The Pirates signed free agent first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz today to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, general manager Neal Huntington said.
Mientkiewicz, 33, spent most of the 2007 season with the New York Yankees, but missed 82 games after his right wrist was broken in June in a collision with Mike Lowell of the Red Sox.
He hit .277 (46 for 166) with 12 doubles, 5 home runs and 24 RBIs in 72 games. He made just two errors in 507 total chances (48 starts) at first base.
Mientkiewicz (pronounced mint-KAY-vich) has a .271 batting average with 201 doubles, 64 home runs and 372 RBIs in 942 games with the Twins, Red Sox, Mets, Royals and Yankees. Mientkiewicz would get a $750,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. The deal also includes $750,000 in performance bonuses.
The Pirates are looking for another bat off the bench after not bringing back first baseman Josh Phelps, who hit .351 in 29 games with the Pirates last season after also being picked up from the Yankees. Phelps was arbitration-eligible and the Pirates did not offer him a new contract, and he signed with the Cardinals.
The bonus clauses in Mientkiewicz's deal include $25,000 each for 70 and 80 games, $50,000 each for 90, 100 and 110 games and $75,000 each for 120 and 130 games. He also would make $50,000 each for 275, 300 and 350 plate appearances, $75,000 each for 400 and 450 plate appearances and $100,000 for 500 appearances.
After Mientkiewicz caught the final out that gave Boston the 2004 World Series title, he kept the ball and ended up in a dispute with the team over who owned it. A lawsuit was settled when the sides agreed that the ball would go to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Roger Clemens and his accuser, Brian McNamee, will be the main witnesses at a House hearing tomorrow on the Mitchell Report after New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, former Clemens teammate Chuck Knoblauch and convicted steroids dealer Kirk Radomski were dropped from the witness list. One new witness was added last night: a lawyer who worked with former Senate majority leader George Mitchell to produce December's report on drugs in baseball. ... Former Pirates right-hander Tony Armas agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets. ... Right-hander Steve Trachsel agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles. ... Royals 13-year veteran Mike Sweeney agreed to a minor-league contract frm the Athletics. ... Craig Biggio agreed to a three-year personal services contract with the Astros, similar to deals with former stars Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell. ... John Rocker claims he flunked a drug test ordered by Major League Baseball in 2000 and that he, Alex Rodriguez and other Texas Rangers were advised by management and union doctors following a lecture on how to effectively use steroids.
Third baseman Garrett Atkins and Colorado agreed to a one-year contract worth $4,387,500. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Atkins had asked for a raise from $400,000 to $4.65 million. Colorado offered $4,125,000.
Shortstop Khalil Greene and San Diego have finalized an $11 million, two-year contract, allowing the sides to avoid an arbitration hearing. Greene will make $4.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2009.
First Published: February 12, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
