Dunn to White Sox; Burrell stays with Giants

[December 03, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- First baseman Adam Dunn is joining the Chicago White Sox, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $56 million, four-year contract.

The free-agent deal is subject to the slugger passing a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

It was a busy day for all teams, with 52 more players becoming free agents when their teams chose not to offer them contracts by midnight EST. Among those on 40-man rosters who were let go were White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, Red Sox setup man Hideki Okajima, Atlanta outfielder Matt Diaz, and Dodgers catcher Russell Martin and pitcher George Sherrill.

The new free-agent group also included Tampa Bay pitcher Lance Cormier, San Diego outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., and Oakland designated hitter Jack Cust and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.

The White Sox had been seeking a left-handed power hitter, and the 31-year-old Dunn batted .260 with 38 homers with 103 RBIs -- and 199 strikeouts -- for Washington last season.

All-Star closer Mariano Rivera and the Yankees neared an agreement on a two-year contract for about $30 million and New York increased its offer to free-agent shortstop Derek Jeter, a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP.

"The ball's in Derek's court now, and his agent," Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. "We don't know how happy they are. We'll see,"

Cliff Lee, the free-agent lefty sought by the Yankees, got another visit in Arkansas on Tuesday from the Texas Rangers, who are hoping the postseason ace will return after helping them reach the World Series for the first time.

"It's no secret we want Cliff, and we will do what we can to get him," Steinbrenner said.

Pat Burrell decided to stay with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told the AP, also speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not been made.

San Francisco signed him after he was released by Tampa Bay in May, and the 34-year-old hit .266 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs in 96 games.

Miguel Tejada's $6.5 million, one-year contract with the Giants was announced after he passed his physical. The infielder, the 2002 AL MVP with Oakland, hit .269 with 15 homers and 71 RBIs this year for Baltimore and San Diego.

Left-hander Hisanori Takahashi agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels after going 10-6 with eight saves and a 3.61 ERA in 12 starts and 41 relief appearances last season for the New York Mets. He took over as closer after Francisco Rodriguez got hurt.

Right-hander Javier Vazquez finalized his $7 million, one-year deal with Florida after passing a physical. He was 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA this year in his return to the New York Yankees, getting dropped from the rotation in the second half.

"I'm at a point in my career where I'm not looking for too many more years," the 34-year-old Vazquez said. "I identified a few teams I wanted to play for. Thankfully the Marlins were first on that list, and we made it happen."

Utilityman Eric Hinske stayed with the Atlanta Braves for a $1.45 million, one-year contract that includes a team option for 2012. The 33-year-old hit .256 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs last season while playing left field, first base and third base. He provides insurance for rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman, the projected 2011 starter.

Arizona agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract with left-hander Zach Duke, acquired last month from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named. Seattle agreed to a one-year deal with oft-injured pitcher Erik Bedard, who had been let go a month earlier.

Also, shortstop Alexei Ramirez's $2.75 million was exercised by the White Sox.

Other players not offered contracts by their teams were Baltimore pitcher Matt Albers, Detroit pitcher Zach Miner and Yankees pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Dustin Moseley.

Among those agreeing to deals were Cubs infielder Jeff Baker ($1,175,000); Kansas City infielder Wilson Betemit ($1 million) and catcher Brayan Pena ($660,000); Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre ($900,000); Twins pitcher Pat Neshek ($625,000) and outfielder Jason Repko ($600,000); Toronto right-hander Dustin McGowan ($450,000); Cleveland right-hander Joe Smith ($870,000); and Florida right-hander Burke Badenhop.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley and AP Sports Writer Rick Gano contributed to this report.

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