As the NFL season comes to an end, the MLB season is fast approaching. Let's take a look at the last week's worth of late offseason action:
- Congratulations to Andy Pettitte on a terrific career. After 16 Major League seasons, the southpaw is calling it a career. The Yankees were prepared to pay him $12MM, but Pettitte will take his 3.88 ERA and spend time with his family instead. Here's some media reactions to his retirement. Good luck in life after baseball Andy.
- The Orioles made a pair of signings this week, adding Vladimir Guerrero for one year and $8MM (with $2MM deferred) and Justin Duchscherer for one year and $700K plus incentives. They won't take the division, but the O's have made some serious upgrades to their on-field product this offseason.
- There's not much time before the deadline to work out an extension with Albert Pujols, but talks between him and the Cardinals are not going well at this point. One positive note for Cards fans is that Jim Edmonds will return for his ninth season as a Cardinal with an eye on 400 career homers.
- The White Sox announced a four-year, $32.5MM extension for Alexei Ramirez this week. On the other side of town, the Cubs are nearing an extension of their own with Carlos Marmol.
- Colorado extended Rafael Betancourt's contract by one year, guaranteeing their setup man another $4MM. The deal also has a mutual option for $4.25MM.
- The Michael Young saga continues. The Rangers are once again exploring trades for him, and here's everything we learned about the situation on Saturday. Earlier today, we heard that Young wants out of Texas.
- The Indians are working to sign Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Bonderman as well. Cleveland could use some depth in the rotation beyond Fausto Carmona, though the Yankees are also talking to Millwood. The Tigers announced this week that Bonderman won't be back.
- The Giants made some personnel decisions this week, exercising the options on manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean. They also hired Lou Piniella as a front office consultant.
- Notable arbitration news for the week included the Twins and Francisco Liriano settling on a $4.3MM salary, the Dodgers and Hong-Chih Kuo settling on a $2.725MM salary, the Reds and Edinson Volquez settling on a $1.625MM salary, and the Mets hammering out a two-year, $7.5MM deal for R.A. Dickey.
- Robinson Cano hired Scott Boras as his agent this week — that should be entertaining when the two sides discuss a new contract.
- Notable minor league deals included the Red Sox signing Dennys Reyes, the Rays signing Juan Cruz, the Yankees signing Eric Chavez plus Freddy Garcia, and the White Sox signing Lastings Milledge. For all of the week's minor moves, check our Transactions section.
Great career Andy.
Who thinks Freddy Garcia will make the Yanks’ rotation. Please respond and let me know what you think.
i bet he makes it. he won’t be better than league average, but at least you know what you’re going to get. he is no andy pettitte!
congratulations on an incredible career, Andy! Yankees fans will not forget what you did for the organization over 13 years. It takes strength and a sureness in yourself to pass up 12 million dollars and another year of playing the game you have lived for 16 years for the love of your family. I wish you the best in life after baseball!
tons of respect for andy, from the hgh, to going to houston to be near home, to turning down 12M to be with family. youre a good dude, andy pettitte.
I always liked the guy, despite being a yank, but I don’t think I ever really respected the guy until he admitted to HGH use.
do you also respect Mcgwire? just curious
Honestly, after everything that has happened, especially including the personal attachment I have to the 1998 season, I don’t know. It’s more of a personal question because of what baseball means between me and my relationship with my father.
Sorry to be vague.
Troll.
I really hate when statements such as “They won’t take the division, but the O’s have made some serious upgrades to their on-field product this offseason” are made. Yes, the odds against them winning the division are astronomical, but improbability does not equate to impossibility. Stranger things have happened…
Like the Packers winning the Super Bowl?
They were favored by 2.5 to win the game, so no. Though I was rooting for them to win, since they beat my Falcons.