Baseball signings, releases

[December 14, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Power-hitting Jack Cust, closer Mike MacDougal and outfielder Jonny Gomes joined an already saturated free agent market when they weren't offered contracts for next year by their teams on Saturday.

Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was expected to be cut loose later Saturday night as the so-called tender deadline approached.

By early evening teams had announced they were letting 15 players go free, and all but three of them would have been eligible for salary arbitration if they had been offered contracts. Teams can re-sign players they let go, and the rule limiting salary cuts to 20 percent does not apply after they become free.

In a slow-moving market, just 32 of the 171 players who filed for free agency after the World Series are known to have agreements for next season.

Others let go included Atlanta outfielder Ryan Church and second baseman Kelly Johnson; and Mets pitcher Tim Redding, and outfielders Jeremy Reed and Cory Sullivan.

Among players recovering from surgery, Chicago Cubs left-hander Neal Cotts, Milwaukee right-hander Mark DiFelice and Washington left-hander Scott Olsen were let loose. DiFelice was not eligible for arbitration.

While more than 200 players were eligible for arbitration during the World Series, Saturday's moves left fewer than 180.

Several arbitration-eligible players agreed to contracts: Atlanta outfielder Matt Diaz ($2.55 million), Baltimore right-handers Cla Meredith ($850,000) and Matt Albers ($680,000 in majors and $275,000 in minors) and Texas infielder Esteban German ($600,000/$200,000).

Cust hit .240 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs for Oakland last season, when he made $2.8 million. He struck out 195 times, becoming the first player to lead in the AL in three straight seasons since Minnesota's Bobby Darwin from 1972-74. Cust whiffed 164 times in 2007 and 197 times in 2008.

He had 26 homers in 2007 and 33 the following year, and has topped Oakland for three consecutive seasons in homers, strikeouts and walks (93 last season).

MacDougal, an All-Star for Kansas City in 2003, had 20 saves in 21 chances for Washington and went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA. He was released by the Chicago White Sox on April 29 with a 12.46 ERA through five appearances and signed by the Nationals on May 3. Chicago remained responsible for most of his $2.65 million salary.

MacDougal has 70 saves in eight major league seasons.

The 30-year-old Gomes, who spent his first six major league seasons with Tampa Bay, hit .267 with 20 homers and 51 RBIs for Cincinnati. He started the season at Triple-A Louisville and was brought up May 22.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

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