Farnsworth will be Yanks’ set-up man
For Kyle Farnsworth, a telephone call from Joe Torre was the big reason why he’ll set up for Mariano Rivera with the New York Yankees rather than close for the Atlanta Braves or Texas Rangers.
Torre called the right-hander reliever early in the free-agent process, and they spoke for about five minutes as the manager conveyed that the Yankees were interested in signing him.
“He just wanted to make it clear it just wasn’t hearsay. Coming from Joe Torre, you know it’s really true,” Farnsworth said Friday after agreeing to a $17 million, three-year contract.
Less than 24 hours after Tom Gordon left for an $18 million, three-year deal with Philadelphia, New York locked up his replacement.
Angels agree to deal with Carrasco
Pitcher Hector Carrasco, coming off the best season of his 12-year major league career, agreed to a $6.1 million, two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels finalized the agreement with Carrasco shortly after withdrawing their offer to retain free-agent right-hander Paul Byrd. Free-agent left-hander Jarrod Washburn, another starter, also won’t return.
The Angels also agreed to terms on a minor league contract with outfielder/designated hitter Tim Salmon, who will go to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
Carrasco, a 36-year-old right-hander, was 5-4 with a 2.04 ERA in 64 appearances with the Washington Nationals, allowing only 59 hits in 881/3 innings and limiting opponents to a .193 batting average.
Marlins send Castillo to Twins
The Florida Marlins’ payroll purge left a gaping hole at second base when they traded Luis Castillo to the Minnesota Twins for two pitching prospects.
The departure of Castillo, a three-time All-Star and the Marlins’ career leader in six major categories, was the latest move by the franchise to cut costs after repeated bids for a new ballpark failed.
Slugger Carlos Delgado, ace Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell were traded last week, and center fielder Juan Pierre and catcher Paul Lo Duca are on the block.
Minnesota gave up right-handers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. The Marlins plan to use the hard-throwing Bowyer in the bullpen next season, while Tyler will begin the year in their minor league system, general manager Larry Beinfest said.
The deal appealed to the Twins because they had a surplus of pitching prospects and a need for more offense from the infield. The switch-hitting Castillo, 30, batted .301 last season, including a major league-best .423 against left-handers, and won his third consecutive Gold Glove.
Braves finalize contract with Jones
The Atlanta Braves finalized a $37 million, three-year contract with Chipper Jones that guarantees the third baseman an additional $15 million and saves the team $6 million in 2006 salary, money that could be used to re-sign shortstop Rafael Furcal or pursue a top closer.