Hernandez gets $3.8 million from M's  —  The Seattle Mariners have signed pitcher Felix Hernandez, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, to a one-year contract worth $3.8 million.  —  The Mariners and the right-hander have explored multiyear deals over the last two offseasons, but without success.

O's lock up Markakis  —  Sources: Club finalizes six-year, $66 million extension with right fielder  —  The Orioles have finalized a six-year, $66 million contract extension with outfielder Nick Markakis, according to baseball sources.  Markakis will be in Baltimore later this week to take a routine physical and to sign the contract.

Source: Phils to sign Madson for 3 years  —  One day after locking up No. 1 starter Cole Hamels for the next three years, the Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of doing the same with their top set-up man, Ryan Madson.  —  Madson  —  The team and Madson have agreed to a three-year …

Rockies Avoid Arb With De La Rosa  —  By Tim Dierkes [January 19 at 4:15pm CST]  —  According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies avoided arbitration with pitcher Jorge De La Rosa by signing him for $2MM for '09.  He can make another $100K based on innings pitched.

Another trade (updated again)  —  The Orioles have dealt reliever Randor Bierd, last year's Rule 5 pick, to the Boston Red Sox for right-hander David Pauley.  —  At least the teams aren't afraid to trade within the division.  —  The San Diego Padres selected Pauley, 25, in the eighth round of the 2001 draft.

Classic rosters to be released today  —  Event marks 45 days to the start of the international tournament  —  Provisional 45-man rosters for each of the 16 teams participating in the World Baseball Classic will be released today at 6 p.m. ET.  That will mark 45 days to the start of the tournament …

Understanding the Real Value of MLBAM and MLB Network  —  On New Year's Day, approximately 50 million households witnessed the largest cable channel launch to date in the MLB Network, and with it, a new spigot of revenues for the league was born.  And, much like MLB Advanced Media …

Zim: I've recovered from stroke  —  Despite a recent health scare, Don Zimmer believes he'll be back in uniform next month to add another digit to his Rays' jersey number and bring it to 61 - one for each season he's been in baseball.  —  Last month, Zimmer says he suffered a “small stroke” …

Marlins find slim pickings behind plate  —  Florida has Baker, but is hoping to land experienced depth  —  MIAMI — Speculation has the Marlins weighing whether to pursue Andruw Jones, but according to a baseball source, the team's bigger priority remains finding catching depth.

Source: Rockies sign RHP Street  —  The Colorado Rockies have signed right-handed reliever Huston Street to a one-year, $4.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a Major League Baseball source said Monday.  —  Street  —  The deal also includes All-Star and award bonuses.