SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Steve Finley from the Los Angeles Angels for third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo on Wednesday in a swap of former All-Stars who dropped off dramatically last season.
The Giants have been interested in Finley for some time, pursuing him twice previously in free agency -- including last winter before he went to the AL West champion Angels. San Francisco wound up signing Moises Alou.
Finley has long produced some of his biggest hits against the Giants while with every NL West rival excluding Colorado, hitting a grand slam for the Dodgers during the final weekend of the 2004 season to keep San Francisco from making the playoffs.
"Steve Finley is a player that can win games in many ways -- with his bat, his glove and his knowledge," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. "He will give Felipe (Alou) many options in the outfield along with returning starters Barry Bonds, Moises Alou and Randy Winn, as well as provide great veteran presence."
Finley is likely to be the fourth outfielder if Bonds is healthy, but the Giants have been looking for a lefty to add to their lineup as insurance in case the 41-year-old Bonds is still limited by his troublesome right knee. He had three operations on the knee this year and missed most of the 2005 season. Full story
Nats give OF Escobar minor-league deal
WASHINGTON -- A day after allowing outfielder Alex Escobar and right-handed pitcher T.J. Tucker to become free agents, the Washington Nationals agreed to minor-league contracts with the pair.
By not offering Escobar and Tucker major-league contracts by Tuesday's midnight deadline, Washington removed them from its 40-man roster.
Escobar did not play this year due to a strained right quadriceps. Tucker is 13-9 with four saves and a 4.57 ERA in five seasons with the Nationals and Expos.
Washington also declined to offer contracts to infielders Junior Spivey and Rick Short.
Royals, Brewers swap relievers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals sent Chris Demaria to the Milwaukee Brewers for Justin Barnes in a swap of right-handed relievers.
The 25-year-old Demaria was 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in eight games with the Royals last season. He also went 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA and 19 saves this year at High Desert of the Class A California League and was 0-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 10 games at Double-A Wichita.
Barnes, 23, will be assigned to Kansas City's minor-league camp for spring training. He was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and one save in three starts and 26 relief appearances for Class A West Virginia last season. Drafted in 2002 after playing at Manatee Junior College in Florida, Barnes started out as a third baseman before switching to the mound.
Astros' Quintero has wrist surgery
HOUSTON -- Houston Astros catcher Humberto Quintero had surgery on his left wrist to remove a fractured hook of the hamate bone.
The procedure was performed by team physician Dr. Tom Mehlhoff, and the 26-year-old Quintero is expected to recover in time for spring training.
Quintero hurt his wrist while playing for Aguilas of the Venezuelan Winter League. He appeared in 18 games for the Astros last season, hitting .185 with one home run and eight RBI.
Rockies, two agree on contracts
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies agreed to minor-league contracts with right-hander Jose Acevedo and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs.
Both were assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs and will be invited to spring training.
Acevedo went 2-4 with a 6.47 ERA in 36 games for Colorado last season, including five starts. He was acquired from Cincinnati in an April trade.
Spilborghs spent most of last season in the minors, where he batted .340. He appeared in one game for the Rockies.
Carter, D-Rays come to terms
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Relief pitcher Lance Carter agreed to a $550,000, one-year contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The right-hander was 1-2 with one save and a 4.89 ERA in 39 appearances last season. In parts of five major-league seasons with Tampa Bay and Kansas City, he is 13-11 with 29 saves and a 3.94 ERA.
Carter was an All-Star in 2003, when he saved 26 games. His deal includes incentives of $25,000 each for appearing in 40, 50 and 60 games.
