After auditioning for about two-thirds of the teams in the major leagues last month and considering offers from four clubs, Keith Foulke comes out of retirement, signing a $700,000, one-year contract with the A’s. The 35 year-old reliever, best known for throwing the last pitch in the 2004 World Championship for the victorious Red Sox, retired prior to the 2007 season after signing a deal with the Indians.
2008 – The Baltimore Orioles deal Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for prospects Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio. Bedard was leading the American League in strikeouts before a rib injury cut his season short. Jones is a former first-round pick who hit 25 home runs in AAA at age 22. Tillman was Seattle’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2007.
The Brewers exercise Ned Yost’s 2009 option, after the 53 year-old skipper led Milwaukee to its first winning season since 1992, finishing second in the NL Central with an 83-79 won-loss record. The skipper will never manage a game in his extended contracted year after he is dismissed with 12 games remaining this season, taking the blame for the under-achieving team’s swoon in August and September.
The Rangers hire Nolan Ryan as team president during a pivotal point in club history, according to club president Tom Hicks. The 61 year-old Hall of Fame hurler, who retired with the Rangers in 1993 after playing a record 27 major league seasons, is introduced at The Ballpark in Arlington with much fanfare, including a video highlight package featuring many of the right-hander’s milestones.
In the Caribbean Series, DH Miguel Tejada homers twice to become the all-time Caribbean Series leader with 13 home runs, breaking a tie with Tony Armas Sr.. Tejada’s jacks help his Aguilas Cibaeñas to a 13 – 6 victory over the Yaquis de Obregón. He goes 3 for 4 with four runs in the game.
2008 – Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets to become the highest-paid pitcher in major league history, breaking Barry Zito’s record. The contract is the penultimate step in a trade of Santana to New York; only a physical remains and this will be passed a day later.
Avoiding arbitration, the Indians sign Casey Blake (.270, 18, 78) to a $6.1 million, one-year deal. The 34 year-old third baseman moved to Cleveland’s hot corner, replacing Andy Marte, who was injured and then sent back to the minors last season.
Mike Lieberthal announces his retirement. A 14-year major league veteran, he was a two-time All-Star and cracked 150 home runs in the majors. Lieberthal had only seen limited playing time for the Dodgers last season.
The Minnesota Twins give Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, the highest contract in franchise history by signing him for $80 million over six years. They also announce the signing of Michael Cuddyer for 3 years and $24 million.
The Indians, avoiding salary arbitration, sign Rafael Betancourt (5-1, 1.47) to a $5.4 million, two-year deal. The 32 year-old right-handed reliever was used primarily last season as an eighth-inning set-up man for Cleveland’s closer, Joe Borowski.
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