McGwire up for induction
Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. headline the first-time candidates on the 2007 baseball writers’ Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, sure to spark debate on Big Mac’s place in history as the steroid era comes under renewed scrutiny.
Former Mariner Jay Buhner is on the list as well. Buhner spent 13 1/2 seasons with Seattle, hitting 307 home runs with the club and was the third person inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.
Jose Canseco, whose book last year led to a congressional hearing on steroid use in baseball, also is on the ballot for the first time. Canseco said he used steroids along with McGwire when they were teammates.
McGwire denied using illegal performance-enhancing substances, but when he appeared before a congressional committee, he evaded questions. “I’m not here to talk about the past,” was his repeated response.
Gwynn, an eight-time batting champion with San Diego, and Ripken, a two-time MVP with Baltimore, are considered likely to gain election on the first ballot. (See the complete ballot in the Scoreboard, C4.)
Bloomquist renegotiates
Willie Bloomquist and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a two-year contract worth $1,875,000, tearing up the final season of his previous deal.
A Seattle-area native who turned 29 Monday, Bloomquist was the Mariners’ third-round draft choice in 1999 out of Arizona State.
Yankees sign Mussina
Mike Mussina and the New York Yankees finalized their $23 million, two-year contract.
The sides agreed to the deal a week earlier, and Mussina took a physical last Tuesday.
The right-hander, who turns 38 on Dec. 8, was 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA this year. He isn’t sure whether this will be his last contract.
“We’ll have to see how I feel and what the situation is,” he said. “If the situation’s not right, this might be it.”
Red Sox courting Drew
Boston is making progress toward signing free agent J.D. Drew, a move that could give it enough outfield options to be in a better position to trade Manny Ramirez.
The Red Sox and Drew are getting closer to a contract agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.
The team has been exploring deals for Ramirez, who has two years left on his eight-year contract and has publicly asked to be traded on several occasions.
Clearing the bases
Pitcher Adam Eaton and the Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement on a $24 million, three-year contract. … The San Francisco Giants were nearing deals that would bring back infielder Rich Aurilia and reunite center fielder Dave Roberts with his former manager in San Diego, Bruce Bochy. … Pirates reliever Damaso Marte agreed to a $4.7 million, two-year contract with Pittsburgh. … Reliever Danys Baez signed a $19 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles. … Catcher Chad Moeller agreed to a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. … First baseman Ross Gload and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a $625,000, one-year contract.