Yankees finalize, announce deal with Teixeira

NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira sat down with his wife on Dec. 12 to have dinner, his regular Friday "date night" with Leigh at the Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas.

"I'd been asking her for weeks and weeks, Where do you want to go? Where do you want me to play?" he related. "And she said, 'I want you to be happy. I just want you to be happy.' And finally, she said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.' So that's when it was done. And once we got the contract figured out, it was a no-brainer."

"The Yankees hadn't made their decision yet, but that's when we made our decision," he said with a laugh.

"He was pushing me for an answer. I gave it," Leigh said, giggling. "I always loved New York, and I thought it would be really special for him to be a Yankee."

The free-agent first baseman officially joined the Yankees on Tuesday, finalizing a $180 million, eight-year deal initially agreed to Dec. 23, pending contract language and a physical. Teixeira's news conference might have been the last big event at old Yankee Stadium -- the team is set to move on Jan. 23 across 161st Street to its new $1.3 billion ballpark. Workers were wheeling whirlpools out of the visiting clubhouse Tuesday in anticipation of the move.

Teixeira had first been to Yankee Stadium when he was 8 or 9 years old. Don Mattingly was his favorite player, and Teixeira admitted, "I was in awe."

"I was sad to see this place go," he said wistfully. "I think everyone is going to miss Yankee Stadium."

Now 28, he already is thinking ahead to April 16, when New York hosts Cleveland in the first opening day at the new ballpark.

"You know what the coolest part is going to be?" he said. "I'm going to get a chance to be the first first baseman that the Yankees have in the new stadium. And, you know, the Bleacher Bums in right are going to do the roll call. That's going to be pretty sweet. Hopefully, we're going to be four games up in the division at the time, and are already rolling, and the fans here in New York will be pumped."

Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter, batting .254 through April and averaging three homers and 11 RBIs in the first month of the season. But on his first day in pinstripes, he said all the right things. He sounded at home, referring to Derek Jeter as "DJ" and saying the captain was "one of the greatest Yankees of all-time."

"I have yet to tap my potential," Teixeira said. "I haven't accomplished anything yet. I don't have a World Series ring on my finger."

The timing of his decision might be news to the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, who also sought to sign Teixeira. He and agent Scott Boras met with Red Sox officials in the Dallas area on Dec. 18.

"There was no mention of the Yankees, but we felt all along that they were going to get the last call. That's what you deal with in working with Scott," Red Sox owner John Henry wrote Tuesday night in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with Teixeira on Dec. 4 at a Washington hotel where the Los Angeles Lakers happened to be staying, noticing coach Phil Jackson in the lobby. Cashman made an initial offer at some point, then withdrew it.

"Without a doubt, this was a deviation from our plan," Cashman said. "We felt he was a rare, exceptional opportunity."

On Dec. 22, Cashman called Boras and the following day made a $160 million, eight-year proposal. Cashman thought until 11 a.m. on Dec. 23 that Boston was the favorite, then told co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner after hearing Boras' questions that the Yankees were the "lead dog." By 1:30 p.m., he had a deal.

Boras said the Red Sox had no cause to complain.

"I think Boston knows that they got good-faith proposals and they were given proposals, which means if accepted, the player would have signed the proposal," he said. "If teams reject them, they cannot in any way suggest that they were strung along."

New York has committed $423.5 million to three free-agent additions this offseason after its streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances ended. On Dec. 18, the Yankees completed a $161 million, seven-year contract with left-hander CC Sabathia and an $82.5 million, five-year deal with right-hander A.J. Burnett.

At that time, the Yankees thought that would be the final news conference at the old ballpark, which opened in 1923.

"The old Yankee Stadium doesn't want to die," manager Joe Girardi said.

Some other teams have been angry that the Yankees added three top free agents. The Yankees' payroll currently projects to start about $10 million to $20 million below last year's opening-day figure of $209 million.

"We all feel like we do a lot for this industry, between the revenue-sharing dollars we contribute, the merchandise we sell, the tickets we sell," Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner said. "So if you've got some owners that are upset, I'm just not going to let it worry me. I'm not going to lose sleep over it. It's a shame that they feel that way."

With all the new additions, there will be increased pressure on Girardi to win in his second season.

"They give you the resources to win, and you're expected to win," he said.

Notes Because Andy Pettitte hasn't accepted the Yankees' proposal of about $10 million for one year, the Yankees aren't sure the offer will still be available to the left-hander. "I think things are more complicated now," Cashman said, adding that he couldn't say he was optimistic. ... Like Sabathia and Burnett, Teixeira won't play in the World Baseball Classic. ... Girardi let slip that the Yankees have agreed to a minor league contract with RHP Jason Johnson. To make room for Teixeira, New York designated 1B-OF Shelley Duncan for assignment. ... Girardi isn't sure whether the switch-hitting Teixeira will bat third ahead of Alex Rodriguez or cleanup behind A-Rod. ... Teixeira will wear No. 25, Jason Giambi's old number. Teixeira had worn 23 with his previous teams whenever it was available to honor Mattingly, whose number has been retired by the Yankees. "Donnie Baseball was my guy," Teixeira said.


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Orioles fill rotation spot with Japanese pitcher

BALTIMORE -- Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara and the Baltimore Orioles have reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year contract.

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The right-hander must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said Tuesday night. The 33-year-old Uehara would become the first native of Japan to play for Baltimore.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Uehara will be paid $10 million over the two years of the contract, which also includes incentives that could raise the total to as much as $16 million.

Uehara has spent his entire career with the Yomiuri Giants. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Uehara was 6-5 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 26 games for the Giants last year.

The Sun reported that Uehara is expected to occupy a spot in the Orioles' rotation.


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Back where he started: Giambi, A's finalize deal

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jason Giambi is returning to his professional baseball roots with the Oakland Athletics.
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Jason Giambi will join Matt Holliday in helping to revive what was an anemic A's offense last season, Keith Law writes. Blog Giambi and the A's finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter and first baseman back to the place he began his big league career. The sides had reached a preliminary agreement earlier this week but Giambi still needed to complete the obligatory physical for the deal to get done. Giambi, who turns 38 on Thursday, follows a line of aging and injury-prone designated hitters in recent years with the A's -- Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney and then Thomas again. Giambi also could play some first base to give Daric Barton a break from time to time. After leaving the A's following the 2001 season, Giambi signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees. He was slowed by injuries and was ensnared in the federal and baseball investigations of performance-enhancing drugs. New York declined its $22 million option on him after last season, choosing instead to pay him a $5 million buyout. With Oakland, Giambi gets a $4 million salary this season and the A's hold a $6.5 million option for 2010 with a $1.25 million buyout. He can earn an additional $500,000 each year in performance bonuses: $250,000 each for 525 and 550 plate appearances. From the constant fanfare of Yankee pinstripes and playing in the Bronx to again wearing the green and gold in the blue-collar environment that comes with playing in the decrepit Coliseum and being part of the low-budget A's, this marks a familiar change for Giambi. He won the AL MVP for Oakland in 2000. A's third baseman Eric Chavez is still around from Giambi's early days, too. Oakland announced in early November that Bob Alejo would become its new director of strength and conditioning -- a sign Giambi might be next to come back and return to his roots. Alejo served as the A's strength and conditioning coach from 1993-2001 and followed Giambi to the Yankees, working for Giambi personally and for the team during some years. The slugger got booed when he came back to the Bay Area with the Yankees, customary treatment for all of those former Oakland stars who have gone on to big money elsewhere. Giambi, a second-round draft pick by the A's in 1992, is a .286 career hitter with 396 homers and 1,279 RBIs in 14 big league seasons. He made his major league debut for Oakland on May 8, 1995. Giambi batted .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2008 for the Yankees, who missed the playoffs despite their $200 million payroll after a run of 13 consecutive postseason appearances. That's just one shy of the record set by the Atlanta Braves from 1991-2005. To open a roster spot, the As designated infielder Joe Dillon for assignment.


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Sources: Dodgers offer Hoffman one-year deal

Los Angeles Dodgers fans could have a new reason to stick around for the ninth inning -- the chance to be serenaded by the strains of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells."

Hoffman

It could become a regular late-inning occurrence at Dodger Stadium if all-time major league career saves leader Trevor Hoffman accepts an offer to become the team's closer and brings his entrance theme north to L.A. Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney the Dodgers have offered a one-year deal to Hoffman, 41, who has earned all but two of his 554 career saves for the Padres over 16 seasons. The offer also includes a club option for 2010.

The Dodgers also made an offer to Dennys Reyes on Tuesday night, according to sources, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported. There are also indications the Dodgers are pursuing a right-handed set-up man, believed to be ex-Dodger Guillermo Mota, and are known to have contacted the agent for free-agent right-hander Juan Cruz.

Hoffman had a bitter separation with San Diego management in November, when the team withdrew a $4 million contract offer. The Dodgers' offer exceeds $4 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, which also reported L.A.'s interest in Hoffman. He earned $7.5 million in 2007. The Milwaukee Brewers are also interested in signing Hoffman -- though it appears Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is aware the team faces a geographic disadvantage in its pursuit, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "He's got three young boys, so he could go home a lot more if he signs with Los Angeles," Melvin told the newspaper. "That's what free agency allows a player to do -- pick where it's best suited for him to play." Dodgers GM Ned Colletti declined to comment and Hoffman's agent Rick Thurman did not return messages seeking comment, the Times reported. Hoffman converted 30 of 34 saves and went 3-6 with a 3.77 earned-run average last season, including a 1.59 ERA after the All-Star break. Signing Hoffman -- and inserting him into the closer's role -- would allow the Dodgers to again use Jonathan Broxton as a setup man and add depth to a bullpen which has lost Chan Ho Park and has yet to re-sign Takashi Saito, Joe Beimel. While there has been speculation that Hoffman would have to come to Los Angeles as a set-up man, the Dodgers' intend to use him as a closer, at least initially, while grooming Broxton as their closer of the future. The Brewers would also install Hoffman as their closer, Stark reported. Initially, the Dodgers seemed more focused this winter on the starting-pitching market, after losing both Derek Lowe and Brad Penny to free agency. But clubs and agents that have spoken with them say they have shifted their focus to the bullpen in recent days, Stark reported.


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Diamondbacks, 1B Clark agree to new contract

PHOENIX -- First baseman Tony Clark is returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks, agreeing Friday to an $800,000, one-year contract.

The 36-year-old Clark played for Arizona from 2005-2007 and had a prominent role on the 2007 NL West champions. He left after that season to sign with San Diego but returned to the Diamondbacks last July. Clark hit .225 with three home runs and 24 RBIs in 108 games with San Diego and Arizona last year.

"We are pleased to retain Tony," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said in a statement. "His power can impact the game either as a pinch-hitter or as a starter. His leadership and experience watching our club evolve over the last several years will help us tackle our next set of challenges."

Clark is a .263 career hitter with 247 home runs and 813 RBIs over parts of 14 seasons with Detroit, Boston, the New York Mets and Yankees, Diamondbacks and Padres.

His 55 home runs with Arizona rank seventh in franchise history.


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D-backs CEO resigns, nears purchase of Pads

PHOENIX -- Jeff Moorad has resigned as Arizona Diamondbacks chief executive officer and says he has reached an agreement in principle to buy the San Diego Padres.

Moorad said Friday he heads a "small but significant" group of investors that has an exclusive right to complete the specifics of negotiations with Padres owner John Moores. Moorad said he hopes the transaction can be completed in the next three months.

Moorad said he has a long friendship with Moores and his wife, Becky, whose divorce precipitated the Padres' potential sale.

Discussions on the potential purchase became extensive after Moores hired Goldman Sachs to oversee the sale of the club in late November, Moorad said.

"We have a lot of work to do," Moorad said on a conference call, "but John and Becky and the folks at Goldman Sachs have been very attentive and focused as I intend to be over the next month or so. I'm hopeful that we can get to the finish line."

The Moores reportedly own 90 percent of the Padres. Community property laws in California give Becky Moores a 50 percent share of that asset and she must agree to any sale.

San Diego owner John Moores confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press that Moorad had exclusive negotiating rights to buy the team. Jesse Jacobs from Goldman Sachs didn't immediately return a call or e-mail seeking comment.

Moorad said he would be the majority owner if the deal goes through. He would have to sell his share of ownership in the Diamondbacks if the Padres deal is finalized.

He said he first approached Moores about buying the team when rumors surfaced that the Padres might be for sale.

"I told him that I was very happy in Arizona, that I was very excited about the organization that the Diamondbacks had become," Moorad said, "and that the only thing that would turn my head would be the possibility of returning to California, particularly Southern California."

Moores got back to him "a couple of months ago" to say that indeed he was selling the team, and the talks progressed from there. Moorad said he was required to resign from his Arizona job in order to have exclusive rights to complete negotiations with the Padres. Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall replaces Moorad as CEO.

The Moores would continue to have a share of the team's ownership for a yet undetermined number of years, Moorad said.

The transaction would come in an economy that is reeling on all fronts.

"I think sports teams will be challenged going forward as all businesses will be in the short term," Moorad said, "but I'm bullish on baseball and I'm particularly bullish on baseball in Southern California. I think we've shown in Arizona there are ways to not only survive but win even on a medium-sized market payroll."

Moorad grew up in Modesto, Calif., and graduated from UCLA in 1978 before getting his law degree at Villanova. He and his family lived in Newport Beach, Calif., for more than 20 years and still have a home there.

Moorad was a formidable agent who represented several major sports figures, including baseball's Manny Ramirez and Eric Karros, before he purchased a share of the Diamondbacks in 2004. His connection as an agent concerned other owners, so Ken Kendrick continued to serve as managing partner, representing the team in league ownership issues.

However, Kendrick said those concerns have been erased by Moorad's performance since assuming his CEO position with the Diamondbacks.

"Jeff has established himself through the years with us and I think Major League Baseball, from discussions I've had with them directly, would be comfortable with him controlling an ownership group with another club," Kendrick said.

Moorad also said he's been assured his past as an agent would not be an obstacle to him being a principle owner.

"I think he has roots that are very deep in Southern California," Kendrick said. "To get an opportunity in San Diego is exactly on point for the family in terms of that element of their lives."

Moorad lured many of the current top Diamondbacks officials, including Hall and general manager Josh Byrnes, to their jobs in Arizona. Hall joined the team in May 2005 as senior vice president, communications. Marketing-related issues were added to Hall's responsibilities in December 2005. He was promoted to president on Sept. 6, 2006, and will retain that title in addition to his new CEO position.

Hall called his promotion "bittersweet" because of his long relationship with Moorad, but added that he looked forward to the challenges of his new position.

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Report: Marlins, RHP Proctor reach agreement

MIAMI -- Former Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Scott Proctor has reached an agreement with the Florida Marlins on a $750,000, one-year contract with an additional $250,000 in incentives, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed Friday.

The person didn't want to be identified because the deal is contingent on Proctor passing a physical Monday.

Several South Florida media outlets were also reporting the deal on Friday.

Proctor underwent surgery in October to repair a partially torn flexor tendon and is expected to be healthy for spring training. He missed two months of the 2008 season and was left off the Dodgers' postseason roster.

The Marlins needed bullpen help after the departures this offseason of right-handers Kevin Gregg to the Chicago Cubs, Doug Waechter to Kansas City and Joe Nelson to Tampa Bay.

Battling elbow trouble, Proctor went 2-0 with a 6.05 ERA in 38 2/3 innings last year. He has a career ERA of 4.42 in 262 games.

Proctor turned 32 Friday. He was born in Stuart, Fla., and pitched for Florida State.


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