Around the Majors: Nationals

1) The Expos have been renamed the Nationals.

2) Free agent OF Gabe Kapler signed a 1 year, $2 million contract with the Yomiuri Giants.

After -15 RCAA/.688 OPS and -7 RCAA/.727 OPS seasons, Kapler had a .390 SLG, .311 OBA, .700 OPS, -11 RCAA in 136 games with the Redsox. He has a .757 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and -35 RCAA in 742 games.

3) The Marlins re-signed free agent INF Damion Easley to a 1 year, $750,000 contract.

After -8 RCAA/.663 OPS and -12 RCAA/.464 OPS seasons, Easley hit .457 SLG, .331 OBA, .788 OPS, 1 RCAA in 98 games. He has a .732 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and -77 RCAA in 1325 games.

4) Yankees RF Gary Sheffield will have arthroscopic shoulder surgery today and is expected to be ready for spring training.

After 36 RCAA/.916 OPS and 72 RCAA/1.023 OPS seasons, Sheffield hit .534 SLG, .393 OBA, .927 OPS, 40 RCAA in 154 games. He has a .928 career OPS, compared to his league average of .758, and 605 RCAA in 2036 games.

5) The Yankees claimed INF Ferdin Tejeda off waivers from the Padres.

6) According to the Boston Herald, the Redsox have made a 4 year offer to free agent C Jason Varitek.

7) According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers are close to signing free agent C Damian Miller.

8) The Braves added 2B Pete Orr, SS Luis Hernandez, 3B Andy Marte, OF Bill McCarthy and Ps Kyle Davies, Macay McBride and Anthony Lerew to the 40 man roster.

9) The Marlins re-signed INFs Drew Niles and Jimmy Goelz and OFs Mike Colangelo and Jimmy Shanks to minor league contracts.

Colangelo, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2002, has -4 RCAA/.675 OPS in 71 career games.

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