Giants land coveted starter, sign Morris
The San Francisco Giants landed the proven starter they’ve been coveting for months.
Right-hander Matt Morris agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with the Giants, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after nine seasons. The deal has been in the works for weeks and became official after Morris passed a physical Monday morning.
Morris went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA last season and won his first eight decisions for the Cardinals, who lost to the Houston Astros in the N.L. Championship Series. But St. Louis didn’t pursue Morris with the same fervor as the Giants, who were desperate to add a top starter to what had become a patchwork rotation the past two seasons.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean said when the season ended upgrading the team’s starting pitching was his top priority.
Morris’ contract contains a club option for a fourth season.
“Simply put, Matt Morris is a winner,” Sabean said. “He’s a gamer who not only gives his team a chance to win every time he pitches, but as his record indicates, he’s around to collect the win himself. Matt will be a perfect complement to the top of the rotation and provide valuable leadership to our younger pitchers.”
Morris is 101-62 with a 3.62 ERA in his career. He became the 12th player in St. Louis franchise history to win 100 games when he beat the Giants on Aug. 20.
Padilla goes to Rangers
Spurned in their pursuit of Matt Morris and Josh Beckett, the Texas Rangers got former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla from the Phillies for a player to be named.
Padilla was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA in 27 starts last season in Philadelphia. He was traded July 26, 2000, from Arizona to the Phillies along with three other players for pitcher Curt Schilling.
Padilla was an All-Star in 2002, when he was 14-11 with a 3.28 ERA, and he followed that by going 14-12 with a 3.62 ERA in 2003. Buit he is just 16-19 the last two seasons.
Two to share Red Sox GM post
Instead of hiring a new general manager, the Boston Red Sox decided assistant general manager Jed Hoyer, 32, and director of player development Ben Cherington, 31, will share the job.
“Between them, Ben and Jed have intimate knowledge of every player in our organization, top to bottom,” team president Larry Lucchino said. “They complement each other well with their varied experiences.”
The GM job had been vacant since Theo Epstein’s contract expired Oct. 31. There was no mention whether Epstein would return as an adviser.
St. Louis, Rincon agree to terms
The St. Louis Cardinals took a step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2.9 million, two-year contract with free agent pitcher Ricardo Rincon.
Rincon, 35 played for the Athletics the last three seasons, going 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 67 games in 2005.
Ponson given jail time
Former Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail in Baltimore after being convicted of driving while impaired.
District Judge James Mann ordered Ponson to report to jail today, and he fined Ponson $500, plus court costs and fees totaling less than $60.
Padres reach deal with Roberts
Padres leadoff hitter Dave Roberts agreed to a $2.25 million contract for 2006.
Roberts can make another $250,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Roberts played center field for the Padres last year, but will be moved to left field this season to make room for former Seattle Mariner and New York Met Mike Cameron.