Braves sign Fick

[nyy26wc]

1) The Braves signed 1B-OF Robert Fick to a 1 year contract.

After a 5 RCAA/.816 OPS season in 2001, his first time as a starter, Fick hit .433 SLG, .331 OBA, .764 OPS, 3 RCAA in 148 games with the Tigers. He has a .784 career OPS, compared to his league average of .766, and 7 RCAA in 360 games. Fick became a free agent when the Tigers didn't offer him a contract last month.

In his 360 career games, Fick's played 148 in RF, 101 at C, 61 at 1B and 36 at DH. He's expected to play 1B for the Braves.

2) The Devil Rays signed 3B Chris Truby to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.

After starting his career with -9 RCAA/.772 OPS and -7 RCAA/.717 OPS seasons, Truby hit .314 SLG, .238 OBA, .552 OPS, -27 RCAA in 124 games (first 35 with the Expos, last 89 with the Tigers). He has a .654 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and -43 RCAA in 250 games. The Tigers released him after the season ended.

3) Dodgers LF Brian Jordan rescinded his trade demand.

A player who is traded in the middle of a multiyear contract has the right to demand a trade at his first season after the deal, provided that he's also been in the majors long enough to be eligible for free agency. If the player isn't traded by March 15, and he doesn't rescind the demand, he would become a free agent. But, no player has ever become a free agent under this rule and it's been a while since anyone demanded a trade and was actually traded.

After -14 RCAA/.742 OPS and 4 RCAA/.830 OPS seasons, Jordan hit .469 SLG, .338 OBA, .807 OPS, 13 RCAA in 128 games. He has a .806 career OPS, compared to his league average of .770, and 56 RCAA in 1205 games. It was the 1st time Jordan had a double digit RCAA since his career high of 26, in 1998.

4) The Angels re-signed DH Brad Fullmer to a 1 year, $1 million contract.

After 12 RCAA/.898 OPS and -8 RCAA/.771 OPS seasons, Fullmer hit .531 SLG, .357 OBA, .888 OPS, 26 RCAA in 130 games with the Angels, in what was probably a career year. Fullmer more than doubled his previous career high in RCAA (12 in 2000). He has a .824 career OPS, compared to his league average of .773, and 25 RCAA in 668 games. Last month, he became a free agent when the Angels didn't offer him a contract.

5) The Orix Blue Wave signed P Masato Yoshii to a 1 year, $550,000 contract.

After 5.85 ERA/6 RSAA (Coors) and 4.78 ERA/-1 RSAA seasons, Yoshii had a 4.11 ERA/1 RSAA in 31 games (20 starts). He has a 4.62 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.40, and 9 RSAA in 162 games. In December, the Expos released him.

6) The Rockies claimed minor league 3B Kevin Eberwein off waivers from the Padres.