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ESPN.com:
Cubs deal versatile DeRosa to Indians — CLEVELAND — Mark DeRosa, who had been rumored to be a part of three- and four-team scenarios in the Jake Peavy trade talks is finally headed out of Chicago — but not in a deal for the San Diego Padres' ace. — DeRosa has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for three players.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs acquire versatile infielder Miles — The Cubs agreed to terms with versatile free agent infielder Aaron Miles on a two-year, $4.9 million contract, adding important depth to the middle infield. — Miles, a switch-hitter who spent the past three seasons with St. Louis …
MLB.com:
Cubs, infielder Aaron Miles agree to two-year contract — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and infielder Aaron Miles today agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. — “We expect Aaron to provide significant versatility and flexibility to our roster,” said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.
ESPN:
Aaron Miles Signs Two-Year Contract with Cubs — ESPN 1000 is first to report that infielder Aaron Miles has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. This could be another transaction by Jim Hendry to setup two or three more moves in attempt to solidify his team in 2009.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
DeRosa Traded To Indians — By Tim Dierkes [December 31 at 12:44pm CST] — 12:44pm: Levine says the three minor league pitchers coming to Chicago for DeRosa are Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub. The move feels like a salary dump - of a player whose production was worth $19.4MM this year.
ESPN.com:
Angels, closer Fuentes agree to two-year deal — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels might have found their new closer. — The Angels and left-hander Brian Fuentes agreed to a two-year, $17.5 million contract. The contract includes a club option for the 2011 season.
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MLB.com:
Angels agree to terms on two-year contract with free-agent left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes — Contract includes club option For 2011 — ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Wednesday agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes. The contract includes a club option for the 2011 season.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Angels Sign Brian Fuentes — By Tim Dierkes [December 31 at 12:46pm CST] — 12:46pm: Olney has the financials: it's a two-year, $17.5MM deal. $8.5MM in '09, $9MM in '10, and a $9MM vesting option for '11 based on games finished. — 12:08pm: According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Brian Fuentes signed a two-year deal with the Angels.
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Mets playing Lowe ball — More and more it seems it will only be a matter of time before the Mets sign Derek Lowe, the starting pitcher they targeted going into the offseason. — Lowe recently told a friend that the Red Sox, who signed Brad Penny to a one-year deal this week …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, FakeTeams, Sliding Into Home, Pinstriped Scranton and iYankees
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Mets Offer Lowe a 3-Year Deal — The Mets have offered the free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions. — As the Mets try to add another starter, they have concentrated on Lowe, 35, as their No. 1 option over Oliver Pérez.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rox add former utilityman Luis Gonzalez to bench mix — Among improvements general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle identified as necessary for the 2009 Rockies: a better reserve clause. — Colorado has added an interesting candidate to the bench mix, bringing …
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:Cubs close to Marquis-Vizcaino deal; Bradley next?
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks, Lone Star Ball, TEXAS RANGERS, Bottom9 Baseball, Another Cubs Blog and The Cub Reporter (TCR)
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
O's, Hendrickson agree to one-year, $1.5M deal — Veteran left-hander has a 50-63 record and 5.07 ERA in seven seasons — The Orioles officially added a veteran pitcher to their 40-man roster today, announcing that lefty Mark Hendrickson passed his physical and has agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Dodgers sign pitcher Claudio Vargas — The Dodgers may have found a pitcher who could take a spot in the back end of their rotation, signing right-hander Claudio Vargas to an incentive-laden, one-year deal. — Vargas will be paid a base salary of $400,000 and can earn an additional $1.4 million in incentives.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez's agent contacts the Dodgers — Negotiations for slugger appear to be underway again as Scott Boras gets in touch with team after General Manager Ned Colletti says Ramirez remains the club's ‘first choice.’ — The Dodgers' on-again, off-again negotiations with Manny Ramirez appear to be on again.
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MLB Rumors, ESPN, MLB FanHouse, Dodger Thoughts, LA Times Sports Blog and River Avenue Blues
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