The Charleston Colberts nabbed the biggest price in this year's free agent class, James Martin, with a 5-year, $94 million contract.
Martin was AL Rookie of the Year in Season 2 and has 2 MVP's (Seasons 6 and 7), 6 All-Star appearances and 5 Silver Sluggers. He's a lifetime .307 hitter with 308 homers and 314 stolen bases. Martin was a 2B with the Gangsta' Chimps but is expected to shift to LF with the Colberts.
The bidding was undoubtedly brisk on Martin, with at least 1 team (Memphis) claiming to have topped Charleston's bid.
In other A/B Free Agent news:
Scranton picked up tough reliever Jerome Ross (255 career saves) for a 1-year, $3.95 million deal.
Iowa City added a good lefty bench bat and versatile utility man in Jorel Benosn (1 year, $3.8 million).
Shane Leius joins the Detroit Dome Drivers for 2 years, $5.6 million. He can play 1B, 3B and COF and is expected to get the full compliment of AB's against lefties.
Toledo may have a real sleeper in Mark Austin (3 years, $3.945 per year). He seems to be one of those rare players who gets the job done without having good ratings.
Kansas City gets a nice 3B for a good price in Magglio De La Vega (2 years, $7.1 million).
Atlanta corrals Pedro Beltre, he of the still-electric and always-wild arm, for 2 years, $5.6 million.
SP Rob Spencer inks with the Chicago Gangsta' Chimps for a mere $1.2 million a year for 2 years. Spencer has gotten better as he got older and his ratings are intact; could be quite a bargain.
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