Document text
--> --> Indians offer arbitration to Gonzalez By Ronald Blum AP Sports Writer Juan Gonzalez was among 35 free agents offered salary arbitration, giving him another month to talk with the Cleveland Indians. Jason Isringhausen, meanwhile, was set to leave Oakland for St. Louis. And the New York Yankees and Mets pulled off a rare trade Friday as the first of baseball's big offseason deadline days passed. The Athletics quickly filled the upcoming vacancy in their bullpen, acquiring Billy Koch from Toronto in a trade for two minor leaguers. The Yankees, retooling after their World Series loss to Arizona, dealt disappointing outfielder David Justice to the Mets for underperforming third baseman Robin Ventura. The Yankees also added to their bullpen, agreeing to a $22.25 million, four-year contract with right-hander Steve Karsay. Atlanta, meanwhile, kept catcher Javy Lopez, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year deal. Houston re-signed outfielder Orlando Merced ($1.05 million), Tampa Bay re-signed shortstop Chris Gomez ($1.25 million), Kansas City re-signed second baseman Luis Alicea ($800,000) and Los Angeles re-signed left-hander Jesse Orosco (minor league contract that would be worth $800,000 if he's added to the major league roster). Among those offered salary arbitration before the midnight EST deadline, including San Francisco outfielder Barry Bonds and pitcher Jason Schmidt, Oakland first baseman Jason Giambi and outfielder Johnny Damon, Los Angeles pitcher Chan Ho Park and Seattle second baseman Bret Boone. Players offered arbitration have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers and can keep negotiating with their former clubs through Jan. 8. Those not offered arbitration can't re-sign until May 1. Among those were Boston pitchers David Cone and Hideo Nomo; Chicago White Sox pitcher David Wells; Seattle pitcher Aaron Sele; Houston outfielder Moises Alou; Chicago Cubs shortstop Ricky Guttierez; Los Angeles closer Jeff Shaw; San Diego outfielder Rickey Henderson; and San Francisco outfielder Eric Davis and first baseman Andres Galarraga. Cleveland's offer of arbitration to Gonzalez was a surprise. "From Juan's perspective, the door in Cleveland remains open," said his agent, Jeff Moorad. "I've made it clear in this process that Juan had had a very positive experience in Cleveland and was open to staying, even to the point of taking a discount if Cleveland wanted to re-sign him." While the 32-year-old outfielder had a great season with the Indians, batting .325 with 35 homers and 140 RBIs, the Indians turned down a $14 million option, saying it was too expensive for them. Moorad said Gonzalez was unlikely to accept arbitration, and that contract negotiations would extend past next week's winter meetings. "At this point, we're focused on a multiyear contract," he said. "I do not foresee us taking a one-year deal." The trade between the Yankees and Mets was their first involving major leaguers since 1992, when the Mets sent pitcher Tim Burke to the Yankees for reliever Lee Guetterman. "It's kind of weird to be traded from the Yankees to the Mets with the rivalry and all of that," Justice said. "I'm at that point of my career where you can always be traded at any minute." Justice, 35, was on the disabled list twice for an injured right groin this year and batted just .241 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs. Ventura, 34, fills the void left by Scott Brosius, who retired, and gives the Yankees the option of going slowly with Drew Henson, who played at Triple-A last season. Ventura hit .237 with 21 homers and 61 RBIs. The Yankees also are close to a contract with Giambi, who has led the AL in on-base the past two seasons. Oakland GM Billy Beane said the A's won't change their offer of $91 million over six years. "Our prom dress is still on," Beane said. "We're here a year later with a corsage in our hands." Isringhausen, 29, had 34 saves in 43 chances and a 2.65 ERA for Oakland last season, and 67 saves over the past two seasons. He is a native of Brighton, Ill., near St. Louis, and turned down an offer to join the Rangers, who may now try to sign Shaw. The Cardinals' deal with Isringhausen will be worth $27 million over four years, according to an official on another team and two agents, who spoke on the condition they not be identified. It would be subject to the pitcher passing a physical. Toronto got third baseman Eric Hinske and right-hander Justin Miller for Koch, who went 2-5 with 36 saves in 44 opportunities while posting a 4.80 ERA for the Blue Jays last season. He was 11-13 with 100 saves and a 3.57 ERA in three seasons with Toronto. "He's got a lot more experience than when Izzy first came here at the same age," Beane said. "He's coming in at age 26 and he has 100 career saves." The Yankees, who already have three quality relievers in closer Mariano Rivera and setup men Ramiro Mendoza and Mike Stanton, added Karsay, who was raised near Shea Stadium. Karsay was 0-1 with one save and a 1.25 ERA in 31 games for Cleveland last season, then was traded to Atlanta on June 22 along with Steve Reed for John Rocker and went 3-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 43 games for the Braves. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing