LOS ANGELES -- Reserve infielder Ramon Martinez re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, passing up a chance to test the free-agent market.
Martinez, who had filed for free agency, agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2008.
"Ramon was a very valuable and versatile player for us this season," general manager Ned Colletti said.
The 34-year-old Martinez, who came to spring training as a non-roster invitee, hit .278 with two homers and 24 RBI in 82 games. He made 27 starts at second base, five at third base, three at shortstop and one in right field.
He gets $800,000 next year, and the Dodgers have a $1 million option for 2008 with a $50,000 buyout.
Martinez has played nine seasons in the major leagues, hitting .270 with 29 homers and 208 RBI. Before joining the Dodgers, he played with the Giants, Cubs, Tigers and Phillies.
The Dodgers also announced Tuesday that Logan White, their director of amateur scouting for the past five years, has been promoted to assistant general manager for scouting.
In addition, Vance Lovelace, a professional scout for the team since 2001, was promoted to special assistant to the GM, and Toney Howell was hired in the same capacity.
Pirates pursuing Cuban defector
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in signing former Cuban Olympic right-hander Yuslan Herrera to a three-year contract, but any deal looks to be at least several weeks away.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound (1,88-meter, 90-kilo) Herrera defected to the Dominican Republic a year after helping Cuba win the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He has not pitched competitively since 2005, but Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield recently saw him work out and likes his maturity and presence on the mound.
Herrera doesn't throw as hard as some players who have made their way out of Cuba and into the majors, but can throw 90-92 mph with an above-average curveball. He also showed off a slider, a changeup and a split-fingered fastball -- a deep pool of pitches for a relatively young pitcher.
Unlike most clubs, the Pirates had a predominantly left-handed rotation last season with Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and, until he was hurt, Tom Gorzelanny, so they want another right-handed starter -- and not necessarily one who would be no better than a fifth starter.
Cubs hire Perry as hitting coach
CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella completed his staff when Gerald Perry agreed to a two-year deal to be the team's hitting coach.
Perry, who was Oakland's hitting coach last season, rejoins Piniella. He served as the Seattle Mariners hitting coach from 2000-2002 when Piniella was managing there.
"Lou's a proven winner. We had a real good relationship in Seattle and we won. We averaged 100 wins a year," Perry said.
He has also been the hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he worked with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who has opted to be a free agent but says he would prefer to return to the Cubs.
Perry played 13 big-league seasons, appearing in 1,193 games with Atlanta (1983-1989), Kansas City (1990) and St. Louis (1991-1995).
Joining Perry on the Cubs staff will be bench coach Alan Trammell, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, first base coach Matt Sinatro, third base coach Mike Quade, bullpen coach Lester Strode and special assistant Ivan DeJesus.
Rangers, utility man Kata agree to deal
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Infielder-outfielder Matt Kata and the Texas Rangers agreed to a minor-league contract.
Kata spent last season with Louisville, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .263 with nine homers and 34 RBI, making 70 starts in the outfield and 32 starts in the infield. He is playing this offseason in the Mexican Winter League.
Kata played 160 major league games over parts of three seasons with Arizona (2003-05) and Philadelphia (2005).
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