‘Round the Bases…
* Slammin’ Sammy Sosa wasn’t offered salary arbitration by the Texas Rangers, who still may be interested in bringing back the slugger. He may still rejoin the team, as he had a strong season with 21 home runs, a .253 average and 92 RBIs in 114 games for Texas following a year out of baseball. He’s no longer the player he used to be, but is still very much serviceable.
* Second baseman Kaz Matsui finalized a $16.5 million, three-year contract with the Houston Astros on Sunday, a little more than a month after helping the Colorado Rockies to their first World Series appearance.
* The Houston Astros offered arbitration to free agents Trever Miller and Mark Loretta, but did not offer it to five other players, including pitcher Jason Jennings and infielder Mike Lamb.
* Major league teams offered salary arbitration Saturday to 17 of their former players who became free agents, a group that included outfielder Aaron Rowand and pitcher Livan Hernandez. As well, Andy Pettitte, Mike Piazza, Eric Gagne, Mike Timilin, outfielder Shannon Stewart, David Riske and Pedro Feliz.

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