Mets and Escobar agree on one-year deal

On Christmas Eve the Mets and former Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar have reached an agreement on a one-year contract. The first Christmas Eve reports was generated by Francisco Blavia, who works for Lider en Deportes. Then late Friday night, Mets general manager Omar Minaya confirmed to the Daily News the signing of Escobar to a one-year contract. According to ESPN.com, the right-hander will make a $1.25-million salary in the mets jersey for next season, plus a $125,000 bonus if he makes the Mets' Opening Day roster.

Escobar, who might end up serving as the setup man for Francisco Rodriguez, has made just one Major League appearance in the past two years. He had a 4.15 ERA in 202 career appearances and also elbow surgery earlier in his career.

Arredondo will miss 2010 season

The Angels confirmed on Friday that the reliever Jose Arredondo will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in January and will miss the entire 2010 season. The right-hander continued his high strikeout rate in 45 innings last season.
He began the season with the Angels but was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake on June 10 after carrying a 5.55 ERA through his first 25 appearances in his mlb jersey.

Then he was placed on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his elbow but appeared to get back on track in 19 appearances with the Bees and was called up in August. Arredondo struggled with the Angels and had a 6.53 ERA and was ultimately left off the postseason roster. He pitched in the Dominican Winter League this offseason with Aguilas Cibaenas, throwing 2 2/3 innings before being shut down last week because of the discomfort in his elbow.