Indians sign Garcia

Cleveland – Outfielder Karim Garcia agreed Friday to a $900,000, one-year deal with Cleveland. The left-handed Garcia was baseball’s top run producer in the final two months of last season, driving in 52 runs after he was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 6. Garcia, 27, batted .299 with 16 home runs in the final 51 games.

Rockies sign pair

Denver – Catcher Bobby Estalella and infielder Greg Norton agreed to one-year contracts with Colorado on Friday. The contracts are not guaranteed and financial terms were not disclosed. Estalella played in 38 games for the Rockies last year and batted .205 before having season-ending surgery on his left shoulder. Norton batted .220 for Colorado last season.

Reds sign No. 2 pick

Cincinnati – Cincinnati signed No. 2 draft pick Mark Schramek on Friday. Schramek batted .416 with 11 homers and 49 RBI in 54 games in his senior year at Texas-San Antonio.

Sheets sent to Japan

Nashville, Tenn. – Tampa Bay sold the rights to infielder Andy Sheets on Friday to the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Central League. Sheets hit .248 for the Devil Rays last season in 41 games. Earlier this week, Tampa Bay sold the rights to first baseman Steve Cox to Yokohama.

Carpenter joining Cards

Nashville, Tenn. – Chris Carpenter and St. Louis agreed to a one-year contract Friday. Carpenter underwent shoulder surgery in September and is not expected to be able to pitch again until July. He will be guaranteed $300,000 next season. The salary would grow to $500,000 if he is put on the active roster. Carpenter was 4-5 last season when he had three stints on the disabled list.

Wolf stays with Phillies

Philadelphia – Left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract with Philadelphia on Friday. Wolf, 11-9 last season with a 3.20 ERA, eighth-best in the National League, will earn $2.5 million in 2003, $4.25 million in 2004, $6.5 million in 2005 and $9 million in 2006.

Mets sign McEwing

Nashville, Tenn. – The New York Mets agreed Friday to a $600,000, one-year contract with infielder Joe McEwing. McEwing, 30, became the first Met to start at seven positions in one season.

Seattle hires Johnson

Seattle – Seattle hired Lamar Johnson as hitting coach Friday, completing new manager Bob Melvin’s coaching staff. The 52-year-old Johnson spent the past four seasons as hitting coach for Kansas City and four years before that in the same position with Milwaukee. Johnson had a .287 career average in seven major league seasons.

Rijo wins award

Nashville, Tenn. – Jose Rijo, who returned to Cincinnati after missing five seasons, will be honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award as the player who has overcome adversity. Rijo had five operations on his right elbow before returning to the Reds to make 13 relief appearances in 2001. The next spring, he then made Cincinnati’s opening day roster and went 5-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 31 games in 2002.