Montreal settled with the arbitration-eligible Orlando Hernandez yesterday. Hernandez agreed to a one-year, $4.1M contract, which includes reachable incentives. He'll reportedly receive $20,000 after starting 24 games and for every 2 starts after that up to 32, as well as when he hits 160 IP, 175 IP, 190 IP, 200 IP and 210 IP. The White Sox likely gave their approval to the deal, as they're allegedly paying all but $300,000 of his salary. I suspect Hernandez will reach around half the incentives, though he could easily reach them all with an injury free season. As I've said before, I expect Hernandez to have a strong season, so he should deserve this salary.

Joey Eischen settled for an $800,000 one-year deal that includes a $50,000 buyout on a $1.3M option for 2004. The option becomes guaranteed after 65 appearances, though Eischen can choose to void it if he finishes 35 games. I think this is a good deal for both sides. Eischen proved himself to be a very effective reliever last season with the potential to close. If he's working setup then the option will lock him in at a nice price for 2004, and if he's closing the 32-year-old still will have a chance to cash in on his new role.

The Expos have tried to add inexpensive depth to the system by signing players to minor league deals, including OF-R Damon Buford, LHP Jon Cannon, RHP Jose Colon, LHP Eric Knott, RHP Troy Mattes, LHP Todd Rizzo, RHP Bobby Rodgers, and LHP Dustin Seale.

Buford failed to find work in the majors last season, but he still possesses solid plate discipline, as well as mediocre power and speed skills, though those combine for limited production. Given the 32-year-old's major league history and long-time acquaintance with manager Frank Robinson, I expect he'll make the team as an outfield defensive replacement and receive around 200 AB.

The Cubs drafted Jon Cannon out of Canada California Junior College with their 7th round pick of the 1996 draft. As a free agent prior to last season, Cannon signed with San Francisco. Unfortunately, while his strikeout rate is promising, the 28-year-old reliever hasn't been able to display even acceptable control in AA. I'd be surprised if he spent significant time in AAA in 2003, and he certainly shouldn't impact the major league team.

While the Indians were slow to promote Jose Colon, he's displayed excellent control at every level and maintained acceptable dominance through AA. The Expos should expose him to AAA for the first time in 2003, and if the 28-year-old handles the jump without significant skill degradation, he should be acceptable bullpen filler in 2003 and potentially a decent middle reliever in the future.

Arizona drafted Eric Knott out of Stetson University with their 24th round pick in the 1996 draft, but released him during the 2000 season. At that time, Knott headed to Japan for the remainder of the season, after which the Diamondbacks re-signed him. With AAA Tucson last year, the 28-year-old compiled a 96:23 K:BB with 188 H and 12 HR allowed in 150 IP for a 4.86 ERA over 31 appearances, including 23 starts. The elevated hit rate is likely largely due to the Tucson defense, so it shouldn't concern us, and while his strikeout rate is a little low, he displayed exceptional control. If they needed him, Knott could provide the Expos with a solid left-handed reliever or an acceptable spot starter now, but he'll likely continue working on his starting skills in AAA for most of the season.

Mattes missed last season due to shoulder problems that required surgery in May to repair a frayed rotator cuff. He should spend the first half of the year rehabbing in AAA, but if his recovery goes smoothly he could compete for a rotation or bullpen spot in the second half if someone is bothered by injury or ineffectiveness. The 27-year-old was displaying promising skills with small control difficulties prior to his shoulder problem.

Todd Rizzo spent last season in the independent Atlantic League where he was able to post solid skills. However, we can't expect him to perform as well against even AA competition. Unfortunately, if the Expos place him above A+, I expect the 31-year-old reliever to display the same command problems that have bothered him for years. Rizzo could easily go the rest of his career without seeing the majors again.

Boston drafted Bobby Rodgers out of Wake Forest University with their 17th round pick of the 1995 draft and traded him to Florida for Jesus Tavarez after the 1996 season. Rodgers spent most of four seasons in AA due to control problems compounded by a barely adequate strikeout rate. While he advanced to AAA in 2001, the 28-year-old's difficulties have returned full force with the promotion. Consequently, I don't expect to see him in the majors anytime soon.

Montreal signed Dustin Seale in April of 2002, when he was playing in the independent Central League. The 25-year-old displayed solid skills at AA, posting a 51:16 K:BB with 63 H and 11 HR allowed in 66.2 IP for a 3.51 ERA over 29 appearances, including 3 starts. I think he should probably stick to relief, but after a season in AAA, he might be able to contribute to the major league pen. Seale likely won't spend time in Montreal until September at the earliest.