ShareThisIn recent weeks, several agents have downplayed the possible impact of the nation's financial problems on baseball.
Actions, however, speak louder than words, and in this case, the actions are that owners are proceeding with caution this offseason. Whether there is a real concern about finances or merely a convenient excuse for owners to try to save some money, there's no question the free-agent market has been stagnant so far.
With the winter meetings set to open Monday, none of the big-name free agents has signed. In fact, only seven free agents have signed with new teams, and only two of the seven received more than a one-year deal.
Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants, and shortstop Edgar Renteria agreed to a two-year, $18.5 million deal with the Giants.
Meanwhile, CC Sabathia finds himself stuck in limbo, a six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees and a five-year, $100 million offer to return to Milwaukee.
Sabathia is believed to want to pitch on the West Coast, and there is growing speculation the Giants could make an offer between the two on the table.
The most telling turn of events was the Yankees refusing to offer arbitration to free-agent left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte and outfielder Bobby Abreu. The Yankees have made it known they want both back, but both made $16 million a year ago.
The Yankees want a significant salary cut for both and know that in arbitration, it's a virtual lock players would receive a token raise, if nothing else.
In Arizona, part of the justification for the acquisition of outfielder Adam Dunn from Cincinnati was the Diamondbacks could offset the loss of prospects because they would receive two of the top 50 picks in June's draft as compensation for losing Dunn to free agency.
Arizona, however, declined to offer Dunn arbitration, meaning they get no draft picks, a move believed to stem from the Diamondbacks not having the budget to add the signing bonuses those players would require.
A similar situation developed in Houston, where the Astros declined arbitration for left-hander Randy Wolf, a late-season addition from the Padres.
INFIELD CHATTER
-- Free-agent left-hander Randy Johnson, five victories short of 300, has shown interest in the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. A native of Walnut Creek, Calif., Johnson is a graduate of Livermore High School.
-- The Dodgers have shown interest in veteran closer Trevor Hoffman, the game's all-time saves leader, feeling he could provide a positive influence on their young staff.
-- Cleveland officials indicate they still have interest in the return of third baseman Casey Blake, but indications are he will wind up with the Brewers or stay with the Dodgers, depending on which one ups its offer from two years to three years first.
THE ROTATION
Agent Scott Boras represents five of the 15 Type-A free agents who were offered free agency, meaning the former team gets two top draft picks as compensation if the player signs with another team. The five and the odds they will accept arbitration to remain with the former team by Sunday's deadline:
-- Right-hander Derek Lowe, Dodgers. He has multiyear options in several places, including with the Yankees and Phillies.
-- Outfielder Manny Ramirez, Dodgers. He pouted his way out of Boston because he wanted a major extension, not the option for $20 million the Red Sox could have exercised for 2009, and the Dodgers have indicated they won't exceed a two-year offer.
-- First baseman Mark Teixeira, Angels. Re-signing him is a priority of the Angels, making a return likely.
-- Catcher Jason Varitek, Red Sox. He'll return for a one-year deal, although Boras has indicated he would like a multiyear deal.
-- Left-hander Odalis Perez, Mets. He has drawn interest from St. Louis, which never has hesitated to deal with Boras clients.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD
The Hall of Fame ballot this year has fewer names (23) than any in history, but among the 23 is one surefire first-time inductee - outfielder Rickey Henderson.
Henderson is the leadoff hitter against whom all others will be judged. He was the legitimate five-tool player and is the game's all-time career leader in stolen bases and runs.
When he retired, he also was No. 1 in walks, but since has fallen into the No. 2 spot behind Barry Bonds.
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Dodgers' efforts to retain Ramirez and Lowe have taken a back seat to their efforts to stabilize the infield.
Shortstop Rafael Furcal and third baseman Blake are free agents. If the Dodgers can re-sign Blake - and it appears to be between the Dodgers and Brewers - then Blake DeWitt can stay at second base and finding a shortstop becomes the priority. If Blake, 35, opts to sign elsewhere, however, DeWitt moves to third and the Dodgers are faced with voids at second and short.
NEVER TOO YOUNG
The Colorado Rockies would like to add a young right-handed-hitting outfielder, and one could become available - Minnesota's Delmon Young.
Young doesn't fit into Minnesota's projected outfield for next year. And the Twins, who are looking for bullpen depth with setup man Pat Neshek expected to miss the season recovering from arm surgery, have made inquiries about Rockies right-hander Huston Street.
Young, 23, hit .290 with 10 home runs and 14 stolen bases for the Twins last season after being acquired in a major offseason trade from Tampa Bay. Manager Ron Gardenhire recently said his opening day outfield most likely would be Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Michael Cuddyer.
NUMBERS GAME
-- 11: Uniform number left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton will wear in his return to Houston, a tribute to his former Astros catcher, Brad Ausmus. His career sidetracked by injuries, Hampton signed a one-year, $2-million deal with the Astros, who originally signed him out of high school.
CHANGE OF HEART
St. Louis signed left-hander Trever Miller but not before reworking a proposed two-year, $4-million deal into a one-year guarantee with a $2 million salary.
The alteration was made after a physical showed signs of concern in Miller's left labrum.
HE SAID IT
"I know if I had gone year to year, I probably would have made a lot more money. . . . But I'm in a place that I love, my family loves it, they treat us unbelievable - it's like a family here. I'm happy with this."
-- Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox second baseman, on signing a six-year, $40.5 million deal that includes an option giving up his first three years of free agency.
(Tracy Ringolsby writes for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colo. E-mail ringolsbyt(at)RockyMountainNews.com.)
