Teams scramble to sign players, avoid arbitration

NEW YORK -- Alfonso Soriano agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year contract with Texas, and Cesar Izturis got a $9.9 million, three-year deal with Los Angeles as players and teams scrambled to reach agreements before the scheduled swap of salary arbitration figures today.

Sixteen players in arbitration agreed to contracts Monday, including three Atlanta Braves: shortstop Rafael Furcal ($5.6 million), closer Dan Kolb ($3.4 million) and reliever Chris Reitsma ($1.65 million). Three Florida Marlins right-handers also got one-year deals: A.J. Burnett ($3.65 million), Guillermo Mota ($2.6 million) and Tim Spooneybarger ($350,000).

Seventy players remained on track to exchange figures with their teams, but many more were expected to agree to contracts by Tuesday afternoon.

Houston ace Roger Clemens, who still hasn't decided whether to pitch this year or retire, is expected to submit the largest request. Clemens, coming off his record seventh Cy Young Award, could top the record request of $18.5 million set by Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in 2001.

One free agent agreed to a contract Monday -- second baseman Roberto Alomar accepted a one-year deal from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The 12-time All-Star, who must pass a physical before the deal is finalized, hit just .263 with four homers and 24 RBIs in 56 games for Arizona and the Chicago White Sox last season, when he was sidelined from April 21 to June 22 after breaking his right hand when he was hit by a pitch.

Also, Carlos Delgado's agent said the free-agent first baseman had narrowed his list of possible teams to four: Baltimore, Florida, the New York Mets and Texas. The agent, David Sloane, said he planned to meet with the Marlins again on Tuesday.

Soriano, acquired by Texas from the New York Yankees in the Alex Rodriguez trade last February, made $5.4 million last season, when he hit .280 with 28 homers and 91 RBIs. Several teams have inquired about a trade for Soriano.

"We've never been looking to move him. If there was an opportunity to make the club better, of course you have to listen," Rangers assistant general manager Jon Daniels said. "It was rumors and speculation, not reality."

Izturis, a switch-hitter who turns 25 next month, had by far his best season last year, hitting .288 with 193 hits, four homers, 62 RBIs and 90 runs. He stole 25 bases in 34 attempts and won his first Gold Glove, committing only 10 errors.

Izturis, who made $358,500 last season, receives a $300,000 signing bonus and will earn $2.05 million this year, $3.1 million in 2006, and $4.15 million in 2007. Los Angeles has a 2008 option at $5.85 million with a $300,000 buyout.

San Francisco infielder Pedro Feliz agreed to a $6.1 million, two-year deal, and Arizona left-hander Randy Choate settled for a $1.3 million, two-year contract.

Cincinnati agreed to one-year contracts with outfielders Adam Dunn ($4.6 million) and Austin Kearns ($930,000).

Also getting one-year deals were St. Louis right-hander Jason Marquis ($3 million), Baltimore outfielder Luis Matos ($1,025,000), Angels outfielder Jeff DaVanon ($925,000) and Houston right-hander Brandon Duckworth ($500,000).

In a deal late Sunday, left-handed reliever J.C. Romero agreed to a $3.7 million, two-year contract with Minnesota.