David Bell found a new home in San Francisco on Friday afternoon as the Mariners traded Bell and cash to the Giants for Desi Relaford. At first reading, I thought that San Francisco had actually included the cash in this deal and couldn't believe that the Giants were paying extra to complete what appears to be a rather horrible trade for them.

Before this trade, their third base slot could have been filled with a platoon of Pedro Feliz and Damon Minor. Now they've acquired Bell, a replacement level talent likely to play pretty much full time, downgrading them at the position as Feliz will be relegated to back-up status and Minor likely won't make the team. Meanwhile they lose Relaford, leaving their middle infield significantly weakened with the departure of one of the better back-up infielders in the league.

Bell did agree to a new contract in conjunction with the trade, so the Giants won't have to go through salary arbitration with him. However, the price is not all that appealing. He will receive $1.75M in 2002 and has a mutual option worth $3.5M for 2003 with a $500,000 buyout. The contract also includes a series of performance bonuses that earn him $100,000 apiece for 300, 350, 400, and 450 plate appearances. So unless there was a substantial amount of cash thrown the Giants way, he costs San Francisco at least $2 million this year that could have been used to pick up mid-season help in a bid for the playoffs.

Perhaps describing Bell's acquisition as a death knell for the Giants playoff hopes this season is a bit of an exaggeration, although when you look at what he costs them in terms of payroll flexibility and production at third base, this Bell doesn't toll for a championship club.

Seattle makes out very well in this deal by dumping Bell's problem contract in favor of a back-up who will significantly improve their own bench and free up cash for other acquisitions. I've had doubts about their ability to compete at a level that even approaches their dominance last season, but with a few more intelligent moves, they should again be a force with which to reckon.

Today, I would like to cover the new contracts of seven pitchers who have recently signed one-year deals worth between one and three and a half million dollars. Last Wednesday, Jose Rosado signed a one-year contract worth $3.25 million. I'd say this is a bit high for a pitcher who has barely pitched in the last two seasons because of shoulder problems. However it appears to be exactly what he received last year, so the Royals really couldn't have negotiated a pay cut. They could have risked non-tendering him, but with Scott Boras as his agent, they probably would have been burned. If the shoulder surgery has corrected his problems and he's able to remain healthy for the season, he will be worth it, but I still don't like the risk.

Ryan Dempster signed a one-year, $2.475M deal a week ago yesterday. While this is more than he's worth if he repeats last season's performance, he'll be underpaid if he approaches his 2000 levels. A team with a front office might have strongly considered using his off-year to lock him into an inexpensive multi-season contract. He's only a middle of the rotation starter on Florida with all their young pitching, so while he might not figure into their long-term plans, the club could always deal him and players with nice contracts will usually bring more on the trade market.

Toronto signed Kelvim Escobar to a one-year, $2.3M deal last Friday. Given that the Blue Jays have designated Escobar as their closer this year, I am very surprised Ricciardi did not secure him beyond this season. The team has little to no other internal closing options, and after saving 40 games in 2002, Escobar's price tag is going to skyrocket.

John Halama also signed on the 18th, working out a $1.4 million, one-year contract with the Mariners. This is a little expensive, but he fills a need for Seattle and they can afford to pay him. I'd expect him to spend the majority of the year in the pen given the depletion of the organization's left-handed depth through trades and injuries.

Last Thursday, Jose Paniagua signed a one-year, $1.325 million deal. Paniagua's strikeouts fell off sharply last season and his walk rate increased slightly, so the Rockies might find themselves more than a little disappointed in their new acquisition. If he can rebound to his 2000 levels, he might be able to hold his own in Coors, but otherwise he's hardly worth this salary.

Jay Witasick signed a one-year contract with the Giants a week ago yesterday worth $1.25 million. This seems to be a perfectly acceptable salary for one of the better relievers in baseball during the first half of last season. If he can sustain that success throughout 2002, he should earn his keep.

Paul Wilson also signed last Friday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.2M deal with the Devil Rays. If you could tack Wilson's second half onto Witasick, you'd have a very good pitcher. This is likely a fair salary for Wilson, but he really needs to speed up his yearly transition period, as most teams can't afford to allow a pitcher a half season to warm up to the league every year.

Chad Fox's one-year $1.2M contract was inexplicably covered in yesterday's article with position players in this salary range, so that's it for today.