Around the Majors: Signings

1) The Braves signed free agent RF Raul Mondesi to a 1 year, $1 million contract.

After -6 RCAA/.740 OPS and 10 RCAA/.827 OPS seasons, Mondesi had a .376 SLG, .313 OBA,. 689 OPS, -5 RCAA in 34 games with the Pirates and Angels. He has a .820 career OPS, compared to his league average of .769, and 124 RCAA in 1484 games.

2) The Padres re-signed P Scott Linebrink to a 2 year, $2.275 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration, outrighted P Darrell May to the minors and signed P Miguel Asencio to a 1 year contract.

After 7.03 ERA/-7 RSAA and 3.31 ERA/8 RSAA seasons, Linebrink had a 2.14 ERA/7 RSAA in 73 games. He has a 3.39 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.30, and 18 RSAA in 167 games.

After 5.35 ERA/-1 RSAA and 3.77 ERA/32 RSAA seasons, May had a 5.61 ERA/-25 RSAA in 31 starts. He has a 4.98 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.55, and -6 RSAA in 137 games. May was acquired in a trade with the Royals earlier in the offseason and is expected to be restored to the 40 man roster, and the projected rotation, when Asencio is placed on the 60 day DL in spring training.

Asencio missed the entire 2004 season, due to Tommy John surgery, and isn’t expected to be ready until around midseason. He has a 5.14 ERA/2 RSAA in 39 career games.

3) The Nationals re-signed 1B Nick Johnson to a 1 year, $1.45 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration.

After -3 RCAA/.749 OPS and 24 RCAA/.894 OPS seasons, Johnson hit .398 SLG, .359 OBA, .758 OPS, 1 RCAA in 73 games. He has a .790 career OPS, compared to his league average of .764, and 17 RCAA in 321 games.

4) The A’s re-signed DH Erubiel Durazo to a 1 year, $4.7 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration.

After 18 RCAA/.944 OPS and 18 RCAA/.804 OPS seasons, Durazo hit .523 SLG, .396 OBA, .919 OPS, 38 RCAA in 142 games. He has a .884 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and 106 RCAA in 583 games.

5) The Whitesox re-signed CF Aaron Rowand to a 2 year, $5.25 million contract, with a player option for 2007, to salary arbitration.

After -13 RCAA/.692 OPS and 3 RCAA/.780 OPS seasons, Rowand hit .544 SLG, .361 OBA, .905 OPS, 25 RCAA in 140 games. He has a .817 career OPS, compared to his league average of .765, and 19 RCAA in 422 games.

6) The Cubs signed free agent P Chad Fox to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.

Fox has a 3.45 ERA/22 RSAA in 203 career games, including a 6.75 ERA/-3 RSAA in 12 games with the 2004 Marlins.

7) The A’s signed INF Bobby Smith to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Smith had -48 RCAA/.650 OPS in 258 games with the 1998-2002 Devil Rays.

8) The Orioles signed INF Chris Stynes to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

After -6 RCAA/.688 OPS and -12 RCAA/.748 OPS seasons, Stynes had a .296 SLG, .266 OBA, .562 OPS, -11 RCAA in 74 games with the Pirates. He has a .734 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and -40 RCAA in 828 games.

9) The Whitesox outrighted C Jamie Burke to the minors

Burke has 1 RCAA/.778 OPS in 72 career games, including a .408 SLG, .386 OBA,. 795 OPS, 2 RCAA in 57 games in 2004.

10) The Tigers outrighted OF Alexis Gomez to the minors.

Gomez has -3 RCAA/.575 OPS in 18 career games, including a .310 SLG, .323 OBA, .633 OPS, -1 RCAA in 13 games with the 2004 Royals.

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