Indians Protect Nucleus; Boston Re-Signs Canseco
On the busiest day of the off-season, the Cleveland Indians spent $20.6 million on five players and the Boston Red Sox retained its slugger.
The Red Sox, fighting a midnight deadline, agreed to a $9 million, two-year contract with Jose Canseco that could be worth up to $11 million if he achieves all his bonuses.
Last season, Canseco made $5.1 million in the last season of a $23.5 million, five-year deal that was the richest in baseball when he signed it with Oakland in 1990.
Cleveland, which already has sold out all seats for next season, agreed to a $10.15 million, four-year contract with outfielder Manny Ramirez. The Indians signed first baseman Julio Franco for $5 million over two years, gave designated hitter Eddie Murray $2 million for 1996 and gave pitcher Orel Hershiser a $2.7 million extension for 1997. They also agreed to a $400,000 minor-league deal with infielder Alvaro Espinoza.
Meanwhile, 17 free agents were offered salary arbitration by their former teams as the midnight EST deadline approached: California pitcher Jim Abbott, Toronto second baseman Roberto Alomar, Houston second baseman Craig Biggio, Florida outfielder Andre Dawson, Angels pitcher Chuck Finley, California outfielder Dave Gallagher, Cincinnati outfielder Ron Gant and Boston pitcher Eric Hanson.
Also, St. Louis reliever Tom Henke, New York Yankees pitcher Rick Honeycutt, Toronto pitcher Al Leiter, Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly, Kansas City pitcher Jeff Montgomery, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jaime Navarro, San Diego second baseman Jody Reed, Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers and Atlanta outfielder Dwight Smith.
They have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers and may negotiate with their old clubs through Jan. 8. The 60 players not offered arbitration can’t sign with their old teams again until May 1. Others can sign them starting today without having to give up draft picks.
Among that group were pitchers Jack McDowell and Tom Gordon, shortstop Shawon Dunston, outfielders Jose Canseco, Rickey Henderson and Roberto Kelly and catcher Benito Santiago.
Among players finding new teams, center fielder Otis Nixon agreed to a $4.4 million, two-year contract with Toronto.
Outfielder Phil Plantier agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with Detroit, down from his $2.5 million, two-year deal that expired. Third baseman Chris Sabo returned to Cincinnati, agreeing to a minorleague deal that would be worth $200,000 if he makes the Reds.
Pitcher Mark Gubicza, the last player left from Kansas City’s 1985 World Series championship team, stayed with the Royals for $3.2 million over two years. Pitcher Tom Browning also re-signed, agreeing to a deal worth $300,000 if he makes the team.
Fernando Valenzuela, who proved the critics wrong with a strong finish for San Diego in 1995, agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Padres.
Pitcher Mike Morgan stayed with St. Louis for $1.25 million next year, down from his $12.5 million, four-year deal that expired. Outfielder Jim Eisenreich stayed with Philadelphia, getting a $1.2 million contract.
Just before the deadline, third baseman Kevin Seitzer agreed to a one-year contract with Milwaukee.
Reliever Lee Guetterman got a minor-league deal from Seattle.