Saturday, December 1, 2001
[ PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ]
NEW YORK >> Starting their offseason with small moves, the New York Mets are close to trading outfielder Benny Agbayani to the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants and signing Japanese pitcher Satoru Komiyama. Agbayani about to
say ‘sayonara’Associated Press
Mets general manager Steve Phillips didn't confirm the deals, but left a strong impression both moves were imminent.
It appears the Mets and the Giants have worked out details of the trade, leaving the outfielder from Hawaii to complete a contract with the Japanese team.
"I don't think it would be appropriate to comment where we are when we are in the process," Phillips said yesterday.
Agbayani, 29, hit .277 this year with six homers and 27 RBIs in 296 at-bats and is viewed as a good fourth outfielder but no better. On March 30 last year, he had a pinch-hit grand slam at the Tokyo Dome in the 11th inning to give the Mets a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Komiyama, a 36-year-old right-hander, was 12-9 with a 3.03 ERA last season, third in the Central League. He played under Mets manager Bobby Valentine in 1995 with Chiba Lotte Mariners of the Pacific League.
"He's a guy that has started and relieved in his career, and teams could look at him in either role or in a combined role," Phillips said.
Torre contract ready: Joe Torre's new $16 million, three-year contract to manage the New York Yankees has been finalized and awaits his signature, a baseball lawyer familiar with the talks said yesterday.
Talks have proceeded on and off for most of the year, and neither side anticipated any obstacles. The sides completed negotiations on language issues yesterday, the lawyer said on the condition he not be identified.
Astros sign Vizcaino: The Astros officially entered the winter shopping season yesterday, re-signing infielder Jose Vizcaino to a $1.7 million, one-year contract.
Vizcaino hit .277 with one home run and 14 RBIs in 107 games with the Astros in 2001 while serving as an insurance policy for shortstop Julio Lugo.
Vizcaino provides defensive stability, but Hunsicker continues to be in the market for a lefthanded-hitting third baseman.
The Astros have interest in a possible trade for Milwaukee third baseman Tyler Houston, according to sources, and have inquired about free-agent third baseman David Bell, who spent last season with the Mariners.
Also, the Astros have inquired about righthander John Burkett, who spent the last two seasons with Atlanta.