Teams get busy, cut deals
DALLAS — Roger Clemens won’t be pitching for Houston on opening day, but Trevor Hoffman will be back in the San Diego Padres’ bullpen.
On one of the busiest days at the winter meetings in several years, the N.L. champion Astros refused to offer salary arbitration to Clemens on Wednesday, which means they can’t re-sign the seven-time Cy Young Award winner until May 1. The 43-year-old right-hander hasn’t decided whether he will retire, and the decision by his hometown team could lead to other clubs trying to sign him.
The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, two of his former clubs, might be interested in signing Clemens, who made $18 million last season. He was 13-8 and led the major leagues with a 1.87 ERA.
There were seven trades on the third day of the winter meetings, with the Texas Rangers reaching a tentative deal to send All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano to the Washington Nationals for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge plus minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga, subject to the players passing physicals.
With Wednesday’s deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their former players who became free agents, players and clubs were forced to make decisions.
Hoffman, who had been negotiating with Cleveland and San Diego, decided to accept a $13.5 million, two-year deal with the Padres. An option year in 2008 could hike the value of the deal to $19 million.
Bernie Williams was offered arbitration, giving the Yankees until Jan. 8 to re-sign their longtime outfielder, who is wanted back in a reserve role.
The Red Sox would like center fielder Johnny Damon back, but agent Scott Boras is seeking a seven-year contract in the neighborhood of $84 million. Damon was in Dallas earlier this week to meet with teams, but would not specify which clubs.
The Chicago White Sox refused to offer arbitration to two-time A.L. MVP Frank Thomas, who was injured much of the last two seasons. San Diego said catcher Ramon Hernandez was headed to Baltimore. Hernandez needs to pass a physical before his four-year contract can be finalized.
On the trade front, the payroll-paring Marlins made Juan Pierre the latest player to join the migration from Florida, sending the center fielder to the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Sergio Mitre and two minor league pitchers.
Atlanta sent pitcher Dan Kolb back to Milwaukee for pitcher Wes Obermueller. In another deal, Braves catcher Johnny Estrada went to Arizona for pitchers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal.
San Diego dealt third baseman Sean Burroughs to Tampa Bay for pitcher Dewon Brazelton, and second baseman Mark Loretta to Boston for catcher Doug Mirabelli.
Pittsburgh sent Mark Redman to Kansas City for pitcher Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named. The Pirates wanted to trim some payroll after tentatively picking up first baseman Sean Casey from Cincinnati for Dave Williams.
Cleveland gave Bob Wickman a $5 million, one-year deal.
Toronto turned its attention to offense, acquiring first baseman Lyle Overbay from Milwaukee for right-hander Dave Bush, pitching prospect Zach Jackson and a player to be named.