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Grizzlies sign infielder Meeks
Dec. 2, 1999

DENVER - The Grizzlies added another player to the fold Tuesday, reaching a one-year agreement with 37-year-old infielder Rich Meeks. Meeks, who split last year between Milwaukee and New Orleans, will join the competition for one or two starting jobs in the infield.

The Flint, Michigan native and Seton Hall product posted a .283 average in 1999, hitting nine home runs and driving in 62 runs. Meeks, who has played mostly shortstop in his career, has lost a step or two with his age and may end up elsewhere on the diamond, particularly first or third base.

Around the League
As the Winter Meetings wrap up, there is quite a bit of player movement to cover. The highest-profile move thus far has obviously been New York's signing of first baseman Aaron Oliver. Oliver will make over $67 million in just the next three years ... Not to be outdone, the Las Vegas Aces announced their signing of third baseman Luis Santos. Santos, 33, will earn an average of $23 million over the next two years ... Outfielder Jesus Cruz will call Chicago home for the next two years, and will make a handsome $48 million while doing so ... To make way for Oliver, the Empires dealt first baseman Ron Sweeney to San Diego in exchange for starter Ed Henry ... The blockbuster trade of the offseason so far has been Austin's acquisition of left fielder Mark Anderson from Boston. Anderson, who at 30 has already hit 173 homers in just over five seasons, was traded for 26-year-old potential ace Guy Ward ... Bernardo O'Higgins and the rest of the league's GMs will spend the day on conference call for the Rule 5 draft.