Marlins Fire Sale Includes Brown
Kevin Brown became the fifth significant player let go by the Florida Marlins since their World Series victory when he was traded Monday to the San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers.
Brown, a right-hander, who will be 33 next season, was 16-8 with a 2.69 ERA in 33 starts this year with 205 strikeouts in 237-1/3 innings. He will make $4.8 million next season, then become eligible for free agency.
Florida gets pitcher Rafael Medina, obtained by San Diego earlier this year from the New York Yankees in the Hideki Irabu deal; Steve Hoff, another minorleague pitcher; and first base prospect Derrek Lee.
“We had a lot of offers for Brown, but we like these guys a great deal,” Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski said. “We’ve got two guys on the verge of playing at the big-league level (Medina and Lee) and a good prospect.”
Florida originally wanted Matt Clement, the top minor-league pitcher in the Padres’ organization.
After beating Cleveland to win the Series on Oct. 26, Florida traded outfielder Moises Alou to Houston, closer Robb Nen to San Francisco, outfielder Devon White to Arizona and first baseman Jeff Conine to Kansas City.
Orioles sign Charlton to minor league contract
The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran relief pitcher Norm Charlton to a minor league contract, hoping the left-hander can resurrect his career.
Charlton, 34, struggled last season with the Seattle Mariners, finishing with a 3-8 record and a 7.27 earned run average.
While Charlton led the Mariners with 14 saves last season, he failed in 11 of 25 save opportunities. If Charlton makes the Orioles, he could have a chance to close games. Baltimore lost closer Randy Myers as a free agent to the Toronto Blue Jays and will likely use Armando Benitez as a stopper, although the club is concerned about Benitez’s inexperience.
“Hopefully, I can pitch a whole lot better than I did in 1997 with Seattle,” said Charlton. “I’m a veteran and I can bring experience. Hopefully, we can have a good cast of characters down there in the bullpen.”
Clearing the bases
Andy Benes’ $30 million, five-year agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals was voided by Randy Levine, head of the Player Relations Committee, because it missed a deadline by hours, and the union expects to file a grievance… . Travis Fryman, acquired by Cleveland two weeks ago, agreed to a $28 million, five-year contract with the Indians… . Kansas City and third baseman Dean Palmer agreed to a $5.75 million, one-year contract… . The New York Mets traded pitcher Mike Welch to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Hector Mercado in an exchange of minor-leaguers… . Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda underwent reconstructive surgery on both knees, a procedure the team said went very well.