Red Sox Agree to Deals With Two Free Agents

The Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement with free agent pitcher Brad Penny and offered a non guaranteed contract worth $1.6 million to free agent catcher Josh Bard.

Penny, battling shoulder and arm issues last season, posted a 6-7 record with an era over six (6.27).

Yanks Land Another Big Fish

Gehrig. Mattingly. Tino. Giambino. Now Teixeira?

According to multiple news sources, the Yankees and Mark Teixeira have agreed, in principle, to an eight year deal worth $180 million.

So here's the Yankees current lineup, if opening day was tomorrow;

LF	Johnny Damon
SS	Derek Jeter
1B	Mark Teixeira
3B	Alex Rodriguez
DH	Hideki Matsui
RF	Xavier Nady
C	Jorge Posada
2B	Robinson Cano
CF	Melky Cabrera
Bench-- Nick Swisher

Teixeira's arrival in New York will add to the logjam that's currently developing in the outfield. Along with the newly acquired Nick Swisher, the Yanks have Matsui, Cabrera, Damon, Gardner, and Nady all vying for the three outfield spots.

Angels Resign Their 23rd Most Important Free Agent

Finally! Some concrete news in the world of baseball.

After running around like chickens with our heads cut off following the Frucal signings (yes, there may have been multiple) or trying to figure out whether the Red Sox are in or out of the Teixeira sweepstakes, we've finally got something solid to report on.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have announced that they've re-signed Juan Rivera to a three year deal.

So, yes, you are reading this correctly. The Angels signed an outfielder. Now if baseball changes its rules to allow for a team to field an additional 5 outfielders during a game, the Angels are all set. They've now invested in mega contracts with Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter, and Gary Matthews Jr. They also have Reggie Willits to throw into the mix.

So, as long as Rivera's agents don't have the last names Kinzer or Tellem, they've got another outfielder, one that'l wind up costing them $12.75 million.

Ibanez Signs 3 Year Deal with Champs

The Philadelphia Phillies announced their signing of free agent left fielder Raul Ibanez to a three year deal reportedly worth $30 million.

Ibanez hit .293 for the Seattle Mariners last season, with 23 homers, 110 RBIs, a .358 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage.

With the signing, the Phillies have all but cut ties with longtime left fielder Pat Burrell.

Yanks Send Milk Man to Brew Crew

According to various news sources, the Bombers and the Brewers are ready to swap outfielders Melky Cabrera and Mike Cameron.

This move is the second in as many days for the Yankees, as they upgraded their rotation yesterday by signing CC Sabathia.

Acquiring Cameron, a player who has proved he can play in New York, the Yankees have bought themselves a little more time in the "Developing Austin Jackson Department".

Rockies Agree to Terms with Embree

The Alan Embree fan club can rest easy now, knowing that their favorite soft tossing lefty has found a new home high in the Rockie Mountains.

Embree's left arm will replace outgoing left hander Brian Fuentes, who is expected to leave town via free agency.

Orioles Trade Hernandez to Reds; Wieters Set to Assume Catching Duties

In a move that was designed to free up playing time for prospect Matt Wieters, the Baltimore Orioles sent catcher Ramon Hernandez to the Reds for Ryan Freel and two prospects.

According to ESPN.com the Orioles will also "receive infield prospects Justin Turner and Brandon Waring. As part of the deal, Baltimore will give Cincinnati cash to offset part of Hernandez's contract. He is owed $8.5 million next year."

Apparently the Orioles were comfortable enough in Wieters ability to handle their erratic pitching staff to send Hernandez packing. Adding Freel is a nice short term move, and he'll most likely win over Baltimore fans with his hustle and "run through the fence" attitude.

Yanks Close to Signing CC

According to an ESPN.com News Services report, the Yankees have increased their offer to free agent lefty, CC Sabathia, and are close to acquiring his John Hancock:

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney the deal offered by the Yankees is now worth $160 million over seven years -- the most money ever paid a pitcher in major league history. The team had originally offered six years and $140 million.

While a deal is not yet done, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark there are "zero major road blocks" that would prevent the Yankees from reaching agreement with Sabathia. Not all terms of the deal are agreed to yet, the source indicated. Sabathia also would need to take a physical.

The CC deal for the Bombers has been an "on again, off again saga for the Yanks" as their contract offer turned one month old yesterday. There had been reports that the Giants were set to sign the lefty and multiple reports that CC was going to be a Dodger.

If the signing actually takes place, the Yankees would have acquired their main offseason target and can now look to adding additional arms to solidify their shaky rotation.

Loretta Signs Deal with Dodgers

Mark Loretta packed his SPF 40 and left his shit kickers back in Houston, as the two time all star heads west to join the LA Dodgers, according to an espn.com news report.

The deal is believed to be worth $1.4 million, for one season. The deal will be finalized as long as Loretta passes a physical.

K-Rod Nears Deal with Mets

Sports Illustrated, Newsday, and the New York Post are all reporting that Fransisco Rodriguez and the New York Mets are on the same page when it comes to contract talk.

The Mets offered the single season saves leader a contract believed to be worth 3 years at $37 million plus:

Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said, "I am more optimistic than I have ever been" about finalizing a deal between K-Rod and the Mets, according to the Post. "We will know more in the next 24 hours, but so far everything has been positive."

Veteran's Committee Selects Gordon

According to the Associated Press and ESPN.com, former Yankee Joe Gordon was elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee:

Former second baseman Joe Gordon has been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

The late Gordon was a nine-time All-Star with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He played on five World Series championship teams and retired in 1950.

Gordon was the only person elected Monday on a ballot of players who began their careers before 1943.

Here's Joe Gordon's lifetime stats, courtesy of Baseball-Almanac:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	GS	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	SH	SF	HBP	GIDP	AVG	OBP	SLG
	1,566	5,707	914	1,530	264	52	253	6	975	759	-	702	41	-	29	159	.268	.357	.466

Yanks, Dodgers Talking Trade

According to MSN's Ken Rosenthal, the Bombers are talking trade with the LA Dodgers, and Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera seem to be the topic of conversation:

As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.

The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return.

The Dodgers' interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.

Tiger Land Catcher in Trade with Rangers

Thanks to an overabundance of catchers in their organization, the Rangers were able to move catcher Gerald Laird to the Tigers in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The move frees up some money for the Rangers, with Laird expected to make around $3 million in salary arbitration.

According to ESPN.com, the Rangers acquired right-handers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo from the Tigers.

Moscoso, 25, was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 21 games at Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie last season. Melo, 17, played in the Dominican Republic's summer league.

Giants Get Their Sign On

The San Fransisco Giants have had a particularly busy week, signing two free agents to help bolster their horrific roster.

The Giants signed Edgar Renteria to a two year deal worth $18.5 million dollars. The short stop, according to ESPN.com, says he feels more comfortable returning to the National League, than he was in the American League.

The Giants also signed reliever Bobby Howry to a one year deal to help bolster the team's bullpen.

Renteria will replace long time great Omar Vizquel at short stop next season.

ChiSox, Braves in Trade Talks

According to ESPN.com, the White Sox and Braves have worked out a trade that would send Javier Vazquez to the Braves in exchange for three players.

Vazquez, along with reliever Boone Logan, are headed to Atlanta today to complete physicals.

In return, the Braves would be sending Jo-Jo Reyes, Brett Lillibridge, and another prospect, currently not named.

Vazquez, 32, was 12-16 last season for the White Sox with a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts. He struck out 200 batters in 208 1/3 innings.

Logan, a left-handed reliever, was 4-4 with a 5.70 ERA and had a 2-3 record in 55 appearances.

Reyes was 3-11 with a 5.81 ERA last season for the Braves.

Lillibridge (infielder) appeared in 90 games at Triple-A Richmond in the Braves organization. He hit .220 with four home runs and 39 RBIs.

2k Sports Announces GM Game for 3 Platforms

Coming this winter (1.26.09 to be exact) is 2K Sports newest leap into the world of video gaming baseball; "Front Office Manager".

You create a GM in your own likeness and take over a franchise's entire day to day operations; scouting, signing, trading, and budget details. Here's a quick peak:

Astros Sign Hampton to One Year Deal

Looks like Houston has taken a big risk for their rotation next season, signing free agent lefty Mike Hampton to a one year deal.

The deal is approved with the condition of Hampton passing a physical.

Hampton is only the second free agent to sign a deal in what's been a quiet offseason.

According to ESPN.com and the Elias Sports Bureau, Hampton failed to qualify as a type A or type B free agent, therefor Atlanta does not receive a compensation pick from Houston in next year's amateur draft.