Anaheim gave shortstop Orlando Cabrera a $32 million, four-year deal Monday, while the Astros passed on offering Wade Miller a 2005 contract.
Cabrera replaces spunky shortstop David Eckstein, who was not offered a contract by the Angels. Cabrera was dealt from the Expos to Boston in July and helped the Red Sox win their first World Series title since 1918. But Boston replaced him with Gold Glove winner Edgar Renteria.
Miller, who made $3.4 million this year, was 7-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 starts before a rotator cuff injury sidelined him for the season on June 26.
On a busy day among players eligible for salary arbitration, the Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $825,000 deal with Jose Macias. Macias hit .268 in 98 games last season. The Cubs also offered arbitration to all five eligible players: Kyle Farnsworth, Michael Barrett, Aramis Ramirez, Corey Patterson and Carlos Zambrano. Ramirez is likely to land a multiyear deal before the start of next season that could keep him in a Cubs uniform through 2008.
Twins outfielder Jacque Jones agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract. Players on rosters who weren’t offered contracts by Monday became free agents.
Among players who were already free agents, two left-handed relievers agreed to two-year contracts, with Steve Kline getting $5.5 million from Baltimore and former Cub Kent Mercker getting $2.6 million from Cincinnati.
On the trade front, San Diego acquired outfielder Dave Roberts from Boston for outfielder Jay Payton, infielder Ramon Vazquez, minor-league right-hander David Pauley and $2.65 million.
Hope alive in D.C.
D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams and Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp reached an agreement on the terms of a stadium financing package they believe likely will satisfy Major League Baseball by guaranteeing construction of a future home for the Washington Nationals, aides told the Washington Post.
Cropp, who has sought for weeks to ensure that the public costs for the stadium are limited, shocked the mayor last week by convincing the council to require at least 50 percent of stadium construction be paid by private money. Baseball officials said they are open to private financing but need a guarantee that the city would revert to the original deal agreed to by Williams, which relies largely on public funding, if no private money is found.
