SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants and lefty reliever Steve Kline have agreed to a new $3.5 million, two-year deal, and suddenly the team is looking much like the 2006 squad.
The 34-year-old Kline, known for his durability in 10 major league seasons, went 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA in his first season with San Francisco in 2006. He pitched 58 scoreless innings in a team-high 72 relief appearances in a number of roles.
Kline will earn $1.75 million in both 2007 and '08.
The Giants ended their second straight losing season with 11 potential free agents, and four of those have already rejoined the team this offseason -- most notably slugger Barry Bonds' agreement to a $16 million, one-year deal Thursday night.
Kline, who has also pitched for Cleveland, Montreal, St. Louis and Baltimore, was originally acquired by the Giants from the Orioles for LaTroy Hawkins and cash on Dec. 6, 2005. Full story
Reliever Springer returns to Cards
ST. LOUIS -- Reliever Russ Springer and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year contract on Friday, a day after the World Series champions returned from the winter meetings without making any deals.
Springer appeared in a career-high 72 games in middle relief with the Houston Astros last season, going 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA. He had been with the Cardinals in 2003.
"Russ is someone we are very familiar with and have liked for some time," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He allows us to be more versatile out of the bullpen and adds another veteran presence to the relief corps."
The Cardinals' bullpen in the postseason included three rookies, right-handers Adam Wainwright and Josh Kinney, and left-hander Tyler Johnson. Wainwright, who closed out Game 5 of the World Series against the Tigers, likely would move to the rotation if closer Jason Isringhausen recovers quickly from hip surgery in September.
Texas, Byrd agree to one-year deal
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract.
Byrd hit .223 in 78 games last season with Washington, which acquired him from Philadelphia in a 2005 trade.
In 408 major league games, Byrd is a .263 hitter with 20 home runs and 123 RBI.
Byrd was the opening day center fielder for the Phillies as a rookie in 2003 and went on to his best season, hitting .303 with seven home runs and 45 RBI in a career-high 135 games. He was second among NL rookies in hits (150) and runs (86).
Twins give Harver minor-league contract
MINNEAPOLIS -- First baseman Ken Harvey and the Minnesota Twins agreed Friday to a minor-league contract.
An All-Star in 2004 with Kansas City, Harvey didn't play in the majors last season after a bad back limited him to just 12 games in 2005.
He had two decent years for the Royals, batting .287 with 13 homers and 55 RBI in 456 at-bats over 120 games in his second full major-league season, 2004. Harvey will have a chance to win the designated hitter spot for the Twins.
Though they haven't yet signed any free agents to major league contracts this winter, the Twins have added three players this week. On Thursday, they agreed to minor league contracts with left-handers Mike Venafro and Carmen Cali.
Walker accepts arbitration from Padres
SAN DIEGO -- Free-agent second baseman Todd Walker stayed with the San Diego Padres, accepting the team's offer of salary arbitration Thursday night.
The Padres acquired Walker in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on July 31. He originally came over to play third base, making 22 starts there. He also made 13 starts at second base. After Josh Barfield was traded to Cleveland last month, Walker is the presumed starter at second base.
Walker hit .282 with three homers and 13 RBI with the Padres. Overall last season, he hit .278 with nine homers and 53 RBI.
Thursday night was the deadline for free agents to accept arbitration offers from their former teams. Those who do are considered signed players.
