Prince Fielder of Milwaukee Brewers in no hurry to talk extension

MILWAUKEE -- On the field, nothing will change with Prince Fielder. He'll play first base, bat fourth and is still considered the key of the Milwaukee Brewers' offense.

Off the field, Fielder says there's nothing to worry about right now, either. He wants to stay in Milwaukee as long as he can and there's no urgency in negotiating for a new contract.

Fielder

"I came up here and I love it here, so I want to stay here as long as possible," Fielder said Sunday at the Brewers' annual offseason fan event. "I'm here for two more years anyway, so I'm just trying to see what happens then and all the other stuff hopefully will work out."

Fielder hit .299 with 46 homers and tied for the major league lead with 141 RBIs last season. He has a year left on an $18.5 million, two-year deal signed last season and the Brewers still hold his rights through the 2011 season.

"The guy is a definite force now," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "I think his contributions are greater than the numbers that he's put up."

After next season, Fielder could join a crowded class of free-agent first basemen that may include St. Louis' Albert Pujols, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez. Fielder said he hasn't done a lot of thinking about what's in the distant future, but realizes he'll be the youngest of that group who could be available.

"I've never been a free agent. I'm just thinking on things I've been told," the 25-year-old Fielder said on his priorities. "The money's great, but in the end, if you have money and you're not happy; say, if the team doesn't think they're going anywhere, you have to make sure everything is order when you sign that kind of long-term [contract]."

The slugger has had a busy offseason back home in Florida, moving into a new house in Windermere and taking his children to school daily. His home has a workout facility and a batting cage, and he said he started conditioning immediately after the season ended to keep his weight down.

"So I don't turn into an obese person, because I can," said Fielder, who weighed 268 pounds last season.

Fielder, who is represented by Scott Boras, says his only concern right now is playing out his first contract, even though he realizes he'll be asked about his plans more and more as he moves closer to free agency.

"In the end, it's my decision. But as my agent, he's going to make sure I have the most information possible about what's going to benefit me and my family first. That's what it's about first," Fielder said. "My family has to be happy and then we go from there."

General manager Doug Melvin said he won't discuss any negotiations because it can hinder the process, but the organization recognizes Fielder's value.

"I don't think there's any secrets to what kind of player he is. You just have to look at his numbers and his performance and how he's been here in the organization the entire time," Melvin said. "[He] grew up here, developed here, came on the scene quick."

Melvin said he had no specific time to discuss Fielder's future with Boras.

"It'll all be done behind closed doors at a certain time and a certain place and I don't even know where that place is and I don't know where that time is," he said. "There's really not a story to it from my standpoint."

In the meantime, Fielder will be right back where he's comfortable this season -- hitting cleanup for the Brewers, who scored the third-most runs in the NL last season. After making the postseason in 2008 and fading to 80-82 last season, Fielder has a simple goal for this year's club.

"My thing is just to get better," he said. "Worry about our division first, worry about our own stuff first. When your team is crisp, taking care of their business, then all that other stuff falls into place."

Jarosik completes Zaragoza moveBen Sheets agrees with Oakland Athletics for one season, $10 million

Twins optimistic about getting Joe Mauer re-signed

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins started their annual winter gala with everything a baseball fan with cabin fever could want on a cold night: autographs from the players, batting cages and meat smoking on the grill.

Everything except that contract extension for Joe Mauer.

TwinsFest began on Friday without an announcement of the Mauer megadeal Minnesotans have been hoping for, that sure-to-be-expensive guarantee of keeping the American League MVP in his hometown for the foreseeable future.

Mauer

Mauer and the Twins have been steadfastly quiet about any negotiations, but manager Ron Gardenhire expressed optimism a deal will get done this spring.

"I'm just letting it happen. I don't sit and fret about it," Gardenhire said earlier in the day at Target Field, where the Twins are moving this year. "I think the right thing is going to happen. I think we all know. I think we all know the ramifications if something were not to happen and it would go the other way. That wouldn't be a good thing for anybody. I don't see who, other than maybe some clubs out east."

Mauer is making $12.5 million this season, the last year of his current contract. He'll be eligible for free agency in the fall if no new deal is in place, a scenario that wouldn't bode well for the Twins given the interest the soon-to-be-27-year-old would attract on the open market. But Gardenhire, though removed from the process, wasn't worried.

"I'll be happy when he does sign. He can buy me a beer. Probably two. Maybe three," he said, chuckling.

With Target Field blanketed in snow and the temperature near zero, TwinsFest was held at the usual Metrodome spot. Mauer was, of course, the center of attention wherever he wandered.

About the contract?

"I feel like a broken record," he said. "People, they want to know what's going on and try to find out things when they can, but I keep saying -- I'm sounding like a broken record right now -- it'll all happen when it needs to happen and you've just got to try to let it all happen. That's what we're doing."

As Mauer took questions from a small group of reporters in a basement hallway, teammate and close friend Justin Morneau walked by and shouted, "14-year extension, 20 a year!"

Well, the deal won't be that long, but it will be that pricey.

"I just don't want it to be a distraction to what we're trying to do as a team for 2010," Mauer said. "I just want to prepare for that season and hopefully not be the focus of everything, because we've got a great lineup coming in."

Barca to reward PiqueCarlos Ruiz signs three-year, $8.85 million deal with Philadelphia Phillies

Jason Giambi signs one-year deal to return to Colorado Rockies

DENVER -- Todd Helton's wish for the upcoming season is to make it through the grind with a little bit more left in his tank come October. Jason Giambi's return to Denver should help him accomplish that goal.

Giambi

Giambi's $1.75 million, one-year contact with the Colorado Rockies was finalized Thursday, a deal that allows Giambi to spell Helton at first base and serve as a pinch hitter.

"Last year was probably the first year I really felt tired at the end of the season," Helton said recently. "I'd like to have something left at the end of the season so I can maybe hit a home run. ... Some of this is my fault. I'll take care of myself a little bit better and work a little bit harder so I can be ready at the end of the year."

Giambi's presence should make that a whole lot easier.

He hit .292 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 19 games for the Rockies last September, when he had two game-winning hits and helped Colorado win the NL wild card.

He was a huge hit in the clubhouse, mentoring young players and veterans.

General manager Dan O'Dowd said he gained a fuller appreciation for Giambi's clubhouse contributions during meetings with his staff, manager Jim Tracy and his coaches last week.

"It became very clear to me how much of an integral part he was in leadership and accountability and the standards of what we're trying to become here," O'Dowd said. "I think that was probably first and foremost in the decision to bring him back.

"And then, two, we think he can be a very, very productive player in the role that he will be used in, which is to complement Todd and to get a lot of big hits for us when called upon to do that," O'Dowd said. "And then with interleague play, we're adding a legitimate bat into the middle of our lineup."

The 39-year-old is a 15-year major league veteran originally drafted by Oakland in 1992. He was voted AL MVP in 2000 while with the Athletics, then signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

He returned to Oakland last season, getting a $5.25 million, one-year deal. The Athletics released him on Aug. 7 and he signed with the Rockies 2 weeks later.

He was quickly embraced by his teammates in Denver and the feeling was mutual.

"It happened almost instantaneously, which really doesn't happen very often in any field of work," O'Dowd said. "He clicked immediately. Quite honestly, it was an eye-opener to me to get a feeling from the manager and staff and all the support people, everybody else around the club, and the impact they felt he had day in and day out last year. I don't think I even realized that."

Giambi said after the playoffs last fall that he'd love to return if he couldn't find a DH job back in the AL.

"In talking to him, I think he realizes that this is a great fit for him," O'Dowd said. "And I think he's very excited about coming back because he feels like he can really make a difference on our club -- again, in ways that don't necessarily get measured just in statistics alone, simply in watching a ball game."

O'Dowd said Giambi's return doesn't mean the Rockies will ditch their plan to try right fielder Brad Hawpe some at first base, however.

"That's not going to be an experiment we abandon," O'Dowd said. "As much depth and versatility that we can create with our 25-man roster, we're going to do that in the spring. So, Brad will be looked at in the spring at first base, too. We'll see if he's capable of doing it, what his comfort level is, all those things. But again, that's what spring training is for."

Colorado also agreed on Thursday to minor league contracts with left-hander Jimmy Gobble and right-hander Justin Speier. They will go to spring training with the big league team.

Ruben accepts Wigan dealCloser Huston Street, Colorado Rockies finalize three-year, $22.5M deal

Closer Huston Street, Colorado Rockies finalize three-year, $22.5M deal

DENVER -- Closer Huston Street and the Colorado Rockies finalized a $22.5 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that could be worth $31 million over four seasons.

Street gets $7.2 million this year, $7.3 million in 2011 and $7.5 million 2012. The agreement, which avoided arbitration, includes a a $9 million mutual option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout if the club declines to exercise.

Redding

Street

"For me, it was going to be hard for me not to sign," Street said. "I won't have to worry about my security and my family's security, at least for the next three years."

Colorado also agreed Wednesday to a minor league contract with pitcher Tim Redding. The right-hander, who turns 32 on Feb. 12, went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 17 starts and 13 relief appearances for the New York Mets last season.

Street is the cornerstone of a spate of players the Rockies have re-signed this month, including outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, second baseman Clint Barmes and pitchers Rafael Betancourt, Jason Hammel, Jorge De La Rosa and Taylor Buchholz.

"We want to stay together," Street said. "Everybody believes in what we've got going here. We've got a good thing going here."

Street solidified the Rockies' bullpen last season by saving 35 games in 37 chances. He stumbled against Philadelphia in the playoffs, though, taking a pair of losses.

The right-hander missed the final month of the regular season with soreness in his biceps tendon, but said that played no role in his postseason failures.

"I didn't get it done. I had two bad days," Street said. "I was 100 percent. I was 100 percent mentally focused. In the end, it cost us the season and the series. The emotional part of it went away the next day, but the season sticks with you."

Street said he feels great and is eager to anchor a bullpen on a playoff team he figures will only get better, especially with manager Jim Tracy, who was 74-42 after taking over from Clint Hurdle, having signed on for the long term, too.

"The guys are the reason I signed. The chemistry is good and chemistry isn't all about camaraderie. We have a strong bond among our pitchers where there is trust in each other," Street said. "We lost Jason Marquis, but we have Jeff Francis back, Jason Hammel has more experience and [ace Aaron] Cook is Cook."

Francis is coming back from arm surgery that cost him the entire 2009 season.

Redding, who turns 32 on Feb. 12, went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games, including 17 starts, for the New York Mets last season.

After starting last season on the DL with a strained right rotator cuff, he was 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA as a starter and 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

In 2008, Redding led the Nationals in wins (10), starts (33) and strikeouts (120) as a member of the starting rotation. He set career-high marks in each of those categories as well as innings pitched (182)

If added to the 40-man roster, Redding would get a $1 million, one-year contract and the chance to earn about $500,000 in performance bonuses based on starts and approximately $200,000 based on games.

Ruben accepts Wigan dealCarlos Ruiz signs three-year, $8.85 million deal with Philadelphia Phillies

Kenny Lofton, Cleveland Indians star, elected to team Hall of Fame

CLEVELAND -- Kenny Lofton played fast, played hard and, perhaps most importantly, he insists he played clean in an era when steroids were baseball's dirty little secret.

Lofton's statistics earned him a place in Cleveland's Hall of Fame.

One day, he hopes they get him into Cooperstown's shrine.

Lofton

"I just went out there and did what I had to do," Lofton said. "I was not a cheater."

The pre-eminent leadoff hitter and base stealer in franchise history, Lofton was picked Wednesday for the Indians' Hall of Fame. He and Cy Slapnicka, a former general manager and scout who signed Hall of Fame pitchers Bob Feller and Bob Lemon, will be inducted on Aug. 7 before the Indians host Minnesota.

A five-time All-Star, Lofton played 10 seasons with Cleveland. He was the table-setter for the club's powerful offense, which featured sluggers Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle. Lofton also roamed center field, where he often turned potential extra-base hits into outs.

One of the most popular players in Indians history, Lofton finished with a .300 average, set the club mark for steals (452) and ranks third in career runs (975) and 10th in hits (1,512). Overall, he finished with more than 2,400 career hits, led the AL in steals five straight seasons and won four Gold Gloves over 17 years.

An argument could be made he belongs in baseball's hallowed Hall.

Now more than ever.

In light of Mark McGwire's admission to using steroids and human-growth hormone while setting home run records, and with other high-profile players being suspended for banned substances, Lofton's statistics may be viewed differently by Hall of Fame voters once he becomes eligible for induction.

Lofton hopes so.

"I was a guy who never did it [steroids], never tried to do it, never wanted to do it but I played against guys who obviously were doing it," he said. "My competition level had to be at a certain level to be able to compete with those guys who were cheating.

"I was not a cheater, so hopefully they'll take a look at that and see what I did under that period and hopefully they take that into account."

Former Indians catcher Sandy Alomar believes voters should take a long look at Lofton's accomplishments before deciding on his Hall worthiness.

"Kenny was a complete player. He was a five-tool guy," Alomar said. "Kenny could go deep and he took pride on the leadoff spot and playing his role. I think the voters have to realize that and they have to reward players for their abilities, not just for power numbers or RBIs but for how well he played his role. For a time, he was the most dominant leadoff guy other than Rickey Henderson."

Lofton, who had three stints with the Indians from 1991-2007, said it was a constant challenge not to expose players who were not playing by the rules.

"I felt that I did it the right way and always felt like the good guys always lose," he said. "I just sat back and kept doing what I was doing. They always say things are going to come out in the light, and that's what happened."

Lofton said his most memorable moment with the Indians came when he scored from second base on a passed ball in Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS, clinching Cleveland's first World Series appearance since 1954. It was also the play Alomar said defined Lofton.

"He won the game by himself," Alomar said. "He was a winner and a postseason guy. The bigger the stage, the better he got. Everybody talks about home runs and things like that, but this guy was the igniter for this organization for many years."

Cliff Lee gets laughs as Seattle Mariners introduce new aceHamburg join Ruud race

Ben Sheets agrees with Oakland Athletics for one season, $10 million

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Once Billy Beane received positive word on Ben Sheets' throwing session last week, the Oakland Athletics general manager pounced.

The pitcher's agent had an impressive offer in hand from the Athletics practically by the time Sheets was done icing down his arm afterward. It was merely an hour later.

Oakland took a mighty gamble Tuesday on Sheets, agreeing to terms with the free-agent righty on a $10 million, one-year contract only 11 months after he underwent elbow surgery that sidelined him all of last season.Are You Experienced?

If Ben Sheets is healthy, he will provide the Athletics with a veteran presence -- and more career innings than the rest of the A's projected rotation combined.

Pitcher '10 Age Career IP 

Ben Sheets 31 1,428 

J. Duchscherer 30 426.2 

Trevor Cahill  22 178.2 

Brett Anderson 22 175.1 

Gio Gonzalez 24 132.2 

Vin Mazzaro 23 91.1 

A four-time All-Star, the 31-year-old Sheets becomes the team's second-highest-paid player behind six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez.

"We were either going to get him with what we had or we weren't, and we had to be aggressive about it," Beane said.

Manager Bob Geren immediately called Sheets his ace and Opening Day starter.

When Sheets repeatedly hit 92 mph on the radar gun pitching for a big audience at his alma mater in Louisiana, taking a shot on him seemed like a no-brainer for Beane and his typically small-spending franchise.

"This is where I wanted to be. I'm glad they welcomed me with open arms," Sheets said, wearing a new green A's cap when formally introduced at the Coliseum. "I think I'm 100 percent physically ready to go."

Sheets was so set on sticking to his routine that he played long toss with Geren's oldest son, Bobby, after having dinner Monday night with Beane and members of the front office. He threw on turf, under the lights in a drizzle. Sheets was headed off to throw a bullpen session to Geren on Tuesday afternoon, too.

Sheets will now be able to back off his throwing program slightly to make sure he doesn't overdo it during the spring so he's ready for the start of the season in April.

He was put through an extensive physical Tuesday morning.

"Is there a risk? Yeah," Beane said. "That's life on the edge a little bit. You've got a guy in the prime of his career who's done what he's done. If he didn't have the injury, you've got a guy who probably would have been signed back in November to a long-term deal."

Sheets has been plagued by injuries. He didn't pitch in the majors last season while recovering from elbow surgery but last week held a pitching session for several scouts.
A sleeper with some risk

ESPN.com fantasy games analyst Eric Karabell notes that while the Oakland Coliseum is a fine place for a pitcher, he still can't put Ben Sheets among his top-40 starting pitchers. Blog

The A's sent two representatives to watch Sheets, director of player personnel Billy Owens and minor league roving pitching instructor Gil Patterson.

"They liked what they saw," assistant GM David Forst said. "Enough to lead us to think that we should pursue this."

Said Beane: "He didn't disappoint. For January, he was probably further ahead of most pitchers."

The A's figure they had serious competition from about a half-dozen other clubs to sign Sheets. He can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses based on innings: $500,000 each for 165, 175, 185 and 195 innings pitched.

Sheets attended an A's-Texas Rangers game with 7-year-old son Seaver -- named after Hall of Famer Tom Seaver -- while rehabilitating last summer in Texas. The Rangers were also seriously in the mix for his services.

Sheets spent his first eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers , going 86-83 with a 3.72 ERA. He struck out a career-high 264 in 2004.

"Missing this whole year and concentrating on everything, I feel renewed for the game. I'm really antsy to get back out there," Sheets said. "I miss the competitive part of this game."

Sheets joins two-time All-Star Justin Duchscherer, Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden, with the other rotation spot likely going to either Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill or Vin Mazzaro.

Duchscherer underwent arthroscopic right elbow surgery on March 31 and later was treated for clinical depression. He got an incentive-laden, one-year contract.

Sheets had surgery last February to repair a torn flexor tendon that he hurt in 2008.

A year ago, pre-surgery, Sheets had his mind made up that he would pitch closer to where he grew up in the South: for Texas, the Houston Astros or Atlanta Braves. Now, he says, "It doesn't matter where you play."

Sheets and the Rangers had been in negotiations on a two-year contract last winter but a physical for the 2008 All-Star Game starter revealed the elbow problem.

Sheets joins an upgraded Oakland roster featuring new center fielder Coco Crisp and new third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The A's finished with 75 wins for the second straight season and last in the AL West.

"I knew a market was going to develop as soon as I could show I was healthy," Sheets said.

Texas Rangers sign right-hander Rich Harden to one-year contractSquillaci set for surgery

Carlos Ruiz signs three-year, $8.85 million deal with Philadelphia Phillies

PHILADELPHIA -- Catcher Carlos Ruiz signed an $8.85 million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, avoiding salary arbitration.

Ruiz hit .255 last season with 26 doubles, a career-high nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 107 games. The Phillies went 57-43 (.570) when Ruiz started. He threw out 15 of 76 potential basestealers (19.7 percent).

Ruiz

Ruiz will earn $1.9 million this season, $2.75 million in 2011 and $3.7 million in 2012. The deal includes a club option for $5 million for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

The 31-year-old Ruiz batted a team-high .341 during the 2009 postseason, starting all 15 postseason games. He hit a three-run homer off Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

Ruiz has a .246 batting average with 22 homers and 138 RBIs in four seasons. He was the last Phillies player eligible for arbitration.

The Phillies signed free agent catcher Brian Schneider to a $2.75 million, two-year contract in December.

Cuellar rejects Real rumoursReport: Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies agree on three-year, $8.85 million deal

Report: Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies agree on three-year, $8.85 million deal

Ruiz

PHILADELPHIA -- Catcher Carlos Ruiz and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to an $8.85 million, three-year contract that avoids salary arbitration, a source familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not yet announced the deal. Ruiz's contract includes a $5 million club option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

Ruiz batted .255 with 43 RBIs and a career-high nine home runs last season. He has a .303 postseason average after starting every Phillies playoff game the last two years for a team that reached the World Series twice, winning in 2008.

Ruiz was the last Philadelphia player in arbitration. His deal was first reported by MLB.com.

Cuellar rejects Real rumoursReport: Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies agree on three-year, $8.85 million deal

Florida Gators WR Riley Cooper opts for NFL draft over MLB

MOBILE, Ala. -- Florida receiver Riley Cooper is setting his sights on the NFL, not the major leagues.

Cooper, a 25th-round draft pick of baseball's Texas Rangers, said Monday that he has decided to focus on a pro football career. He was set to receive half of his signing bonus at a scheduled physical on Jan. 17, which had to be put on hold while he was playing football.

"Football's definitely the route I want to take," Cooper said. "Toward the last couple of weeks of the football season, I knew that's what I wanted to do. That's my makeup, my mentality. I'm just a football player, not a baseball player."

Tim Tebow's favorite target started preparations on Monday for the Senior Bowl along with his Gators quarterback. Cooper was a second-team All-SEC pick and led the team with 961 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

He said he has received indications he would be drafted anywhere from the second to the fourth round, but figures he has more speed than NFL teams think.

"They've got me down as a 4.5 in my 40," Cooper said. "The way I look at it is, all I can do is go up. I'm not a 4.5."

The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder plans to run it again at the NFL combine.

Giving up baseball won't be easy, Cooper said, but he is looking forward to having an offseason.

"I'm going to miss it," Cooper said. "I've been playing football and baseball my whole life. Now that it's gone and I'm only doing one sport, I'm going to miss it. But I think it's going to benefit me health-wise having an offseason for the first time since I was 13 years old."

Cooper said his roommate and quarterback, Tebow, was supportive throughout the decision-making process. The two hooked up during Monday's practice just like their college days.

"I thought he did really well," Cooper said. "The passes to me were good except one when he got hit in the back. Other than that, I thought he did well. He did a good job under center. He looked crisp."

Prospective Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg: Nolan Ryan key to dealGetafe to part with Adrian

New York Mets' Johan Santana to throw Tuesday to test elbow

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets ace Johan Santana is set to throw off a mound, hoping his left elbow has recovered from surgery late last season.

Santana is scheduled to pitch Tuesday during the Mets' three-day minicamp at their spring training complex. He expects to ready for Opening Day after having bone chips removed Sept. 1.

Santana

"I'm feeling good. Time will tell, but I am feeling good," the two-time Cy Young winner said Monday. "We did a pretty good job with the offseason, working out and doing all the rehab, and I'm feeling good. Everything is on schedule."

Santana went 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 25 starts. He struggled after June, going 6-7 with a 4.02 ERA before the Mets shut him down in late August.

Pitcher Oliver Perez, who had scar tissue removed from his right knee last season, also was optimistic.

"Right now I don't feel anything," Perez said of his knee. "I think that's why I'm really happy."

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said the team's health was the key to this season. Depleted by injuries, the Mets went 70-92 last year.

"Two weeks ago we were confident in Carlos Beltran being in the lineup, and now he's not going to be for the start, so that's why we went out and got Gary Matthews," he said. "I think a healthy Mets team will contend for a playoff spot. I think the Phillies have really improved themselves, so we have a lot of work to do."

"I don't think we are a joke but I do believe when you lose and you have a situation where -- let's be honest -- we didn't have a good year. In New York, for people to pay more attention, you have to win," he said.

The Mets quickly fell out of contention last year. In the two previous seasons, they doomed themselves with late collapses.

"It wasn't like last year was something that happened three or four years," Minaya said. "We all feel disappointed by how the year turned out last year, but the good thing about it is it's a new year."

Minaya said the Mets were still exploring their choices at catcher. They lost out on free-agent Bengie Molina, who re-signed with San Francisco, and currently have four options: Henry Blanco, Omir Santos, Chris Coste and young Josh Thole.

"If we need to go with the guys we have we will. But we are still talking to some other teams and looking at some free agents," Minaya said.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel ranked Santos as the early favorite to play a lot.

"Omir did a good job for us last year, he got off to a good start. The start is going to be very critical for us. We need to get off to a good start but understand that there are 162 games," he said. "He has some familiarity with the pitching staff, so he will probably be the guy, if you had to rank them."

Milito glad to be backNew York Mets, Jeff Francoeur agree to $5M contract for 2010

Report: Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies agree on three-year, $8.85 million deal

Ruiz

PHILADELPHIA -- Catcher Carlos Ruiz and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to an $8.85 million, three-year contract that avoids salary arbitration, a source familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not yet announced the deal. Ruiz's contract includes a $5 million club option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

Ruiz batted .255 with 43 RBIs and a career-high nine home runs last season. He has a .303 postseason average after starting every Phillies playoff game the last two years for a team that reached the World Series twice, winning in 2008.

Ruiz was the last Philadelphia player in arbitration. His deal was first reported by MLB.com.

Cuellar rejects Real rumoursRoy Halladay of Philadelphia Phillies takes out full-page ad thanking Toronto Blue Jays

Report: Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies agree on three-year, $8.85 million deal

Ruiz

PHILADELPHIA -- Catcher Carlos Ruiz and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to an $8.85 million, three-year contract that avoids salary arbitration, a source familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not yet announced the deal. Ruiz's contract includes a $5 million club option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

Ruiz batted .255 with 43 RBIs and a career-high nine home runs last season. He has a .303 postseason average after starting every Phillies playoff game the last two years for a team that reached the World Series twice, winning in 2008.

Ruiz was the last Philadelphia player in arbitration. His deal was first reported by MLB.com.

Alex Rodriguez chokes up when accepting writers' playoffs MVP award

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez looked at the award he just received from Babe Ruth's granddaughter with big eyes and a broad grin. It was as if he almost couldn't believe it was his.

"Postseason MVP. Wow," Rodriguez said Saturday night. Pausing for effect he added, "What's next, the good guy award?"

Rodriguez

Less than a year ago, it would have been difficult to decide which would be more preposterous for the troubled star to earn.

Rodriguez completed a tumultuous season that began with an awkward confession to past steroid use and then hip surgery that kept him out until May by being selected the winner of the Babe Ruth Award as the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America's postseason MVP.

A-Rod picked up the hardware at the 87th annual New York baseball writers' dinner Saturday night.

Rodriguez used his time away from the team to rehabilitate his hip as a period of reflection. He returned with a mantra: simplify things.

And after he told fans at the dinner that "he'd stick to the script of 2009 and keep it very, very brief," he choked up, taking a long pause -- save for a nervous laugh -- to look down at the podium and smile awkwardly.

Unlike the extended pause he took during his steroids news conference, this one was broken when an attendee -- the dinner was crowded with Yankees fans -- shouted, "You're the best, A-Rod!"

Rodriguez batted .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 15 games in the postseason, quickly putting to rest his reputation for failing when it mattered most -- he had 8-for-59 (.136) in the postseason since 2004 before going on a tear to lead New York to its 27th title.

Rodriguez thanked the fans for being patient with him after helping the Yankees win their first title since 2000. It was his first trip to the World Series in a 16-year career. He joined the Yankees in '04.

The three-time American League MVP took great pleasure in this award.

"I've been to these dinners a couple of times to receive MVP awards and those, I'm very proud of those accomplishments," he said. "But none of those accomplishments will ever compare to the feeling you get from being part of a team that won a world championship. Like Albert [Pujols] said there's nothing like winning a World championship."

Pujols was at the dinner to pick up his award for NL MVP. Minnesota's Joe Mauer collected the AL MVP and the Sid Mercer-Dick Young Player of the Year Award.

During his routine, comedian and writer Bill Scheft told Mauer, who will be a free agent after the 2010 season, that all New York airports were closed and that he'll have to stay until 2015.

Mauer's dad Jake Mauer, who bought his first tuxedo for the event, said his family wasn't going to push Joe to stay in Minnesota.

"Wherever he's happy, we're happy," Jake Mauer said.

Among those on the dais were the Angels' Mike Scioscia and the Rockies' Jim Tracy, managers of the year.

Scioscia dedicated his award to the Angels' 22-year-old rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart, who died in a car accident on April 9.

Former Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone received one of the loudest ovations of the night when he picked up the Arthur and Milton Richman You Gotta Have Heart Award. Boone had heart surgery this season and was able to return to the field for the Houston Astros in September.

Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur won the Ben Epstein-Dan Castellano Good Guy Award, and teammate Carlos Beltran got the Joan Payson Award for community service. Beltran was not in attendance because he had knee surgery last week.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was not at the dinner to collect his Joe DiMaggio Toast of the Town Award. He also shared the Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award with teammates Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte as the core four of the Yankees championship teams.

Don Zimmer, whose big league career began in 1954 with the Brooklyn Dodgers won the William J. Slocum-Jack Lang Award for long and meritorious service.

Alex Rodriguez told he doesn’t need more hip surgeryMessi aims for World award

Cliff Lee gets laughs as Seattle Mariners introduce new ace

SEATTLE -- Cliff Lee was in Seattle for a couple hours Friday before he had to field questions about his plans. Months away from his first pitch for the Mariners, everyone wanted to know what the ace left-hander would do when his contract ends this fall.

Lee

The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner was ready.

"I want a 10-year deal for about 200 billion dollars," the 31-year-old Lee cracked with a straight face.

Talk about a memorable first impression.

Seattle introduced the centerpiece of its offseason overhaul a month after it acquired him from Philadelphia as part of a complicated, four-team deal. The Phillies traded for Lee last season and he helped them reach the World Series.

The Mariners are hoping for their own deep postseason run with Lee and fellow ace Felix Hernandez anchoring their rotation.

"I don't think there's any question that with Cliff and Felix at the top of our rotation, it's something that a lot of people have to take notice to," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "To acquire someone [of] this magnitude and match him up with Felix Hernandez ... it's very special."

Lee has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract. He was introduced one day after Seattle signed Hernandez to a five-year contract worth $78 million.

Lee said he would rather not negotiate an extension during the season because of the distraction. And Zduriencik said Seattle hasn't broached the subject with Lee's representatives.

The Mariners want Lee to get to know his teammates for now, inside what the GM thinks is a "special" clubhouse situation. Ken Griffey Jr. helped brighten the atmosphere around the team last year, a factor in the club's turnaround from 101 losses to an 85-77 record in 2009.

"There's a balance here," Zduriencik said. "What we're hoping is he rolls in here and falls in love."

The vibes surrounding Lee weren't so mushy when Philadelphia traded him last month. Even Zduriencik said he was "very surprised" to see how excited Lee and his wife Kristen were to be in Seattle when they spoke in the GM's office Friday, given Zduriencik noticed Lee had said on a conference call 24 hours after the Phillies dealt him that he was in "disbelief and shock."

Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA for Philadelphia after he was acquired from Cleveland on July 29. He was even better in the playoffs, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts.

Lee, who earned both of the Phillies' wins in the World Series against the Yankees, had been excited to rejoin Philadelphia. Then, on the same day he made a counter proposal to the Phillies in negotiations on a multiyear contract, Philadelphia opted to trade him to help clear the way for a deal for fellow AL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay.

Suddenly, the father of an 8-year-old son (Jaxon) and 6-year-old daughter (Maci) was headed far away from their home in Arkansas, to his third team in five months.

"I thought I'd be spending the rest of my career there," Lee said in December. "I was under the impression they wanted to keep me there for a long time."

Friday, he emphasized his disappointment wasn't in going to Seattle. It was in leaving Philadelphia.

"It took me a few days [to get over it]," he said. "It was just shock.

"I'm going to make the best of it. I think it's going to be a good thing for me and my career. I think it's going to work out for the better."

He said Seattle has been one of his favorite road cities since his first full season in the majors with the Indians in 2004. And before Lee was introduced, Mariners executives showed him around Safeco Field.

Seattle's big ballpark combined with sterling defensive outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Franklin Gutierrez could make Lee even tougher at home.

"I'm excited to be here. I'm back in the American League, with one of the best defenses in the American League," Lee said, also mentioning Mariners infielders Jack Wilson, Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman. "To be a starting pitcher, you've got to like that."

He said he hopes to have the same positive, World Series experience in Seattle that he had in a few months with the Phillies.

"My mindset last year was, play my contract out and enter free agency," he said. "Going to Philadelphia changed that. I wanted to stay there.

"I'm hoping I get here and a similar thing happens."

Gunners chief slams BarcaSeattle Mariners’ Cliff Lee expresses disbelief, shock over trade

New York Mets get OF Gary Matthews Jr. and cash from Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Brian Stokes

NEW YORK -- Unable to find regular playing time for Gary Matthews Jr., the Los Angeles Angels traded the outfielder to the New York Mets on Friday and agreed to pay $21.5 million as part of the deal.

Los Angeles received right-handed reliever Brian Stokes, a native Californian, in exchange for Matthews, who had slumped for three straight seasons since signing a $50 million, five-year contract.

Matthews

Stokes

"He voiced his frustration to us because of his desire to play every day," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

New York wanted another outfielder after Carlos Beltran had knee surgery last week. Beltran, sidelined for much of last season, is not expected back until May, and Matthews will compete with Angel Pagan to play center field while Beltran is on the disabled list.

"I think it's going to be open competition," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "Nobody's going to be given the job."

Matthews is owed salaries of $11 million this year and $12 million in 2011, plus a $500,000 bonus for getting traded. The Mets will pay just $1 million per season, and the Angels will give New York money to cover the remainder of the salary plus the bonus, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the financial details were not announced.

Matthews hit .313 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs for Texas in 2006, when he made the AL All-Star team, then signed the big deal with the Angels that turned out to be the worst contract in the team's history. He slumped to a .252 average with 18 homers and 72 RBIs during his first season in Anaheim, then lost his center field job when the Angels signed Torii Hunter.

"It obviously wasn't the role that Gary was looking for," Scioscia said, adding that Matthews' disappointment was understandable. "To say that Gary was a disruptive influence or was not happy in our clubhouse is 180 degrees from the situation."

Matthews had 46 RBIs in 2008 and 50 last year, when he started 80 games. Now 35, he is the son of Gary Matthews, the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year.

Minaya called him a "change-of-scenery guy" and said that once Beltran returns, he could back up the center fielder, in addition to left fielder Jason Bay and right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

"It's an opportunity for him to come into New York and be able to hopefully get more playing time," Minaya said.

Matthews was briefly with the Mets but got only one at-bat for New York -- he fouled out against Pittsburgh's Mike Lincoln as a pinch hitter. The Mets purchased him from the Pirates in December 2001, then traded him to Baltimore for left-hander John Bale. SI.com reported in February 2007 that Matthews was sent human growth hormone by Applied Pharmacy in August 2004, an accusation he denied. Major League Baseball concluded there was insufficient evidence to discipline him.

New York added Matthews after failing to land two of its free-agent targets: catcher Bengie Molina, who decided to stay with San Francisco, and pitcher Joel Pineiro, who agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract with the Angels.

"You always wish that when you put (out) these offers, you're able to get the players," Minaya said.

The 30-year-old Stokes, born in Pomona, was 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA out of the bullpen last season, setting career highs for games (69) and innings (70 1-3). He spent the last two seasons with the Mets after making his big league debut for Tampa Bay.

"Being from Southern California growing up, I think this is going to be awesome for me," he said.

While the Angels haven't confirmed Pineiro's agreement, Scioscia already was referring to him as a member of the team.

"I think that depth moving forward is something that we need to re-establish," he said. "I think Brian is going to go a long way to help us in that department, and I think gives us, along with the acquisition of Joel Pineiro, some versatility between our rotation and our bullpen."

Sporting sign Sinama-PongolleNew York Mets sign right-hander Kelvim Escobar to one-year deal

Florida Marlins to announce pitcher Josh Johnson's 4-year contract Thursday

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins plan to announce pitcher Josh Johnson's four-year contract with a news conference Thursday at the construction site of the ballpark they expect to move into by 2012.

Johnson agreed last week to a $39 million, four-year deal, just days after the Marlins pledged to increase payroll spending in response to complaints from the players' union.

The right-hander gets $3.75 million in 2010, $7.75 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in both 2012 and 2013.

Johnson also will spend part of Thursday touring the ballpark construction site, which is where the Orange Bowl used to stand. He was an All-Star last season, going 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 209 innings.

Florida Marlins reach deals with Dan Uggla, Anibal Sanchez, Renyel PintoGunners chief slams Barca

Tim Lincecum files for record $13M in arbitration

SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum asked for a record $13 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday, while the San Francisco Giants offered their ace $8 million.

Lincecum

Lincecum is seeking the richest contract ever awarded in arbitration, surpassing the $10 million that Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Francisco Rodriguez (2008) got after losing cases and Ryan Howard got after winning his in 2008.

If Lincecum and the Giants don't settle, an arbitration panel will hold a hearing next month and pick one of the salaries.

Lincecum's case is an interesting test because few players have entered salary arbitration with credentials similar to his. Called up early in the 2007 season, the right-hander has a 40-17 record with a 2.90 ERA.

He won the Cy Young in his first two full seasons, becoming the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson from 1999-2002. Lincecum was a bargain for the Giants last year, when he made $650,000.

He had no negotiating leverage then, but is guaranteed to increase his salary by more than twelvefold even if he loses his case because he is eligible for arbitration as a so-called "Super 2" -- a player in the top 17 percent of service time between two and three seasons.

Lincecum's case could be most similar to Howard, whose $10 million request in 2008 had been the highest ever for a player in his first year eligible for arbitration. Howard won the NL MVP in 2006 when he led the league with 58 home runs and followed that with 47 homers in 2007. The Phillies offered $7 million.

Lincecum, nicknamed "The Freak" for his giant stride and slender body, has been the NL's most dominant pitcher almost from his arrival. He has a 33-12 record with a 2.55 ERA the past two seasons, leading the league in strikeouts both years. He has 526 strikeouts during that span, averaging 10.5 per nine innings.

Lincecum also leads the majors in ERA, batting average against (.214), winning percentage (.733) and strikeouts over the past two seasons.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lincecum agreed to pay $513 to resolve marijuana charges against him in Washington state.

He originally faced two misdemeanor charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession stemming from a traffic stop on Oct. 30. The charges were reduced to a civil infraction.

Lincecum appeared in Clark County District Court before Judge Darvin Zimmerman on Tuesday morning. Giants managing partner Bill Neukom was in court in a sign of support for Lincecum.

He paid a speeding ticket separately.

San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum leads list of 128 to file for arbitrationSporting sign Sinama-Pongolle

Closer Jose Valverde finalizes two-year contract with Detroit Tigers

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers are hoping "Papa Grande" comes up big for them this season.

Jose Valverde, all 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds of him, joined the Tigers as their closer after a $14 million, two-year contract was finalized on Tuesday.

The agreement, which was reached last week pending a physical, includes a $9 million option for 2012.

Jose Valverde#47 RP
Houston Astros

2009 STATS

GM52W4L2BB21K56ERA2.33

Valverde had 25 saves in 29 chances for the Houston Astros last year, when he struck out 56 in 54 innings and limited opponents to a .207 batting average. The 30-year-old righty was 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA last season after leading the NL in saves with Arizona in 2007 and Houston in 2008.

"We think Jose is one of the premier closers in the game," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He addresses to us what was our biggest need on our ballclub and gives us a chance, we think, to have a very solid pitching staff."

Detroit also agreed to one-year contracts with catcher Gerald Laird ($3.95 million), left-hander Bobby Seay ($2,475,000) and righty Zach Miner ($950,000).

The moves mean the Tigers have only one player still in arbitration, ace pitcher Justin Verlander. When the sides exchanged figures Tuesday, Verlander asked for $9.5 million and the club offered $6.9 million.

"We're hopeful to keep Justin a part of our organization for a long time and we remain hopeful of being able to do that," Dombrowski said.

The addition of Valverde gives Detroit the closer it needed after choosing not to re-sign Fernando Rodney or Brandon Lyon.

Rodney received an $11 million, two-year contract from the Los Angeles Angels and Lyon signed with Houston for $15 million over three seasons.

Valverde said he has friends on the Tigers, including first baseman Miguel Cabrera and right fielder Magglio Ordonez, and is looking forward to joining the team.

"I'm so excited right now," said Valverde, who is 19-19 with a 3.17 ERA and 167 saves in seven major league seasons -- five with the Diamondbacks and two with Houston. He was an All-Star in 2007 and finished sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Another of his friends is Rodney, and Valverde said his pal praised the Tigers during their conversations.

"He told me, 'There's a good energy over there. You'd be happy over there because everybody -- the GM, the fans, the manager -- everybody's good over there,'" Valverde said.

Valverde grew up in the town of El Seibo, Dominican Republic, where he lived with his parents and two younger brothers on a family farm. As a teenager, he was talked into taking up baseball by his uncle, former major league pitcher Jose Mercedes.

Valverde is known both for his imposing size -- he's called "Papa Grande" or "Big Papa" -- as well as his theatricality on the mound. He thrusts out his arms and legs and gyrates his body in celebration after saves and some strikeouts.

Valverde brushed off a question Tuesday from a reporter who asked whether he was concerned about pitching at Comerica Park in April and May when temperatures can be chilly.

"I pitched in Arizona, and it was 120 [degrees] over there," he said. "When you're on the mound, you have to forget about everything. You have to concentrate on the hitter."

He's said he's not concerned about the switch from the NL to the AL.

"I don't care. It's the same baseball," Valverde said.

He said he agreed to sign with the Tigers because they provide him with a chance to win.

"I don't want to lose every year. I played for Arizona. I played for Houston," he said. "This is a time for winning. I want to go to the World Series, and I want to have a ring on my finger."

Laird batted .225 with four home runs and 33 RBIs in a career-high 135 games with Detroit in 2009. His .997 fielding percentage was tops among AL catchers, and he led the league by throwing out 40.4 percent of runners attempting to steal.

Seay went 6-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 67 appearances last season. Miner was 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA in a career-high 51 games.

Detroit also announced Tuesday that it received cash from San Diego to complete the Dec. 21 trade that sent catcher Dusty Ryan to the Padres. Ryan appeared in 12 games for the Tigers last year, going 4 for 26 (.154) with four RBIs.

Reds in Maxi talksNew York Mets, Jeff Francoeur agree to $5M contract for 2010

Hideki Matsui of Los Angeles Angels in favor of Global World Series

TOKYO -- World Series MVP Hideki Matsui likes the idea of games between the World Series and Japan Series champions even though he may be retired by the time such a matchup takes place.

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig told his Japanese counterpart earlier this month that he is open to games between the champions of both countries but no steps have been taken to set up such a series.

Matsui

"If it ever happens I would be happy and I'm sure the fans would enjoy it," Matsui said Wednesday. "A lot of details would have to be worked out like where to play the games, and it's possible I'll be retired by the time they get it organized."

Japan has won the World Baseball Classic twice but Matsui opted out of both tournaments, saying he wanted to prepare for the regular season.

Matsui signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels last month.

Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is likely to replace Vladimir Guerrero as Los Angeles' primary designated hitter and has been projected as the No. 4 hitter in the lineup.

"I'm glad the expectations for me are high," Matsui said. "But my goals are the same as every year: Stay healthy and help my team win a championship."

Matsui hit .274 with 28 home runs and 90 RBIs last season as the primary DH for the New York Yankees.

A former gold glove winner in Japan, Matsui is anxious not to be restricted entirely to the DH role.

"I want to play every game next season and play some of those games in the outfield," Matsui said.

Matsui made the comments during a promotional visit to Japanese construction and mining equipment manufacturer Komatsu. Matsui's father worked at Komatsu and the company had an advertisement in the right-field stands at Yankee Stadium.

Naka won’t quit SpainHideki Matsui, Los Angeles Angels agree to one-year deal

New York Mets, Jeff Francoeur agree to $5M contract for 2010

NEW YORK -- Outfielder Jeff Francoeur and the New York Mets have agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract.

Francoeur

The deal announced Tuesday gives Francoeur a raise of more than $1.6 million.

Francoeur hit .311 with 20 doubles, 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 75 games with the Mets. He was acquired from Atlanta on July 10 for outfielder Ryan Church. Francoeur batted .280 overall with 15 homers and 76 RBIs last year, when he made $3,375,000.

He is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.

Three Mets remain in arbitration: left-hander Pedro Feliciano, right-hander Sean Green and outfielder Angel Pagan.

Sporting agree Michel saleNew York Mets sign right-hander Kelvim Escobar to one-year deal

Florida Marlins reach deals with Dan Uggla, Anibal Sanchez, Renyel Pinto

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins spent some more money Monday, agreeing to a $7.8 million, one-year contract with second baseman Dan Uggla and reaching deals with pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Renyel Pinto.

The frugal Marlins, under pressure from the players' association, agreed last week to increase their payroll from last year's $37.5 million, the major league low. Two days later, they agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract with pitcher Josh Johnson, a deal the team still has not announced.

Sanchez's contract is for $1.25 million. Pinto got $1,075,000.

The Marlins may yet reduce their payroll by trading Uggla, who hit .243 with a team-high 31 homers and 90 RBIs last year. His agent, Jeff Borris, said the contract agreement doesn't necessarily mean Uggla will be with the Marlins when the season begins.

"I don't think this increases or decreases the chances," Borris said. "It's no secret they have been trying to trade him."

Negotiations toward a one-year contract for Uggla began last month and did not accelerate with the Marlins' public pledge to spend more, Borris said. He said the team wasn't interested in a multiyear agreement.

"I had discussed the concept of doing a multiyear deal, and they said they had no intention of doing that," Borris said.

Uggla defeated Florida in arbitration last winter, when he was awarded a salary of $5.35 million rather than the team's offer of $4.4 million.

Sanchez, who pitched a no-hitter against Arizona as a rookie in September 2006, was 4-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 16 starts last year. He was sidelined from May 8 to June 1 with a sprained right shoulder, made one appearances and then went back on the DL until Aug. 20 with the same injury.

Union, Florida Marlins reach agreement to up payrollGetafe to part with Adrian

San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum leads list of 128 to file for arbitration

NEW YORK -- Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum highlighted the list of 128 players who filed for salary arbitration Friday, with many likely to gain enormous raises in the annual process.

Lincecum has been one of baseball's best bargains, earning $405,000 from the San Francisco Giants in 2008 and $650,000 last season, when he became the NL's first repeat Cy Young winner since Randy Johnson from 1999-02.

Lincecum

The deadline for players to file for arbitration was Friday. Lincecum is eligible for the first time and figures to earn $10 million or more this year after going 33-12 over the past two seasons.

Other notable players eligible for the first time include Tampa Bay pitcher Matt Garza, Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton, Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin and Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton.

Also due for big raises are Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon and Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino. The Mariners hope to strike a long-term deal with Hernandez, 19-5 with a 2.49 ERA last year, when he finished second in AL Cy Young voting.

While more than 200 players were eligible for arbitration when the season ended, clubs let many of them become free agents and already agreed to contracts with others. Among those who filed Friday, at least half are likely to settle before players and teams swap proposed salaries on Tuesday.

For those who don't settle, hearings will be scheduled for the first three weeks of February in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The 111 players in arbitration last year earned a record average increase of 172 percent to $3.07 million, according to a study by The Associated Press.

Players with three to six years of major league service are eligible, along with the top 17 percent by service time of players between two and three years. In addition, two free-agent pitchers accepted arbitration offers to return to their former clubs: Minnesota's Carl Pavano and Colorado's Rafael Betancourt.

The Twins had eight players who filed for arbitration, tied for most in the majors with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs.

New York Mets pitcher John Maine became the first of the 128 in arbitration to settle, agreeing to a $3.3 million, one-year contract that includes the chance to make $225,000 in performance bonuses based on starts. Houston infielder Jeff Keppinger agreed to a $1.15 million, one-year contract, and Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp then finalized a $10.95 million, two-year deal.

Eight players agreed to one-year contracts Friday instead of filing, including Arizona outfielder Conor Jackson ($3.1 million) and catcher Miguel Montero ($2 million), and a pair of Texas pitchers: Brandon McCarthy ($1.3 million) and Dustin Nippert ($665,000).

San Diego closer Heath Bell ($4 million), Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley ($3.85 million), San Francisco reliever Brandon Medders ($820,000) and Houston pitcher Chris Sampson ($815,000) also agreed to contracts.

Among free agents, first baseman Adam LaRoche and Arizona finalized a one-year contract that guarantees him $6 million. LaRoche gets $4.5 million this year, and the deal includes a $7.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $1.5 million buyout. LaRoche receives the buyout if either side declines, and if he gets traded the option price would increase to $9.5 million.

The 30-year-old hit .277 for Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh last season with 25 homers and 83 RBIs. He has a .274 career average in six seasons.

"He's really a consistent, middle-of-the-order threat," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said.

To make room for LaRoche on the 40-man roster, Arizona designated outfielder Eric Byrnes for assignment. Byrnes is owed $11 million for the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract.

Also, Cleveland agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with free-agent catcher Mike Redmond.

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Adam LaRoche, Arizona Diamondbacks finalize one year deal for $4.5 million

PHOENIX -- First baseman Adam LaRoche and the Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract.

His deal includes a $7.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $1.5 million buyout. LaRoche receives the buyout if either side declines the option.

The 30-year-old hit .277 for Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh last season with 25 homers and 83 RBIs. He has a .274 career average in six seasons.

"He really helps our lineup," general manager Josh Byrnes said. "He's really a consistent, middle of the order threat."

LaRoche

To make room for LaRoche on the 40-man roster, Arizona designated outfielder Eric Byrnes for assignment. Eric Byrnes is owed $11 million for the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract.

Adding LaRoche allows Arizona to shift Conor Jackson to his more natural outfield position. Jackson agreed Friday to a $3.1 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.

The 27-year-old Jackson hit .182 with four doubles, one home run and 14 RBIs over 30 games in an ailment-shortened season last year. He was sidelined in early May with an illness that was later diagnosed as valley fever and ultimately ended his season.

The Diamondbacks also avoided arbitration with catcher Miguel Montero by signing him to a one-year deal.

LaRoche said that, given the weakness of the free agent market this season, he chose to go somewhere he could sign a one-year deal rather than sign "a mediocre two-year contract."

He had been close to a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants reportedly worth $14 million.

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"They were a team that we were getting pretty serious with on a multiyear deal," LaRoche said on a conference call. "Not to bash them at all, I just had to weigh it. Was it worth going there a couple of years or kind of riding it out and see what the options are" after this season.

The city and the ballpark were among the lures, he said.

"I love it," he said of Chase Field. "Not just the fact that the ball flies, I like the fact that it's a dome. I like the climate here."

He said he had better financial offers early in the free-agent period.

"It wasn't a great free-agent market the last couple of years," he said. "We did have some offers better than this that came early and they just happened to be in places I wasn't as excited about playing in."

LaRoche likes the potential of the offensive lineup he's joining, which will include Jackson, Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton.

"There's no doubt that it's a dangerous lineup," he said, "and I hope that joining it and potentially being in the middle of it will hopefully protect these guys and get some protection as well."

The signing will allow young first baseman Brandon Allen to get another season at Triple-A Reno.

With Gerardo Parra projected as Arizona's fourth outfielder, there was no place for Byrnes, who had been plagued by injuries and had hit poorly since batting .286 with 21 homers, 30 doubles and 83 RBIs in 2007.

"I didn't see a great opportunity for Eric Byrnes to make our club or play a primary role on our club," Josh Byrnes said.

Report: First baseman Adam LaRoche agrees to one-year contract with Arizona DiamondbacksDominguez close to Valencia deal

Report: First baseman Adam LaRoche agrees to one-year contract with Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX -- First baseman Adam LaRoche and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

LaRoche

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because LaRoche had to complete the physical needed before the contract can be finalized.

The 30-year-old left-handed batter hit .277 for Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh last season with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs. He has a .274 career average with 136 homers in six seasons.

Last week, LaRoche reportedly turned down a two-year, $17 million offer from the San Francisco Giants.

Adding LaRoche would allow Arizona to shift Conor Jackson to his more natural outfield position. Jackson missed virtually all of last season with an illness known as "valley fever."

The team would have Jackson in left, Chris Young in center and All-Star Justin Upton in right, with fourth outfielder Gerardo Parra able to play all three positions.

The Diamondbacks, who finished last in the NL West at 70-92 last year, have had a relatively busy offseason.

Earlier, they signed second baseman Kelly Johnson to a one-year contract.

They also were part of a three-team trade that brought starting right-handers Edwin Jackson from Detroit and Ian Kennedy from the New York Yankees. Arizona gave up right-hander Max Scherzer and left-handed prospect Daniel Schlereth.

Arizona signed right-handed reliever Bob Howry to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with a club option for 2011.

LaRoche played for three teams last season. He started the year with Pittsburgh, then was traded to Boston for two minor leaguers on July 22. He played just six games for the Red Sox before being traded to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman on July 31.

LaRoche started his major league career with the Braves and spent three seasons with Atlanta before he was traded to Pittsburgh in January 2007 in a deal that brought reliever Mike Gonzalez to the Braves. LaRoche's brother Andy plays for the Pirates.

LaRoche's best season was 2006, when he hit .285 with 32 home runs and 90 RBIs, all career highs. His numbers are far better in the second half of the season than the first.

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Cleveland Indians' Jake Westbrook says reconstructed elbow will be OK

CLEVELAND -- Jake Westbrook spent part of his offseason in sunny, tropical Puerto Rico. He didn't go there to work on his tan.

Westbrook, who hasn't pitched for the Cleveland Indians since May 2008, tested his surgically repaired right elbow by playing winter ball for the first time in his career. He came away after four starts on the island convinced he's on track and encouraged his arm can withstand the grind of a major league season.

Westbrook

"My elbow felt great," Westbrook said Wednesday from his home in Georgia. "It was probably the best it's felt at any time during my rehab. It was very encouraging."

Westbrook is penciled in to start for the Indians on Opening Day, a potential assignment the 33-year-old is cherishing as much as any other since breaking into the big leagues. He has endured grueling hours of rehab and had a few setbacks since undergoing Tommy John surgery on June 12, 2008.

It's been a long road back for Westbrook, who won 44 games for Cleveland from 2004 to 2006.

It's almost over.

"This has taught me a lot of patience," Westbrook said of his time away. "It's been very frustrating. When you start the whole process and you have a timetable for yourself -- I didn't meet any of those expectations for myself. This has helped me realize that nothing's given in this game and nothing should be taken for granted."

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Westbrook had hoped to pitch last season, but was limited to just three minor league starts before the Indians shut him down. Normally, it takes 12 to 18 months for a pitcher to return from ligament replacement surgery, but by the time Westbrook steps back atop a major league mound, it will be nearly two years.

Westbrook said he was able to make all of his pitches during his winter-ball stint and his fastball was consistently clocked in the 90 mph range. New Indians manager Manny Acta visited him during his stay in the Caribbean.

"I really liked what I saw from Jake in PR," Acta said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "His pitching coach, Ricky Bones, was nice enough to allow me to see Jake's warmup before the game. He threw free and easy with very good command of all of his pitches, to me that's a good sign of being pain-free.

"He had his usual good sink and induced plenty of groundballs, after the game I could tell by his face expression that he was happy with the way things were going. And so was I."

Westbrook liked more than his velocity and command.

"What was most encouraging was meeting all my requirements and feeling good the next day," the sinkerballer said. "I feel good about what I was able to do."

Westbrook built up to 80 pitches per game and said he wants to improve his arm strength before spring training opens next month. He has already begun his throwing program, pitching to his father the way he did as a kid.

Since Westbrook last pitched in the majors, the Indians have been overhauled. The team traded Cy Young Award winners CC Sabathia (to the Yankees) and Cliff Lee (to the Phillies, now with the Mariners), creating a void at the top of the rotation that Westbrook hopes he can fill.

"I just want to help this team win anyway I can," he said. "I'm ready to go, man."

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Union, Florida Marlins reach agreement to up payroll

MIAMI -- The perennially frugal Florida Marlins have reached an agreement with the players' union to increase spending in the wake of complaints the team payroll has been so small as to violate baseball's revenue sharing provisions.

The deal was announced Tuesday in a joint statement by the Marlins, the union and Major League Baseball. The parties did not comment beyond the statement, and it was unclear how much the Marlins' payroll might increase.

Money Matters?

The Marlins have ranked dead last in payroll in three of the last four years, but they have outperformed teams doling out much bigger bucks.

Year Payroll Rank Win Pct. Rank 

2009 $36.8M 30th 10th 

2008 $21.8M 30th 14th 

2007 $30.5M 29th 26th 

2006 $15.0M 30th 18th 

The agreement runs through 2012, when the Marlins' new ballpark is scheduled to open.

"In response to our concerns that revenue sharing proceeds have not been used as required, the Marlins have assured the union and the commissioner's office that they plan to use such proceeds to increase player payroll annually as they move toward the opening of their new ballpark," said Michael Weiner, executive director of the players' association.

The agreement calls for arbitration if further disagreements arise, Weiner said.

Baseball's basic agreement calls for each club to use its revenue sharing receipts in an effort to improve the team. In recent years, the union has complained the requirement was not met by some teams, including the Marlins.

Plagued by poor attendance in their current home, the Marlins have had the lowest payroll in the majors three of the past four seasons.

But the franchise has gotten considerable bang for its buck. Last year, for example, the Marlins finished six games out of first place in the NL East with a payroll of $37 million, while the division rival Mets finished 17 games behind Florida despite a payroll of $142 million.

"The Marlins have consistently made every effort to put the best product on the field, and our record supports the fact that we have been successful in that regard," team president David Samson said. "Throughout the discussions, the Marlins maintained that there had been no violation of the basic agreement at any time."

Citing confidentiality provisions, the joint statement said there would be no comment by any of the parties on further specifics of the agreement. As a result, it's unclear what impact a spending increase will have on the Marlins' 2010 season.

They might now be less inclined to trade second baseman Dan Uggla, who is eligible for arbitration and due a hefty raise. And increased spending improves the chance of an agreement with ace Josh Johnson on a multiyear contract.

Getafe to part with AdrianCuban ace Aroldis Chapman inks 6-year deal with Cincinnati Reds

Cuban ace Aroldis Chapman inks 6-year deal with Cincinnati Reds

CINCINNATI -- Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman agreed Monday to a $30.25, six-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, who view him as an addition to their rotation down the road.

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The 21-year-old gained notoriety during the World Baseball Classic in March, when he pitched well against Australia and badly against Japan, throwing his fastball around 100 mph fastball. He's had control problems that will be his biggest obstacle at the outset.

Chapman gets a signing bonus of $16.25 million that will be paid over time. Some of the money in his contract will be paid out over a 10-year span.

The contract framework helps the Reds, who are expected to trim their payroll from last season's final figure of $72.7 million. The Reds drew 1.7 million fans during their ninth straight losing season, their smallest gate since 1986.

"Financially, it works for us," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It does not impact our major league payroll this year in a significant way."

Chapman defected in July. He threw a bullpen session for major league teams in Houston last month. Agent Randy Hendricks said between six and eight teams were strongly interested in Chapman, who attended a news conference and put on a Reds jersey.

Chapman doesn't speak English and knew virtually nothing about major league teams. The Reds plan to have catcher Ramon Hernandez work out with him in Florida.

Jocketty said it's too soon to tell whether he will be a candidate for a starting job with the Reds this spring, or whether he'll need time in the minors to continue working on his delivery. Chapman, who also pitched in relief for Cuba, will be groomed for the rotation.

"I think that's where his future is," Jocketty said. "We see him as potentially a top-of-the-rotation starter at some point."

The 6-foot-4 Chapman was a first baseman primarily until he was 15 or 16, when a school pitching coach suggested he convert to pitching. By the 2005 season, he was 18 and pitching for Holguin in the Cuban national league.

He defected last July, leaving the Cuban national team after it arrived in the Netherlands for a tournament. He then established residency in Andorra so he could choose his team as a free agent and not be subject to baseball's draft.

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New York Yankees, Sergio Mitre agree to $850,000 deal

NEW YORK -- Pitcher Sergio Mitre and the New York Yankees have agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract that leaves the team with two players eligible for salary arbitration.

Mitre

New York had declined a $1.25 million option on the right-hander, who was not on the Yankees' postseason roster.

Mitre, who turns 29 next month, had elbow ligament replacement surgery in July 2008 and agreed to a minor league contract with the Yankees last offseason. He sat out the first 50 games while serving a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

Mitre joined the Yankees in late July and went 3-3 with a 6.79 ERA in nine starts and three relief appearances.

Right-hander Chad Gaudin and left-hander Boone Logan remain eligible for arbitration. Logan was acquired last month from Atlanta along with right-hander Javier Vazquez in the trade that sent outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Braves.

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Which hat fits? Hall of Fame undecided about cap on Andre Dawson's bronze plaque

NEW YORK -- Andre Dawson's first order of business after donning his new Hall of Fame jersey and cap was to make a confession.

"As I stand here, I'm literally shaking," Dawson said Thursday. "I had a knee replacement on one leg that I thought was dead but it's shaking."

Dawson's journey to the Hall was a painful one -- and not because he had to endure a nine-year wait to be elected.

 

Rather, it took 12 knee operations -- sounds like a record -- for Dawson to complete a 21-year career (1976-96) that finally landed him the coveted title of Hall of Famer on Wednesday, when was the only player for 2010 to receive at least 75 percent of the vote.

He still stole more than 300 bases to go with his 438 home runs. Along with Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, he's one of three major leaguers to accomplish the feat.

"The Hawk" played his first 11 seasons on the artificial turf of Montreal's Olympic Stadium, which he said was as hard as the carpeted floor he was standing on at his news conference. He extended his career with 10 more years on grass, including six with the Chicago Cubs, where he won the 1987 NL MVP.

The Hall of Fame still hasn't decided whether the eight-time All-Star will have an Expos or Cubs hat -- Dawson also played two years each for Boston and Florida -- on his bronze plaque.

Despite the near life-sized poster of Dawson in an Expos uniform next to the dais, Hall president Jeff Idelson said no decision has been made.

WHO WILL IT BE?

Andre Dawson played 21 seasons in the majors, spending 11 with the Montreal Expos and six with the Chicago Cubs. How his numbers stack up:

 Expos (1976-86) Cubs (1987-92) 

BA .280 .285 

OBP .326 .327 

Slug pct. .476 .507 

HR 225 174 

RBIs 838 587 

SB-CS 253-85 (74.9 pct.) 57-21 (73.1 pct.) 

"At the end of the day you want the logo to represent where this guy made his greatest impact," Idelson said. "He was impactful in Montreal. He was impactful in Chicago, and to a much lesser extent Boston and Florida, but it's more of a case sitting down and collectively make a decision."

Dawson might have never made it to Chicago, where he said he rejuvenated his career, were it not for the encouragement of his wife, Vanessa. Playing with a high school football injury he never properly rehabilitated, Dawson was in so much pain in his fourth big league season because of a "fractured knee" that he told her he didn't know if he could play any longer. Powerful pain killers were barely getting him through games.

"The third [Darvocet] took the pain away but it came back at night. That's why I didn't want to do it anymore," Dawson said. "And she looked at me and said, 'You know you're hurting now, but just see what the problem is because a year, two years from now you are going to regret walking away.' "

Dawson stayed in baseball, hoping that in the best-case he could go 2, three years between operations. He said a strict, prolonged pregame and postgame routine and the switch to playing on grass lengthened his career. In 2006, he had two knee replacement operations on his left knee.

The payoff will come July 25, when he will be inducted at Cooperstown along with manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, elected last month by the Veterans Committee.

One thing Dawson wasn't keen on doing to extend his career was act as the designated hitter. In his two seasons with the Red Sox he played 171 games at DH and he felt there was an "element of the game missing."

Dawson, who won eight Gold Gloves, thinks there's room for a designated hitter in the Hall, though.

"If he put up phenomenal numbers. If he teared the cover off the ball, I can envision that happening," Dawson said. "You know the game is not solely based on offense but if a guy puts up out-of-the-roof numbers I think that it could happen."

Edgar Martinez, who received 36.2 percent in his first time on the Hall ballot, played just 33 games in the field during the final 10 years of his 18-year career.

Next year, Martinez will be joined on the ballot by more a controversial candidate. Rafael Palmeiro, who tested positive for steroids after telling Congress he never used performance-enhancing drugs, will be a first-timer.

Palmeiro can look to Mark McGwire for an indication of how the vote will go. McGwire received 128 votes (23.7 percent) in his fourth appearance of the ballot. Eighth on the career list with 583 homers, he has been stigmatized since evading questions from Congress in 2005 about steroids use.

Joining them will be Bert Blyleven, who fell five votes short, and Roberto Alomar, who finished eight shy in his first season of eligibility. Other top newcomers include Juan Gonzalez, Larry Walker, Jeff Bagwell, John Franco and Kevin Brown.

Oier laid low againBaseball Hall of Fame: Andre Dawson the sole inductee for 2010

Baseball Hall of Fame: Andre Dawson the sole inductee for 2010

NEW YORK -- Andre Dawson got up at 6 a.m. and went to the gym. Before going back home, he took a detour from his usual routine on the day Hall of Fame voting is announced.

"I went by a cemetery to visit my mom and also my grandmother," he said. "It's the first time I had done that. I just felt a little bit more optimistic about this year, and I just wanted to share a few things at that grave site. It meant a lot to me to get out there."

HAWK FLIES IN AT LAST

Eight-time All-Star Andre Dawson, on his ninth try, got in with 77.9 percent of the vote (539 votes were cast; 405 were needed for induction). Mark McGwire, in his fourth year of eligibility, received 10 more votes than last year, and matched the total from his first two times on the ballot.

Player Votes Pct. 

Andre Dawson 420 77.9 

Bert Blyleven 400 74.2 

Roberto Alomar 397 73.7 

Jack Morris 282 52.3 

Barry Larkin 278 51.6 

Lee Smith 255 47.3 

Edgar Martinez 195 36.2 

Tim Raines 164 30.4 

Mark McGwire 128 23.7 

Alan Trammell 121 22.4 

Fred McGriff 116 21.5 

Don Mattingly 87 16.1 

Dave Parker 82 15.2 

Dale Murphy 63 11.7 

Harold Baines 33 6.1 

Andres Galarraga 22 4.1 

Dawson's faith was rewarded a few hours later Wednesday, when he was elected to the Hall in his ninth try. He was the only player honored, as Bert Blyleven fell five votes short and Roberto Alomar finished eight shy.

Dawson received 420 of 539 votes in results announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, 15 more than the 75 percent necessary to gain election. The eight-time All-Star outfielder was 44 votes short last year.

"If you're a Hall of Famer, eventually you're going to get in no matter how long it takes," Dawson said during a telephone conference call. "As I sit here, the only thing I can think of is that it was well worth the wait."

He credited mom Mattie Brown and grandmother Eunice Taylor for teaching him to work hard with dedication and determination. He cried as he arrived at the cemetery, and thanked his mother for raising eight children without a father in the house. He hoped he made them proud.

"I told her, 'I love you. I miss you. I wish you were alive so I could tell you that,'" he remembered saying.

While they never saw him play in person, fearing he'd get hurt, they tracked his career from a distance.

"There were some instances where I may have made myself look like a fool out there on the field with some confrontations with the umpires," Dawson said. "I would get a call immediately. And you know, the question was: 'Who do you think you are and what do you think you're doing?' And that, you know, kind of humbled me to a degree."

Caple: Blyleven creeping up

Bert Blyleven fell five votes short of the Hall of Fame in this year's vote, giving him hope that maybe next year will finally be his call to the Hall. Story

Dawson hit 438 homers with 1,591 RBIs in a career that spanned from 1976-96. Nicknamed "The Hawk," he was voted NL Rookie of the Year in 1977 with Montreal and NL Most Valuable Player in 1987 with the Chicago Cubs, the first member of a last-place team to earn that prize.

"It gave me new life, playing on a natural surface after playing in Montreal on artificial surface for 10 years," he said.

Joined by Barry Bonds and Willie Mays as the only players with 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, Dawson also spent time with Boston and Florida. He never made it to the World Series.

[+] Enlarge

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty ImagesNewly minted Hall of Famer Andre Dawson spent 11 seasons with the Montreal Expos.

A victim of owners' conspiracy against free agents after he left the Expos, Dawson signed a blank contract with the Cubs during spring training. Then-general manager Dallas Green filled in the dollar amount of $500,000, making Dawson the second-lowest paid regular on the team.

Known for his strong arm in right field, he had a .279 career average and 314 steals, playing through 12 knee operations. He's already had two knee replacements and may need another.

He will be inducted July 25 at Cooperstown along with manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, elected last month by the Veterans Committee. Within 90 minutes of the announcement, Dawson had received 34 voice mails and 62 text messages.

Blyleven, who had 287 wins, 3,701 strikeouts and 60 shutouts, is likely to have a similar experience next year. He had 400 votes (74.2 percent), up from 338 last year, and gets two more tries on the BBWAA ballot. The highest percentage for a player who didn't enter the Hall in a later year was 63.4 by Gil Hodges in 1983, his final time on the ballot.

Next year's vote also will include newcomers Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez, Larry Walker, Jeff Bagwell, John Franco and Kevin Brown.

"Hopefully, this will lead to getting over that hurdle next year," Blyleven told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Alomar received 397 votes (73.7 percent), the most of any first-year candidate not elected. This marked the first time in BBWAA balloting that two players fell fewer than 10 votes short in one year.

"I feel disappointed, but next year hopefully I make it in," Alomar said at his home in New York, where his son cried. "At least I was close."

A 12-time All-Star second baseman, Alomar led Toronto to consecutive World Series titles in 1992-93. He finished with a .300 career batting average, 2,724 hits, 210 homers, 474 steals and 10 Gold Gloves.

Jack Morris, the winningest pitcher of the 1980s but burdened by a 3.90 career ERA, had 282 votes (52.3 percent), up from 237 last year.

Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin, like Alomar making his first appearance, was on 278 ballots (51.6 percent), followed by reliever Lee Smith at 255 (47.3 percent) and Edgar Martinez at 195 (36.2 percent). Martinez, on the ballot for the first time, is a test of how voters receive players who were primarily designated hitters.

Mark McGwire received 128 votes (23.7 percent), 10 more than last year and matching the total from his first two times on the ballot. Eighth on the career list with 583 homers, he has been stigmatized since evading questions from Congress in 2005 about steroids use.

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