The SF Chronicle’s Henry Schulman reported Saturday morning the Giants have inked OF Dave Roberts to a 3 year, $18 million pact, as well as reaching a two-year deal worth $7 million for infielder Rich Aurilla to return to the club.
Roberts largely played left field for the Padres but is expected to play center for the Giants this season. He reportedly has been told he might shift to left if the Giants can acquire one of the prime center fielders (Vernon Wells, for instance) on the trade market this winter and will be free agents next winter.
Although he was not the Giants’ first outfield choice in free agency “- they bid for Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee “- he comes at a better price. Roberts will earn $5 million in 2007 and $6.5 million in 2008 and 2009.
The exodus from the Mets’ bullpen continued today with the news Roberto Hernandez had signed a one-year agreement with the Indians. The New York Post’s Mark Hale reports the man Hernandez temporarily replaced, reliever Duaner Sanchez, has been given “a clean bill of health” from Mets doctors, and is expected to be at full strength by spring training.
The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan writes the Cubs are amongst the suitors chasing walk-crazy free agent starter Ted Lilly. Lilly is said to be looking for something in the $40 million-over-4 years range, which makes Tom Glavine’s one year deal seem pretty reasonable by comparison.
If former Phillies reliever Don Carmen could take the time to reply to misplaced fan mail he received over 15 years ago, perhaps Mel Rojas will find the common courtesy to respond to the death threats I was sending him?