PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies finalized a $22 million, three-year contract with all-star center fielder Shane Victorino and reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year deal with right-hander Jose Contreras on Friday.
Victorino hit .292 with 39 doubles, 13 triples, 10 homers, 62 RBIs and 25 steals last season, when he made $3,175,000.
Contreras was 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA last year for the White Sox before getting traded to the Rockies in late August. He went 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven games for Colorado.
Former manager Bragan dies at 92
FORT WORTH, Texas — Bobby Bragan, who managed Braves Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn, died Thursday night at his home. He was 92.
Bragan, dubbed “Mr. Baseball” for his decades of dedication to the game, spent seven seasons as a major-league manager: Pittsburgh (1956-57), Cleveland (1958) and the Milwaukee (1963-65) and Atlanta (1966) Braves. He compiled a record of 443-478.
Mets acquire Matthews from Angels
NEW YORK — Unable to find regular playing time for Gary Matthews Jr., the Angels traded the outfielder to the Mets.
Los Angeles received right-handed reliever Brian Stokes in exchange for Matthews, who had slumped for three straight seasons since signing a $50 million, five-year contract.
Matthews is owed salaries of $11 million this year and $12 million in 2011, plus a $500,000 bonus for getting traded. The Mets will pay just $1 million per season, and the Angels will give New York money to cover the remainder of the salary plus the bonus.
• Right-hander Joel Piñeiro, who was 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA last season for the Cardinals, and the Angels finalized a $16 million, two-year contract.
Ankiel joins Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel, who hit .231 with 11 homers with the Cardinals in 2009, agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Royals, pending a physical.
Footnotes.
Saying he was “shocked” he didn’t draw a multiyear offer on the free-agent market, catcher Bengie Molina returned to the Giants with a $4.5 million, one-year contract.
• Left-hander Doug Davis, who was 9-14 with a 4.12 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season, and the Brewers finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract.
• The Cubs are closing in on an agreement to keep their spring training home in Mesa, Ariz., for the next 25 years after the city proposed building an $84 million facility with a 15,000-seat ballpark.
The Associated Press
