Sabathia, Ramirez are offered arbitration

Last update: December 2, 2008 - 7:55 AM

CC Sabathia, likely to command the largest contract among this year's free-agent pitchers, was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Brewers.

Teams had until midnight to make the offers to free agents. If a club offers arbitration to a top free agent and he then signs with another club, his former team receives extra selections in next June's amateur draft as compensation.

Among other prominent free agents offered arbitration were outfielder Manny Ramirez and starter Derek Lowe (Dodgers), infielder Mark Teixeira and closer Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), starter A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays) and closer Brian Fuentes (Rockies).

Etc.

• Lefthander Mike Hampton is set to return to the Astros, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract.

• The Boston Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa, 22, have agreed to a major league contract reported to be worth about $3 million.

ASSOCIATED PRESS