San Diego took action to fill out their pitching staff this week. The Padres signed LHP Jesse Orosco to a one-year, $800,000 deal, and RHP Francisco Cordova to a one-year, $750,000 contract.

Orosco had a surprisingly decent season with the Dodgers last year, compiling a 22:12 K:BB with 24 H and 4 HR allowed in 27 IP for a 3.00 ERA. However, I think San Diego is assuming an unnecessary risk in signing the 45-year-old to such a large deal, despite his pattern of good health. Orosco lives in the San Diego area, so he's very pleased with the contract. However if he's pitching well, the Padres may easily decide to deal him in July for a prospect.

Cordova's basically lost the last two seasons to elbow problems, so he'll probably need to spend a portion of the season rehabbing in AAA. However, prior to his health problems he was decent innings eater for the Pirates. Once he's ready to pitch again, the 30-year-old could provide some cushioning for San Diego's younger pitchers.

In addition to the two major league signings, the Padres also signed a number of players to minor league contracts, including RHP Kris Keller, LHP Jose Nunez, LHP Robert Ramsay, and OF- L Mario Valdez.

Keller was Atlanta's compensation for trading OF-L George Lombard to the Tigers this summer, but as the Braves failed to add him to their 40-man roster, he became a minor league free agent. The 24-year-old's control problems prevent him from deserving a job in a major league pen right now, but if he can work through those issues at AAA, he could be a productive middle reliever for the Padres.

Nunez has been in the San Diego system since the Padres claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers in May of 2001. The 23-year-old was sidelined by shoulder problems that required surgery last season, or he might have been in the San Diego pen last year. Provided he's healthy, he'll have a decent shot at earning a lefty relief job with them in 2003.

Ramsay's another lefty that missed last season with the Padres. The 28-year-old underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor last off-season. San Diego doesn't even know for sure that he will be sufficiently healthy to pitch in 2003. If healthy, he'll need to spend some time at AAA working his way back, but he could contribute to the pen or even make a spot start if needed once he's returned.

Valdez has honed his plate discipline skills over his last two and a half seasons in the Oakland system, though his power seems to have disappeared during that same time frame. The Padres hardly need another reserve outfielder, but he will provide injury insurance at AAA.

Elsewhere in the NL West, Arizona recently signed 3B-R Mike Bell to a minor league contract. The Rangers originally drafted Bell with the 30th overall pick of the first round of the 1993 draft. Since then the third baseman has bounced around spending much of the last seven seasons in AAA. Bell can hit for average but that's unsupported by his plate discipline, and he has no useful power or speed skills, so he'll likely spend 2003 as a utility infielder for AAA Tucson, since the Diamondbacks have several other options in case of injury.

Larry Barnes signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. The 28-year-old received some notice this past season due to his performance with Anaheim's AAA affiliate at Salt Lake. Barnes hit .314 with a .354 OBP and .560 SLG on 142 H, 29 2B, 11 3B, and 20 HR with a 28:90 BB:K and 8/9 SB% in 452 AB. His plate discipline needs work and his park inflated the power numbers, but this performance was still good. Unfortunately, the Angels added very few people to their expanded roster in September even after the AAA playoffs ended, so Barnes didn't receive a call-up. I don't think Barnes will make the team out of Spring Training, but I do believe the Dodgers will be more willing to give him an in-season call-up as an injury replacement.

Colorado signed C-S Mandy Romero to a minor league contract. Romero spent 2002 with the Pirates' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate at Nashville, where he hit .297 with a .354 OBP and .565 SLG on 84 H, 25 2B, and 17 HR with a 24:47 BB:K and 1 SB in 283 AB. He's demonstrated strong plate discipline skills in the past and occasional power, but even if the Rockies run into injury troubles, I'd be surprised if they turn to a 34-year-old who hasn't seen the majors in four years.

The Rockies and Diamondbacks have been trying to complete a trade that would send OF-L Larry Walker to Arizona for 3B-R Matt Williams, 1B-L Erubiel Durazo, UT-L David Delluci, and RHP Bret Prinz. However both Walker and Williams have no-trade clauses in their contracts and neither seems likely to agree to the deal. Consequently, Colorado probably will continue their search for a third baseman elsewhere. Arizona will look to include Durazo in another deal and probably turn to the free agent market for an outfielder.