INDIANAPOLIS — As general managers headed out the hotel doors and into the bone-chilling air, most had much work to do. Only the New York Yankees, Houston, Texas and Milwaukee accomplished a lot this week during the winter meetings.
The top three free agents — John Lackey, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay — remained unsigned. Toronto ace Roy Halladay was still being shopped.
With two weeks left until the holiday break, agents and teams figure to try to wear each other down. Some premier players may not know their spring training destination until January.
Essentially, teams are acting as if they were shoppers waiting for price drops. Why pay full price when markdowns might be coming soon, especially for position players?
Some players seem to be waiting to find out where the Yankees will bid for them. The big-market teams are holding back, and the small-market clubs are hunting for bargains.
On the last day of the meetings, the New York Mets made offers to Bay and free-agent catcher Bengie Molina. Their bid for Bay, a slugger who could fill the team’s void in left field, was between $60 million and $65 million over four years.
The World Series champion Yankees obtained All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson in the only major trade of the meetings. New York also kept pitcher Andy Pettitte with an $11.75 million, one-year deal.
Houston bolstered its bullpen by acquiring Matt Lindstrom in a trade with Florida, reached a preliminary agreement with reliever Brandon Lyon on a $15 million, three-year contract and agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year deal with third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Milwaukee also raced to add arms, striking preliminary deals with starter Randy Wolf and reliever LaTroy Hawkins.
The Rangers shipped pitcher Kevin Millwood to Baltimore for reliever Chris Ray. Texas then agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year deal with oft-injured right-hander Rich Harden.
Texas and Boston also are discussing a trade that would send 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell, 35, to the Rangers. Texas general manager Jon Daniels said the teams still are discussing the trade, which also would be subject to physicals. Boston would have to give Texas money to offset a portion of Lowell’s salary.
IRod a Nat
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals say there will be a news conference at their stadium today, when they’re expected to announce the signing of free agent Ivan Rodriguez. The 38-year-old catcher agreed this week to a $6 million, two-year contract, pending a physical. A 14-time All-Star and the 1999 AL MVP, Rodriguez split last season between Houston and Texas. He hit a combined .249 with 10 homers and 47 RBI.
Crosby, Pirates have deal
INDIANAPOLIS — Former AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby and Pittsburgh agreed Thursday to a $1 million, one-year contract. The 29-year-old infielder had spent his previous seven seasons with Oakland and was voted the rookie honor in 2004, when he batted .239 with 22 homers and 64 RBI.
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