ChiSox sign Jenks for 1-year, $5.6M  —  The White Sox have signed closer Bobby Jenks to a record-setting one-year, $5.6 million contract.  —  Jenks  —  The $5.6 million is the highest salary in history by a closer who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, at least for the moment.

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 …

The Market For Adam Dunn  —  Right now, Adam Dunn wants a four-year, $56 million contract.  And who knows, maybe he gets it.  Maybe he also gets a Lamborghini, a new house, and exclusive use of the Burj Al Arab helicopter pad.  Maybe he can hire Pat Burrell to babysit his kid.

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 …

Garcia decision likely coming soon  —  All quiet on the Freddy Garcia front on Monday, but look for the free-agent starting pitcher to make a decision sometime this week.  —  As it looks now, the White Sox, Mets and Rangers are still in on the big right-hander, with the Yankees' interest fading.

Texas nearing Francisco, Vizquel deals  —  Agreement with pitcher would leave two arbitration-eligible Rangers  —  The Rangers are close to finishing off a pair of contracts.  —  They are close to a one-year contract with reliever Frank Francisco that will avoid a possible arbitration hearing …

Mets reach deals with Sanchez, Reed  —  Four players on roster remain eligible for arbitration  —  NEW YORK — The Mets had hoped to sign at least half of their six salary arbitration-eligible players before Tuesday, the day clubs and players exchange salary proposals for possible hearings.

Strasburg  —  Just wanted to chime in here on the subject of Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State right-hander who has been pegged as the probable No. 1 overall draft pick next June — a pick held, of course, by the Nationals.  Speculation is rampant as to the meaning of the San Diego Union-Tribune story …

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 …

Reds pick Coke over Pepsi for '09 season  —  Coca-Cola has signed a five-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds for exclusive beverage rights at the Great American Ball Park.  —  Pepsi has held beverage rights at Great American since it opened in 2003, and its relationship with the Reds dates back more than decade.

Gomes a Red  —  Former Rays OF Jonny Gomes, a fan and team favorite, is headed to Cincinnati.  —  Gomes agreed Monday to a one-year deal with the Reds, getting a $600,000 salary, with the chance for another $200,000 in incentives.  More important for Gomes will be the chance to get regular playing time.