Martinez re-signs

[nyy26wc]

1) The Mariners re-signed DH Edgar Martinez to a 1 year, $3 million contract.

Martinez would have been a free agent. Also, he had been uncertain whether he would be retiring.

After 53 RCAA/.966 OPS and 26 RCA/.888 OPS seasons, Martinez hit .489 SLG, .406 OBA, .895 OPS, 32 RCAA in 145 games. He has a .948 career OPS, compared to his league average of .760, and 651 RCAA in 1914 games.

Martinez ranks 9th in best career OBA vs. the league average (MIN: 7500 PA, since 1900)--

OBA                             DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE   
1    Ted Williams               .134     .482     .348   
2    Babe Ruth                  .118     .474     .356   
3    Barry Bonds                .097     .433     .336   
4    Ty Cobb                    .093     .433     .340   
5    Rogers Hornsby             .091     .434     .342   
6    Frank Thomas               .089     .428     .339   
7    Mickey Mantle              .087     .421     .333   
8    Lou Gehrig                 .086     .447     .361   
9    Edgar Martinez             .085     .423     .338   
10   Tris Speaker               .084     .428     .344   

Martinez's 2003 OBA, vs. the league average, ranked 5th for ages 40+

OBA                           YEAR     DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE     AGE    
1    Willie Mays              1971     .099     .425     .326       40   
2    Stan Musial              1962     .079     .416     .337       41   
3    Ty Cobb                  1927     .078     .440     .361       40   
4    Luke Appling             1949     .076     .439     .363       42   
5    Edgar Martinez           2003     .072     .406     .334       40   
6    Rickey Henderson         1999     .072     .423     .351       40   
7    Luke Appling             1948     .064     .423     .359       41   
8    Pete Rose                1981     .063     .391     .328       40   
9    Carlton Fisk             1990     .050     .378     .328       42   
10   Reggie Jackson           1986     .050     .379     .330       40   

2) The Yankees declined their 2004 option on P David Wells and P Felix Heredia declined his player option.

They will both become free agents.

3) The Reds released P Ryan Dempster.

Dempster had Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2004 season. The Reds might still re-sign him to a minor league contract. While they are not permitted to do that prior to May 15, his injured status makes that just a technicality.

After 4.94 ERA/-18 RSAA and 5.38 ERA/-28 RSAA seasons, Dempster had a 6.54 ERA/-29 RSAA in 22 games (20 starts). It was his 4th double digit negative RSAA in his 6 year career. Dempster has a 5.01 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.39, and -80 RSAA in 161 games.

4) The Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved spending $73 million to build a new stadium for the Marlins. The Marlins are saying they will pay $137 million.

5) Fernando Vina, who will be a free agent, says he is interested in returning to the Mets.

Vina played for the Mets in 1994.

6) The Rangers signed INF David Newhan to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Newhan had a .550 OPS/-8 RCAA in 63 games with the Padres and Phillies in 1999-2001.

7) The Rockies are rumored to be interested in listening if teams want to discuss trading for 1B Todd Helton or CF Preston Wilson.

8) According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, 10 teams have already contacted P LaTroy Hawkins, who will be a free agent, with the Yankees and Cubs expected to be the top suitors.

Teams are permitted to speak to free agents as soon as they file, but, at least according to the rules, only their previous team can talk about money until they officially hit the free market 15 days after the World Series ends.

[Wolf Hopper]

Rocks willing to trade Helton? Money that bad?