Houston re-signed Shane Reynolds to a one-year, $1M contract, which can reach up to $6.75M with incentives. Reynolds missed the majority of last year with injury problems that eventually necessitated season ending surgery to repair a pinched nerve.

The serious nature of his injury problems led to the incentive based nature of this contract. However prior to the injury, the 34-year-old was displaying strong skills. I think he should round off their rotation nicely and depending upon the accessibility of the incentives, the Astros could have him at a significant bargain. Reynolds will almost certainly be the eldest pitcher in a rotation composed of Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller, Carlos Hernandez, and a fifth starter from among Kirk Saarloos, Tim Redding, Brad Lidge, and Jeriome Robertson. I expect Saarloos to take the rotation spot, while the other three likely fill out the bullpen or perhaps return to AAA.

Jesus Sanchez signed a minor league deal with Houston. A sudden jump from AA to the majors after the 1997 derailed Sanchez's potential, as he has never recovered the skills he was displaying at that point. I currently doubt his ability to pitch in the majors in any capacity. However, the Astros are considering him for a position on the pitching staff, which I can only imagine would be in the pen given the more promising options they have for the rotation. A relief role could give the 28-year-old an opportunity to focus his skills and regroup, but I still consider this a risky undertaking for Houston.

Moving north in the NL Central, Milwaukee signed Royce Clayton to a one-year, $1.75M contract, which includes a $2M option with a $250,000 buyout for 2004 and extensive plate appearance based incentives. GM Doug Melvin, whose has signed Clayton in the past while with the Rangers, felt that he needed to pursue defense in his first free agent signing for a National League club. Clayton has a very good defensive reputation for making the routine play, which is attractive to club executives, although he doesn't have the range of a truly great defensive player.

The 32-year-old's offensive reputation doesn't have the same clout. He doesn't have the plate discipline to support a strong average or on base percentage and his power and speed skills are moderate at best. Additionally, he traditionally starts a season slow and improves as the year progresses.

Clayton was quite sensitive to playing time issues while with Chicago, so I'm not sure giving him another reason to complain about his plate appearances was a good idea. He'll receive $100,000 each for 375, 400, 450, 500, and 550 PA, while the value of the 2004 option simultaneously increases to $2.3M with 375 PA, $2.5M with 400 PA, $2.7M with 450 PA, $3M with 500 PA, and $3.3M with 550 PA. If the option is picked up, he has also has a shot at an additional $200,000 if he accumulates 1000 PA between 2003 and 2004.

Unfortunately, Clayton's likely to have a clear shot at all of his incentives, as he appears to be the Brewers' unquestioned starting shortstop. I think Milwaukee made a big mistake in failing to re-sign Jose Hernandez, and this signing does little to correct that mistake.

The Brewers signed Joe Lawrence to a minor league contract. However while he spent all of last season playing second base in the Toronto organization, splitting the season between AAA and the majors, Milwaukee reportedly wants to move him back behind the plate. Consequently, he has no chance of making the team in the spring and little chance of spending time in the majors outside of perhaps September. Hopefully, the position switch will give Lawrence an opportunity to return to AA where he lost his plate discipline. Lawrence displayed considerable promise in A+, but since then his offense has been increasing miserable, so Milwaukee fans should be pleased the team isn't considering him as a middle infield reserve.

Cincinnati re-signed Jimmy Haynes to one-year, $2.5M contract with a $2.5M player option for 2004. The 30-year-old still has control problems, but he pitched effectively last season and provides the Reds with a much needed innings eater. Consequently, I approve of this deal.

Meanwhile Jose Guillen signed a non-guaranteed one-year contract worth a potential $500,000. As it stands now, Ruben Mateo should be Guillen's only obstacle to earning a roster spot in Spring Training. Reggie Taylor's job is secured, and he's likely to receive considerable playing time, particularly if Ken Griffey, Jr.'s injury problems continue. Guillen probably will provide the Reds with a fifth outfielder. The 26-year-old's plate discipline stands in the way of him earning a starting job, but he offers the team moderate power skills off the bench.

Of their unsigned free agents, the Reds have offered both Joey Hamilton and Jose Rijo arbitration. Both declined arbitration last season, but I can't imagine that happening again this year. I think Cincinnati was foolish to give them an opportunity to correct their past mistake. Rijo might be able to talk an arbitration board in to a million dollar salary and Hamilton might receive close to $2M. Even though their rotation isn't glamorous, they have superior alternatives to these two and they don't need a pen littered with low-upside spot starters.

Neither Houston nor Milwaukee offered their unsigned free agents arbitration.