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Houston, hello Astros sign Kent to two-year deal; Biggio now an outfielderPosted: Wednesday December 18, 2002 12:23 PMUpdated: Thursday December 19, 2002 1:48 AM
HOUSTON (AP) -- The Astros were surprised and jubilant. They didn't think they could land Jeff Kent. But a deal came together during five intense days of talks, and the sides finalized a two-year, $18.2 million contract on Wednesday, a move that forces Gold Glove second baseman Craig Biggio to move to the outfield. "This was not in our plan, was not in our budget and was not on our radar screen," Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "I would dare say, after Nolan Ryan, this is the most significant free-agent acquisition that this franchise has ever acquired." Kent, who spent the last six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, said he fell in love with Texas when his Cal-Berkeley team visited Austin in the 1980s. Kent lives in the state capital and has a ranch south of San Antonio. Before last weekend's winter meetings in Nashville, he quietly told agent Jeff Klein that the Astros were his top choice.
"I sent him to Tennessee and said, 'Go get me to Houston, will you?"' Kent said. He called his decision a "no-brainer," citing the departure of manager Dusty Baker as decreasing the attractiveness of the Giants. Kent, 34, won the MVP award two years ago and hit .313 last season with 37 homers and 108 RBIs, helping San Francisco win its first NL pennant since 1989. He'll combine with Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell and Kent combine to give the Astros a formidable middle of the lineup. "There will not be a team in the National League this year that has more dangerous 3-4-5 hitters than the Houston Astros," Hunsicker said. But where to put everyone? Biggio, who began his career as a catcher, has won four Gold Gloves at second base. He'll be shifting to the outfield to make room for Kent, according to Hunsicker. "He's already made one position change that didn't turn out too bad," said Hunsicker, who failed in his efforts to contact Biggio, who was on a hunting trip. Houston was confident Biggio will accept the move. "He is a professional, he's a competitor and I think he and everyone wants to maximize the chance of winning," Astros president Tal Smith said. "If it were someone other than Craig, it's going to be a problem," said Berkman, who had to move from first base to the outfield to get into the lineup. "Because of the type of person Bidge is, I just feel like (his outfield play) will be smooth by the time we're done with spring training."
Biggio is likely to play left, with Berkman in center and Richard Hidalgo in right. That leaves Daryle Ward to compete with Hidalgo and prospect Jason Lane for playing time. Biggio's agent, Barry Axelrod, said his client planned to meet with Astros manager Jimy Williams on Wednesday night. Axelrod and Biggio had previously discussed a possible move to the outfield in the context of possible talks for a contract extension, and Biggio even played a game there last season when the Astros had injuries. "It's a little scary doing that going into the last year of your contract," Axelrod said. "If there's anyone who could make that switch, it's Craig, he's done it before." Smith, who signed Ryan in 1979, said Kent's arrival surpasses that of the Hall of Fame pitcher as the biggest free agent acquisition in club history. The deal puts the Astros' projected payroll over the team's budgeted $60 million. "We're trying to reward the fans by playing better and going to the World Series and winning it," owner Drayton McLane said. That challenge is what attracted Kent, who repeatedly contrasted the Astros' future with that of the Giants, undergoing a makeover following Baker's departure for the Chicago Cubs. "This team has an opportunity to do some great things," Kent said. Giants general manager Brian Sabean last spoke to Klein on Sunday. San Francisco had offered a three-year contract with the chance of a fourth year based on Kent reaching a specific number of plate appearances, Sabean said. There was also a mutual option for a fifth year. "He'll be missed obviously, and that's an understatement," Sabean said. "As the season ended we had so much business at hand and had pie-in-the sky ideas. It was more us handling the business we thought was attainable and achievable first, while being mindful of payroll." Kent, who injured a wrist during spring training last season and fought with Barry Bonds during a game, had until Thursday to accept the Giants' offer of salary arbitration. San Francisco had prepared for Kent's departure by signing Ray Durham, who can play second base and the outfield, and Edgardo Alfonzo, who can play second or third. The Astros went 84-78 and finished second to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central last season. Kent, a three-time All-Star, has a .289 career average with 253 homers and 1,007 RBIs. He hit .269 with three homers and eight RBIs in the postseason, hitting three home runs against Anaheim in the World Series. He gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable $1 million each on March 1, July 1 next year, and March 1, 2004. Kent gets a $6 million salary for 2003, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2005, and $3 million to July 1, 2005. He gets an $8.5 million salary for 2004, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2006, and $3.5 million to July 1, 2006.
Houston has a $9 million option for 2005 with a $700,000 buyout.
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Jeff Kent is glad to be close to home and playing for a team he considers on the verge of big things. 
