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ARLINGTON, Texas - Alfonso Soriano agreed to a $7.5-million, one-year contract with the Rangers, who avoided salary arbitration with the All-Star second baseman they insist they aren't trying to trade.
"We've never been looking to move him. If there was an opportunity to make the club better, of course you have to listen," Rangers assistant general manager Jon Daniels said Monday. "It was rumors and speculation, not reality."
Several teams have inquired about a trade for Soriano, but none of the talks has been serious enough to intrigue the Rangers.
PUJOLS HAS SETBACK: Despite offseason treatment for a heel injury that hindered him much of last season, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols says the pain has returned.
Pujols, third in the NL MVP voting last year, had sound wave treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis on his left heel after the season. He had been feeling much better in the weeks after the treatment but began having trouble again about a week ago.
"It's something I'm pretty sure I'm going to go through again this year because it's too late for surgery," Pujols said. "I don't want to miss spring training, and I don't want to miss the first month and a half of the season."
Cardinals right-hander Jason Marquis, coming off career bests with 15 victories, 138 strikeouts and 2011/3 innings, agreed to a $3-million, one-year contract.
DELGADO NARROWS CHOICE: Free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado is considering four teams, and his agent planned to meet with the Marlins again today. Agent David Sloane said Delgado also remains interested in the Orioles, Mets and Rangers.
ANGELS: Outfielder Jeff DaVanon avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $950,000 deal.
ASTROS: Right-hander Brandon Duckworth agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract, a raise of $110,000.
BRAVES: New closer Dan Kolb avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $3.4-million, one-year contract. The right-hander, an All-Star with the Brewers last season, was acquired last month for prized pitching prospect Jose Capellan and a player to be named. Shortstop Rafael Furcal agreed to a $5.6-million, one-year deal, and right-handed reliever Chris Reitsma agreed to a $1.65-million, one-year deal.
D'BACKS: Left-hander Randy Choate agreed to a $1.3-million, two-year contract.
DODGERS: Gold Glove shortstop Cesar Izturis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $9.9-million, three-year contract.
GIANTS: Utilityman Pedro Feliz agreed to a $6.1-million, two-year contract to avoid arbitration.
MARLINS: Right-hander A.J. Burnett agreed to a $3.65-million, one-year contract rather than go to arbitration. Relievers Guillermo Mota and Tim Spooneybarger also avoided arbitration by accepting one-year deals.
METS: New York will not make the final payment on centerfielder Carlos Beltran's $119-million contract until July 1, 2018, according to details of the agreement obtained by the Associated Press. Beltran's deal contains $22-million in deferred salary that will be paid in the seven years after the contract expires. He will be 41 by the time he receives all the money.
ORIOLES: Outfielder Luis Matos agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.025-million, a raise of $50,000.
REDS: The team avoided arbitration with two of its cornerstone players, agreeing to a $4.6-million, one-year contract with outfielder Adam Dunn and a $930,000 deal with outfielder Austin Kearns.
TWINS: Paul Molitor is returning to the team as a roving minor-league instructor, the same job he held before a one-year stint as Seattle's hitting coach. ... Left-handed reliever J.C. Romero agreed to a $3.7-million, two-year contract, and free-agent infielder Eric Munson agreed to minor-league deal that would pay him $700,000 if he is added to the major-league roster.