Rangers re-sign Blalock

[nyy26wc]

1) The Rangers re-signed 3B Hank Blalock to a 5 year, $15.25 million contract, with an option for 2009.

After starting his career with -9 RCAA/.632 OPS in 49 games in 2002, Blalock hit .522 SLG, .350 OBA, .872 OPS, 12 RCAA in 143 games. He has a .822 career OPS, compared to his league average of .762, and 3 RCAA in 192 games.

2) Pitchers and catchers report today for the Marlins and Twins. They are the last 2 teams to have them report.

3) Position players report today for the Yankees.

4) Royals P Kyle Snyder will need another shoulder surgery. He was already recovering from a surgery in September that repaired a partially torn labrum when he was bothered by irritation. Snyder would miss anywhere from several months to the entire 2004 season.

Snyder had a 5.17 ERA/0 RSAA in his first 15 career games. He also had Tommy John surgery in 2000.

5) The Brewers agreed to terms with P Luis Martinez on a 1 year contract and re-signed P Leo Estrella.

Martinez's contract won't be signed until, and unless, he's given permission to leave the Dominican Republic, where he a suspect in a shooting.

After starting his career with 2 games with the 2000 BlueJays, Estrella had a 4.36 ERA/0 RSAA in 58 games. He has a 4.46 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.33, and 0 RSAA in 60 games.

6) Jose Canseco says he has a tryout scheduled with the Dodgers for March 1.

7) The Rangers re-signed OFs Kevin Mench and Ramon Nivar, 1B and Ps Mickey Callaway, Juan Dominguez, Rosman Garcia, Chris Mabeus, Edwin Moreno, Erasmo Ramirez, Nick Regilio, Brian Shouse and Ryan Snare to 1 year contracts.

After starting his career with -3 RCAA/.775 OPS in 110 games in 2002, Mench hit .464 SLG, .381 OBA, .845 OPS, 4 RCAA in 38 games. He has a .793 career OPS, compared to his league average of .759, and 1 RCAA in 148 games.

After starting his career with a 6.14 ERA/-1 RSAA in 2002 (he also pitched in 13 games in 1993/1998), Shouse had a 3.10 ERA/13 RSAA in 62 games. He has a 4.11 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.51, and 9 RSAA in 98 games.

8) The Braves are going to give P Jaret Wright a chance to return to the rotation.

In his first year with more than 10 games since 1999, Wright had a 7.35 ERA/-21 RSAA in 50 games, all in relief, with the Padres and Braves. It was his 2nd consecutive year with less than -20 RSAA. Wright has a 5.68 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.67, and -66 RSAA in 148 games.

9) Whitesox P prospect Corwin Malone will have Tommy John surgery on March 7 and will miss the entire season.

Malone, 23, went from being regarded as a top prospect a couple of years ago to a C rating in John Sickels's latest book.