National Baseball Report

Astros negotiations to continue past today's deadline

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Schiller-Isaacson group has been granted an extension to negotiate to buy the Houston Astros past today's deadline.

Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is believed to be asking for around $650 million for the club according to the Houston Chronicle.  People in the industry are skeptical that Schiller's group will be ble to come up with that amount of money.

Rockies sign Melvin Mora

The Colorado Rockies signed infielder Melvin Mora to a one-year, $1.3 million contract according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.  Mora is expected to serve as a utility player for the Rockies in 2010.  Mora hit .260 with 44 runs and 48 RBI in 450 at-bats for the Orioles in 2009.  Recently Mora has spent most of his time playing third base for the Orioles, but he has worked at several positions this offseason.

Reds sign Orlando Cabrera

The Cincinnati Reds signed shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $3 million contract according to ESPN.com.  The deal includes a $3 million club option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout.  Cabrera hit .284 with 83 runs and 77 RBI between the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins in 2009.  The Athletics traded him to Minnesota right before the trade dealine in 2009.

Giants agree to terms Brian Wilson

The San Francisco Giants agreed to terms with closer Brian Wilson on a one-year, $4,437,500 contract according to ESPN.com.  Wilson was 5-6 with a 2.74 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP for the Giants in 2009.

"We're very proud of Brian, from the beginning when he was drafted to developing in our system," Giants vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans said in a phone interview. "He's done a great job and become such a meaningful part of our organization. He's been an important part of this ballclub."

Mets sign Frank Catalanotto to minor league contract

The New York Mets signed Frank Catalanotto to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.  Catalanotto hit .278 with 18 runs in 144 at-bats for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009.  He will battle for a spot on the Mets' bench in 2010.

Angels agree to terms with Joe Saunders

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to terms with pitcher Joe Saunders on a one-year contract according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.  Saunders was 16-7 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP for the Angels in 2009.  He struggled with shoulder issues for most of 2009.  He was seven of his last eight starts.

Rangers sign pitcher Scott Feldman

The Texas Rangers avoided arbitration with pitcher Scott Feldman by signing him to a one-year, $2.425 contract according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.  Feldman was asking for $2.9 million in arbitration and the Rangers were offering $2.05 million.  He was 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP for the Rangers in 2009.  Feldman was the last of Texas' arbitration eligible players.

Mets sign Fernando Tatis and Josh Fogg

The New York Mets signed Fernando Tatis to a one-year contract worth close to $1.7 million with incentives according to Marc Carig of the New Jersey Star-Ledger.  Tatis is expected to share first base duties with Daniel Murphy.  Tatis hit .282 with eight home runs and 48 RBI in 340 at-bats for the Mets in 2009.

The Mets also signed pitcher Josh Fogg to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  Fogg was 0-2 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP for the Colorado Rockies in 2009.

Athletics agree to terms with pitcher Michael Wuertz

The Oakland Athletics agreed to a two-year contract with pitcher Michael Wuertz according to a club press release.  Wuertz was 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP for the A's in 2009.  The signing of Wuertz means the A's will not be going to arbitration with any of their players in 2010.

Mariners sign Eric Byrnes, designate Tommy Everidge

The Seattle Mariners signed outfielder Eric Byrnes to a one-year contract according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.  The Arizona Diamondbacks recently released Byrnes, so the Mariners will only have to pay him the minimum salary of $400,000.  The Diamondbacks will pay Byrnes the rest of the $9.6 million he will make in 2010.  To make room for Byrnes on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated Tommy Everidge for assignment.