Everett, Wash. Published: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
MLB NOTEBOOK
Giants sign first free agent of the offseason
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeremy Affeldt had considered looking for a job as a closer this offseason. Then San Francisco offered a contract the reliever couldn't pass up.
Affeldt became the first of 171 free agents to agree to a contract, striking an $8 million, two-year deal Monday with the Giants -- a team that has wanted him for two years.
"One of the things is they didn't mess around too much. That's what my agent, Mike Moye, and I were really impressed with," Affeldt said. "They came in with an offer, and it was really close to what we were looking for. The negotiation was pretty quick. They were definitely on an A-list for me. They were really wanting to get me and bring me in to help out."
One of Giants general manager Brian Sabean's offseason priorities was to bolster his club's inconsistent bullpen. The Giants, who haven't reached the playoffs since 2003, often had problems in the middle innings between starters and closer Brian Wilson.
Affeldt's role is yet to be determined, though San Francisco's brass likes that he can pitch multiple innings.
The 29-year-old Affeldt pitched for the Cincinnati Reds last season, going 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA in a team-leading 74 appearances. He struck out 80 and walked 25 in 781/3 innings.
Notes
HALL OF FAME GAME: Baseball's legends and old-timers will play in a new Hall of Fame Classic. The inaugural Hall of Fame Classic will be held on June 21 -- Father's Day and the first day of summer. It will replace the Hall of Fame game, discontinued this season after 68 years because of scheduling problems. The game will feature four Hall of Famers and more than 20 other retired major leaguers.
RAYS: Coming off their first winning season, the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays announced single-game tickets will rise anywhere from $1 to $5, depending on location at Tropicana Field, where prices range from $10 to $210 for most home dates in 2009. Prices range from $16 to $270 for 21 dates designated as "prime" games, including the home opener against the New York Yankees and three games in June against the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated Tampa Bay in the World Series.
