Cubs sign reliever Howry

Chicago is hoping to lure shortstop Rafael Furcal.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO -- Now that their bullpen is re-stocked, the Chicago Cubs would like to add a leadoff hitter.
To that end, general manager Jim Hendry spent several hours delivering his pitch to free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal Sunday in Atlanta.
"If he chooses to stay in Atlanta, obviously nobody could fault him for that," general manager Jim Hendry said Tuesday during a news conference to announce the signing of right-handed reliever Bobby Howry. "I just told him what we're trying to do, what my plan may be for the next month, be open and honest."
Furcal batted .284 with 12 homers, 58 RBIs and a career-best 46 stolen bases last season. He is friendly with Cubs infielders Aramis Ramirez and Neifi Perez, but whether he decides to join them remains to be seen. The Los Angeles Dodgers also may be interested in Furcal.
If the Cubs don't sign Furcal, the Cubs may look to trade for a leadoff hitter. They wouldn't mind adding a starting pitcher, either.
But their bullpen appears set.
$12 million contract
The Cubs and Howry finalized a $12 million, three-year contract on Tuesday that includes a $1.5 million signing bonus, a $2.5 million salary next season and $4 million each in 2007 and 2008. The 32-year-old was 7-4 with a career-low 2.47 ERA in 79 relief appearances with the Indians last season and held batters to a .191 average.
Cleveland did not offer a contract, which surprised Howry "a little." Detroit and Philadelphia showed interest, with Howry choosing the Cubs over the Tigers.
"I looked at the guys that are on this team, the chances of winning, the makeup of the guys. Part of it is the city of Chicago, itself," said Howry, who spent his first 41/2 seasons with the White Sox. "I'm not only coming back to a city I'm comfortable with, but a team that looks like it has a good chance to win."
He became the second free-agent reliever to be added to the Cubs bullpen, joining left-hander Scott Eyre -- another former member of the White Sox. They will serve primarily as setup men for closer Ryan Dempster.
Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies got the infielder they wanted, one day after losing the closer they hoped to keep.
Free agent infielder Abraham Nunez and the Phillies agreed Tuesday to a $3.35 million, two-year contract. Meanwhile, All-Star Billy Wagner finalized his deal with the New York Mets, leaving a big void in Philadelphia's bullpen.
The 29-year-old Nunez started 77 games at third base for St. Louis last season, becoming the regular when Scott Rolen was sidelined for the year with a shoulder injury. Nunez hit .285 with five home runs and 44 RBIs in 139 games. He also started at second base and shortstop.
"He's a versatile player who can play many positions. It's important to have guys on your team who can play multiple positions," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said.
The contract includes a club option for 2008 and performance bonuses.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Nunez likely will platoon at third with David Bell, who hit just .199 against right-handers last season. Nunez hit .277 against right-handers last year.
For his career, Nunez has hit .248 with 16 homers and 161 RBIs in eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and one with the Cardinals.
"It's a good fit for me here. I really liked going somewhere with a chance to win a championship," Nunez said, adding he turned down two other offers. "I've been around this game a long time and winning is everything. I felt like I had a chance to win by coming here. Winning is sometimes more important than other things."
Eldred to retire
ST. LOUIS -- Cal Eldred, who came back from serious injury and illness in the last three seasons to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals, has decided to retire.
The 38-year-old right-hander was 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 31 games last season. He was sidelined for two months with a heart infection this year and missed the 2002 season and all but two games of 2001 after an elbow injury.
Eldred has a 86-74 career record with a 4.42 ERA, including a 16-win season in 1993 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He moved to the bullpen after joining the Cardinals in 2003, appearing in a career-high 62 games in 2003 and 52 games in 2004.
Vic Power dies
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico -- Vic Power, a flashy fielding All-Star and the last major leaguer to steal home twice in a game, died Tuesday. He was 78.
Power died of cancer in a hospital in this suburb of San Juan, said his sister, Carmen Pellot Power.
A four-time All-Star who won seven Gold Gloves at first base from 1958-64, Power was known for his showy, one-handed snags. He hit .284 with 126 home runs and 658 RBIs in a 12-year career, mostly with the Athletics, Cleveland and Minnesota.