Andy Pettitte, with a career record of 211-113 in the majors through this past season, admits to using Human Growth Hormone in 2002 to recover from an elbow injury. Pettitte had been named in the Mitchell Report released earlier in the week.
David Eckstein (.309, 3, 31) and the Blue Jays finalized a $4.5 million, one-year deal which brings the short-statured shortstop north of the border. The 32 year-old All-Star infielder’s leadership and attitude played an important role on his previous two teams, the Angels and Cardinals, in winning the World Series in 2002 and 2006, respectively.
In an effort to fill the void created by Delmon Young’s trade to the Twins, the Rays sign Cliff Floyd (.284, 9, 45) to a $3 million, one-year deal to play right field in Tampa Bay. The veteran 35 year-old left-handed fly chaser has been a productive hitter during his 15-year major league career but has had difficulty staying off the disabled list.
The Royals trade hurler Billy Buckner to the Diamondbacks for switch-hitter Alberto Callaspo. Kansas City’s new player is an infielder, who appeared in 56 games for the NL West champs, mostly in a pinch-hitting role, and Arizona receives a pitcher who compiled a 1-2 record with a 5.29 ERA in 34 innings of work last season.
The Oakland Athletics trade 2007 All-Star Game starting pitcher Dan Haren and Connor Robertson to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez. Oakland is hoping to repeat the success of the proven player for prospects type of arrangement that netted them Haren and others in the past.
Arizona also sends Jose Valverde to the Houston Astros for Chad Qualls, Chris Burke and Juan Gutierrez.
2007 – The Mitchell Report on steroids in baseball is released, naming those players whom there was either evidence or testimony of using performance enhancing drugs. A handful of former Astros, including Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are named. Newly-acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada also makes the list. Clemens, through an attorney, denies using steroids.
2007 – Houston deals five players to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League M.V.P. The Astros send outfielder Luke Scott and minor leaguer Mike Constanzo to the Orioles along with pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate. In a related move, Houston waives veteran shortstop Adam Everett.
The Baltimore Orioles deal superstar SS Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate and Michael Costanzo.
2007 – Milton Bradley tentatively agrees on a $5 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. The troubled outfielder had ended his 2007 season on a rough note when he was injured when coach Bobby Meacham tackled him to avoid a confrontation with an umpire.