Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Tigers Designate Galarraga For Assignment — One day after agreeing to terms with him on a $2.3MM contract for 2011, the Tigers have designated Armando Galarraga for assignment. The team announced the move on Twitter, while making its deal with Brad Penny official.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers finalize Penny deal, designate Galarraga — DETROIT — Not only did the Tigers officially announce their one-year deal with free-agent starter Brad Penny on Tuesday, they ended any speculation over what it means for Armando Galarraga's standing in Detroit.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Yahoo! Sports
Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers, outfielder Marcus Thames agree on a deal — He's likely to platoon in left field with Jay Gibbons. Club is also close to signing outfielder Gabe Kapler. — Staff and wire reports — The Dodgers went into spring training last year with Manny Ramirez in left field …
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Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Dodgers reach agreement with Marcus Thames, close to signing Gabe Kapler
Dodgers reach agreement with Marcus Thames, close to signing Gabe Kapler
Discussion:
ESPN, Bronx Baseball Daily, Fanhouse MLB Blog and MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Report: Mets agree to deal with Young — NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says right-hander Chris Young has agreed to a contract with the New York Mets, pending a physical. — Mets at a glance — The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal
Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal
Discussion:
New York Post, NorthJersey.com and Kranepool Society
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Young, Mets agree, pending physical
Young, Mets agree, pending physical
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NY Daily News, Mets Merized Online, Bats, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and OnTheBlack.com
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Chris Young, Mets close
Source: Chris Young, Mets close
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Mets Fever, Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Mets Merized Online, MLB Rumors and MetsBlog.com
Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman>DAILY SCOOP — More ColumnsEmail Jon HeymanFollow Jon Heyman on — Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod deal (cont.) — Yankees won't be Sori about big set-up expense — The Yankees gave Rafael Soriano a $35-million, three-year contract with two opt-out options to be their set-up man.
Discussion:
The Captain's Blog, HardballTalk, River Avenue Blues, It's About The Money and Bronx Baseball Daily
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
New York Yankees exec: Rafael Soriano issue not bad for Brian Cashman
New York Yankees exec: Rafael Soriano issue not bad for Brian Cashman
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, NESN.com and Yankees Daily
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
What Is Tom Gorzelanny? — After picking up Matt Garza from Tampa Bay, the Cubs were widely expected to trade Tom Gorzelanny in order to free up a spot in the rotation for their newly acquired starter. Today, that expectation became reality, as they shipped Gorzelanny to the Nationals for a trio of prospects.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats acquire lefty Gorzelanny from Cubs
Nats acquire lefty Gorzelanny from Cubs
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Nationals Inquisition and Nationals Baseball
MLB:
Indians, Shin-Soo Choo agree to deal — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo worth $3,975,000, avoiding salary arbitration with their best player. — The Indians also finalized a $2.25 million, one-year contract with closer Chris Perez …
RELATED:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians, Cabrera agree, avoid arbitration
Indians, Cabrera agree, avoid arbitration
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Let's Go Tribe!
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba, Hughes, Logan ink one-year deals — NEW YORK — The Yankees have avoided salary arbitration with Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Boone Logan, agreeing to terms on one-year contracts with the trio of pitchers. — Hughes' new deal is worth $2.7 million, while Chamberlain will earn $1.4 million, according to SI.com.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Howard Megdal / Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:
Joba For Pelfrey — Though the two New York teams seldom …
Joba For Pelfrey — Though the two New York teams seldom …
Discussion:
TYU
Jim Reeves / ESPN:
Rafael Palmeiro doesn't pass the test — It would be nice to ignore steroid controversy in HOF voting, but it would be wrong — For years, Rafael Palmeiro ducked the phone calls, ignored the messages, stayed out of the public eye and hoped that perhaps people would forgive and forget.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and HardballTalk
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
White Sox avoid arbitration with three — CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with pitcher John Danks, outfielder Carlos Quentin and relief pitcher Tony Pena on Tuesday by agreeing to one-year deals with each. — Danks and the White Sox agreed to a $6 million deal …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Yahoo! Sports
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Votto, Lozano Make Smart Deal — Joey Votto has nothing to lose. He and agent Dan Lozano avoided arbitration and worked out a deal with the Reds that's worth $38MM in guaranteed money. And Votto doesn't hit free agency a minute later than he was originally scheduled to.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Nationals avoid arbitration with Doug Slaten, Michael Morse — The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with left-handed reliever Doug Slaten by reaching an agreement on a one-year contract worth $695,000 plus incentives, according to a league source. Slaten will make a $5,000 bonus once …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Papelbon, Ellsbury avoid salary arbitration — Closer, center fielder ink one-year contracts with Red Sox — BOSTON — The Red Sox avoided arbitration with closer Jonathan Papelbon and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, agreeing to one-year pacts with both players on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Kansas City Star:
Royals' Meche announces retirement — Royals pitcher Gil Meche announced today that he is retiring from baseball. He will be walking away from $12.4 million he was due this season. — Meche signed a five-year deal with the Royals in December 2006 and had a 29-39 record with a 4.27 ERA in 111 games.
Discussion:
Seattle Times
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Bautista the big question mark as arbitration deadline looms — On the eve of baseball's deadline for the exchange of arbitration numbers, right-handers Casey Janssen, Shawn Camp and Jesse Litsch agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the Jays for 2011. — Janssen, 29, settled on a $1.095 million (all figures U.S.) contract.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
A's Designate Mortensen For Assignment — The A's announced that they designated right-hander Clayton Mortensen for assignment to create roster space for Grant Balfour, whose two-year deal is now official.' — Mortensen, a 2007 supplementary first round pick, has appeared in eight big league games …
Jayson Stark / MLB:
MLB: Most creative contract clauses of offseason — Many contracts signed this offseason are filled with the most imaginative clauses — Always check out the small print. — If your mom and dad never told you that, once upon a time, then hopefully your lawyer did. — Why?
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Myron Logan / Hardball Times:
Five winning moves of the offseason — With most major transactions likely complete, it's as good a time as any to take a look at some of the best moves of the 2010-2011 offseason. In no particular order: — 1) Boston Red Sox acquire Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego Padres …
Discussion:
Over the Monster