Flurry of deals closes out winter meetings

By MARC TOPKIN
Published December 9, 2005

DALLAS - Before concluding their winter meetings Thursday, major-league officials handed out a few parting gifts.

The Tigers worked to finalize a two-year, $16-million contract with 41-year-old left-hander Kenny Rogers and agreed on an $11-million, two-year deal with closer Todd Jones. Rogers was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA for Texas last season but got more attention for an onfield confrontation with TV cameramen.

The Orioles reached preliminary agreement with catcher Ramon Hernandez on a four-year, $27.25-million contract that is expected to be finalized next week.

The Yankees dumped Tony Womack, whom they had no use for, on the Reds for two minor-league prospects, infielder Kevin Howard and outfielder Ben Himes. They also agreed to a two-year, $2.4-million deal with left-handed reliever Mike Myers.

The Rockies signed veteran closer Jose Mesa.

Also, Orioles star shortstop Miguel Tejada told the Associated Press he was unhappy with the team's direction and wanted to be traded two seasons into a six-year, $72-million deal; the White Sox increased their versatility by acquiring Rob Mackowiak from Pittsburgh for left-handed reliever Damaso Marte; the Giants signed reserve Mark Sweeney to a two-year, $1.8-million contract; and the Mets signed veteran infielder Jose Valentin to a $912,500 one-year contract and are talking to 47-year-old free-agent first baseman Julio Franco. The Mariners are close to a deal with DH Carl Everett and were talking to starter Matt Morris, as were the Cardinals.

BY THE RULE: The Rays lost two outfielders in the Rule 5 draft, with the Twins taking Jason Pridie in the major-league phase and the Padres taking Joey Gomes in the Triple-A phase.

Pridie, a second-round pick in 2002, missed most of last season with a knee injury and has played only 28 games above Class A, so it seems unlikely the Twins would, as required, keep him in the majors all season. Gomes, the older brother of major-leaguer Jonny Gomes, hit .325 with 12 homers and 86 RBIs at Class A Visalia.

"With the depth that we have in this organization, these type of things happen," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

Pitcher Jarrod Farrell, 4-3 with a 3.23 ERA at Double-A Montgomery, was taken by Florida in the Triple-A phase.

The Rays took pitcher Stephen Andrade from Toronto with the third pick of the draft of players not on 40-man rosters, but they shipped him to San Diego to complete the Sean Burroughs- Dewon Brazelton trade.

In the minor-league phases, with baseball operations assistant Chaim Bloom announcing the picks, they took left-handed starter Yorkin Ferreras, right-handed reliever Celso Rondon, outfielder Maiko Loyola and catcher Joey Reiman.

MORE RAYS: Team officials will decide soon how to replace trainer Ken Crenshaw, who is going to the Diamondbacks. ... Delmon Young received his Baseball America minor-league player of the year award at Thursday's closing banquet.

[Last modified December 9, 2005, 01:19:17]