SI.com's Hot Stove Analysis

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 2/7/05 Magglio Ordonez RF Tigers 5 years, $75 million This deal says more about the maligned city of Detroit, its oversized ballpark and its long-suffering ballclub than anything else. Apparently the Tigers have to overpay through the nose to get a marquee free agent to sign with them, or else Ordonez wouldn't have extracted such a king's ransom. (What would it take to bring an A-Rod to Detroit, a billion dollars?) There is an out-clause after the first year if Ordonez's bothersome knee sidelines him for more than 25 days. But after 2005 the other four years become guaranteed. More than likely, the Tigers are stuck with this contract, for better or worse.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 1/25/05 Carlos Delgado 1B Marlins 4 years, $52 million How does the last major prize of the free-agent market goes to the budget-minded Marlins? Much of the contract is backloaded to coincide with Mike Hampton's monstrous deal coming off the books. Carlos Delgado has done nothing but rake his entire career, including an injury-shortened 2004 in which he still mashed 32 home runs and slugged .535. He gives the Fish a much-needed left-handed power hitter who has improved defensively in recent seasons. For the money, Delgado is a better buy than comparable corner infielders Richie Sexson or Troy Glaus. Plus, Florida did not have to give Delgado a no-trade clause, which means they can dump the salary at any time.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 1/11/05 Derek Lowe RHP Dodgers 4 years, $36 million Everybody else is overpaying for pitchers, so why not the Dodgers? Derek Lowe's sinker should work well at Dodger Stadium, give or take some butchery by Jeff Kent at second base. Money aside, this does make the team better. But this is an enormous commitment for such an inconsistent pitcher. It's not as bad as the Russ Ortiz contract, but it's close.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 1/9/05 Carlos Beltran CF Mets 7 years, $119 million This is what the Mets do. They chase big names with gobs of money for the sake of backpage headlines. Carlos Beltran is a very good player who will do fine in New York. If the Mets are lucky, the no-trade clause won't come back to bite them. But Mike Cameron's value decreases substantially as a corner outfielder. They could have improved more so by signing J.D. Drew and Carlos Delgado while having money left for pitching and discarding Cliff Floyd.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 1/8/05 Kevin Millwood RHP Indians 1 years, $7 million Sure, Millwood is a risk. He pitched sparingly in the second half in 2004 because of elbow and groin injuries. But if he's sound, he'll give the Indians a deep rotation pitching behind C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook. Plus, the Tribe will get a $4 million refund if he spends more than 20 days on the DL. Good signing.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/27/04 Eric Milton LHP Reds 3 years, $25.5 million This is a stunning move for these penny pinchers. Milton does represent an upgrade for this rotation. Then again, who doesn't? On the other hand, if they had this much to spend, why didn't they use it on Matt Clement, Al Leiter, David Wells or any of the other free-agent pitchers who are better than Milton?

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/27/04 Moises Alou OF Giants 2 years, $13.25 million Moises Alou becomes the fifth member of the Giants' lineup who will be 37 or older on Opening Day. Is this a ballclub or an AARP meeting? Alou is coming off a career-high 39-HR season and can still field surprisingly well despite a pair of creaky knees. He's always been a dangerous bat when healthy.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/24/04 Jason Varitek C Red Sox 4 years, $40 million The Red Sox rightly recognized Jason Varitek as the backbone of the team. Of all their other free agents, Varitek was the only one who was irreplaceable. Where else can you find a dangerous switch-hitting catcher who is solid behind the plate? No matter what New York does, Boston is ready for its title defense.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/23/04 J.D. Drew RF Dodgers 5 years, $55 million In essence, the Dodgers are gambling that J.D. Drew's monster 2004 season is more indicative of future success than Adrian Beltre's. When healthy, Drew can replace Beltre's bat. But third base is a tougher position to fill than a corner outfield spot, so L.A. is taking a big risk with the injury prone Drew.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/20/04 Orlando Cabrera SS Angels 4 years, $32 million The Angels figured they had to spend the Matt Clement money somewhere. Orlando Cabrera is an upgrade from David Eckstein, but not by much, and the difference shouldn't warrant a contract this high. Series hype aside, Cabrera isn't much more than an above-average shortstop with low on-base skills.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/18/04 Matt Clement RHP Red Sox 3 years, $25 million The Red Sox continue to make sabermetrically sound moves. Statheads believe a pitchers' W-L record is greatly affected by luck, and Clement had an outstanding season for the Cubs despite the 9-13 mark in 2004, striking out 190 batters in 181 innings. He's a power right-hander well-suited for Fenway Park.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/16/04 Adrian Beltre 3B Mariners 5 years, $64 million Is Scott Boras getting soft? How else to explain this bargain for a 25-year-old third baseman coming off a 48-HR season? Beltre's 2004 may have been a contract-year fluke, but the odds of him playing up to this deal are in Seattle's favor, especially when you consider he's just now entering his prime.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/15/04 Edgar Renteria SS Red Sox 4 years, $40 million Orlando Cabrera had a good run in Boston, but Edgar Renteria is a major upgrade. Renteria, a career .289 hitter, is one of the game's best contact hitters. He's good for 40 doubles and 20 steals in any given season. An infield is only as good as its shortstop, and Renteria (two Gold Gloves) has anchored the best unit in the majors the past few years.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/15/04 Richie Sexson 1B Mariners 4 years, $50 million Richie Sexson and 3B Troy Glaus were both coming off shoulder surgery, but somehow Sexson gets $5 million more. It must have taken a 99-loss season to loosen the M's purse strings. If healthy, Sexson can hit 40 bombs in any park (even Safeco) and pick it with the best of 'em on defense.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/13/04 Pedro Martinez RHP Mets 4 years, $52 million The Mets consistently pay premium prices for players on the downside of their careers. At least with future Hall of Famer Martinez, his downside is better than most any pitcher's prime. The Mets will get ripped for this deal, but, on the other hand, what's the point in having money if you aren't going to spend it?

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/12/04 Carl Pavano RHP Yankees 4 years, $40 million Compared to what mediocrities like Russ Ortiz and Kris Benson got, this deal is a bargain for the Yankees. Carl Pavano doesn't have dominating stuff, but he makes up for it with location and mental toughness. That latter trait will serve him well as the latest hired gun to land in the Bronx.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/11/04 David Wells LHP Red Sox 2 years, $8 million Wells gets a lot of press for his rowdy reputation, but even at 41 he's a valuable asset to a rotation. He's walked a total of 40 batters in compiling more than 400 innings the past two seasons. The Red Sox shrewdly tied most of the money -- an extra $10 million -- into incentives based on durability.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/10/04 Steve Finley OF Angels 2 years, $14 million There will be ripple effects from this one. It takes the Angels' deep pockets out of the Carlos Beltran derby and leaves the Giants, who desperately needed a big bat at a non-Scott Boras rate, standing at the altar. Now Anaheim can turn its attention to shortstops. Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria are available.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/10/04 Russ Ortiz RHP D'backs 4 years, $33 million Are these the same D'backs who have been crying poverty the past couple of years? This is huge years and enormous cash to commit to a pitcher who, at his best, is a high-wire act. Ortiz has ranked in the top 10 in most walks allowed for six straight years. He slumped in 2004 and was hit hard in the playoffs.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/9/04 Jeff Kent 2B Dodgers 2 years, $17 million With offense at a premium in Dodger Stadium, it makes sense to sign a steady power hitter like Kent, even if he does end up at first base because of defensive concerns. He's pricey and old (37 on Opening Day), but he's slugged at least .500 at least seven straight years and two more shouldn't be too much to ask.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/9/04 Troy Glaus 3B D'backs 4 years, $45 million The Yankees might as well kiss Randy Johnson goodbye. This signing means the D'backs are hellbent on competing next season, and the best way to do that is with the Unit. Glaus coming off surgery is a big gamble, though, similar to the Richie Sexson move last year, and we know how that turned out.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/9/04 Jaret Wright RHP Yankees 3 years, $21 million Did the Yankees learn nothing from the Chris Hammond and Steve Karsay signings? Pick up the Braves' reclamation projects at your own risk. Jaret Wright had a terrific year in 2004 under Leo Mazzone, but this is the same Wright who underwent two shoulder operations and was on the DL every season from 1999-2002. This isn't exactly risk management at its finest.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/8/04 Jon Lieber RHP Phillies 3 years, $21 million Jon Lieber showed flashes of his pre-Tommy John form with the Yankees last season and especially in the playoffs. Another year removed from the operation, Lieber should be able to give the Phillies what he provided for the Cubs all those years -- lots of innings, very few walks.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/8/04 Al Leiter LHP Marlins 1 year, $8 million Leiter gives the Marlins what their rotation sorely lacks -- a veteran to counsel their young trio of Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Dontrelle Willis. At 39, Leiter isn't the power pitcher he used to be, but he did post a respectable 3.21 ERA for the defensively challenged Mets last year.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/7/04 Brad Radke RHP Twins 2 years, $18 million The cost of pitching is skyrocketing this winter, so it's amazing the Twins were able to keep Radke. He has pitched at least 200 innings in eight of 10 seasons and hasn't walked more than 30 batters in a year since 2000.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 12/7/04 Nomar Garciaparra SS Cubs 1 year, $8 million This is a major victory for the Cubs, who get an all-world shortstop to give them what amounts to a one-year tryout at a bargain-basement rate. If Garciaparra is anywhere close to 100 percent, Chicago will be much improved.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 11/30/04 Armando Benitez RHP Giants 3 years, $21.5 million The lack of a dominant closer cost the Giants the division last year, and Benitez was lights out for the Marlins in leading the NL in saves. Benitez has a reputation for coming up short in October, but that's a problem the Giants wouldn't mind havng to deal with.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 11/20/04 Kris Benson RHP Mets 3 years, $22.5 million They overpaid, but they had to. The only way to save any face from last season's disastrous trade deadline deals was to lock up Benson to a long-term pact. Benson may yet blossom into an above-average pitcher, but time is running out for the 30-year-old former No. 1 pick.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 11/17/04 Troy Percival RHP Angels 2 years, $12 million Dave Dombrowski has a long track record as an astute GM, so he must have a good reason for this curious move. Maybe he thinks the Tigers are close to contending and it's worth adding a luxury like the aging Percival, who is only good for 50 IP a year.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 11/16/04 Cristian Guzman SS Nationals 4 years, $16.8 million He's been an erratic hitter and fielder for the Twins the past few years, often lacking focus. The best thing he has going for him is youth. At 26, it's quite possible the Nationals will be getting Guzman's prime years.

Date Player Pos. Team Terms 11/14/04 Omar Vizquel SS Giants 3 years, $12.25 million It's amazing the 2004 Giants won 91 games rotating mediocre glovemen such as Deivi Cruz and Neifi Perez at shortstop. Vizquel, 37, is past his prime but still represents a significant upgrade at a reasonable price.

American League

ANAHEIM (4) -- Signed Steve Finley, of, Los Angeles, to a $14 million, two-year contract; signed Esteban Yan, rhp, Detroit, to a $2.25 million, two-year contract; signed Paul Byrd, rhp, Atlanta, to a $4.5 million, one-year contract; signed Orlando Cabrera, ss, Boston, to a $32 million, four-year contract. BALTIMORE (5) -- Re-signed B.J. Surhoff, of, to a $1.1 million, one-year contract; signed Chris Gomez, ss, Toronto, to an $825,000, one-year contract; signed Steve Kline, lhp, St. Louis, to a $5.5 million, two-year contract; signed Enrique Wilson, 2b, New York Yankees, to a minor league contract ($650,000); signed Steve Reed, rhp, Colorado, to a $1.05 million, one-year contract. BOSTON (10) -- Re-signed Doug Mirabelli, c, to a $3 million, two-year contract; signed Matt Mantei, rhp, Arizona, to a $750,000, one-year contract; signed David Wells, lhp, San Diego, to an $8 million, two-year contract; signed John Halama, lhp, Tampa Bay, to a $1 million, one-year contract; signed Edgar Renteria, ss, St. Louis, to a $40 million, four-year contract; signed Matt Clement, rhp, Chicago Cubs, to a $25.5 million, three-year contract; re-signed Jason Varitek, c, to a $40 million, four-year contract; signed Josias Manzanillo, rhp, Florida, to a minor league contract ($350,000); re-signed Dave McCarty, 1b, to a minor league contract ($550,000); signed Dave Berg, of, Toronto, to a minor league contract ($500,000). CHICAGO (4) -- Signed Tadahito Iguchi, inf, Japan, to two-year, $4.95 million contract; signed Dustin Hermanson, rhp, San Francisco, to a $5.5 million, two-year contract; signed Jermaine Dye, of, Oakland, to a $10.15 million, two-year contract; signed Orlando Hernandez, rhp, New York Yankees, to an $8 million, two-year contract. CLEVELAND (5) -- Re-signed Bob Wickman, rhp, to a $2.75 million, one-year contract; signed Jose Hernandez, 2b, Los Angeles, to a $1.8 million, one-year contract; signed Kevin Millwood, rhp, Philadelphia, to a $7 million, one-year contract; signed Juan Gonzalez, of, Kansas City, to a minor league contract ($600,000); signed Paul Shuey, rhp, Los Angeles, to a minor league contract ($400,000). DETROIT (3) -- Signed Magglio Ordonez, rf, Chicago White Sox, to a $75 million, five-year contract; signed Troy Percival, rhp, Anaheim, to a $12 million, two-year contract; signed Ramon Martinez, ss, Chicago Cubs, to a $1,025,000, one-year contract. KANSAS CITY (2) -- Re-signed Kevin Appier, rhp, to a minor league contract ($500,000); signed Jose Lima, rhp, Los Angeles, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. MINNESOTA (5) -- Signed Juan Castro, 3b, Cincinnati, to a $2.05 million, two-year contract; signed Mike Redmond, c, Florida, to a $1.8 million, two-year contract; re-signed Brad Radke, rhp, to an $18 million, two-year contract; re-signed Terry Mulholland, lhp, to a minor league contract ($750,000).; signed C.J. Nitkowski, lhp, New York Yankees, to a minor league contract ($500,000). NEW YORK (10) -- Re-signed John Flaherty, c, to an $800,000, one-year contract; signed Tony Womack, 2b, St. Louis, to a $4 million, two-year contract; signed Carl Pavano, rhp, Florida, to a $39.95 million, four-year contract; signed Jaret Wright, rhp, Atlanta, to a $21 million, three-year contract; signed Tino Martinez, 1b, Tampa Bay, to a $3 million, one-year contract; re-signed Ruben Sierra, of, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed Doug Glanville, of, Philadelphia, to a minor league contract ($550,000); signed Buddy Groom, lhp, Baltimore, to a minor league contracr ($850,000); signed Rey Sanchez, 2b, Tampa Bay, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Ramiro Mendoza, rhp, Boston, to a minor league contract ($850,000). SEATTLE (8) -- Signed Jeff Nelson, rhp, to a minor league contract; Re-signed Dan Wilson, c, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract; signed Richie Sexson, 1b, Arizona, to a $50 million, four-year contract; signed Adrian Beltre, 3b, Los Angeles, to a $64 million, five-year contract; re-signed Ron Villone, lhp, to a $4.2 million, two-year contract; signed Pokey Reese, ss, Boston, to a $1.2 million, one-year contract; signed Ricky Gutierrez, 2b, Boston, to a minor league contract ($600,000); signed Aaron Sele, rhp, Anaheim, to a minor league contract ($700,000). TAMPA BAY (8) -- Signed Alex Gonzalez, ss, San Diego, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract; signed Danny Bautista, of, Arizona, to a $1.9 million, one-year contract; signed Roberto Alomar, 2b, Chicago White Sox, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Shane Halter, 3b, Anaheim, to a minor league contract ($550,000); signed Marty Cordova, dh, Baltimore, to a minor league contract ($316,000); signed Hideo Nomo, rhp, Los Angeles, to a minor league contract ($800,000); signed Travis Lee, 1b, New York Yankees, to a $1.3 million, one-year contract; signed Tom Goodwin, of, Chicago Cubs, to a minor league contract ($550,000). TEXAS (9) -- Re-signed Doug Brocail, rhp, to a $1 million, one-year contract; signed Sandy Alomar Jr., c, Chicago White Sox, to a $550,000, one-year contract; re-signed Manny Alexander, 2b, to a minor league contract ($385,000); re-signed John Wasdin, rhp, to a minor league contract ($555,000); signed Richard Hidalgo, of, New York Mets, to a $5 million, one-year contract; signed Greg Colbrunn, 1b, Arizona, to a minor league contract ($650,000); re-signed David Dellucci, of, to a $1.8 million, two-year contract; signed Pedro Astacio, rhp, Boston, to an $800,000, one-yer contract; re-signed Jeff Zimmerman, rhp, to a minor league contract. TORONTO (3) -- Re-signed Greg Myers, c, to a minor league contract ($700,000); signed Corey Koskie, 3b, Minnesota, to a $17 million, three-year contract; re-signed Gregg Zaun, c, to a $1.05 million, one-year contract.

National League

ARIZONA (8) -- Re-signed Quinton McCracken, of, to a minor league contract ($750,000); signed Troy Glaus, 3b, Anaheim, to a $45 million, four-year contract; signed Russ Ortiz, rhp, Atlanta, to a $33 million, four-year contract; signed Kelly Stinnett, c, Kansas City, to a minor league contract; signed Royce Clayton, ss, Colorado, to a $1.35 million, one-year contract; signed Craig Counsell, ss, Milwaukee, to a $3.1 million, two-year contract; signed Shawn Estes, lhp, Colorado, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; signed Tony Clark, 1b, New York Yankees, to a $750,000, one-year contract. ATLANTA (4) -- Re-signed Julio Franco, 1b, Atlanta, to a $1 million, one-year contract; signed Gabe White, lhp, Cincinnati, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Brian Jordan, of, Texas, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Jay Powell, rhp, Texas, to a minor league contract ($600,000). CHICAGO (9) -- Re-signed Glendon Rusch, lhp, to a $4 million, two-year contract; re-signed Nomar Garciaparra, ss, to an $8 million, one-year contract; re-signed Todd Walker, 2b, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; signed Henry Blanco, c, Minnesota, to a $2.7 milion, two-year contract; re-signed Todd Hollandsworth, of, to a $900,000, one-year contract; signed Chad Fox, rhp, Florida, to a minor league contract ($575,000); signed Scott Williamson, rhp, Boston, to a minor league contract ($316,000); signed Jeromy Burnitz, of, Colorado, to a $5 million, one-year contract; signed Dave Hansen, inf, San Diego, to a minor league contract ($500,000). CINCINNATI (6) -- Re-signed Paul Wilson, rhp, to an $8.2 million, two-year contract; signed David Weathers, rhp, Florida, to a $1.35 million, one-year contract; signed Kent Mercker, lhp, Chicago Cubs, to a $2.6 million, two-year contract; signed Joe Randa, 3b, to a $2.15 million, one-year contract; signed Eric Milton, lhp, Philadelphia, to a $25.5 million, three-year contract; signed Rich Aurilia, ss, San Diego, to a minor league contract ($600,000). COLORADO (3) -- Re-signed Todd Greene, c, to a $750,000, one-year contract; re-signed Jamey Wright, rhp, to a $550,000, one-year contract; signed Desi Relaford, 2b, Kansas City, to a $1.05 million, one-year contract. FLORIDA (8) -- Re-signed Damion Easley, 2b, to a $750,000, one-year contract; re-signed Lenny Harris, to a minor league contract ($425,000); signed Al Leiter, lhp, New York Mets, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Todd Jones, rhp, Philadelphia, to a $1.1 million, one-year contract; signed Antonio Alfonseca, rhp, Atlanta, to a $316,000, one-year contract; re-signed Ismael Valdez, rhp, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed Carlos Delgado, 1b, Toronto, to a $52 million, four-year contract; signed Jim Mecir, rhp, Oakland, to a $1.1 million, one-year contract. HOUSTON (6) -- Re-signed Jose Vizcaino, ss, to a $1.25 million, one-year contract; re-signed Orlando Palmeiro, of, to an $800,000, one-year contract; re-signed Russ Springer, rhp, to a minor league contract ($550,000); re-signed Roger Clemens, rhp, to an $18 million, one-year contract; signed Dave Burba, rhp, San Francisco, to a minor league contract ($650,000); signed John Franco, lhp, New York Mets, to a $700,000, one-year contract. LOS ANGELES (9) -- Signed Ricky Ledee, of, San Francisco, to a $2.5 million, two-year contract; re-signed Elmer Dessens, rhp, to a $1.55 million, one-year contract; signed Jeff Kent, 2b, Houston, to a $17 million, two-year contract; re-signed Wilson Alvarez, lhp, to a $4 million, two-year contract; signed Jose Valentin, 3b, Chicago White Sox, to a $3.5 million, one-year contract; signed J.D. Drew, of, Atlanta, to a $55 million, five-year contract; re-signed Odalis Perez, lhp, to a $24 million, three-year contract; signed Derek Lowe, rhp, Boston, to a $36 million, four-year contract; signed Paul Bako, c, Chicago Cubs, to a $650,000, one-year contract. MILWAUKEE (2) -- Signed Damian Miller, c, Oakland, to an $8.75 million, three-year contract; signed Ricky Bottalico, rhp, New York Mets, to an $800,000, one-year contract. NEW YORK (8) -- Re-signed Kris Benson, rhp, to a $22.5 million, three-year contract; re-signed Mike DeJean, rhp, to a $1.15 million, one-year contract; signed Pedro Martinez, rhp, Boston, to a $53 million, four-year contract; signed Andres Galarraga, 1b, Anaheim, to a minor league contract ($600,000); signed Miguel Cairo, 2b, New York Yankees, to a $900,000, one-year contract; signed Carlos Beltran, of, Houston, to a $119 million, seven-year contract; signed Roberto Hernandez, rhp, Philadelphia, to a minor league contract ($650,000); signed Todd Van Poppel, rhp, Cincinnati, to a minor league contract. PHILADELPHIA (6) -- Re-signed Cory Lidle, rhp, to a $6.3 million, two-year contract; signed Todd Pratt, c, to a $750,000, one-year contract; re-signed Rheal Cormier, lhp, to a $5.25 million, two-year contract; signed Jon Lieber, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $21 million, three-year contract; re-signed Placido Polanco, 2b, to a $4.6 million, one-year contract; signed Terry Adams, rhp, Boston, to a $500,000, one-year contract. PITTSBURGH (3) -- Signed Todd Ritchie, rhp, Tampa Bay, to a minor league contract ($350,000); signed Ben Grieve, of, Chicago Cubs, to a minor league contract ($650,000); signed Rick White, rhp, Cleveland, to a minor league contract ($475,000). ST. LOUIS (6) -- Re-signed Cal Eldred, rhp, to a $600,000, one-year contract; re-signed John Mabry, of, to a $725,000, one-year contract; re-signed Matt Morris, rhp, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; signed Einar Diaz, c, Montreal, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Mike Myers, lhp, Boston, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Mark Grudzielanek, 2b, Chicago Cubs, to a $1 million, one-year contract. SAN DIEGO (7) -- Signed Rudy Seanez, rhp, Florida, to a $550,000, one-year contract; signed Dennys Reyes, lhp, Kansas City, to a $550,000, one-year contract; signed Woody Williams, rhp, St. Louis, to a $3.5 million, one-year contract; signed Eric Young, of, Texas, to a $1 million, one-year contract; signed Mark Sweeney, of, Colorado, to a $575,000, one-year contract; signed Chris Hammond, lhp, Oakland, to a $750,000, one-year contract; signed Steve Sparks, rhp, Arizona, to a minor league contract ($550,000). SAN FRANCISCO (6) -- Signed Omar Vizquel, ss, Cleveland, to a $12.25 million, three-year contract; signed Armando Benitez, rhp, Florida, to a $21.5 million, three-year contract; signed Mike Matheny, c, St. Louis, to a $10.5 million, three-year contract; signed Jeff Fassero, lhp, Arizona, to a minor league contract; re-signed Jason Christianson, lhp, to a $1.15 million, one-year contract; signed Moises Alou, of, Chicago Cubs, to a $13.25 million, two-year contract. WASHINGTON (6) -- Signed Cristian Guzman, ss, Minnesota, to a $16.8 million, four-year contract; signed Vinny Castilla, 3b, Colorado, to a $6.2 million, two-year contract; signed Wil Cordero, of, Florida, to a $600,000, one-year contract; signed Esteban Loaiza, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $2.9 million, one-year contract; signed Antonio Osuna, rhp, San Diego, to an $800,000, one-year contract; signed Carlos Baerga, 1b, Arizona, to a minor league contract.