Top News:
ESPN.com:
Cubs deal versatile DeRosa to Indians — CLEVELAND — Mark DeRosa, who had been rumored to be a part of three- and four-team scenarios in the Jake Peavy trade talks is finally headed out of Chicago — but not in a deal for the San Diego Padres' ace. — DeRosa has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for three players.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs acquire versatile infielder Miles — The Cubs agreed to terms with versatile free agent infielder Aaron Miles on a two-year, $4.9 million contract, adding important depth to the middle infield. — Miles, a switch-hitter who spent the past three seasons with St. Louis …
ESPN:
Aaron Miles Signs Two-Year Contract with Cubs — ESPN 1000 is first to report that infielder Aaron Miles has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. This could be another transaction by Jim Hendry to setup two or three more moves in attempt to solidify his team in 2009.
MLB.com:
Cubs, infielder Aaron Miles agree to two-year contract — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and infielder Aaron Miles today agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. — “We expect Aaron to provide significant versatility and flexibility to our roster,” said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
DeRosa Traded To Indians — By Tim Dierkes [December 31 at 12:44pm CST] — 12:44pm: Levine says the three minor league pitchers coming to Chicago for DeRosa are Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub. The move feels like a salary dump - of a player whose production was worth $19.4MM this year.
ESPN.com:
Angels, closer Fuentes agree to two-year deal — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels might have found their new closer. — The Angels and left-hander Brian Fuentes agreed to a two-year, $17.5 million contract. The contract includes a club option for the 2011 season.
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MLB.com:
Angels agree to terms on two-year contract with free-agent left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes — Contract includes club option For 2011 — ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Wednesday agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes. The contract includes a club option for the 2011 season.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Angels Sign Brian Fuentes — By Tim Dierkes [December 31 at 12:46pm CST] — 12:46pm: Olney has the financials: it's a two-year, $17.5MM deal. $8.5MM in '09, $9MM in '10, and a $9MM vesting option for '11 based on games finished. — 12:08pm: According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Brian Fuentes signed a two-year deal with the Angels.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Mets playing Lowe ball — More and more it seems it will only be a matter of time before the Mets sign Derek Lowe, the starting pitcher they targeted going into the offseason. — Lowe recently told a friend that the Red Sox, who signed Brad Penny to a one-year deal this week …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, FakeTeams, Sliding Into Home, Pinstriped Scranton and iYankees
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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
O's, Hendrickson agree to one-year, $1.5M deal — Veteran left-hander has a 50-63 record and 5.07 ERA in seven seasons — The Orioles officially added a veteran pitcher to their 40-man roster today, announcing that lefty Mark Hendrickson passed his physical and has agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Dodgers sign pitcher Claudio Vargas — The Dodgers may have found a pitcher who could take a spot in the back end of their rotation, signing right-hander Claudio Vargas to an incentive-laden, one-year deal. — Vargas will be paid a base salary of $400,000 and can earn an additional $1.4 million in incentives.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Bruce / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
Marquis deal possible; Bradley inching along? — Coming off a little Christmast-New Year's vacation to get caught up on one rumor and its possible aftermath: — The Cubs would love nothing better than to trade right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis and most (if not all) of his $9.875 contract for 2009.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:Cubs close to Marquis-Vizcaino deal; Bradley next?
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks, Denver Post, Lone Star Ball, TEXAS RANGERS, Bottom9 Baseball and Another Cubs Blog
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rox add former utilityman Luis Gonzalez to bench mix — Among improvements general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle identified as necessary for the 2009 Rockies: a better reserve clause. — Colorado has added an interesting candidate to the bench mix, bringing …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez's agent contacts the Dodgers — Negotiations for slugger appear to be underway again as Scott Boras gets in touch with team after General Manager Ned Colletti says Ramirez remains the club's ‘first choice.’ — The Dodgers' on-again, off-again negotiations with Manny Ramirez appear to be on again.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, ESPN, MLB FanHouse, Dodger Thoughts, LA Times Sports Blog and River Avenue Blues
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