Rangers exercise option on Lewis: MLB contracts roundup

The American League-champion Texas Rangers have made their first off-season move, picking up the 2012 club option for right-hander Colby Lewis.

Lewis will get $3.25 million US next season, which will be his third with the Rangers since returning from Japan.

The move was made Monday, three days after the Rangers ended their second consecutive season with a loss in the World Series.

Lewis was 14-10 with a 4.40 ERA in 32 regular season starts this season. He was 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in post-season starts this year, after going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four playoff starts last year when the Rangers went to their first World Series.

Rays pick up option on Shields

The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $7.5 million contract option for 2012 on pitcher James Shields.

The club also picked up a $3.3 million option for next season for reliever Kyle Farnsworth and declined a $3.2 million option on catcher Kelly Shoppach on Monday.

Shields went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 2011, leading the majors with 11 complete games, including four shutouts to help the Rays make the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Farnsworth had a career-best 25 saves in his first season as a full-time closer.

Shoppach started 71 games and batted .176 with 11 homers and 22 RBIs.

Sizemore eligible for free agency

The Cleveland Indians can no longer afford to wait for Grady Sizemore to get healthy.

The team declined Sizemore's $9 million US contract option for 2012 on Monday, making the injury-plagued three-time all-star centre-fielder eligible for free agency.

The move with Sizemore was expected as was the team's decision to pick up starting pitcher Fausto Carmona's $7 million option for next season. The Indians also have options on Carmona for 2013 and 2014.

Injuries have sabotaged Sizemore's career, limiting him to just 210 games the past three seasons. He has undergone five surgeries, two on his knees, in three years and is no longer a base-stealing threat.

The Indians, who were in contention before collapsing in September when injuries up and down the roster took their toll, have been patient with the popular 29-year-old. However, they have decided it may be time to move on without Sizemore and use some of the money that could have gone to him to use in free agency. It's possible the club may try to re-sign Sizemore as a free agent, given their lack of quality outfield depth.

Rockies, Giambi exercise mutual option

Jason Giambi and the Colorado Rockies have exercised their mutual option on his $1 million US contract for 2012.

The 40-year-old slugger hit .260 with 13 homers and 32 RBIs in 131 at-bats as Todd Helton's backup last season. He hit a home run once every 10 at-bats against right-handers.

Giambi contemplated becoming a free agent given that so many teams, including the Phillies and Rays, showed interest in him last season, but he likes his role with the Rockies, where he serves as a clubhouse leader and mentor for younger players, including all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Giambi has hit .253 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 78 RBIs since joining the Rockies in August 2009.

Phillips in, Cordero out

The Cincinnati Reds have exercised second baseman Brandon Phillips' contract option for 2012, but declined a US$12-million option to keep closer Francisco Cordero for one more season.

The Reds also lost left-hander Matt Maloney, who was claimed off waivers by Minnesota on Monday.

Phillips batted .300 with 18 homers, 82 RBIs and six errors last season, when he became an All-Star for the second time. The two-time Gold Glove winner finished second to Pittsburgh's Neil Walker in fielding percentage by a second baseman. Cincinnati picked up his $12-million option for 2012.

They paid a $1-million buyout to Cordero, who was 37-of-43 in save chances. He ranks 12th with 327 career saves.

Pirates decline option on Maholm, Doumit

The Pittsburgh Pirates have declined options on pitcher Paul Maholm, catchers Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder and shortstop Ronny Cedeno.

The move allows each player to become a free agent.

Maholm was due $9.75 million US in salary next season. The 29-year-old left-hander is 53-73 in seven seasons with the Pirates. He went 6-14 with a 3.66 earned-run average in 2011 and ended the season on the disabled list with arm trouble.

Doumit and Snyder battled injuries last season. Snyder hit .271 in 34 before going out with back problems while Doumit hit .303 with 30 RBIs in 77 games but missed all of June and July with a leg injury.

Cedeno hit .249 in 2011 but consistently found himself in manager Clint Hurdle's doghouse due to mental lapses.

In other contract news:

• The Kansas City Royals have exercised its option on the two-time all-star Joakim Soria, which is valued at US$6 million for 2012. The Royals also hold options for 2013 of $8 million and 2014 for $8.75 million, with $750,000 buyouts each year.
• The Atlanta Braves have picked up their club option on utility player and pinch-hitter Eric Hinske, and also confirmed declining the club option on outfielder Nate McLouth. Hinske, a former Toronto Blue Jay and 2002 AL rookie of the year, hit .233 with 10 homers and 28 RBIs in 236 at-bats this season. McLouth hit .228 last season.
• The Minnesota Twins claimed pitchers Matt Maloney and Jeff Gray off waivers Monday. Both are expected to help add pitching depth to the organization and won't be counted on to immediately contribute to the Twins.
• The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $7.5 million US contract option for 2012 on pitcher James Shields. The club also picked up a $3.3 million option for next season for reliever Kyle Farnsworth and declined a $3.2 million option on catcher Kelly Shoppach on Monday.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks have exercised the mutual options on catcher Henry Blanco and infielder Willie Bloomquist, while declining options on left-hander Zach Duke and second baseman Aaron Hill.
• The San Diego Padres have declined their $5 million mutual option for 2012 for right-hander Aaron Harang, as well as a mutual option for infielder-outfielder Brad Hawpe and a club option for right-handed reliever Chad Qualls.
• The Chicago White Sox have exercised their option for $3.75 million US on the contract of right-handed reliever Jason Frasor.