MLBeat

Look, I really hope we don't have another Subway Series. If one loomed, I would lobby the NYC transit union to strike and block it. But I have to accept that at this point, if the Yankees get one more decent starter, it is a possibility.

So I ask: Who wins this series?

The Yankees have a dynamite lineup, right? But don't the Mets, too? Let's say the Mets do get Manny. We know by this point in the season that the Mets can get star players whilst trading only prospects (cf. the Delgado trade). That would give them a lineup looking something like:

Reyes, SS
Beltran, CF
Ramirez, LF
Delgado, 1B
Floyd, RF
Wright, 3B
Whoever, 2B
LoDuca, C

Also starring:

J. Franco, PH
V. Diaz, 4th OF
En. Chavez, PR
X. Nady, Maybe

Then the pitching staff would be:

Martinez
Glavine
Seo
Trachsel
Benson/Zambrano

Then the bullpen has some question marks. Wagner closes, the Mets might trade Heilman for Baez (even though Heilman is awesome), but past that I don't know who half these guys are:

Heath Bell
Chad Bradford
Bartolome Fortunato
Tim Hamulack
Juan Padilla
Royce Ring
Mitch Wylie

These guys have some unbelievable names. I mean Royce, Mitch, Bartolome, Heath? Wow, but can they pitch? Answer is: Juan Padilla had a pretty good year last year, with 1.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 36.1 innings. But Fortunato wasn't even in the league last year and Hamulack has a career ERA of 23.14 in 2.1 innings. Mytch Wylie is a pure rookie. Chad Bradford was OK for Boston in 23.1 IP last season. Bell has a ways to go. He threw 46.2 innings last season, which is probably his best stat. He had a 5.59 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP with a not-bad 43 K's. That about does it. Even if they trade Heilman for Baez, that still leaves them short in the bullpen. Maybe they could trade an outfielder for another arm.

Nonetheless, they have decent pitching and a lot of hitting. They could make the Series.

The Yankees look like this:

Batting:

Damon, CF
Jeter, SS
Rodriguez, 3B
Sheffield, RF
Matsui, LF
Giambi, 1B
Posada, C
Williams, DH
Cano, 2B

Posada and Williams would be left out of other lineups, but as for the rest.... The bench is a little scary, as it usually is:

Miguel Cairo
Bubba Crosby
Kelly Stinnett
Melky Cabrera
Andy Phillips
Kevin Reese
Felix Escalona

The starting five will come from:

Johnson
Mussina
Pavano
Wright
Small
Wang
Chacon

The Mets probably have a better one through five. But the Yankees bullpen is fully stocked, perhaps not with the best—but each player has a role:

Sturtze: middle innings, maybe 7th inn.
Villone: middle innings, spot starts, lefty
Proctor: middle innings, mop up
Small/Chacon: middle innings
Myers: lefty
Dotel: late innings, once healthy
Farnsworth: set-up man, closer if Rivera's hamstring/groin acts up
Rivera: closer

Because the starting three are iffy past Johnson, this bullpen is going to get a lot of work. Dotel and Farnsworth are much better when not closing. If Rivera is around, this pen will hum.

It could be a high-scoring series. Because the Yanks have a better bullpen at this point, I'd take the Yanks in seven.

Except for the days sandwiching the Major League All-Star Break, there is good baseball being played in North America just about every day of the year. Today is no exception. There are numerous major leaguers who do not stop taking swings and throwing strikes when October rolls around. These players make their way down to the Caribbean to play in the Caribbean Winter League.

The baseball action in this league is interesting for a number of reasons. There are a lot of young, up-and-coming major leaguers in this league, including highly touted prospects like Andy Marté and Fabio Castro . Plus, it's not just for Hispanic or Latino players. For example, Luke Scott of the Astros, Aaron Heilman of the Mets, and Michael Restovich of the Pirates are all playing (and playing well) in the Caribbean this year.

It is somewhat difficult to find out exactly what is going on in this league. Perhaps this is because most of the information I can find is in Español. So, instead of looking for stats I look for estadísticas; instead of looking to see who is leading in home runs, I look to see who has hit the most jonrones. The ERA leader leads not in ERA but in EFE. Don't even ask me what that stands for.

The Caribbean League is composed of three divisions: oriental, occidental, and comodín. Teams hail from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. I have been pulling up the box scores page for the Tigres del Licey—El Glorioso!—of the Dominican League. From here, I can download box scores from the past few months and go through the names of the players to see which I recognize. The boxscores download as a PDF and include all of the games played on that day. I also go to the central home page for theVenezuelan teams. This page has a pretty good estadísticas section in which there is a link to the líderes for the 2005-06 Caribbean league season. Once you click on this link, you will pull up a PDF document running down the standings and the stats for the batting and pitching leaders.

Keeping up with these stats is an excellent way to stay fit for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. For instance, maybe Chad Gaudin (whom the A's recently snatched from Toronto) could be someone to keep your eye on. He's 3-3 with a 2.19 EFE and 40 ponches in 53.1 innings. Or how about Michael Restovich? He's hitting .337 with 7 jonrones and 34 impulsadas. All of these numbers are league top-ten. Then there's Luke Scott with 9 jonrones. Maybe this is the year he starts hitting in Houston.

In no particular order here are some more names from the Caribbean League:

Henry Rodriguez (Oh Henry!) • Ramon Ortiz • Ronnie Belliard • Hanley Ramirez (traded from Boston to Florida in Beckett deal) • Yhency Brazoban (who is racking up the salvados) • Randall Simon • Jorgé Cantu • Pete Munro • Marcos Scutaro •etc.

As of 4 p.m. Pacific time today, the World Baseball Classic is still happening. Nations will square off in March for what appears to be little more than vague bragging rights. Major leaguers will be suiting up for different teams, in different alignments, not to mention snazzy new uniforms. ESPN will presumably televise the heck out of it. A-Rod will be nowhere to be found. This is baseball perfection, people.

Here are the current rosters, or at least the contingent of MLB players on rosters thus far. Upon perusing them, questions abound:

• We're not gearing up for a 162-game season; the winning team will only play eight times. So why do some of the countries list thirty or more players? The Dominican Republic seems to be carrying 29 major leaguers thus far, and the U.S. lists over forty. Are they protecting themselves against an expected rash of dropouts? Are a handful of MLB all-stars prepared to be cut from the American and Dominican teams? Why did Al Leiter even bother to put his name on the Team USA list?
• If someone holds that Dominican lineup to two runs in eight innings, does it immediately jump into the inner circle of the pantheon of baseball's best-pitched games alongside Jack Morris, Kerry Wood and Doc Gooden?
• Supposing Team USA goes undefeated and wins the gold, they will play on March 7th, March 8th, and then they will alternate gamedays with days off until the final on the 20th, for a total of eight games. Now let's suppose the Americans settle on, say, Roger Clemens as their #1 starter. For their fifth game, on the 14th, will they run Clemens back out there on five days' rest? Do they go to their "fifth" starter, Mark Buehrle? Or the "seventh" starter, John Smoltz? Do they try to circumvent the concerns about preseason straining of pitchers by going Buehrle-Clemens-Halladay-Peavy-Pettitte-Smoltz-Sheets-Sabathia-Isringhausen in a nine-inning game? Would Barry Zito and Billy Wagner really be okay with "extra-inning insurance" duties in this scenario?
• Has it been explained properly why the Netherlands get a team? Is Andruw Jones going to play eight positions at once? And while we're at it, what about Great Britain or Greece? Don't we want to watch a gaggle of Frenchmen trying to learn baseball on an international stage? Can't we be allowed to witness an Angolan player somehow making contact but proceeding to run to the wrong base?
• Presumably the countries with only a handful of listed MLB participants (Panama, Korea) will fill out their rosters with local talent unknown to the peanut gallery of baseball fans worldwide. For simplicity's sake I will refer to them collectively as Paco Ruiz. What if Paco has a huge game in the preliminary round and catapults his underdog nation to the second round? Will Paco Ruiz jerseys start selling like hotcakes around the globe? Will the Yankees invite him to spring training to try out for the centerfield job? If Paco wins the job, and goes .330/.410/.500 in pinstripes, does it change the way we think about international scouting forever?
• If Ken Griffey declares his intent to suit up for Team USA in the woods, does it make a sound?
• If Team Italy makes a surprise run and wins the title behind the arms of Jason Grilli and Matt Mantei and the bats of Mike Piazza and Frank Catalonotto, do we disband the World Classic concept immediately out of shame, or do we insist on trying it again in four years?

All this, and we haven't even come to the Cuba problem yet. As Fidel Castro might say, you can't put a price tag on this.

ESPN.com has made Ugueth Urbina its top story as of this moment (Monday night, before the conclusion of Falcons-Saints). The worldwide leader has seen fit to interview Urbina and fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen and publish the full transcripts (here and here), a tactic previously reserved for Terrell Owens hatchet jobs. The headline is "Urbina's Plight," and the picture is of him speaking into a microphone from behind bars, wearing what appears to be a particularly menacing Florida Panthers cap.

Seriously, stop what you're doing and read the two interviews. This is the best sports story of the year, staring us in the face, because it will be a case study in athletic glory and the way it plays in a serious, sensational, life-or-death situation, and in different countries where baseball is differently valued.

ESPN did well to score these interviews -- although it did take them two months -- and Pedro Gomez seems to cover a lot of bases with his questioning. Gomez was formerly most notable for being commissioned by ESPN to shadow Barry Bonds in the height of the home run record chase and ensuing BALCO scandal, but here we learn he is also ESPN's go-to guy when a major story breaks in a Spanish-speaking country. Not that we expected Jayson Stark or Peter Gammons to be chomping at the bit for this assignment.

It is notable that, earlier this morning, the story sat towards the bottom of the page, under Bill Simmons and "Today's Voices," in the "Must-Read" Section. Now, the Must-Read Section -- which we will no longer refer to in quotes, as it is a cherished household name -- the ESPN.com Must-Read section has certainly run some entertaining and informative pieces in the past.

But their use of the phrase "Must-Read" here is just a trick to get you to read something towards the bottom of a web page. Ain't a thing wrong with trying to get ahead in this newer and scrappier Internet age, but there's only one place to put a real Must-Read story in sports, and that's front and center. ESPN's editors probably didn't realize it until they saw the Urbina story skyrocketing through the most-viewed ranks, but at last, here it sits, right where it needs to be.

Things that are now going to transpire:
1. Urbina will get a fair trial, both from the Venezuelan justice system and the court of American public opinion, due to the severity and unusual nature of the charges.
2. Other sportswriters, such as those at CNN/SI, CBS Sportsline, and so on, will have to start addressing the story.
3. Letterman may or may not refer to the saga in his monologue, but Jon Stewart definitely will (if he hasn't already).
4. We might experience a resurgence in Reservoir Dogs references, trivia, and music, a resurgence that is at least four years premature.
5. Bill Simmons will make some jokes about it that flirt dangerously with being racially insensitive.
6. As someone we're relying on for background info, Ozzie Guillen will come to be more appreciated for his surprisingly well-spoken manner, once that well-spoken manner is translated into English.
7. Michael Vick, who just broke off a twenty-yard naked bootleg to school the entire Saints defense on MNF, will be back atop the headlines before too long. (This is already true on CBS Sportsline, which does not appear to acknowledge the Urbina story at all.)

As for the grand prediction? I may just be another two-bit blogger with more Wi-Fi capability than legal knowledge, but it's hard to see a happy ending for Urbina, especially given the numerous still-unanswered questions. Did Ugie learn about the fracas after waking up in the night or after the police informed him in the morning? Is Ugie "not man enough" to get really drunk and "Reservoir-Dogs" these five other drunk guys, or is he (according to Guillen) capable of beating up everyone else in his jail cell "one at a time?" And why is Ugie's lawyer letting him give such a detailed interview to ESPN (especially in contrast with the tight-lipped "ongoing investigation" language employed by steroid-accused baseballers lately, not to mention the Bush administration)? How does the Venezuelan justice system differ from America's in situations like these, especially in the case of celebrity involvement?

The questions will roll on. We sports fans can only hope the Worldwide Leader recognizes the blockbuster potential here and sees this saga through to the end. One figures they must, if only to satiate the hordes of hot-stove enthusiasts who wonder why their team hasn't acquired enough top-notch bullpen help yet this winter. For now, we only have poetic quotes like this from Ozzie:

PG: What are the chances that Ugueth Urbina will pitch in the major leagues again? OG: I don't know, because now I'm on the other side of the ring, I'm managing right now. But in this game, a lot of people kill, a lot of people gamble, a lot of people get caught doing drugs, a lot of people get caught beating their wives. A lot of people get caught doing a lot of mistakes. And they have another chance. Just because Ugie fights with somebody out of the U.S., it's different in Venezuela. They don't know how tough Venezuela is, how difficult it is to live in a country going through a lot of difficult situations right now. There's no doubt in my mind he should get another chance, get another shot to perform and help somebody win some games.

Recent news on:

Scott Erickson • Carlos Almanzar • Tuffy Rhodes • Jeff Weaver • Lima Time • Quinton McCracken • Shingo Takatsu • Scott Hatteberg • Jamey Carroll • Felix Heredia • Timo Perez • Josh Fogg • Tatsuya Ozeki • Matthew LeCroy • Alex S. Gonzalez


Arizona Diamondbacks

Gained

Miguel Batista—acquired from Blue Jays, along with Orlando Hudson, for Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos
Jeff DaVanon—agreed to a 1-yr, $525,000 contract
Eric Byrnes—signed a 1-yr, $2.2m contract
Damion Easley—signed a 1-yr, $700k contract
Johnny Estrada—acquired from Braves for Lance Cormier and Oscar Villareal
Jason Grimsley—signed a 1-yr contract
Felix Heredia—agreed to a minor league contract
Orlando Hernandez—acquired from White Sox, along with Luis Vizcaino and Chris Young, for Javier Vazquez
Orlando Hudson—acquired from Blue Jays, along with Miguel Batista, for Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos
Terry Mulholland—agreed to a minor league deal
Luis Vizcaino—acquired from White Sox, along with Orlando Hernandez and Chris Young, for Javier Vazquez

Lost

Royce Clayton—signed to a minor league deal by Nats
Lance Cormier—traded to Braves along with Oscar Villareal for Johnny Estrada
Shawn Estes—agreed to a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Padres
Troy Glaus—traded to Blue Jays along with Sergio Santos for Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista
Javier Lopez—signed a minor league contract with White Sox
Quinton McCracken—signed a minor league deal with the Reds
Kelly Stinnett—signed a 1-yr, $650K contract with the Yankees
Javier Vazquez—traded to White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino, and Chris Young
Oscar Villareal—traded to Braves along with Lance Cormier for Johnny Estrada
Tim Worrell—signed a 2-yr, $4m contract with Giants


Atlanta Braves

Gained

Carlos Almanzar—agreed to a minor league contract
Jeff Bennett—agreed to a minor league contract
Lance Cormier—acquired from Diamondback, along with Oscar Villareal, for Johnny Estrada
Matt Diaz—acquired from the Royals for Ricardo F. Rodriguez
Wes Obermueller—acquired from Brewers for Dan Kolb
Todd Pratt—signed to a 1-yr contract
Mike Remlinger—agreed to a minor league contract
Edgar Renteria—acquired from Red Sox for Andy Marte
Oscar Villareal—acquired from Diamondbacks, along with Lance Cormier, for Johnny Estrada

Lost

Adam Bernero—signed a minor league contract with Royals
Johnny Estrada—traded to Diamondbacks for Lance Cormier and Oscar Villareal
Kyle Farnsworth—signed a 3-yr, $17m contract with the Yankees
Julio Franco—signed a 2-yr, $2.2m contract with the Mets
Rafael Furcal—signed a 3-yr, $39m contract with the Dodgers
Todd Hollandsworth—agreed to a minor league contract with Indians
Dan Kolb—traded to Brewers for Wes Obermueller
Andy Marte—traded to Red Sox for Edgar Renteria

Held Onto

Chipper Jones—agreed to a 3-yr, $37m deal (previously had guaranteed money only for ’06)


Baltimore Orioles

Gained

Kris Benson—acquired from the Mets for Jorge Julio and John Maine
Ricky Bottalico—agreed to a minor league contract
Jeff Conine—signed a 1-yr, $1.7m contract
LaTroy Hawkins—acquired from Giants for Steve Kline
Ramon Hernandez—signed a 4-yr, $27.5m contract
Kevin Millar—signed a 1-yr, $2.1m contract
Corey Patterson—acquired from Cubs for Nate Spears and Carlos Perez

Lost

James Baldwin—signed a minor league contract with the Jays
Eric Byrnes—signed a 1-yr, $2.2m contract with the D'Backs
Sal Fasano—signed to a 1-yr, $425,000 contract with Phillies
Jason Grimsley—signed a 1-yr deal with the Diamondbacks
Jorge Julio—traded to the Mets, along with John Maine, for Kris Benson
Steve Kline—traded to Giants for LaTroy Hawkins & cash
John Maine—traded to the Mets, along with Jorge Julio, for Kris Benson
Eli Marrero—agreed to a minor league contract with Rockies
Sidney Ponson—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Cardinals
B.J. Ryan—signed a 5-yr, $47m deal with Blue Jays
Walter Young—put on waivers; claimed by San Diego


Boston Red Sox

Gained

Josh Bard—acquired from Indians, along with Coco Crisp and David Riske, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, a PTBNL and cash
Josh Beckett—acquired from Marlins along w/ Lowell and Mota for Hanley Ramirez & A. Sanchez
Coco Crisp—acquired from Indians, along with David Riske and Josh Bard, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach, a PTBNL and cash
John Flaherty—signed a 1-yr, $650k contract
Alex Gonzalez—signed a 1-yr, $3m contract
Ken Huckaby—signed to a minor league contract
Mark Loretta—acquired from Padres for Doug Mirabelli
Mike Lowell—acquired from Marlins along w/ Beckett and Mota for Hanley Ramirez & A. Sanchez
Andy Marte*—acquired from Braves for Edgar Renteria [*Note: Later traded to Indians]
Guillermo Mota*—acquired from Marlins along w/ Beckett and Lowell for H. Ramirez & A. Sanchez [*Note: Later traded to Indians]
David Riske—acquired from Indians, along with Coco Crisp and Josh Bard, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, a PTBNL and cash
Rudy Seanez—signed a 1-yr, $2.1m contract
J.T. Snow—agreed to a 1-yr, $2m contract
Julian Tavarez—agreed to a 2-yr, $6.7m contract
Jermaine Van Buren—acquired from Red Sox for a PTBNL, or cash considerations

Lost

Chad Bradford—signed a 1-yr, $1.4m contract with the Mets
Johnny Damon—signed a 4-yr, $52m contract with the Yankees
Chad Harville—signed a 1-yr contract with Devil Rays
Matt Mantei—agreed to a minor league deal with the Tigers
Andy Marte—traded to Indians, along with Guillermo Mota, a PTBNL and cash, for Coco Crisp, David Riske and Josh Bard
Kevin Millar—signed a 1-yr, $2.1m contract with the Orioles
Wade Miller—signed a 1-yr, $1m deal with the Cubs
Doug Mirabelli—traded to Padres for Doug Mirabelli
Guillermo Mota—traded to Indians, along with Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach, a PTBNL and cash, for Coco Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard
Bill Mueller—signed a 2-yr deal with the Dodgers
Mike Myers—signed a 2-yr, $2.4m contract with the Yankees
John Olerud—retired
Hanley Ramirez—traded to Marlins along with Anibal Sanchez for Beckett, Lowell, and Mota
Edgar Renteria—traded to Braves for Andy Marte
Mike Stanton—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Nats


Chicago Cubs

Gained

Scott Eyre—agreed to a 3-yr, $11m contract
Marquis Grissom—signed a minor league contract
Bob Howry—signed to a 3-yr, $12m contract
Jacque Jones—signed a 3-yr, $16m contract
John Mabry—signed a 1-yr, $1.075m contract
Wade Miller—signed a 1-yr, $1m deal
Juan Pierre—acquired from Marlins for Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco, & Renyel Pinto
Jason Simontacchi—agreed to a minor league contract

Lost

Jeromy Burnitz—signed a 1-yr deal with the Pirates for $6m
Nomar Garciaparra—signed a 1-yr, $6m contract with Dodgers
Ben Grieve—signed a minor league contract with White Sox
Jon Leicester—traded to Rangers for a PTBNL
Sergio Mitre—traded to Marlins along with Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto for Juan Pierre
Corey Patterson—traded to Orioles for Nate Spears and Carlos Perez
Jermaine Van Buren—traded to Red Sox for a PTBNL, or cash considerations


Chicago White Sox

Gained

Ben Grieve—signed a minor league contract
Javier Lopez—signed a minor league contract
Rob Mackowiak—acquired from Pirates for Damaso Marte [Mackowiak has since signed a 2-yr, $5.3m deal with the Sox]
Tim Redding—signed a minor league contract
Jim Thome—acquired from Phillies, along with $22m, for Aaron Roward, Gio Gonzalez & Daniel Haigwood
Javier Vazquez—acquired from Diamondbacks for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino, and Chris Young

Lost

Geoff Blum—signed by Padres to a 1-yr contract
Carl Everett—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract with the Mariners
Orlando Hernandez—traded to Diamondbacks, along with Luis Vizcaino and Chris Young, for Javier Vazquez
Damaso Marte—traded to Pirates for Rob Mackowiak
Timo Perez—agreed to a minor league contract with the Reds
Aaron Rowand—traded to Phillies along with Daniel Haigwood for Jim Thome and $22m
Frank Thomas—signed a 1-yr, $500K deal with the A's
Luis Vizcaino—traded to Diamondbacks, along with Orlando Hernandez and Chris Young, for Javier Vazquez
Kevin Walker—signed minor league contract with Rangers

Held Onto

Jon Garland—inked to a 3-yr, $29m contract
Paul Konerko—re-signed to a 5-yr, $60m contract
Pablo Ozuna—re-signed to a 1-yr, $500K contract
A.J. Pierzynski—re-signed to a 3-yr, $15m contract


Cincinnati Reds

Gained

Grant Balfour—signed a 1-yr, $340k contract
Mike Burns—claimed off waivers from Astros
Chris Hammond—signed a 1-yr, $800k contract
Scott Hatteberg—signed a 1-yr, $750K contract
Jimmy Journell—signed to a minor league contract
Quinton McCracken—signed a minor league deal
Timo Perez—agreed to a minor league contract
Tommy Phelps—signed to a minor league contract
Tuffy Rhodes—signed to a minor league deal
Rick White—signed to a 1-yr, $600k deal
Dave Williams—acquired from Pirates for Sean Casey
Tony Womack—acquired from Yankees along with $900K for Kevin Howard and Ben Himes

Lost

Sean Casey—traded to Pirates for Dave Williams
Randy Keisler—signed minor league deal with A's
Ramon Ortiz—signed a 1-yr, $2.5m contract with the Nats
Joe Valentine—agreed to a minor league contract with Astros
Ben Weber—signed minor league deal with Jays

Held Onto

Rich Aurilia—signed a 1-yr, $1.3m deal
Ryan Freel—inked to a 2-yr, $3m contract
Jason LaRue—inked to a 2-yr, $9.1m contract


Cleveland Indians

Gained

Paul Byrd—signed to a 2-yr, $14.25m deal
Hyang-nam Choi—signed to a minor league contract
Einar Diaz—agreed to a minor league contract
Danny Graves—agreed to a minor league contract
Todd Hollandsworth—agreed to a minor league contract
Jason Johnson—agreed to a 1-yr, $4m contract
Steve Karsay—agreed to a minor league contract
Andy Marte—acquired from Red Sox, along with Guillermo Mota, a PTBNL and cash, for Coco Crisp, David Riske and Josh Bard
Guillermo Mota—acquired from Red Sox, along with Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach, a PTBNL and cash, for Coco Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard
Jason Michaels—acquired from Phillies for Arthur Rhodes
Lou Merloni—signed to a minor league contract
Eduardo Perez—signed a 1-yr, $1.7m contract

Lost

Josh Bard—traded to Red Sox, along with Coco Crisp and David Riske, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, a PTBNL and cash
Coco Crisp—traded to Red Sox, along with David Riske and Josh Bard, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach, a PTBNL and cash
Sean Douglass—released; signed with Hiroshima Carp
Jose Hernandez—signed to minor league deal by Pirates
Bob Howry—signed to a 3-yr, $12m contract with the Cubs
Scott Elarton—signed a 2-yr, $8m contract with the Royals
Kevin Millwood—agreed to a 5-yr, $60m deal with the Rangers
Arthur Rhodes—traded to Phillies for Jason Michaels
David Riske—traded to Red Sox, along with Coco Crisp and Josh Bard, for Guillermo Mota, Andy Marte, a PTBNL and cash

Held Onto

Bob Wickman—re-signed to a 1-yr, $5m contract


Colorado Rockies

Gained

Jamey Carroll—acquired from Nats for $300K
Nate Field—signed to a minor league contract
Josh Fogg—signed a 1-yr, $450K contract
Ray King—acquired from Cardinals for Larry Bigbie and Aaron Miles
Bret Prinz—agreed to a minor league contract
Eli Marrero—agreed to a minor league contract with Rockies
Tom Martin—agreed to a minor league contract
Jose Mesa—signed a 1-yr contract
Yorvit Torrealba—acquired from Mariners for a PTBNL
Keiichi Yabu—agreed to a minor league contract

Lost

Larry Bigbie—traded to Cardinals along with Aaron Miles for Ray King
Todd Greene—signed minor league deal with Giants
Dan Miceli—signed a 2-yr, $1.5m contract with Rays
Aaron Miles—traded to Cardinals along with Larry Bigbie for Ray King
Bobby Seay—signed a minor league deal with Tigers
Randy Williams—outrighted to the minors

Held Onto

Byung-Hyun Kim—signed a 1-yr contract


Detroit Tigers

Gained

Todd Jones—signed to a 2-yr, $11m contract
Matt Mantei—agreed to a minor league deal
Kenny Rogers—signed a 2-yr, $16m contract
Ramón Santiago—inked to a minor league deal
Bobby Seay—signed to a minor league contract

Lost

Jason Johnson—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract with the Indians
Rondell White—signed a 1-yr, $3.25m contract with the Twins


Florida Marlins

Gained

Joe Borowksi—signed a 1-yr contract
Travis Bowyer—acquired from Twins along with Scott Tyler for Luis Castillo
Wes Helms—signed a 1-yr contract
Gaby Hernandez—19-year-old righthander acquired from Mets in LoDuca trade
Mike Jacobs—acquired from Mets along with Yusmeiro Petit for Carlos Delgado and $7m
Sergio Mitre—acquired from Cubs along with Ricky Nolasco & Renyel Pinto for Juan Pierre
Miguel Olivo—signed a 1-yr contract
Yusmeiro Petit—acquired from Mets along with Mike Jacobs for Carlos Delgado and $7m
Hanley Ramirez—acquired from Red Sox along with Anibal Sanchez for Beckett, Lowell, & Mota
Pokey Reese—signed a 1-yr, $800k contract

Lost

Antonio Alfonseca—signed minor league deal with Rangers
A.J. Burnett—signed a 5-yr, $55m deal with Blue Jays
Josh Beckett—traded to Red Sox along with Lowell & Mota for Hanley Ramirez & A. Sanchez
Luis Castillo—traded to Twins for Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler
Jeff Conine—signed a 1-yr, $1.7m contract with the Orioles
Valerio de los Santos—agreed to a minor league contract with the Nats
Carlos Delgado—traded to Mets along with $7m for Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit
Damion Easley—signed a 1-yr, $700k contract
Juan Encarnacion—signed a 3-yr, $15m contract with the Cardinals
Alex Gonzalez—signed a 1-yr, $3m contract with Red Sox
Todd Jones—signed a 2-yr, $11m contract with Tigers
Paul LoDuca—traded to Mets for Gaby Hernandez and a PTBNL
Mike Lowell—traded to Red Sox along with Beckett & Mota for Hanley Ramirez & A. Sanchez
Guillermo Mota—traded to Red Sox along with Beckett & Lowell for Han. Ramirez & A. Sanchez
Juan Pierre—traded to Cubs for Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco, & Renyel Pinto
John Riedling—signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals
Ron Villone—traded to the Yankees for Ben Julianel

Held Onto

Lenny Harris—agreed to a minor league contract
Brian Moehler—re-signed to a 1-yr deal


Houston Astros

Gained

Trever Miller—signed a 1-yr, $1.3m deal
Joe Valentine—agreed to a minor league contract
Preston Wilson—signed to a 1-yr, $4.5 m contract with team option for 3 yr, $24m

Lost

Mike Burns—claimed off waivers by Reds
Brandon Duckworth—signed a minor league deal with Pirates
Scott Strickland—signed a minor league deal with Pirates
Jose Vizcaino—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.25m contract

Held Onto

Brad Ausmus—agreed to a 2-yr, $7.5m contract
Mike Lamb—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.7m contract
Orlando Palmeiro—signed a 2-yr, $1.9m contract
Russ Springer—signed a 1-yr, $750K contract


Kansas City Royals

Gained

Paul Bako—signed a 1-yr, $700K contract
Adam Bernero—signed a minor league contract
Elmer Dessens—signed to a 2-yr contract
Scott Elarton—signed a 2-yr, $8m contract
Seth Etherton—signed a minor league contract
Esteban German—acquired from Rangers for Fabio Castro
Mark Grudzielanek—signed to a 1-yr, $4m contract
Joe Mays—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract
Doug Mientkiewicz—signed a 1-yr, $1.85m contract
Mark Redman—acquired from Pirates for Jonah Bayliss and a PTBNL
Reggie Sanders—signed a 2-yr, $10m contract
Victor Santos—signed but lost in Rule 5 draft

Lost

Brian Anderson—agreed to a minor league deal with Rangers
Jonah Bayliss—traded to Pirates along with a PTBNL for Mark Redman
D.J. Carrasco—released so that he can pursue work in Japan
Matt Diaz—traded to Braves for Ricardo F. Rodriguez
Seth Etherton—claimed by Padres in Rule 5 Draft
Nate Field—signed a minor league contract with Rockies
José Lima—signed minor league contract with Mets
Victor Santos—claimed by Pirates in Rule 5 Draft

Held Onto

Joe McEwing—re-signed to a minor league contract


Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Gained

Edgardo Alfonzo—acquired from the Giants for Steve Finley
Hector Carrasco—signed to a 2-yr, $6.1m contract
J.C. Romero—acquired from Twins for Alexi Casilla
Jeff Weaver—signed a 1-yr, $8.325m contract

Lost

Paul Byrd—signed a 2-yr, $14.25m contract
Jeff DaVanon—agreed to a 1-yr, $525,000 contract with D-Backs
Steve Finley—traded to the Giants for Edgardo Alfonzo
Bengie Molina—signed a 1-yr, $5m contract with the Jays
Josh Paul—traded to Devil Rays for Travis Schlichting
Bret Prinz—signed a minor league contract with the Rockies
Jarrod Washburn—signed a 4-yr, $37.5m contract with the Mariners
Jake Woods—released to waivers


Los Angeles Dodgers

Gained

Sandy Alomar, Jr.—agreed to a 1-yr deal
Danys Baez—acquired from Rays, along with Lance Carter, for Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany
Lance Carter—acquired from Rays, along with Danys Baez, for Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany
Rafael Furcal—signed to a 3-yr, $39m contract
Nomar Garciaparra—signed a 1-yr, $6m deal
Kenny Lofton—signed a 1-yr, $3.85m deal
Bill Mueller—agreed to a 2-yr deal
Takashi Saito—signed a minor league contract
Aaron Sele—agreed to a minor league contract
Jae Seo—acquired from Mets, along with Tim Hamulack, for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll
Brett Tomko—agreed to a 2-yr, $8.7m deal

Lost

Paul Bako—signed a 1-yr, $700K contract with the Royals
Milton Bradley—traded to A's, along with Antonio Perez, for Andre Ethier
Giovanni Carrara—signed a minor league contract with the Pirates
Elmer Dessens—signed a 2-yr contract with Royals
Mike Edwards—signed a minor league deal with Pirates
Scott Erickson—signed a minor league deal with the Yankees
Edwin Jackson—traded to Rays, along with Chuck Tiffany, for Danys Baez and Lance Carter
Antonio Perez—traded to A's, along with Milton Bradley, for Andre Ethier
Jason Phillips—agreed to a minor league deal with Blue Jays
Duaner Sanchez—traded to Mets, along with Steve Schmoll, for Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack
Steve Schmoll—traded to mets, along with Duaner Sanchez, for Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack
José Valentin—agreed to a minor league contract with Mets
Jeff Weaver—signed a 1-yr, $8.325m contract with the Angels

Held Onto

Olmedo Saenz—agreed to a 2-yr, $2m contract


Milwaukee Brewers

Gained

Dave Bush—acquired from Blue Jays along with Gabe Gross and Zach Jackson for Lyle Overbay
Gabe Gross—acquired from Blue Jays along with Dave Bush & Zach Jackson for Lyle Overbay
Dan Kolb—acquired from Braves for Wes Obermueller [Brewers have since non-tendered Kolb and re-signed him for 1-yr, $2m]
Corey Koskie—acquired from Blue Jays for minor league pitcher Brian Wolfe
Tatsuya Ozeki—signed to a minor league deal

Lost

Ricky Bottalico—agreed to a minor league contract with Orioles
Russell Branyan—cleared waivers and was released; signed with Rays
Wes Helms—signed a 1-yr contract with the Marlins
Wes Obermueller—traded to Braves for Dan Kolb
Lyle Overbay—traded to Brewers for Dave Bush, Gabe Gross, and Zach Jackson
Tommy Phelps—signed a minor league contract with Reds
Julio Santana—signed to a 1-yr, $800,000 contract with Phillies
Victor Santos—signed by Royals

Held Onto

Jeff Cirillo—re-signed to a 1-yr, $850K contract
Rick Helling—re-signed to a 1-yr contract
Chad Moeller—re-signed to a 1-yr contract


Minnesota Twins

Gained

Tony Batista—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.25m contract
Luis Castillo—acquired from Marlins for Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler
Darrell May—agreed to a minor league contract
Dennys Reyes—signed to a minor league contract
Ruben Sierra—signed to a minor league contract
Gabe White—signed a minor league contract
Rondell White—signed a 1-yr, $3.25m contract

Lost

Bret Boone—signed a minor league deal with the Mets
Travis Bowyer—traded to Marlins along with Scott Tyler for Luis Castillo
Jacque Jones—signed a 3-yr, $16m contract with the Cubs
Matthew LeCroy—signed a 1-yr, $850,000 deal with Nats
Joe Mays—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Royals
Terry Mulholland—agreed to a minor league deal with D-backs
J.C. Romero—traded to Angels for Alexi Casilla


New York Mets

Gained

Bret Boone—signed a minor league deal
Chad Bradford—signed a 1-yr, $1.4m contract
Endy Chavez—signed to a 1-yr, $500k contract
Carlos Delgado—acquired from Marlins, along with $7m, for Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit
Julio Franco—signed a 2-yr, $2.2m contract
Yusaku Iriki—agreed to a 1-yr, $750K deal
Jorge Julio—acquired from the Orioles, along with John Maine, for Kris Benson
José Lima—signed minor league contract
Paul LoDuca—acquired from Marlins for Gaby Hernandez and a player-to-be-named
John Maine—acquired from the Orioles, along with Jorge Julio, for Kris Benson
Xavier Nady—acquired from Padres for Mike Cameron
Tike Redman—acquired from Pirates for cash considerations
Duaner Sanchez—acquired from Dodgers, along with Steve Schmoll, for Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack
Steve Schmoll—acquired from Dodgers, along with Duaner Sanchez, for Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack
José Valentin—agreed to a minor league contract
Billy Wagner—signed to a 4-yr, $43m contract

Lost

Marlon Anderson—signed a 2-yr, $1.85m contract with the Nationals
Kris Benson—traded to the Orioles for Jorge Julio and John Maine
Miguel Cairo—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Yankees
Mike Cameron—traded to Padres for Xavier Nady
Mike DiFelice—signed a minor league contract with the Nationals
Danny Graves—signed a minor league contract with the Indians
Gaby Hernandez—traded to Marlins in LoDuca deal
Roberto Hernandez—signed a 1-yr, $2.75m contract with the Pirates
Kazuhisa Ishii—released; agreed to a 2-yr deal with Yakult Swallows
Mike Jacobs—traded to Marlins along with Yusmeiro Petit for Carlos Delgado and $7m
Braden Looper—signed a 3-yr, $13.5m contract with the Cardinals
Doug Mientkiewicz—signed a 1-yr, $1.85m contract with the Royals
Yusmeiro Petit—traded to Marlins along with Mike Jacobs for Carlos Delgado and $7m
Mike Piazza—signed a 1-yr, $2m deal with Padres
Jae Seo—traded to Dodgers, along with Tim Hamulack, for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll
Shingo Takatsu—agreed to terms with the Yakult Swallows of Japan


New York Yankees

Gained

Miguel Cairo—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract
Johnny Damon—signed a 4-yr, $52m contract
Scott Erickson—signed to a minor league deal
Octavio Dotel—signed a 1-yr, $2m contract
Kyle Farnsworth—signed to a 3-yr, $17m contract
Mike Myers—signed a 2-yr, $2.4m contract
Ron Villone—acquired from the Marlins for Ben Julianel
Kelly Stinnett—agreed to a 1-yr, $650K contract

Lost

Alan Embree—agreed to a minor league contract with Padres
John Flaherty—signed a 1-yr, $650k contract with the Red Sox
Tom Gordon—signed a 3-yr, $18m contract with Phillies
Matt Lawton—signed a 1-yr, $400k contract with the Mariners
Darrell May—agreed to a minor league contract with Twins
Felix Rodriguez—signed a 1-yr, $600k contract with the Nats
Ruben Sierra—signed a minor league contract with Twins
Tony Womack—traded to Reds along with $900K for Kevin Howard and Ben Himes

Held Onto

Al Leiter—agreed to a minor league deal
Hideki Matsui—re-signed to a 4-yr, $52m contract
Tanyon Sturtze—team picked up 1-yr, $1.5m option
Bernie Williams—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.5m contract


Oakland Athletics

Gained

Milton Bradley—acquired from Dodgers, along with Antonio Perez, for Andre Ethier
Chad Gaudin—acquired from Blue Jays
Randy Keisler—signed a minor league deal
Esteban Loaiza—signed to a 3-yr, $21.4m contract
Antonio Perez—acquired from Dodgers, along with Milton Bradley, for Andre Ethier
Frank Thomas—signed a 1-yr, $500K deal

Lost

Alberto Castillo—signed a minor league contract with the Nationals
Octavio Dotel—signed a 1-yr, $2m contract with the Yankees
Seth Etherton—signed a minor league contract with Royals
Scott Hatteberg—signed a 1-yr, $750K contract with the Reds
Britt Reames—signed a minor league contract with Pirates
Ricardo Rincon—signed a 2-yr, $2.9m contract with the Cardinals
Keiichi Yabu—agreed to a minor league contract with the Rockies

Philadelphia Phillies

Gained

Sal Fasano—signed to a 1-yr, $425,000 contract
Ryan Franklin—agreed to a 1-yr, $2.6m contract
Alex S. Gonzalez—signed to a 1-yr, $750,000 contract
Tom Gordon—signed to a 3-yr, $18m contract
Abraham Nuñez—signed to a 2-yr, $3.35m contract
Arthur Rhodes—acquired from Indians for Jason Michaels
Aaron Rowand—acquired from White Sox along with Daniel Haigwood for Jim Thome and $22m
Julio Santana—signed to a 1-yr, $800,000 contract

Lost

Terry Adams—signed a minor league contract with Pirates
Kenny Lofton—signed a 1-yr, $3.85m contract with the Dodgers
Jason Michaels—traded to Indians for Arthur Rhodes
Vicente Padilla—traded to Ranger for a PTBNL
Todd Pratt—signed a 1-yr deal with the Braves
Jim Thome—traded to White Sox, along with $22m, for Aaron Roward and Daniel Haigwood
Michael Tucker—agreed to a 1-yr deal with the Nats
Billy Wagner—signed a 4-yr, $43m contract with Mets

Held Onto

Aaron Fultz—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.2m contract


Pittsburgh Pirates

Gained

Terry Adams—agreed to a minor league contract
Jonah Bayliss—acquired from Royals along with a PTBNL for Mark Redman
Jeromy Burnitz—signed a 1-yr, $6m contact
Giovanni Carrara—agreed to a minor league contract
Sean Casey—acquired from Reds for Dave Williams
Gookie Dawkins—inked to a minor league deal
Brandon Duckworth—signed a minor league deal
Mike Edwards—signed a minor league deal
Roberto Hernandez—signed a 1-yr, $2.75m contract
Jose Hernandez—signed to minor league deal
Damaso Marte—acquired from White Sox for Rob Mackowiak
Joe Randa—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract (pending physical)
Britt Reames—agreed to a minor league contract
Victor Santos—claimed from Royals in Rule 5 Draft
Scott Strickland—agreed to a minor league contract
Matt Whiteside—agreed to a minor league contract

Lost

Josh Fogg—signed a 1-yr, $450K contract with the Rockies
Bobby Hill—traded to Padres for a PTBNL
Rob Mackowiak—traded to White Sox for Damaso Marte
Jose Mesa—signed a 1-yr deal with Rockies
Mark Redman—traded to Royals for Jonah Bayliss and a PTBNL
Tike Redman—traded to Mets for cash considerations
Daryle Ward—signed minor league contract with Nats
Rick White—signed minor league deal with Reds
Ty Wigginton—released; signed a 1-yr, $675k deal with Rays
Dave Williams—traded to Reds for Sean Casey

Held Onto

Jason Bay—agreed to 4-yr, $18.25m deal


St. Louis Cardinals

Gained

Gary Bennett—signed to a one-year deal
Larry Bigbie—acquired from Rockies along with Aaron Miles for Ray King
Deivi Cruz—signed to a one-year deal
Brian Daubach—signed to a minor-league contract
Juan Encarnacion—signed a three-year, $15m contract
Braden Looper—signed a 3-yr, $13.5m contract
Aaron Miles—acquired from Rockies along with Larry Bigbie for Ray King
Jeff Nelson—agreed to a minor league contract
Sidney Ponson—signed a 1-yr, $1m contract
John Riedling—signed to a minor-league contract
Ricardo Rincon—signed a 2-yr, $2.9m contract
Junior Spivey—signed a 1-yr, $1.2m contract
Dennis Tankersley—signed to a minor league contract

Lost

Einar Diaz—signed a minor league contract with the Indians
Cal Eldred—retired
Mark Grudzielanek—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract with the Royals
Jimmy Journell—signed a minor league contract with Reds
Ray King—traded to Rockies for Larry Bigbie and Aaron Miles
John Mabry—signed a 1-yr, $1.075m contract with Cubs
Matt Morris—signed a 3-yr, $27m contract with the Giants
Abraham Nuñez—signed a 2-yr, $3.35m contract with Phillies
Reggie Sanders—signed a 2-yr, $10m contract with the Royals
Julian Tavarez—agreed to a 2-yr, $6.7m contract with Red Sox
Gabe White—signed a minor league contract with Twins


San Diego Padres

Gained

Geoff Blum—signed to a 1-yr contract
Dewon Brazelton—acquired from Devil Rays for Sean Burroughs
Doug Brocail—signed a 1-yr contract
Mike Cameron—acquired from Mets for Xavier Nady
Alan Embree—agreed to a minor league contract
Shawn Estes—agreed to a 1-yr, $1m contract with the Padres
Seth Etherton—claimed from Royals in Rule 5 Draft
Adrian Gonzalez—acquired from Rangers, along with Chris Young and Terrmel Sledge, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka
Bobby Hill—acquired from Pirates for a PTBNL
Doug Mirabelli—acquired from Red Sox for Mark Loretta
Mike Piazza—signed a 1-yr, $2m deal
Terrmel Sledge—acquired from Rangers, along with Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka
Chris Young—acquired from Rangers, along with Adrian Gonzalez and Terrmel Sledge, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka
Walter Young—claimed off of waivers from Baltimore

Lost

Sean Burroughs—traded to Devil Rays for Dewon Brazelton
Adam Eaton—traded to Rangers, along with Akinori Otsuka, for Terrmel Sledge, Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young
Robert Fick—signed a 1-yr contract with the Nationals
Chris Hammond—signed a 1-yr, $800k contract with the Reds
Ramon Hernandez—signed a 4-yr, $27.5m contract with the Orioles
Damian Jackson—signed a contract with the Nationals
Mark Loretta—traded to Red Sox for Doug Mirabelli
Xavier Nady—traded to Mets for Mike Cameron
Miguel Olivo—signed a 1-yr contract with the Marlins
Akinori Otsuka—traded to Rangers, along with Adam Eaton, for Adrian Gonzalez, Terrmel Sledge and Chris Young
Joe Randa—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract with the Pirates (pending physical)
Rudy Seanez—signed a 1-yr, $2.1m contract with the Red Sox
Mark Sweeney—signed a 2-yr, $1.8m contract with the Giants

Held Onto

Brian Giles—agreed to a 3-yr, $30m contract
Trevor Hoffmann—agreed to a 2-yr, $13.5m contract
Dave Roberts—agreed to a 1-yr, $2.25m contract
Eric Young—agreed to a 1-yr, $700k contract


San Francisco Giants

Gained

Steve Finley—acquired from the Angels for Edgardo Alfonzo
Todd Greene—signed minor league deal
Steve Kline—acquired from Orioles for LaTroy Hawkins and cash
Matt Morris—agreed to a 3-yr, $27m contract
Mark Sweeney—signed a 2-yr, $1.8m contract
Jose Vizcaino—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.25m contract
Tim Worrell—signed to a 2-yr, $4m contract

Lost

Edgardo Alfonzo—traded to the Angels for Steve Finley
Scott Eyre—signed a 3-yr, $11m deal with Cubs
Marquis Grissom—signed a minor league contract with Cubs
LaTroy Hawkins—traded to Baltimore for Steve Kline J.T. Snow—agreed to a 1-yr, $2m deal with Red Sox
Brett Tomko—agreed to a 2-yr, $8.7m deal with Dodgers


Seattle Mariners

Gained

Kevin Appier—agreed to a minor league contract
Carl Everett—signed a 1-yr, $4m contract
Kenji Johjima—agreed to a 3-yr, $16.5m deal
Matt Lawton—agreed to a 1-yr, $400k deal
Fernando Viña—agreed to a minor league contract
Jarrod Washburn—signed a 4-yr, $37.5m contract
Jake Woods—claimed off of waivers from the Angels

Lost

Ryan Franklin—agreed to a 1-yr, $2.6m contract with the Phillies
Wiki Gonzalez—signed a minor league contract with the Nationals
Jeff Nelson—agreed to a minor league contract with the Cardinals
Pokey Reese—signed a 1-yr, $800k contract with the Marlins
Ramón Santiago—inked a minor league deal with Tigers
Yorvit Torrealba—traded to Rockies for a PTBNL

Held Onto

Jamie Moyer—re-signed a 1-yr, $5.5m contract


Tampa Bay Rays

Gained

Russell Branyan—agreed to a minor league deal
Sean Burroughs—acquired from Padres for Dewon Brazelton
Chad Harville—agreed to a 1-yr contract
Edwin Jackson—acquired from Dodgers, along with Chuck Tiffany, for Danys Baez and Lance Carter
Shinji Mori—agreed to a 2-yr, $1.4m contract
Dan Miceli—signed a 2-yr, $1.5m contract
Josh Paul—acquired from the Angels for Travis Schlichting
Ty Wigginton—signed a 1-yr, $675k deal

Lost

Danys Baez—traded to Dodgers, along with Lance Carter, for Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany
Joe Borowksi—signed a 1-yr contract with the Marlins
Dewon Brazelton—traded to Padres for Sean Burroughs
Lance Carter—traded to Dodgers, along with Danys Baez, for Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany
Alex S. Gonzalez—signed a 1-yr, $750,000 contract with Phillies
Trever Miller—signed a 1-yr, $1.3m deal with Astros
Eduardo Perez—signed a 1-yr, $1.7m contract with Indians

Held Onto

Rocco Baldelli—signed a 6-yr, $32m deal
Lance Carter—signed a 1-yr, $550k deal


Texas Rangers

Gained

Antonio Alfonseca—agreed to a minor league deal
Brian Anderson—agreed to a minor league deal
Adam Eaton—acquired from Padres, along with Akinori Otsuka, for Adrian Gonzalez, Terrmel Sledge and Chris Young
Jon Leicester—acquired from Cubs for a PTBNL
Kevin Millwood—agreed to a five-yr, $60m contract
Vicente Padilla—acquired from Phillies for a PTBNL
Akinori Otsuka—acquired from Padres, along with Adam Eaton, for Terrmel Sledge, Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young
Terrmel Sledge—acquired from Nats along w/ Brad Wilkerson & a PTBNL for Alfonso Soriano
Kevin Walker—signed to a minor league contract
Brad Wilkerson—acquired from Nats along w/ Terrmel Sledge & a PTBNL for Alfonso Soriano

Lost

Carlos Almanzar—agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves
Sandy Alomar, Jr.—signed a 1-yr contract with Dodgers
Doug Brocail—signed a 1-yr contract with the Padres
Esteban German—traded to Royals for Fabio Castro
Adrian Gonzalez—traded to Padres, along with Chris Young, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka
Steve Karsay—signed a minor league contract with the Indians
Kenny Rogers—agreed to a 2-yr, $16m contract with the Tigers
Terrmel Sledge—traded to Padres, along with Chris Young, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka
Alfonso Soriano—traded to Nats for Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge, & a PTBNL
Chris Young—traded to Padres, along with Terrmel Sledge, for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka

Held Onto

John Wasdin—re-signed to a 1-yr, $600K contract


Toronto Blue Jays

Gained

James Baldwin—signed a minor league contract
A.J. Burnett—signed a 5-yr, $55m deal
Troy Glaus—acquired from Diamondbacks, along with Sergio Santos, for Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista
Bengie Molina—signed a 1-yr, $5m contract
Lyle Overbay—acquired from Brewers for Dave Bush, Gabe Gross, and Zach Jackson
Jason Phillips—agreed to a minor league contract
B.J. Ryan—signed a 5-yr, $47m deal
Ben Weber—agreed to a minor league contract

Lost

Miguel Batista—traded to Diamondbacks, along with Orlando Hudson, for Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos
Dave Bush—traded to Brewers along with Gabe Gross & Zach Jackson for Lyle Overbay
Orlando Hudson—traded to Diamondbacks, along with Miguel Batista, for Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos
Chad Gaudin—traded to A's
Gabe Gross—traded to Brewers along with Dave Bush & Zach Jackson for Lyle Overbay
Ken Huckaby—signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox
Corey Koskie—traded to Brewers for minor league pitcher Brian Wolfe
Matt Whiteside—agreed to a minor league contract with Phillies


Washington Nationals

Gained

Marlon Anderson—agreed to a 2-yr, $1.85m contract
Alberto Castillo—agreed to a minor league contract
Royce Clayton—signed to a minor league deal
Valerio de los Santos—agreed to a minor league contract
Mike DiFelice—agreed to a minor league contract
Robert Fick—agreed to a 1-yr contract
Wiki Gonzalez—agreed to a minor league contract
Damian Jackson—
Matthew LeCroy—signed a 1-yr, $850,000 deal
Ramon Ortiz—signed a 1-yr, $2.5m contract
Felix Rodriguez—signed a 1-yr, $600k contract
Alfonso Soriano—acquired from Rangers for Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge, & a PTBNL
Mike Stanton—agreed to a 1-yr, $1m contract
Michael Tucker—agreed to a 1-yr deal
Daryle Ward—signed minor league contract

Lost

Gary Bennett—signed a one-year deal with Cardinals
Hector Carrasco—signed a 2-yr, $6.1m contract with Angels
Jamey Carroll—traded to Rockies for $300K
Endy Chavez—signed a 1-yr, $500k contract with the Mets
Deivi Cruz—signed a one-year deal with Cardinals
Esteban Loaiza—agreed to a 3-yr, $21.4m contract with Athletics
Terrmel Sledge—traded to Rangers along with Brad Wilkerson and a PTBNL for Alfonso Soriano
Junior Spivey—signed a one-year, $1.2m contract with Cardinals
Brad Wilkerson—traded to Rangers along with Terrmel Sledge & a PTBNL for Alfonso Soriano
Preston Wilson—signed a 1-yr, $4.5m deal with Astros

Held Onto

Tony Armas, Jr.—agreed to a 1-yr, $1.2m contract
Joey Eischen—agreed to a 1-yr deal


Still Free Agents

Roger Clemens (formerly with Astros)
Greg Colbrunn (formerly with Rangers)
Erubiel Durazo (formerly with Athletics)
Todd Greene (formerly with Rockies)
Richard Hidalgo (formerly with Rangers)
Sammy Sosa (formerly with Orioles)
Jeff Weaver (formerly with Dodgers)
Jamey Wright (formerly with Rockies)

Say it ain't so, Todd Sauerbrun.

Nice work by unnamed AP reporters in getting this story: Apparently some Carolina Panthers went to a doctor who consulted them on how to beat steroid tests -- namely, by using pure testosterone, which the NFL tests don't detect, instead of manufactured substances like Deca, or Depo, or whatever the cocktail of the day may be. A few arbitrarily numbered points:

1. Athletes cheat in every sport, no matter how supposedly strict the testing.
2. That a punter feels the need to bulk up in this manner should give Leno and Letterman plenty to work with.
3. That a punter feels the need to bulk up in this manner implies quite a bit about the likelihood that, you know, actual position players might feel the need to do the same.
4. This story was up to number two on the ESPN wire this morning; now, at 3:30 PT, it has fallen to sixth, below "Eagles Drop Tampering Complaint Against Cowboys" and "[Larry] Brown brings memories, health issues to Detroit." We can assume that ESPN's story order is based on some combination of the importance placed on the story by ESPN's editors, and the number of eyeballs hitting the page after initial publication.

You are reading about this topic in an MLB forum because of the unavoidable question: Where is the traction on this? The outrage? The congressional hearings? The unexpected mention in a State of the Union address? The asterisks next to Carolina's 2003 Super Bowl appearance in the NFL history books?

In short, could it be that folks don't care about football players juicing up for some reason? Or is it only if those players happen to be Carolina Panthers, as opposed to New York Giants or Dallas Cowboys? Or if they do not happen to be Terrell Owens? What's going on here?

Baseball got into so much steroid trouble because a) grand jury testimony got out, b) star players were involved, and c) records were being broken. Before those three things came together, Bud Selig et al were happy to look the other way. Because this Carolina Panthers story has come up before and no fuss was made, it is fair to assume that the NFL is taking the same approach for now.

Media coverage has an unfortunate tendency to get hysterical and out of proportion to both the importance of a given issue and the rational solution to it, if one exists. Facts get glossed over, reputations besmirched, and rash decisions ultimately made. We're seeing it in baseball now, and it is not without a hint of jealousy that I call for the National Football League to run the same gauntlet, the sooner the better.