2005 – The Seattle Mariners sign relief pitcher Jeff Nelson to a minor league contract, his third stint with the club. The reliever previously pitched with the Mariners from 1992 to 1995 and again from 2001 to 2003. He is Seattle’s all-time record holder for most games pitched with 383 and has a 23-20 record with the team.
2005 – Recently-traded first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who caught and kept the ball used to make the last out giving the Boston Red Sox their first World Championship in 86 years, will lend his souvenir to his former club. The historic horsehide, which Boston claims belongs to the team, will be encased within a plaque and will become part of the victory tour which includes the World Series trophy.
Lance Berkman (.316, 30, 106), the team’s 2004 team MVP, and the Astros avoid arbitration when they agree on a one-year, $10.5 million deal. The 28 year-old All-Star outfielder suffered a serious off-season knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament tear) playing flag football.
2005 – All-Star outfielder Lance Berkman avoids arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Houston Astros. Berkman, who hit .316 with 30 home runs and 106 RBI in 2004, suffered a serious off-season knee injury – a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament – playing flag football.
2005 – The New York Mets, who failed to sign free agent Carlos Delgado who was snatched up by the Marlins yesterday, quickly fill the void at first base by trading three prospects to the Boston Red Sox for Gold Glove Award winner Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox, who acquired Mientkiewicz from Minnesota to solidify their defense, will use heavy-hitting, light-fielding Kevin Millar at first.
2005 – Agreeing to a four-year, $52 million contract, first baseman Carlos Delgado joins the Florida Marlins. The deal stops the intense bidding war between the Marlins, Mets, Orioles and the Rangers for the coveted free agent.
2005 – After signing 30-something veterans Turk Wendell and Dave Burba to spring contracts, the Astros really get “old school”, inking 44-year-old lefthander John Franco to a one-year $700,000 deal. The 21-year veteran comes to Houston in second place all-time for career saves (424) and appearances (1,088) but is released with a 0-1 record after 31 games.
2005 – Roger Clemens and the Houston Astros agree to an $18 million, one-year contract. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, agrees to a deal that makes him the highest-paid pitcher for the fifth time, following deals with the Boston Red Sox in 1989 ($2.5 million) and 1991 ($5.38 million); with the Toronto Blue Jays before the 1997 season, and with the New York Yankees in 2000 ($15.45 million).
2005 – Eric Gagné and the Los Angeles Dodgers agree to a $19 million, two-year deal. The 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner, who set a major league record with 84 consecutive saves from August, 2002 to July, 2004, made $5 million last year after arbitrators ruled in favor of the club’s offer over the $8 million request made by the Los Angeles closer.
2005 – The Anaheim Angels trade outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Juan Rivera and infielder Maicer Izturis. Guillen, who hit .294 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI in 2004, is now playing for his sixth team in his eight-year career. He was suspended by Anaheim after throwing a helmet during a tirade caused by being taken out for a pinch runner last September.
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