Rockies finalize 2-year deal with Vizcaino

12.21.07 5:25pm PST

The Rockies and reliever Luis Vizcaino have finalized a 2-year $7.5M deal.

12.14.07 9:08pm PST

Tracy Ringolsby makes it official, Vizcaino has signed with the Rockies.

12.13.05 9:08pm PST

The Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates both had interest in former Yankee reliever Luis Vizcaino, but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have been told that they are out of the running for his services.

Knowing that information, it looks like the Rockies will land the right-handed reliever.

White Sox sign Cuban Alexei Ramirez

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez to a 4-year deal pending the outcome of his physical.

Rangers acquire Josh Hamilton

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers sent young pitchers Edison Volquez and minor league pitcher Danny Herrera to the Cincinnati Reds for young, and talented, center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Kapler un-retires, signs with Brewers

Gabe Kapler had called it a career until the Milwaukee Brewers came calling. Kapler will sign a 1-year deal with the Brewers, though the details of the contract have not been released.

Rangers out of bidding for Mark Prior

12.21.07 1:00pm PST

The Rangers, after reviewing Prior's medical records, have pulled out of the bidding, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

The Rangers had been said to be serious contenders for him prior to this.

12.20.07 7:51pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Padres are the front runners to land former Cub Mark Prior, who is currently a San Diego County resident.
The Padres, says Olney, have offered a 1-year deal with a modest base salary that includes incentives to Prior, who could make his decision in the next 24-48 hours.

12.18.07 10:44pm PST

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.

Phillies in or out on Lohse?

This morning, reading Ben Maller's MLB Rumors from Fox Sports, I came across two different articles on the bidding for pitcher Kyle Lohse.





The first one, from Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, says Lohse is pondering a 4-year $40M offer from Philadelphia Phillies. Contrary to that report, George King of the NY Post says the Phillies have backed out of the running.





In the George King article, Phillies assistant GM, Ruben Amaro, says "We talked to his agent Scott Boras a few times and from all indications it looked like it would take four years. We let him know that we wouldn't go higher than three. He indicated he could get four, and we bowed out gracefully"


I guess we'll get the real story in a few days.

Furcal recovering in native Dominican Republic

After an ankle injury in Colorado ended his season, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal headed back his native Dominican Republic. Not only to play winter ball, but to spend time with his young son and wife.

If you haven't read this article by Kevin Baxter of the LA Times, take a few minutes, it's actually a good read.

Mariners finalize 4-year deal with Silva

12.20.07 7:55pm PST

The Seattle Mariners, according to an AP report on Thursday, finalized the 4-year $48M contract for free agent right-hander Carlos Silva.

12.19.07 8:24pm PST

According to Jim Street of MLB.com, the Mariners have signed Carlos Silva to a 4-year $44M deal pending the outcome of Silva's physical.

12.18.07 10:12pm PST

Tim Booth of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the Mariners are apparently closing in on a deal with Silva.

12.18.07 1:09pm PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are in "serious talks" with free agent Carlos Silva and have apparently offered a 4-year $44M deal.

Padres front-runners for Mark Prior

12.20.07 7:51pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Padres are the front runners to land former Cub Mark Prior, who is currently a San Diego County resident.

The Padres, says Olney, have offered a 1-year deal with a modest base salary that includes incentives to Prior, who could make his decision in the next 24-48 hours.

12.18.07 10:44pm PST

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.

Rockies sign Wells, Redman

12.20.07 11:10am PST

The Rockies put the finishing touches on 1-year deals with right-hander Kip Wells and left-hander Mark Redman.

Wells' deal is a 1-year $3.1M, with an additional $1.5M in incentives. The details of Mark Redman's deal have not been released.

12.12.07 10:08pm PST

The Rockies finalized a 1-year $3M deal with Kip Wells according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.

12.12.07 7:54am PST

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports the Colorado Rockies are close to a 1-year deal with free agent right-hander Kip Wells.

Willis signs 3-year extension

12.20.07 11:01am PST

Dontrelle Willis and the Detroit Tigers have come to an agreement on a 3-year $29M deal according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

12.20.07 7:45am PST

Not even a month removed from the Winter Meetings, new Tiger Dontrelle Willis is in negotiations for a contract extension with Detroit.

The extension is rumored to be 3-years and in the neighborhood of $25M - $30M.

Brewers interested in Lofton?

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Brewers could be looking into acquiring Kenny Lofton if they are able to move Bill Hall to 3rd and Ryan Braun to left field.

Padres sign Fick, Davanon

The San Diego Padres have signed catcher/1st baseman Robert Fick and outfielder Jeff Davanon to minor league deals with an invitation to spring training.

Fick was a member of the Padres in 2004 and spent the last 2 seasons with the Nationals. Davanon also has San Diego ties, he's an alumni of San Diego State and his father was a member of the original major league Padres in 1969.

Phillies land Chad Durbin

According to Dejan Kovacevic reports that the Philadelphia Phillies have signed, former Tigers starter, Chad Durbin, though the terms of the contract have not been released.

Phillies sign Geoff Jenkins

The San Diego Padres have lost out on the 3rd free agent they were after. After losing to the Cubs for Kosuke Fukudome, Milton Bradley to the Rangers and now the most recent being Geoff Jenkins who just signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Jenkins signed a 2-year $13M deal with a vesting option based on plate appearances that could make the total deal worth $20M. Jenkins is expected to platoon in right field with current Philly Jayson Werth.

Tigers, Willis talking extension

Not even a month removed from the Winter Meetings, new Tiger Dontrelle Willis is in negotiations for a contract extension with Detroit.

The extension is rumored to be 3-years and in the neighborhood of $25M - $30M.

Schilling speaks on Roger Clemens

If I'm Curt Schilling, I'd be careful of what dog I choose to mess with, especially if that dog is Roger Clemens.

Schilling, posting on his website 38pitches.com, believes that if Clemens did in fact take performance enhancing drugs, that his 4 Cy Young Awards should be stripped and given to the rightful winner.

"From that point on the numbers were attained through using [performance-enhancing drugs]. Just like I stated about Jose Canseco, if that is the case with Roger, the four Cy Youngs should go to the rightful winners, and the numbers should go away if he cannot refute the accusations."

Clemens said yesterday, in a statement through his agent, that he didn't want people rushing to judgement....I guess Schill missed that part of the statement.

Mahay signs with Royals

Left-handed pitchers seem to get a lot of interest around baseball and 36-year-old Ron Mahay is no different.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Mahay has agreed to a 2-year $8M deal with the Kansas City Royals. In 58 games, split between the Rangers and Braves, Mahay had a combined 2.55 ERA last season.

Padres, Barrett avoid arbitration

According to an AP report, the Padres have avoided arbitration with catcher Michael Barrett and have signed him to a 1-year $3.5M deal.

Barrett could also earn another $750,000 in performance bonuses.

Silva signs with Mariners

12.19.07 8:24pm PST

According to Jim Street of MLB.com, the Mariners have signed Carlos Silva to a 4-year $44M deal pending the outcome of Silva's physical.

12.18.07 10:12pm PST

Tim Booth of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the Mariners are apparently closing in on a deal with Silva.

12.18.07 1:09pm PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are in "serious talks" with free agent Carlos Silva and have apparently offered a 4-year $44M deal.

Giants interested in Tony Clark

According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have expressed interest in free agent 1st baseman Tony Clark.

The Giants would use the left-handed hitting Clark to share time at 1st with incoming rookie Dan Ortmeier.

In the same article, Schulman also confirms that the Giants were among 10 other teams that were in Arizona to watch free agent right-hander Kris Benson throw. Benson is coming off season ending shoulder surgery, but there's word that Benson looked impressive during his workout.

San Diego is a logical destination for Mark Prior?

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.

Mariners close to deal with Silva

12.18.07 10:12pm PST

Tim Booth of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the Mariners are apparently closing in on a deal with Silva.

12.18.07 1:09pm PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are in "serious talks" with free agent Carlos Silva and have apparently offered a 4-year $44M deal.

Marlins to get new ballpark?

The Marlins are getting a new ballpark? Yep, you read that correctly. The Miami-Dade County commissioners approved a public works project that will include a new, 37,000 seat, retractible roof, ballpark where the Orange Bowl site is now.

The estimated cost of the new stadium is now $515 million.

So let me get this straight. The Marlins, who barely draw 15,000 fans per game and even that is highballing it, get a brand new ballpark, yet one of the best teams in the AFC (San Diego Chargers) are still waiting for their new stadium? Yeah, ok.

Javy Lopez back in Atlanta

Javy Lopez, a fan favorite from his earlier years, has come back to Atlanta. The Braves signed the 37-year-old catcher to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

If Lopez makes the team out of Spring Training, he will backup current starter Brian McCann.

Padres will not match Phillies offer for Jenkins

Free agent outfielder Geoff Jenkins has still yet to decide between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres.

The Phillies have offered a 3-year deal and it's unlikely that the Padres will attempt to match it according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune.

Mets sign Matt Wise

According to an AP Report, the New York Mets have signed free agent right-hander Matt Wise to a 1-year 1.2M deal.

Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 56 appearances last season with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Astros acquire RHP Paronto

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Houston Astros have signed right-hander Chad Paronto to a 1-year $500,000 deal that could be worth up to $675,000 after incentives.

Paronto will move into the bullpen already set with guys like Doug Brocail, Oscar Villareal and Geoff Geary to set the table for newly acquired closer Jose Valverde.

Bradley says he'll be ready for Rangers' opener

New Rangers' outfielder Milton Bradley, during a conference call this afternoon, says he'll be ready for Opening Day, whether that be as the DH or as the starting right fielder.

Asked where he was in his rehab process and if he was running yet, Bradley responded "I'm ahead of pace of the average person. I'm where I need to be. I'll be ready for the start of the season."

Bradley, if we all remember, tore his ACL while being held back by Padres' manager Bud Black during a confrontation between Bradley and umpire Mike Winters towards the end of last season.

Orioles' Roberts admits HGH use

Orioles 2nd baseman, Brian Roberts after having his name show up in the Mitchell Report, admitted to using HGH during the 2003 season, but says he only used it once.

In a statement, made by Roberts himself, he said "In 2003, when I took one shot of steroids, I immediately realized that this was not what I stood for or anything that I wanted to continue doing. I never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing drugs prior to or since that single incident."

He finished by saying "I know that by being a professional athlete, I am held to a very high standard. I never have and never will take that for granted. However, I am also human and I have made mistakes."

Mariners in "serious talks" with Silva

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are in "serious talks" with free agent Carlos Silva and have apparently offered a 4-year $44M deal.

ARod dumps Boras?

There was a story that has surfaced from Variety reporting that Yankees' 3rd basemen Alex Rodriguez had dumped long time agent Scott Boras and had signed with Guy Oseary.

Oseary represents people like Lenny Kravitz, Madonna and magician David Blaine.

Contrary to that report, Journal News beat writer Peter Abraham says ARod signed Oseary to handle non-baseball issues such as marketing and image.

Nate Robertson wants to talk extension

Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson, coming off a 9-13 season with a 4.76 ERA in 30 starts, wants to talk to Detroit about a long term contract extension.

His agent, Steve Canter, told the Tigers that Robertson would like to get a deal done prior to the 2008 season.

Dodgers sign veteran backstop Bennett

The Dodgers, after Mike Lieberthal departed via free agency, were looking for a backup catcher behind starter Russell Martin. Yesterday, they found that backup in 35-year old Gary Bennett who spent the last 2 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bennett, who was named in the Mitchell Report, admitted using HGH and gave the Dodgers a "heads-up" prior to the release of the report.

Pirates after Estrada?

The Pirates are looking for a veteran catcher that can split time behind the plate with their current catcher Ronny Paulino. The name that they may go after....Johnny Estrada, who was non-tendered by the Mets after being dealt to them by the Brewers.

Estrada made $3.4M last season and is probably going to command a little more than that in free agency, possibly in the $4M/year range.

Astros, Cards interested in Prior

Mark Prior is certainly getting a lot of interest around the major leagues, even for a guy who hasn't been healthy for the last few seasons.

The Astros already have an offer out to the right-hander, even after signing minor league right-hander, and former Padre, Jack Cassell.

Larry Borowski reports, that after the Cardinals traded Jim Edmonds, it may have freed up cash to spend on another starter or even a risk with high reward pitcher like Prior.

Nady returning to San Diego?

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres could pull off a trade that would bring outfielder Xavier Nady back to San Diego. The Pirates are said to be interested in backup catcher Michael Barrett, but I doubt the Pirates will make a straight up trade with the Padres.

Rusch still unsigned?

12.18.07 12:01am PST

Glendon Rusch's agency confirms that he became a Padre as of last Friday.

12.17.07 9:09pm PST

On Friday, Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports wrote that the Padres had signed free agent left-hander Glendon Rusch. Now, according to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle, Rusch has not signed the minor league offer from San Diego and has an open offer from the Astros.

12.14.07 2:41pm PST

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the San Diego Padres have signed left-hander Glendon Rusch to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Rusch is trying to make a comeback after being diagnosed with a life threatening blood clot in his right lung last year.

Melvin gets 3-year extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks have come to an agreement on a 3-year contract extension with Manager of the Year Bob Melvin.

The extension will be through 2010.

Phillies could sign Sidney Ponson?

Not sure if this is a desperation move on the part of the Phillies, but they are apparently looking into signing free agent Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal.

Ponson is currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League and is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 2 starts.

The Phillies have also started talks with free agent center fielder Mike Cameron. The two sides have had previous discussions, but Cameron was looking for more years than the Phillies were willing to give. With the departure of Aaron Rowand, that apparently has changed.

Mariners look elsewhere for pitching

After losing out to the Dodgers for Hiroki Kuroda, the Mariners could pursue a trade for Baltimores' Erik Bedard but could also look into free agents Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva.

Mariners have Blanton on their radar

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Mariners could be interested in trading for A's right-hander Joe Blanton.

Olney says a package from Seattle would have to center around Adam Jones.

Pettite admits to using HGH

After having his name released on the Mitchell Report, Andy Pettitte admitted that he used HGH twice back in 2002 while trying to recover from an elbow injury.

"If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize," Pettitte said in the statement.

"I accept responsibility for those two days. Everything else written or said about me knowingly using illegal drugs is nonsense, wrong and hurtful.

"I have the utmost respect for baseball and have always tried to live my life in a way that would be honorable. I wasn't looking for an edge; I was looking to heal."