Yankees Sign Heathcott For $2.2 Million  —  The Yankees have signed first-round pick Slade Heathcott for $2.2 million.  He was drafted 27th overall, and the MLB recommendation for his slot was $1,107,000.  —  A two-way star at Texas High (Texarkana, Texas), Heathcott will be an outfielder in pro ball.

Tigers acquire infielder Huff from O's  —  Veteran brings left-hand bat to lineup and versatility in the field  —  DETROIT — Finally, the Tigers found help at the plate on the trade market.  In turn, Aubrey Huff found arguably his best chance to finally get to the postseason.

Nats' offer to Strasburg about $12.5M … The Nationals' offer to No. 1 pick Stephen Strasburg, the right-handed phenom from San Diego State who's become the most anticipated amateur ever, was for about $12.5 million, sources said.  —  Nationals president Stan Kasten said over the weekend …

Reeling Red Sox in a surprise fight to make the playoffs and more … The Red Sox were rightly considered a winner on deadline day for acquiring big-time hitter Victor Martinez, who has continued to thrive since leaving Cleveland for Boston.  But now, a couple weeks later …

Yankees Sign Mitchell For $800,000  —  The Yankees have signed 16th-round pick Bryan Mitchell for $800,000.  It's the third-highest bonus after the 10th round this year, following Orioles signees Michael Ohlman ($995,000, 11th round) and Cameron Coffey ($990,000, 22nd round).

Rays Break Off Talks With Top Picks  —  The Tampa Bay Rays, who have already signed several of their top picks to above-slot deals, have released a statement saying they don't expect to sign their top two picks, outfielder LeVon Washington and shortstop Kenny Diekroger.

Coonelly: Russell will be back in 2010  —  Decisions on rest of coaching staff coming after season  —  CHICAGO — The Pirates will bring back manager John Russell for the 2010 season, team president Frank Coonelly said yesterday at Wrigley Field.  —  Coonelly did not elaborate …

Phillies Nab Colvin for $900,000  —  Baseball America has confirmed that Louisiana State signee Brody Colvin has spurned the defending national champions to sign with the Phillies, who drafted him in the seventh round.  Colvin signed for $900,000, the second-highest bonus in the seventh round …

2009 Draft signing deadline looms  —  Clubs have until tonight at midnight ET to agree with selections  —  It's going to be a busy day (and night) in the Commissioner's Office, across Major League front offices and perhaps most notably, at Boras Corp headquarters.

Church tells Wright not to rush back … Ryan Church, who arrives at Citi Field with the Braves tomorrow, exchanged text messages with David Wright on Saturday night.  Church's advice to his former teammate: Don't hurry back, no matter what.  —  “He's going to need to rest,” said Church …

Tribe negotiations with White at standstill  —  Pitching prospect taken 15th overall in June Draft  —  CLEVELAND — While 5 p.m. ET might be the normal close of business for some, members of the Indians' front office were prepared to remain active late into the evening Monday …

Yankees Sign Murphy For $1.25 Million  —  The Yankees have signed J.R. Murphy, and BA's Aaron Fitt has confirmed that his bonus is $1.25 million.  That's the highest bonus in the second round this year, and more than double MLB's $477,900 guideline for his draft slot (No. 76).

Brewers Ink Hall For $700,000  —  The Brewers have signed Brooks Hall for $700,000.  His bonus is the third-highest in the fourth round this year and more than three times MLB's $198,000 recommended bonus for his draft slot (No. 136).  —  Hall was a two-way star at Hanna High (Anderson, S.C.) but will focus on pitching as a pro.

Cubs' Carlos Zambrano: 'I've been lazy'  —  Cubs ace says he'll get ‘serious’ about ab work to help back problems  —  Admitting “my problem is I've been lazy” about between-start workouts, Carlos Zambrano vowed to “be serious” about a prescribed routine that will strengthen his stomach muscles.