Jose Mesa agreed to a contract extension on Thursday. He is earning $3.4M this season under his current contract. The extension guarantees him $4.75M in 2003 and has club option at $5.5M for 2004 that automatically kicks in after his 55th game finished. He will receive a $250K buyout if the option is declined. An additional $2M is reportedly available in miscellaneous performance bonuses.

At first I didn't see much of a problem with the Phillies signing their closer to a small extension. He's not a premium closer, but they didn't award him a premium salary. However, the more I look at this deal, the less I like it.

Though he has cut down on his walks and home runs, he's still not particularly dominant. Mesa will turn 36 in May and closers, especially mediocre closers, aren't typically known for success in their twilight years. If he were a few years younger, the length of the contract would probably be just right, but considering his age I don't like the ease with which the option could become guaranteed. I hope the other incentives are harder to reach; otherwise this deal could quickly begin to cost more than it's worth.

The Phillies probably shouldn't have agreed to the automatic guarantee of the option. Mesa could hold up for another three seasons but the odds aren't really in favor of it, and Philadelphia has other closing options. Hopefully they plan on trading him at some point in the next few seasons while his value is still high.

As with Scott Rolen, they should probably try to trade Mesa this year if they're not in a playoff race at the deadline. By trading him this season they have a half season to break in a new closer so they'll be set for next year. If they stay with him, they may have to worry about switching to an untested closer in the future in the middle of a serious playoff run. Consequently, while Mesa has did a fairly good job for them last season, I think they're taking an unnecessary risk by committing to an older reliever as their closer.

On Thursday the Rangers traded OF Chris Magruder to Cleveland for OF Rashad Eldridge. The 25-year-old switch-hitting Magruder split last season between AA and AAA and received a brief call-up to the majors. He appears to have a fairly good grasp of the strike zone though he could probably use another half season at AAA as he spent a relatively small amount of time there. He has power potential and can apparently play CF, though he has little offensive speed.

Magruder will almost certainly receive a September call-up by the Indians and could be up sooner depending on the health of the rest of the Cleveland outfielders. The Indians don't have a lot of outfield depth in their minors, so he is a nice addition to the club. However, they are tied to most of their major leaguers for a few more years, so unless he really impresses someone quickly, his playing time for the next couple of years could be largely dependent upon the health and success of other players.

Eldridge is a switch-hitting 20-year old who spent last season in Rookie ball. He seems very raw and will probably need at least another season in the minors before his upside can really be known. Texas made this move in order to clear room on the 40-man roster.

In addition to their trades, Texas has made a number of other moves over the last week. They signed Ruben Rivera to a minor league contract on Sunday. Rivera will start the season in AA and provide the Rangers with injury insurance should one of their outfielders go on the DL. He's going down to AA rather than to AAA as they want the AAA outfield playing time for prospects Ryan Ludwick, Jason Romano, and Kevin Mench. John Hart seems to have a special place in his pocket book for disliked, dishonored, and disgruntled. As long as there aren't problems in the clubhouse, it is probably a good way to acquire talent at a discount.

On Monday, the team also signed C Carlos Hernandez, who was released by the Rockies last week, to a minor league contract. Hernandez will just share catching duties with Mike Lamb at AAA, but he gives them a defensive option if anything happens to Ivan Rodriguez and strengthens their depth should they make it to the playoffs.

In conjunction with the Hernandez signing, Pat Borders was given his release at his request. Considering they had no room for him at AAA, they decided to allow him to look for work elsewhere.

Last and least for today, Minnesota traded OF Brian McMillin to Boston for 1B Brady Williams. The 25-year-old McMillin spent last season repeating A Fort Myers. He has some speed but no plate discipline or power of which to speak. At this point I would be surprised if he even managed a short career as a back-up outfielder.

The 22-year-old Williams was also in A ball last season. He shows some power potential but needs considerable work on his plate discipline. If he had more fielding flexibility he might eventually have a chance at a bench job in the majors, but without offensive progress he will likely never make it out of the minors. Brady is reportedly the son of former Boston and current Houston Manager Jimy Williams. Perhaps the new ownership of the Red Sox was trying to clear out all of the remnants of the past administration.