Morris Agrees to $27 Million From the Giants

Free-agent right-hander Matt Morris agreed to a $27-million, three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after nine seasons.

The deal became official after Morris passed a physical Monday morning.

“I’m ecstatic to be here,” Morris said at SBC Park. “I appreciate the organization for having the interest in me. That really showed me a lot, even though [the Giants] didn’t know this was my first choice.”

Morris, 31, was 14-10 with a 4.11 earned-run average last season and won his first eight decisions for the Cardinals, who lost to the Houston Astros in the National League championship series. The Cardinals offered Morris a two-year deal for $13 million.

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San Diego leadoff hitter Dave Roberts agreed to a $2.25-million contract for 2006, and the Padres closed in on a $1-million deal with free-agent reliever Doug Brocail.

Roberts played center field for the Padres last year, batting .275 with a team-high 23 stolen bases, but will move to left field this season to make room for Mike Cameron, who was obtained from the New York Mets on Nov. 18. Left fielder Ryan Klesko is moving to first base.

Brocail, who pitched for the Padres from 1992 to 1994, must pass a physical before his deal is finalized. He was 5-3 with one save and a 5.52 ERA in 61 appearances with Texas last season.

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The Cardinals reached a preliminary agreement on a $2.9-million, two-year contract with free-agent reliever Ricardo Rincon. The contract is contingent on the 35-year-old left-hander passing a physical.... First baseman Mike Lamb, who batted .236 last season and helped the Astros reach the World Series, agreed to a $1.7-million, one-year contract with the club.... Free-agent utility infielder Damion Easley agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Easley batted .240 last season for the Florida Marlins. He has a .251 batting average in 14 seasons.... Former Dodger catcher Paul Bako reached a preliminary agreement with the Kansas City Royals on a $700,000, one-year contract.... Texas acquired former All-Star right-hander Vicente Padilla from Philadelphia for a player to be named. Padilla was 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA last season.

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The Boston Red Sox promoted two of Theo Epstein’s former assistants to be co-general managers.

Jed Hoyer, 32, the team’s assistant general manager, will focus on major league transactions and Ben Cherington, 31, will focus on minor league issues.

Epstein resigned as Boston’s general manager on Halloween.

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Former Baltimore pitcher Sidney Ponson was sentenced to five days in jail after being convicted of driving while impaired.

Ponson was ordered to report today to the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore, where he is expected to serve his sentence. He also was fined $500, plus court costs and fees totaling less than $60.

Police arrested Ponson on Aug. 25 on Interstate 95 in Baltimore. He was charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired.

One week later, the Orioles terminated Ponson’s contract. The players’ union filed a grievance on his behalf but a decision is not expected before March.

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Bart Braun, assistant general manager at Tampa Bay, was arrested early Monday and charged with driving under the influence. He was released eight hours later after posting a $500 bond.