CatBoxBackFan
Hall of Famer
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 9, 2004 12:00 AM
The Diamondbacks effectively ended their contract stalemate with slugger Richie Sexson by convincing free-agent third baseman Troy Glaus to sign a four-year, $45 million contract with the club, The Arizona Republic has learned.
Glaus, the Most Valuable Player of the 2002 World Series as a member of the Anaheim Angels who has put up Sexson-like power numbers, agreed to terms with Arizona late Wednesday night following three days of heavy negotiations.
He will be introduced during a news conference today at Bank One Ballpark, at which time Diamondbacks officials are expected to say they no longer have interest in re-signing Sexson, a free agent being courted by a handful of other clubs, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Glaus, 28, will be given a $4 million signing bonus and a salary of $8.25 million this season. He'll make $9.25 million in 2006, $10.75 million in 2007 and $12.75 million in 2008.
None of the money will be deferred.
The acquisition of Glaus means Chad Tracy, an All-Rookie third baseman last season, will likely switch to the outfield, or possibly first base. Depending on how Glaus' surgically repaired shoulder feels, Glaus may also see some time at first.
A right-handed hitter, Glaus has battled shoulder problems each of the past two years and underwent surgery last season. He returned to the Angels lineup and in 58 games (and 207 at-bats), mostly in a designated hitter's role, hit .251 with 18 home runs and 42 RBIs.
Sexson, 30, was limited to 23 games after also having shoulder problems.
Two checked swings resulted in season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. He hit .233 with nine homers and 23 RBIs, but the Diamondbacks medical staff said they predicted a 10 percent chance of the injury recurring, which dragged contract talks between Sexson and the club.
The Diamondbacks offered Sexson salary arbitration on Tuesday, which allows them to continue negotiating with the player through Jan. 8, but more importantly, it preserves draft-pick compensation to the team for losing him to another club.
The Diamondbacks will receive two picks for Sexson - either a first- or second-round pick and a supplemental sandwich pick - based on his status as an "A" player from his statistics the previous two seasons.
As for Glaus, Diamondbacks physicians gave him an extensive physical in the Valley on Monday, and reportedly everything checked out fine with his shoulder.
It wasn't immediately known whether any of his salary is to be based on games-played or at-bat provisions, as were all previous offers made by the club to Sexson.
A first-round pick by the Angels in 1997 (the third pick overall), Glaus has been selected to the All-Star Game three times (2000, 2001 and 2002).
In other developments, Steve Finley is still considering a return to the Diamondbacks, along with offers from the Angels, the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. Finley's agent said negotiations have been heating up and that Arizona was at the front and center of talks.
"The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive," Tommy Tanzer said. "It's flattering. He loves the coaching staff they've put together. It's going to be a hard decision."
Arizona is also trying to land free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz, who went 15-9 last season with the Atlanta Braves, as well as shortstop Royce Clayton and outfielder David Dellucci.
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 9, 2004 12:00 AM
The Diamondbacks effectively ended their contract stalemate with slugger Richie Sexson by convincing free-agent third baseman Troy Glaus to sign a four-year, $45 million contract with the club, The Arizona Republic has learned.
Glaus, the Most Valuable Player of the 2002 World Series as a member of the Anaheim Angels who has put up Sexson-like power numbers, agreed to terms with Arizona late Wednesday night following three days of heavy negotiations.
He will be introduced during a news conference today at Bank One Ballpark, at which time Diamondbacks officials are expected to say they no longer have interest in re-signing Sexson, a free agent being courted by a handful of other clubs, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Glaus, 28, will be given a $4 million signing bonus and a salary of $8.25 million this season. He'll make $9.25 million in 2006, $10.75 million in 2007 and $12.75 million in 2008.
None of the money will be deferred.
The acquisition of Glaus means Chad Tracy, an All-Rookie third baseman last season, will likely switch to the outfield, or possibly first base. Depending on how Glaus' surgically repaired shoulder feels, Glaus may also see some time at first.
A right-handed hitter, Glaus has battled shoulder problems each of the past two years and underwent surgery last season. He returned to the Angels lineup and in 58 games (and 207 at-bats), mostly in a designated hitter's role, hit .251 with 18 home runs and 42 RBIs.
Sexson, 30, was limited to 23 games after also having shoulder problems.
Two checked swings resulted in season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. He hit .233 with nine homers and 23 RBIs, but the Diamondbacks medical staff said they predicted a 10 percent chance of the injury recurring, which dragged contract talks between Sexson and the club.
The Diamondbacks offered Sexson salary arbitration on Tuesday, which allows them to continue negotiating with the player through Jan. 8, but more importantly, it preserves draft-pick compensation to the team for losing him to another club.
The Diamondbacks will receive two picks for Sexson - either a first- or second-round pick and a supplemental sandwich pick - based on his status as an "A" player from his statistics the previous two seasons.
As for Glaus, Diamondbacks physicians gave him an extensive physical in the Valley on Monday, and reportedly everything checked out fine with his shoulder.
It wasn't immediately known whether any of his salary is to be based on games-played or at-bat provisions, as were all previous offers made by the club to Sexson.
A first-round pick by the Angels in 1997 (the third pick overall), Glaus has been selected to the All-Star Game three times (2000, 2001 and 2002).
In other developments, Steve Finley is still considering a return to the Diamondbacks, along with offers from the Angels, the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. Finley's agent said negotiations have been heating up and that Arizona was at the front and center of talks.
"The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive," Tommy Tanzer said. "It's flattering. He loves the coaching staff they've put together. It's going to be a hard decision."
Arizona is also trying to land free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz, who went 15-9 last season with the Atlanta Braves, as well as shortstop Royce Clayton and outfielder David Dellucci.
