marlins were unfair
MIAMI -- Ivan Rodriguez feels the Florida Marlins gave him a raw deal.
The 10-time All-Star was cut loose by the World Series champions on Dec. 7. Rodriguez, who made $10 million last season, asked the Marlins for a $40 million, four-year contract.
Florida's offer was worth $24 million over three years, the Miami Herald reported Thursday, citing unidentified sources.
"It wasn't fair that's for sure," Rodriguez was quoted as saying by the Herald. "I was just asking for the same amount of money I made last year, and they still said no. The offer they made to me a month ago was not fair."
Rodriguez, instrumental in the team's postseason run, said he was happy in Miami but did not want to take a pay cut from owner Jeffrey Loria.
"I tried to do my best to stay with the team," he said. "Jeffrey Loria and the Marlins were thinking different. That's part of the business. At the same time, I'm very pleased with the season."
Agent: Red Sox close to signing 2B Reese
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox's on-and-off pursuit of second baseman Pokey Reese is gaining momentum.
"We're close," Reese's agent, Michael Nicotera said. "There's nothing to announce. We might have something some time next week."
Boston had no announcement regarding Reese, team spokesman Kevin Shea said.
Lefty Alvarez agrees to re-sign with Dodgers
LOS ANGELES -- Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, a surprise last season after spending the first two months in the minors, agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Wilson was an integral part of our pitching staff and the success it enjoyed in 2003," Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. "He is a competitor and brings a great deal of experience and flexibility to our staff."
Alvarez was 6-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 12 starts and nine relief appearances last season. He was invited to spring training as a non-roster player and began the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he went 5-1 with a 1.34 ERA in eight starts.
Cubs add lefty Mercker to bullpen
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs got another left-hander for their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year contract with Kent Mercker.
Mercker had one of the best seasons of his career last year, finishing with a 1.95 ERA in 67 games for Cincinnati and Atlanta, the team that launched his career. Opponents hit just .227 against him, and he had a 10-inning scoreless streak from July 24-Aug. 15.
The Braves traded for Mercker in August, hoping the man who helped them win four division championships and a World Series title could stabilize a shaky bullpen. He didn't disappoint, allowing just two earned runs in 17 innings as the Braves won their 12th straight division title.
Pitchers Hitchcock, Valdes agree to join Padres
SAN DIEGO -- Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who led San Diego into the 1998 World Series, rejoined the Padres after agreeing to an $800,000, one-year contract.
Hitchcock can make an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses based on starts and innings pitched.
The Padres also agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Ismael Valdes, a former division rival with Los Angeles who pitched the last three seasons in the AL.
Phillies agree to sign Telemaco to one-year contract
PHILADELPHIA -- Pitcher Amaury Telemaco agreed to a $525,000, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Telemaco, 28, had been eligible for salary arbitration.
The right-hander was called up from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in August and posted a 1-4 record with a 3.97 ERA in eight starts with the Phillies.
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