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Arizona to sign Clayton
By Ed Price, Tribune
ANAHEIM, Calf. - The Diamondbacks’ free agent bonanza continued Saturday when they agreed to terms with shortstop Royce Clayton on a one-year contract believed to be worth $1.35 million.
Agent Rick Licht would not confirm the agreement, which a source said was in place pending a physical early this week. Licht did say that playing near Clayton’s Scottsdale home appealed to Clayton and he was "absolutely sold on the vision of the organization Jeff (Moorad, Arizona’s CEO) presented," especially in light of last week’s signings of third baseman Troy Glaus and right-hander Russ Ortiz.
"We’re not in position to say that we feel like we’re a playoff-contending team," manager Bob Melvin said. "Now, I may be saying that in a week or two. We still have a lot to do. We’re off to a good start. We signed two of the prominent free agents out there."
Clayton, who turns in 35 in January, would provide steady defense for a team that committed a team-record and National League-high 139 errors in 2004. He spent this past season with the Colorado Rockies.
"I told him this at the end of the season: He’s the secondbest shortstop I’ve ever seen play," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Only Ozzie Smith was better (of) anybody that I ever played with or spent a year with. This guy put away every routine ball we had. He was just uncanny."
Clayton hit .279 for Colorado, with eight home runs, 54 RBIs, 95 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and a league-best 24 sacrifice hits. He led NL shortstops in fielding percentage (nine errors in 639 chances) and was third in STATS Inc.’s "range factor" (putouts plus assists per nine innings).
"When he stays within himself at the plate, plays aggressive ‘pepper’ with the ball, he’s very effective," Hurdle said. "He’s a smart player, he’s a calming influence in the infield for everyone else. I think he really found a comfort zone last year, played with a lot of confidence."
In 14 seasons with San Francisco, St. Louis, Texas, the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee and Colorado, Clayton has batted .257. He was a 1997 All-Star for the Cardinals.
Arizona has also made an offer to infielder Craig Counsell, who could be used as the starting second baseman or a utility man.
"We’re pretty close on one of them (Clayton/Counsell)," general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said, "and I’m not sure about the other one."
A one-year deal with Clayton would leave the shortstop position open in 2006, and indications are Arizona is preparing to rekindle talks with unsigned No. 1 draft pick Stephen Drew.
Arizona to sign Clayton
By Ed Price, Tribune
ANAHEIM, Calf. - The Diamondbacks’ free agent bonanza continued Saturday when they agreed to terms with shortstop Royce Clayton on a one-year contract believed to be worth $1.35 million.
Agent Rick Licht would not confirm the agreement, which a source said was in place pending a physical early this week. Licht did say that playing near Clayton’s Scottsdale home appealed to Clayton and he was "absolutely sold on the vision of the organization Jeff (Moorad, Arizona’s CEO) presented," especially in light of last week’s signings of third baseman Troy Glaus and right-hander Russ Ortiz.
"We’re not in position to say that we feel like we’re a playoff-contending team," manager Bob Melvin said. "Now, I may be saying that in a week or two. We still have a lot to do. We’re off to a good start. We signed two of the prominent free agents out there."
Clayton, who turns in 35 in January, would provide steady defense for a team that committed a team-record and National League-high 139 errors in 2004. He spent this past season with the Colorado Rockies.
"I told him this at the end of the season: He’s the secondbest shortstop I’ve ever seen play," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Only Ozzie Smith was better (of) anybody that I ever played with or spent a year with. This guy put away every routine ball we had. He was just uncanny."
Clayton hit .279 for Colorado, with eight home runs, 54 RBIs, 95 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and a league-best 24 sacrifice hits. He led NL shortstops in fielding percentage (nine errors in 639 chances) and was third in STATS Inc.’s "range factor" (putouts plus assists per nine innings).
"When he stays within himself at the plate, plays aggressive ‘pepper’ with the ball, he’s very effective," Hurdle said. "He’s a smart player, he’s a calming influence in the infield for everyone else. I think he really found a comfort zone last year, played with a lot of confidence."
In 14 seasons with San Francisco, St. Louis, Texas, the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee and Colorado, Clayton has batted .257. He was a 1997 All-Star for the Cardinals.
Arizona has also made an offer to infielder Craig Counsell, who could be used as the starting second baseman or a utility man.
"We’re pretty close on one of them (Clayton/Counsell)," general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said, "and I’m not sure about the other one."
A one-year deal with Clayton would leave the shortstop position open in 2006, and indications are Arizona is preparing to rekindle talks with unsigned No. 1 draft pick Stephen Drew.
