Free agents move on at deadline

12/07/2003 8:28 PM ET

Free agents move on at deadline

Some stars bid farewell, others head to arbitration

By Jim Molony / MLB.com

Rafael Palmeiro will likely be slugging for another ballclub in 2004. (John Froschauer/AP)

Sunday night's deadline to offer salary arbitration will also signal the end of an era for a few prominent free agents.

Rafael Palmeiro, a member of the 500-homer club and three-time Gold Glove winner, ended his five-year run in Texas when the Rangers declined to offer arbitration to the veteran slugger. Scott Spiezio, whose heroics in the 2002 World Series was one of the highlights of a thrilling Fall Classic, is no longer an Anaheim Angel.

"Raffy is going to play elsewhere. We wish him well," Rangers general manager John Hart said. "We have said for some time this franchise is going to commit to its youngsters. ... That has been what we've said. We have been consistent with that."

Hart said that owner Tom Hicks talked to Palmeiro on Saturday night and that the Rangers and Palmeiro were very far apart on what they were seeking.

"We operate in a system that is what it is," Hart said. "We know the system dictates Dec. 7 as a magical date. I think we knew this date was going to come for all of us. ... All the dynamics sort of led to this situation."

Spiezio, whose home run in the seventh inning of Game 6 of the 2002 World Series sparked the Angels to the biggest comeback by a team facing elimination in the history of the Fall Classic, was also not offered arbitration.

Greg Maddux's spectacular 11-year run in Atlanta appears to be at an end.

The four-time Cy Young Award winner -- including three with the Braves -- had not been offered salary arbitration as of Sunday evening and while club officials said they would not announce their plans regarding their arbitration eligible free agents until Monday, it appeared unlikely the Braves would extend Maddux the arbitration option as they did last winter.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of talks on other fronts as teams were still negotiating with eligible players as Sunday's midnight (ET) deadline approached. There were also several agreements reached during the final hours before the deadline.

Clubs that do not offer arbitration to their free agents by the deadline lose all rights to negotiate with or sign the player until May 1, which means an eligible player's relationship with his 2003 team is effectively ended if arbitration is not offered by the deadline. If a player accepts arbitration, he will return to that team for at least one year. If he rejects arbitration, the team can continue negotiations until Jan. 8. Perhaps more importantly, by offering arbitration a club receives draft pick compensation if the player is signed by another team.

Greg Maddux / P

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 185

Bats/Throws: R/R

More info:

Player page

Stats

Splits

Braves site

The Braves were not expected to offer arbitration to 10 of their 11 free agents, including pitchers Maddux, Shane Reynolds, Darren Holmes, Roberto Hernandez and Kent Mercker, catcher Javy Lopez, infielders Julio Franco, Matt Franco and Vinny Castilla and outfielder Darren Bragg. The other Atlanta free agent, outfielder Gary Sheffield, has reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the New York Yankees. The Braves were expected to offer Sheffield arbitration if only to secure draft picks as compensation.

The World Champion Florida Marlins have not reached an extension agreement with free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Rodriguez, by contractual agreement, cannot be offered arbitration but the window for the two sides to hammer out an agreement closes at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Rodriguez had reportedly proposed a four-year deal worth $40 million Friday. The Marlins had offered two years worth $16 million. The 10-time All-Star signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Marlins last winter.

Unlike with Maddux, the negotiations with Pudge were ongoing Sunday night as team owner Jeffrey Loria, president David Samson and general manager Admin Beinfest were on the phone with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras.

The Marlins avoided arbitration by re-signing right-handed reliever Chad Fox to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million. The Marlins, who initially offered Fox $700,000, were outbid by the Houston Astros by $100,000 before giving Fox a counter offer Sunday afternoon that cinched his return to Miami.

Jose Lima / P

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 205

Bats/Throws: R/R

More info:

Player page

Stats

Splits

kcroyals.com

Jose Lima, who stunned the baseball world by starting 7-0 for Kansas City after being signed out of the independent Atlantic League, turned down a one-year, $500,000 offer from the Royals and was not offered arbitration. GM Allard Baird said the Royals would not be offering arbitration to any of their free agents.

"I talked to Lima and wished him the best," Baird said. "Hopefully, we helped him with the opportunity to re-establish his Major League career. I do think it was important for us to thank him."

The Giants re-signed free agent first baseman J.T. Snow to a one-year contract and also signed a two-year deal with veteran outfielder Michael Tucker.

"With today's signings, we certainly deepened our 2004 roster and have expanded Felipe's (Alou) flexibility on any given day," said Giants general manager Brian Sabean. "After watching J.T. on a day-to-day basis over the last seven years, you'd be hard pressed to find a better defensive first baseman in the game. He's meant so much to our success during his time with us and we feel that his professionalism and winning attitude will continue to help our club.

Kevin Millwood / P

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 205

Bats/Throws: R/R

More info:

Player page

Stats

Splits

Phillies site

Philadelphia signed catcher Todd Pratt to a one-year, $875,000 contract, but had not announced a decision on right-hander Kevin Millwood. If the Phillies don't offer arbitration to Millwood, they will forfeit the right to two draft picks should Millwood sign elsewhere. If arbitration is offered and accepted Millwood would likely command a salary in excess of $11 million for 2004.

After a conversation with Boras, Millwood's agent, earlier this week the Phillies pulled a three-year offer to the pitcher then traded for Eric Milton. The team's remaining free agents are right-handers Terry Adams, Jose Mesa, Turk Wendell and Mike Williams; left-hander Dan Plesac; and catcher Kelly Stinnett.

"We have some big decisions to make, and we are going to use all the available time to weigh those decisions," GM Ed Wade said. "We're still having some discussions that could impact what we do. So it would be premature to have any statements until after we have notified Major League Baseball."

The Chicago Cubs reached agreement with two of their free agents Sunday: second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and outfielder Tom Goodwin. Grudzielanek agreed to terms on a one-year deal with a club option for 2005.

The Cubs chose to not offer arbitration to nine other free agents, including pitchers Antonio Alfonseca, Shawn Estes, Mark Guthrie and Dave Veres; outfielders Doug Glanville, Kenny Lofton, and Troy O'Leary; and infielders Eric Karros and Tony Womack.

The Chicago White Sox will announce Monday whether they offered arbitration to any of their five free agents, including pitchers Bartolo Colon and Scott Sullivan, infielders Roberto Alomar and Tony Graffanino and outfielder Carl Everett.

The Astros did not offer arbitration to their remaining free agents, including outfielder Orlando Merced, right-handers Rick White and Brian Moehler and left-hander Ron Villone.

Jim Molony is a writer for MLB.com based in Houston. MLB.com site reporters contributed to this report. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.