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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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?

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 …