Free Agent "No-Mo"

Hideo Nomo signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals, becoming the second Japanese pitcher to ink up with former Japanese Nippon Ham Fighters' manager Trey Hillman. Yasuhiko Yabuta signed earlier in the offseason. GM Dayton Moore also denied reports that the Royals were close to signing free agent starter Bartolo Colon.

In other baseball news, the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a contract with former Padre/Marlin/Cub/Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement. It's a one year deal worth about $1.5 million. Smart move by the Cardinals, who follow the Padres lead (signed Mark Prior to a one year deal) by putting a smart contract in place, in hopes of a potentially huge return on investment.

Florida signed another potential replacement for Miguel Cabrera in former Devil Ray Jorge Cantu. It's the second signing for the Marlins (Jose Castillo was the first) who are looking to try to have a few different looks at the hot corner. Replacing Cabrera won't be easy, but if Cantu and Castillo homer every other at-bat, the Marlins should be fine.

Meanwhile, back in New York, the biggest free agent news for the Bombers is one they didn't sign at all, rather, one that they won't sign. The Yankees (err, Hank Steinbrenner) announced that they (err, Hank Steinbrenner) are not interested in bringing back the 45 year old ex-fireballer.