News briefs: Spivey, Cirillo reach deals with Milwaukee
SportsLine.com wire reports
MILWAUKEE -- Infielder Junior Spivey and Milwaukee agreed Friday to a one-year deal worth $2,125,000, and the Brewers also gave infielder Jeff Cirillo a minor league contract.
Spivey took a rare cut among players eligible for arbitration. After making $2,367,500 last year in the final season of a two-year deal, he asked for $2.6 million in arbitration and was offered $2 million.
In addition to his base salary, he can earn $475,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 for 80 starts, and $100,000 each for 95 and 110 starts, and 120 and 135 games.
Spivey, 30, batted .272 with seven homers and 28 RBI in 59 games for Milwaukee last season before hurting a shoulder July 2. He underwent surgery July 30 and missed the rest of the season.
Cirillo, 35, was a draft pick of the Brewers in 1991 and played for Milwaukee from 1994-99, batting .326 in 1999 and hitting .300 or more in three of his seasons as a Brewer. He was with Colorado 2000 and 2001, Seattle in 2002 and 2003 and San Diego last season. Full story
Texas believes Astacio worth risk
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Pedro Astacio, who has made just one start since shoulder surgery in 2003, will get a chance to be in the Texas Rangers' rotation this spring.
Convinced that Astacio is healthy after watching him pitch this winter, Texas agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with the 35-year-old right-hander. He can earn another $2.2 million in roster and performance bonuses.
Astacio made just one start and four relief appearances last season for Boston in his comeback from June 2003 shoulder surgery while with the New York Mets. He gave up 10 runs and 13 hits in 8 2-3 innings, a 10.38 ERA.
"We obviously recognize the health issues Pedro has had. We watched his workouts, and feel pretty good about where he is physically," general manager John Hart said. "He is a quality guy and a great competitor."
Yankees sign veteran RP Groom
NEW YORK -- Seeking depth for a bullpen that is short on left-handers, the New York Yankees agreed to a minor league contract with Buddy Groom.
The 39-year-old Groom was 4-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 60 games for Baltimore last year. He would get an $850,000, one-year contract if he is added to New York's major league roster.
"I just compare him to what we have," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Is he better than some of our insurance? Yes, he is."
New York heads into spring training with just one proven left-handed reliever, Mike Stanton. The only other left-handed relief candidates are Alex Graman, who has struggled in the major leagues, and Sean Henn, who started for Double-A Trenton last year.
Dominican Republic tops Puerto Rico
MAZATLAN, Mexico -- Doug Linton pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Dominican Republic to an 8-3 win over Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series.
It was the first win of the series for the Dominican Cibao Eagles (1-2), leaving Puerto Rico's Mayaguez Indians (0-3) as the only winless team.
Linton allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked one, and Robinson Tejeda closed with two-innings of relief.
Dominican second baseman Rafael Furcal hit a two-run homer off Jonathan Albaladejo. Furcal, who committed three errors in the series' first two games, had three RBI and scored two runs.
