Reliever Gordon to join Phillies
Tom Gordon and Philadelphia reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on an $18 million, three- year contract, giving the Phillies a replacement for departed closer Billy Wagner.
Citing sources, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Associated Press both reported the agreement.
The Inquirer reported that Gordon is expected to fly into Philadelphia during the weekend, and if he passes his physical, he will become the team’s new closer. Wagner signed with the New York Mets this week.
Gordon also had been negotiating with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians.
The 38- year-old right-hander spent the past two seasons with the Yankees as Mariano Rivera’s primary setup man. Gordon went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA and two saves last season, and opponents hit .203 against him.
Gordon once held the major league record for consecutive save-opportunity conversions with 54 in 1998-99 with the Boston Red Sox. Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne (84) now holds the record.
In 1998, Gordon had a 2.72 ERA and 46 saves in 73 games for the Red Sox, his best season as a closer.
He missed the 2000 season after elbow surgery but has since pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox and Yankees.
Dotel to ‘return on top’
Former A’s closer Octavio Dotel said several teams have expressed interest in signing him as he recovers from an elbow injury that cut short his 2005 season.
The Dominican pitcher, who became a free agent after the World Series, said he won’t be pitching until midsummer as he comes back from reconstructive elbow surgery June 6 that repaired a torn ligament.
‘‘I’ll return on top,’’ Dotel was quoted as saying in Thursday’s editions of El Caribe. ‘‘This recovery process will take at least a year and I don’t want to do anything to interrupt it.’’
The 32- year-old right-hander said Houston, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota, the Mets and Texas have inquired about his availability.
‘‘A lot of people have called me and are waiting for me to decide,’’ he said. ‘‘That interest makes me optimistic because they know that I can be what I was before.’’
■ The San Diego Padres confirmed that right fielder Brian Giles agreed to a $30 million, three- year contract.
■ Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki will play for Japan in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March, said a person within Major League Baseball who requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.
■ Free-agent catcher Sal Fasano and the Phillies agreed to a $425,000, one- year contract. Fasano, 35, spent most of last season with the Baltimore Orioles. A career backup, Fasano has played in the majors in parts of eight seasons with five teams.