2009 – 12-time All-Star and 3-time MVP Alex Rodriguez publicly admits to using steroids from 2001 to 2003, while a member of the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez apologizes for his past errors; he had not commented on the issue since Sports Illustrated had broken a story about a positive 2003 test two days earlier.
Oliver Perez agrees to a $36 million, three-year deal to stay with the Mets. The 29 year-old inconsistent southpaw, who has posted a 26-20 record with New York since being obtained from Pittsburgh during the 2006 season, will be part of the team’s starting rotation.
Garrett Atkins (.286, 21, 99) avoids arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Rockies. The 29 year-old third baseman’s $7.05 million contract makes him the second-highest paid player on the team, trailing only Todd Helton.
Justin Verlander (11-17, 4.84) agrees to a one-year contract worth $3,675,000 to stay with the Tigers, a dramatic increase from last season. The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year’s original five-year contract, which slated the right-hander for a $600,000 salary in 2009, could be terminated if he had enough service time to become eligible for arbitration.
Jason Varitek reaches a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox for a reported guaranteed $5 million, one year contract which includes options for the 2010 season. The team’s catcher and captain, a 12-year veteran, accepts much less than he would have made had he taken the team’s arbitration offer made in December.
Jon Garland agrees to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth at least $7.25 million. The 29 year-old right-hander, who will fill Randy Johnson’s spot as a starter, joins a strong Arizona rotation, which includes Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Max Scherzer, and Doug Davis.
Appearing on CNN’s “Larry King Live”, Joe Torre answers questions concerning the inflammatory excerpts of his book, The Yankee Years, which caused a firestorm of reaction from former players and fans after they were released last week. The Dodgers skipper, who managed the Bronx Bombers for a dozen seasons, tells the host he believes the controversy will die down and people will cool down after they get a chance to read the actual book.
2009 – The Tigres de Aragua take their fifth title in six Venezuelan League seasons, topping the Leones del Caracas, 4 games to 3, in the finals despite a worse record in the regular season and in the playoffs. Victor Moreno improves to 4-0, 0.77 in the postseason, getting the victory in relief of Jeff Farnsworth. 3B Matt Tolbert’s three-run homer is a key blow in the 7 – 3 victory.
The Mets avoid salary arbitration with John Maine (10-8, 4.18) when both sides agree to a $2.6 million, one-year deal. The 25 year-old right-handed starter, who missed the last five weeks of the season due to an injury to his pitching shoulder, is expected to play a major role this year in the team’s pitching rotation.
The Yankees sign starting pitcher Andy Pettitte to a $5.5 million, one-year deal, less than half the club’s original $10 million offer. The 36 year-old southpaw, however, can make an additional $4.5 million based on innings pitched and another $2 million dependent on days spent on the active roster.
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