Official Mlb Free Agent Signing Thread

[CalvnHobs6]

I'll get this party started.

 

Cubs agree to one-year deal with SS Perez

 

November 5, 2004

 

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs on Friday agreed to terms on a one-year contract with shortstop Neifi Perez, who signed with the team after being released by the San Francisco Giants on August 19.

 

Perez, 31, batted .371 in 23 games for the Cubs and hit safely in 14 of the final 18 contests. He became the first Chicago player since the advent of division play in 1969 to start his Cubs' career with six straight hits.

 

The re-signing of Perez may indicate that the Cubs will not make an offer to shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who was acquired from Boston last July but missed games due to a wrist injury.

 

Perez also has played with the Colorado Rockies (1996-2001) and Kansas City Royals (2001-02).

 

Tigers exercise $4 million for Urbina

 

November 5, 2004

 

DETROIT (AP) -- Right-hander Ugueth Urbina's $4 million option was exercised Friday by the Detroit Tigers.

 

Urbina, who signed as a free agent on March 29, was 4-6 with a 4.50 ERA and 21 saves in his first season with Detroit. He left the team after his mother was kidnapped Sept. 1 in Venezuela.

 

Urbina was ninth in the AL with 21 saves and is 39-43 with a 3.42 ERA and 227 saves in 10 seasons.

 

If Detroit had declined the option, he would have been owed a $500,000 buyout.

[yeszir]

Woody Williams' contract extension was just refused by the Cardinals, I heard this on ESPNEWS, so he's out in the open.

[CalvnHobs6]

Same with Buddy Groom.

[CalvnHobs6]

And more.

 

Cards pick up option on RHP Carpenter for 2005

 

November 5, 2004

 

ST. LOUIS (TICKER) -- Chris Carpenter missed the entire postseason with nerve damage in his right biceps, but that didn't stop the St. Louis Cardinals from picking up his 2005 contract option on Friday.

 

The move comes one day after the National League champions declined to pick up the 2005 option on pitcher Woody Williams.

 

Carpenter, 29, won a career-high 15 games this past season and lost only five with a 3.46 ERA in 28 starts. He made his final appearance September 18 against Arizona, but had to leave that game in the fourth inning with pain in his right biceps.

 

A medical exam determined Carpenter had nerve damage, forcing him to miss the playoffs.

 

Carpenter did not pitch at all in 2003 after undergoing shoulder surgery.

 

Yankees decline 2005 option on RHP Lieber

 

November 5, 2004

 

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees on Friday declined their 2005 club option worth $8 million on righthander Jon Lieber.

 

The move does not rule out the Yankees retaining Lieber but if they do bring him back for the 2005 season, it will be at a cheaper price.

 

The New York Daily News reported earlier this week that the Yankees are interested in signing Lieber, 33, to a two-year contract worth about $12 million.

 

After sitting out the entire 2003 campaign following "Tommy John" surgery, Lieber returned last season and had a solid year for the pitching-thin Yankees, going 14-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts.

 

Lieber made his Yankees' debut on May 1 and got off to a slow start but he was New York's best starter down the stretch, going 5-0 with a 3.12 ERA in September. He also won Game Two of the American League Championship Series, but was the losing pitcher in Game Six.

[schillingouttheks]

lieber? this could be interesting and could hurt the yanks. they need a nice young pitcher in him. hes someone the sox could pick up and have an effective future with arroyo and him. not to mention effective now. im also thinking he wouldnt take too much to come to the sox. he got the boot from the yanks, i think he would be interested in coming here.

[RedSox4538]

Lieber's 34 years old

[CalvnHobs6]

I actually had absolutely no idea that Lieber was that old. I don't want the guy on the Sox just because of the almost certain fan reaction. Plus-nootttttt that good.

[schillingouttheks]

Originally posted by RedSox4538@Nov 5 2004, 08:17 PM

Lieber's 34 years old

holy s*** my bad.

 

lol

 

is there a reason i thought he was young?

[YanksHater213]

I didnt think he was that old either... probably the fact that he has been hurt, and not in the news much contributed to that.

[schillingouttheks]

yea i coulda sworn i heard on the news he was somewhat young and was going to have success in his later years as a pitcher...

[YanksHater213]

Vizquel signed a 3 year deal with the Giants today according to ESPNEWS bottom line...

[Gertie]

Lieber's been around for a while, but he only had his breakout season a couple years ago, so I guess that's why people thought he was younger. I wouldn't want him, at least not at the price he's probably going to ask for. He's a #4 starter at best.

[stocker323]

Vinny Castilla and Cristian Guzman have signed with Washington.

[yeszir]

Originally posted by stocker323@Nov 16 2004, 05:26 PM

Vinny Castilla and Cristian Guzman have signed with Washington.

That's so weird, saying Washington. It'll take me a while to get used to it.

[papi4prez]

Originally posted by yeszir+Nov 16 2004, 05:28 PM-->

QUOTE (yeszir @ Nov 16 2004, 05:28 PM)

[stocker323]

ESPN is reporting that Troy Percival has signed a 2 year deal with the Detroit Tigers.

[ahhchon]

that's tough...

 

john

[CalvnHobs6]

...it's also worth 12 million dollars. The Tigers also are paying Urbina 5 million next year...so a set up man and a closer? Or will they trade Urbina?

[CrespoBlows]

It's worth it for the Tigers, with a closer, plus a good set up man, they'll be ready to compete in that s*** division, all they need is one starter, and I thought it would be Lowe.

 

LOWE BACK IN '05!

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by CalvnHobs6@Nov 17 2004, 05:31 PM

...it's also worth 12 million dollars. The Tigers also are paying Urbina 5 million next year...so a set up man and a closer? Or will they trade Urbina?

The only thing I heard about Percival was that he wouldn't sign anywhere unless he was going to be the closer. Now we know money talks, so maybe not. BUT, my guess is that Urbina would set up or be traded. A nice end of game combination though.

[papi4prez]

mlb.com reports mets sign kris benson

 

"The right-hander agreed to a three-year deal worth just under $23 million with a club option for a fourth year. The total package could be worth $30 million if the club picks up the 2008 option. The deal is pending a physical that Benson will take on Monday in New York."

[Soxfan1]

The Brewcrew signed Damian Miller to a 3 year deal.

[2090]

* SOON TO COME *

 

Yankees sign Beltran

Yankees sign Steve Kline

 

 

Don't even ask for the money figures, because Boras(s) is what his name implies and the Yankees will dish out the dough.

[CalvnHobs6]

CINCINNATI -- The Reds held onto their top starting pitcher Tuesday, agreeing to an $8.2 million, two-year contract with right-hander Paul Wilson.

 

Wilson, 31, went 11-6 with a 4.36 ERA last season, when he made $3.5 million. He became a free agent after the season but made it clear he preferred to stay in Cincinnati if a deal could be worked out.

 

Wilson's contract includes base salaries of $3.6 million for 2005 and $3.75 million for 2006. There's a team option for 2007, when he could make up to about $5.15 million depending upon escalators, or the team can buy out the option for $850,000.

 

He had one complete game last season and led the staff with 29 starts and 183 2-3 innings. His 11 victories were a career high and the most on the Reds.

 

Just an update.

[CalvnHobs6]

Sorry...from the Associated Press.

[Soxfan1]

The giants signed Armando Benitez to a 3-year deal.

[Soxfan1]

The red sox signed Doug Mirabelli to a 2-year deal.