Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
NEW YORK ó Forty-two players lost their jobs, many let go by teams looking to cut costs.
No such money worries for the New York Yankees, who made another splashy addition to their starting rotation Friday by reaching a preliminary agreement on an $82.5 million, five-year contract with A.J. Burnett.
Just two days after striking a $161 million, seven-year deal with CC Sabathia, New York added Burnett to a rotation that also includes holdovers Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees are hoping to re-sign Andy Pettitte and have looked at Ben Sheets as an alternative.
“I can sense the excitement and the confidence that’s spreading around the entire organization about what we’re getting done and what we may get done still,” Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said earlier Friday, before Burnett’s decision became known. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and the confidence and the excitement right now among the team and the organization is contagious.”
Burnett won 10 of his last 12 decisions and finished 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA for Toronto. He set career highs in wins, strikeouts (231) and innings (221 1-3).
PHILLIESThe World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies added to their offense when they reached a preliminary agreement on a $31.5 million, three-year deal with slugging outfielder Raul Ibanez.
The 36-year-old, who takes over for Pat Burrell in left field, batted .293 last season for Seattle with 43 doubles, 23 homers and 110 RBIs.
ANGELSThe Los Angeles Angels are another team looking to spend. They made an eight-year offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira during winter meetings in Las Vegas, team spokesman Tim Mead said Friday. Boston, Washington and Baltimore all have expressed interest in the 28-year-old Maryland native, who also met with the Yankees.
CUT LOOSE
Among those cut loose were Baltimore pitcher Daniel Cabrera, Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Takashi Saito, Houston infielder Ty Wigginton, Colorado outfielder Willy Taveras, Tampa Bay outfielder Jonny Gomes, San Diego right-hander Clay Hensley and Milwaukee left-hander Chris Capuano.
“Economics forced us to make this decision,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said of Wigginton.