Around the Majors: Beltran update
1) The Astros failed to re-sign Carlos Beltran by last night’s deadline. The Mets are reportedly the favorites to sign him, with the Cubs a possibility and the Yankees maybe interested, but probably not.
2) The Indians signed free agent P Kevin Millwood to a 1 year, $3 million contract. He’ll also get an additional $4 million, but only if he spends 20 or less days on the DL, due to a pitching related elbow or shoulder injury. Otherwise, he would lose about $22,000 (1 day’s salary) for each spent on the DL.
After 3.24 ERA/22 RSAA and 4.01 ERA/1 RSAA seasons, Millwood had a 4.85 ERA/-8 RSAA in 25 starts with the Phillies. He has a 3.89 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.36, and 59 RSAA in 228 games.
3) The Cardinals gave manager Tony LaRussa a 3 year contract extension, through the 2007 season.
4) The Rangers re-signed C Rod Barajas to a 1 year, $1.85 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration.
After -10 RCAA/.645 OPS and -21 RCAA/.592 OPS seasons, Barajas had a .453 SLG, .276 OBA, .728 OPS, -16 RCAA in 108 games. He has a .648 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and -61 RCAA in 319 games.
5) The Redsox re-signed free agent 1B Dave McCarty to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
In his first year with more than 25 games since 2001, McCarty hit .404 SLG, .327 OBA, .731 OPS, -5 RCAA in 89 games. He has a .675 career OPS, compared to his league average of .766, and -69 RCAA in 617 games.
6) The Rangers invited INFs Joaquin Arias and Ian Kinsler, C Mike Nickeas and Ps John Danks and Thomas Diamond to spring training.
7) The Pirates signed utilityman Cesar Crespo to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
Crespo has -19 RCAA/.553 OPS in 132 career games, including a .215 SLG, .165 OBA, .380 OPS, -11 RCAA in 52 games with the 2004 Redsox.
If you enjoy the ATM reports and want to support them, check out my other creation–the sabermetric baseball encyclopedia. Orders are now being taken for the next edition, which will include the 2004 stats and is currently shipping. It’s powerful, yet extremely easy to use. Features extensive sorting, stat display options, and features that are not available in online and printed sources. The deluxe package has been greatly expanded, making it a much better bargain. For more information, see http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com
According to Peter Gammons, “There is no greater baseball tool than Lee Sinins’ Baseball Sabermetric Encyclopedia. Get thee to Baseball Immortals and order the disc, haste post haste.” The product Jayson Stark called “the best invention since the toaster oven!” has gotten even more powerful.