Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Indians nab Lowe from Braves

Three days before the opening of the free-agent market, the Cleveland Indians acquired pitcher Derek Lowe from the Atlanta Braves for minor league left-hander Chris Jones on Monday in the first significant trade of the offseason.

Rather than become a free agent, CC Sabathia agreed to a new deal with the New York Yankees that adds an additional season and $30 million in guaranteed money, bringing the left-hander’s total over the next five years to $122 million.

Several teams exercised contract options on pitchers: Tampa Bay on James Shields ($7.5 million), Texas on Colby Lewis ($4 million), Kansas City on Joakim Soria ($6 million) and the Chicago White Sox on Jason Frasor ($3.75 million).

Cincinnati exercised a $12 million option on second baseman Brandon Phillips, and the Colorado Rockies elected to keep former A.L. MVP Jason Giambi ($1 million).

Cleveland will pay Lowe $5 million of his $15 million salary next year, with the Braves responsible for the rest. The 38-year-old was 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA in 34 starts in 2011, leading the N.L. in losses. He’ll join Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Fausto Carmona in the rotation.

“He’s a quality pitcher with durability,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said.

Cleveland also exercised Carmona’s $7 million option and declined an $8.5 million option on outfielder Grady Sizemore, who gets a $500,000 buyout.

Sabathia had until midnight Monday to opt out of the $161 million, seven-year contract he agreed to before the 2009 season that calls for $23 million annual salaries the next four years.

The new deal adds a $25 million salary for 2016 and gives the Yankees a $25 million option for 2017 with a $5 million buyout, a person familiar with the agreement told the Associated Press.

New York also was waiting for reliever Rafael Soriano to decline to opt out of his deal, which calls for him to make $11 million next year and $14 million in 2013. Soriano was injured for much of this season and went 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA.

Among those whose optioned were exercised were Tampa Bay pitcher Kyle Farnsworth ($3.3 million), Toronto infielder Edwin Encarnacion ($3.5 million), Atlanta utilityman Eric Hinske ($1.55 million), Arizona catcher Henry Blanco ($1.15 million) and infielder Willie Bloomquist ($1.1 million)

Boston declined options on right-handers Scott Atchison (next year’s minimum plus $200,000) and Dan Wheeler ($3 million); and Arizona on left-hander Zach Duke ($5.5 million) and infielder Aaron Hill, whose option covered 2012-14 at $26 million total. Pittsburgh turned down infielder Ronny Cedeno ($3 million), Ryan Doumit of Moses Lake ($7.25 million), left-hander Paul Maholm ($9.75 million) and catcher Chris Snyder ($6.75 million).

Also declined were Cincinnati right-hander Francisco Cordero ($12 million); Tampa Bay catcher Kelly Shoppach ($3.2 million); and Toronto right-hander Jon Rauch.

Clearing the bases

The Washington Nationals announced they’re picking up Davey Johnson’s managerial option. The Nationals were 40-43 under Johnson after he took over in midseason and finished 80-81, third in the N.L. East. … The San Diego Padres introduced Josh Byrnes as their third general manager in just more than two calendar years. He replaces Jed Hoyer, who made a lateral move to the Chicago Cubs to work under Theo Epstein. … The Boston Red Sox have interviewed Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their vacant managerial job. Mackanin appeared in 240 games for the Spokane Indians in 1973 and ’74. The Red Sox are also scheduled to talk to Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum this week.