Roundup: Giants re-sign Sanchez through 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Freddy Sanchez has signed a two-year, $12 million contract extension Friday with the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants held an $8.1 million option for 2010 for the three-time All-Star second baseman. Sanchez, who was acquired from Pittsburgh on July 29 in exchange for a minor league pitcher, will make $6 million in each year of the new deal.

He hit .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 111 games for the two teams this season.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said in a statement, "Sanchez provides a steady veteran presence and professional approach."

Sanchez played in 25 games with the Giants. He spent time on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder and had surgery earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Astros decline option on Brocail, add coaches

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros added several coaches to new manager Brad Mills' staff Friday, hiring Brad Arnsberg as their pitching coach, promoting Al Pedrique to bench coach and adding Bobby Meacham as their first-base coach.

The team also declined the 2010 option on right-handed relief pitcher Doug Brocail and re-signed third baseman Geoff Blum to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Blum's contract includes a mutual option for the 2011 season worth $1.65 million.

Mills was introduced as Houston's new manager on Tuesday.

Pedrique was promoted to third-base coach when Cecil Cooper was fired on Sept. 21 and he was one of 10 candidates to interview for the manager position. He started the season as Houston's minor league field coordinator.

Meacham was a coach for The Philadelphia Phillies' Class A affiliate in Williamsport, Pa., this year. He was the New York Yankees' third-base coach in 2008. Meacham replaces Jose Cruz, who accepted another job within the organization.

Arnsberg, Toronto's pitching coach for the last five seasons, replaces Dewey Robinson, who has taken a job with Tampa Bay.

Brocail, 42, went 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA in 20 relief appearances with Houston in 2009. He went on the disabled list three times last season and missed a total of 99 games. The Astros declined an option for $2.85 million and paid him a $250,000 buyout.

The 36-year-old Blum hit .247 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 120 games with the Astros last season. He started 101 games in 2009, 94 at third base.

Gaston signs consulting contract with Jays

TORONTO -- Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has signed a four-year consulting contract with the team that will begin when his managerial deal expires at the end of the 2010 season.

The Blue Jays announced the deal Friday. Gaston is expected to advise the team in all areas, including spring training, minor league operations and scouting.

The 65-year-old Gaston and his staff drew criticism from Toronto players in the final weekend of the season for the way they were being treated.

Also, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is leaving the Blue Jays to take the same job with the Houston Astros. He will be replaced by former bullpen coach Bruce Walton. Hitting coach Gene Tenace is retiring. Former first base coach Dwayne Murphy will assume Tenance's role.

Mariners hire Brumley as third base coach

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners have hired Mike Brumley as their new third base coach, completing the team's 2010 staff. He replaces Bruce Hines.

General manager Jack Zduriencik announced the hiring of the former big league utility player on Friday.

The 45-year-old Brumley spent the 2009 season overseeing all aspects of instruction in the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league system.

Brumley joins six returning coaches: bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, first base coach Lee Tinsley, bullpen coach John Wetteland and performance coach Steve Hecht.

The Mariners were 85-77 in 2009.

Orioles decline option on Mora

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have declined their $8 million option on Melvin Mora, allowing Baltimore's longest-tenured player to become eligible for free agency.

Mora, 37, came to the Orioles in a 2000 trade with the New York Mets. He played 1,256 games for Baltimore, including 807 at third base -- the second-most in franchise history behind Brooks Robinson.

Mora's best season was 2004, when he hit .340 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs. He receives a $1 million buyout.

The Orioles also declined their $850,000 option on backup catcher Chad Moeller, who gets a $50,000 buyout.

The team also hired Jeff Datz as bench coach. Datz spent the past eight seasons on the Cleveland Indians' staff, including four years as bench coach.

Rays to cut some 2010 tickets by 40 percent

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays say they are holding the line, and in some cases, dropping the price on nearly 40 percent of tickets for next season's games at Tropicana Field.

The team unveiled its 2010 ticket structure on Thursday. Prices range from $8 to $175, depending on seat location, the opponent and day of the week.

Prices for some prime dates against opponents such as AL East rivals New York and Boston rose slightly.

Tickets will be available in five categories, with prices as low as $12 for more than 50 games and $10 for over 30 dates.

Nine weekend games against the Yankees and Red Sox will run between $20 and $175. Weekday games against those teams will go for $18 to $155.

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