Cubs Sign Latroy Hawkins?

[Neuqua]

Cubs Sign Hawkins to 3yr/$11million dollar deal.

Cubs sign Hawkins

The Cubs picked up a key bridge to closer Joe Borowski, agreeing Tuesday to $11 million, three-year contract with hard-throwing right-hander LaTroy Hawkins.

Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan, who had been trying to re-sign the reliever, said he was informed Tuesday night of the decision by Hawkins' agent, Larry Reynolds.

The Cubs and Reynolds declined comment.

``We were certainly hoping to bring him back,'' Ryan said. ``Obviously, he got security. It sounds like he got dollars. I could never fault a player for taking a deal that sets him up. I feel horrible about losing him. But I'm satisfied he's going to a place he wants to be. Unfortunately, it's not here.''

Hawkins, who turns 31 later this month, was 9-3 with a 1.86 ERA in 77 1-3 innings and made $3 million in the option year of what originally was a two-year contract.

Hawkins was especially impressive in the opener of the playoffs against the New York Yankees, striking out four over two innings and getting the victory.

Chicago, which lost to Florida in the NL championship series, had a solid left-handed setup man in Mike Remlinger last season, but used both Antonio Alfonseca and Kyle Farnsworth from the right side. Alfonseca filed for free agency after the World Series.

Ryan was constricted by the Twins' limited financial resources.

``I had some other things I had to do before I could move on him,'' Ryan said. ``I always thought we were in it, but whether I could get it done and clear some space was unclear.''

The agreement was first reported on the Web site of the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Does the Tribune know about this? How dare Jim Hendry go about making his baseball decisions on the basis of MAKING HIS TEAM BETTER. We were in dire need of another arm out of the pen and Hawkins was arguably the best reliever available, and he signed a reasonable deal to boot. Now if we can find someone to play catcher, we're ready to go.

Is it Spring Training yet?

[mckerney]

[sterlingice]

I gotta say I like Curtis Leskanic's $1.5 to $2.5M (depending on health) contract for KC as the best reliever contract so far. The last 2 years, he's had ERAs in the 2s and has been a closer occasionally. I'm really leary on anyone who spends more than $2M on a reliever who isn't their closer. It just seems like money that could be better spent elsewhere instead of crazy contracts for Jeff Nelson and Gabe White. Then again, those are Yankee contracts that were signed a couple of years ago when relievers could get $3-$5M per year without even being the closer.

SI

[Radii]

The Cubs aren't making major waves this offseason so far, but they have put together a very solid couple of moves to make the team better.

[The Afoci]

Latroy wasn't going to resign unless Eddie did. He said it publicly. I hope this allows them to sign Stewart and Eddie, plus I hope they dump Milton for some sort of bat, but who knows, it will probably be just prospects.