Around the Majors: Bowden is named GM

1) The Washington ????? named Jim Bowden as interim GM.

2) Mariners P Eddie Guardado exercised his player option to remain with the team.

After 2.93 ERA/11 RSAA and 2.89 ERA/13 RSAA seasons, Guardado had a 2.78 ERA/7 RSAA in 41 games. He has a 4.41 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.65, and 29 RSAA in 680 games.

3) Reds utilityman Ryan Freel had arthroscopic knee surgery.

Freel has 9 RCAA/.747 OPS in 195 career games, including a .368 SLG, .375 OBA, .743 OPS, 8 RCAA in 143 games in 2004.

4) Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre will reportedly retire.

5) According to NY Daily News, Richie Sexson, who will be a free agent, is interested in talking with the Mets.

6) According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals are interested in acquiring a power hitting OF and could be putting SS Andres Blanco on the trading block.

7) The Royals signed C Alberto Castillo, OF Adrian Brown and Ps Byron Embry, Roberto Giron and Santiago Ramirez to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Castillo has -69 RCAA/.591 OPS in 372 career games, including a .371 SLG, .365 OBA, .736 OPS, -1 RCAA in 29 games (his first figure since 2001) in 2004.

Brown has -39 RCAA/.673 OPS in 422 career games, including 3 for 11 in 5 games in 2004.

8) Orioles 2B Jerry Hairston Jr. had ankle surgery.

After -4 RCAA/.705 OPS and -2 RCAA/.725 OPS seasons, Hairston had a .397 SLG, .378 OBA, .775 OPS, 2 RCAA in 86 games. He has a .705 career OPS, compared to his league average of .769, and -35 RCAA in 530 games.

9) Twins P Brad Radke, who will be a free agent, says the team’s made a 2 year contract offer.

10) Ken Caminiti’s autopsy determined he died of a drug overdose, with coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart being listed as contributing factors.

11) The Redsox declined their 2005 option on P Curtis Leskanic.

After missing 2002 and having a 2.22 ERA/15 RSAA in 2003, Leskanic had a 5.19 ERA/-2 RSAA in 51 games (first 19 with the Royals). He has a 4.36 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.34, and 64 RSAA in 603 games.

12) The Mets declined their 2005 option on RF Richard Hidalgo.

After -11 RCAA/.734 OPS and 36 RCAA/.957 OPS seasons, Hidalgo had a .444 SLG, .301 OBA, .745 OPS, -20 RCAA in 144 games (first 58 with the Astros). He has a .847 career OPS, compared to his league average of .780, and 51 RCAA in 899 games.

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