Boston - Varitek Saga Finally Over

It's about time Boston.

With only a few weeks left before pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training, the Red Sox have finally come to terms with team captain Jason Varitek on a one year deal:
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The Boston Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract worth $5 million, two major league sources tell ESPN.com's Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick.

The Red Sox have a club option for $5 million in 2010. If they decline, there is a player option for $3 million. Only in the player option are incentives that would pay Varitek up to $2 million if he plays 120 games, or a smaller amount if he plays 80 games, the sources told Stark.

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Heilman Sent Packing Again

The Seattle Mariners sent starter and or reliever Aaron Heilman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Ronny Cedeno and starter Garrett Olson.

Olson was recently acquired by the Cubbies, who had sent outfielder Felix Pie to the Orioles in exchange for the left handed starting pitcher.

Heilman, initially expected to compete for a spot in the Mariners starting rotation, will now battle the likes of Sean Marshall for the fifth spot in Chicago's starting five.

Olson was considered to be a key component in the on again - off again Jake Peavey trade rumors that have dominated Chicago and San Diego newspaper headlines this offseason.

Yanks Complete Rotation by Signing Andy

The New York Yankees have agreed to a one year deal with free agent left-hander Andy Pettitte, reportedly worth $5.5 million.

Pettitte was painted as a selfish crybaby (by the press) because he refused to accept a pay cut from his previous season's salary ($16 million). Pettitte disagreed with that assessment, stating in an interview:

"Heck, the bottom line is I'm a man, and I guess it does take a shot at your pride a little bit," he said. "But when you put all that aside, I wanted to play for the New York Yankees and, you know, that was the bottom line. I wanted to be there. I wanted to play in that new stadium."

Pettitte will likely fill out the back end of the Yankee rotation, joining newly acquired arms CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett as the Yanks open up their new ballpark with a significantly upgraded roster compared to last season.

Pettite finished the 2008 season with a 14-14 record, posting a 4.54 era in 204 innings pitched. Pettite also posted great control numbers again, walking only 55 batters while striking out 158.

Braves Respond to Met's Signing

Anything you can do, I can do better. Sign Redding? We'll get Lowe.

Just hours after the Mets finished dotting the 'i's" and crossing the "t's" on the Tim Redding contract, the Atlanta Braves announced that they signed a pitcher too.

This time it's addition by prevention.

The Braves signed free agent sinker baller Derek Lowe, adding him to their new look rotation for '09.

The NY Mets were actively pursuing Lowe throughout the offseason, who became a free agent after his contract with the Dodgers expired.

In an article written by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Braves offered Lowe a four year deal worth $60 million;
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Lowe, 35, has a career 126-107 record in 12 seasons with Seattle, Boston and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's averaged 208 innings the past seven seasons, and consistently has one of the highest ground ball-to-fly ball ratios in the game.

Lowe would join Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens and Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami in a new-look Atlanta rotation.
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Team Continue to Add Missing Pieces

With most teams reporting date for pitchers and catchers about a month away, teams continue to sift through the free agent bargain bin, looking for players to fill out their empty roster spots.

To say the least, this has not been a banner year for free agents around the league.

The New York Mets finalized their contract offer to Tim Redding. Redding, who led his club in wins last season, was released by the Nationals after finishing 2008 with a 10-11 record and an era of 4.95. Redding, 31, threw 182 innings last season and struck out 120 batters.

Good news for Mets fans; Redding was 3-1 against the World F*cking Champions last season.

The reigning AL Champs signed free agent outfielder Gabe Kapler to a one year deal worth $1,000,018.

We're assuming that Kapler isn't a pompus ass by requesting the extra $18. We're also assuming that he's going to use that $18 (to pay for a ticket) the first time he tries to get into Tropicana field because nobody knows who the hell he is.

Sox Take Gamble on Two

The Boston Red Sox might be going out on a limb with their two latest free agent acquisitions, but as a philosopher once said "Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?"

Boston has come to agreements on contracts with John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli.

Here are the details of Smoltz's contract, according to ESPN:

Smoltz will earn a $5.5 million base salary with the Red Sox, and can earn up to $5 million in an incentive clause. The incentives include $125,000 for his first day on the active roster, $500,000 if he is on the active roster on the last day of the season, and up to $4.375 million for the number of days he is on the major league roster during the season. Miscellaneous bonuses would come into play if he wins comeback player of the year, the Cy Young or other such awards.

Signing Smoltz gives the Red Sox a rotation of six guys; Dice-K, Beckett, Brad Penny, Wakefield, and Jon Lester. The Smoltz signing may be a precursor to a deal with Texas for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, as Clay Buchholz would seemingly become expendable.

Baldelli, a Rhode Island native, chose to remain closer to home by inking a deal with the BoSox. It was believed that the Reds and Pirates both had interest in the outfielder.

After trading away Coco Crisp, the Sox said they were looking to acquire a right handed outfielder to add some depth to their squad. Baldelli, if he can remain healthy, will likely spell oft injured J.D. Drew and Jason Bay.

Free Agent Market Burning Up

As the date for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training is a little over one month away, teams around the league are finally figuring out ways to shape up their rosters.

The recent Tampa Bay signing of outfielder/DH Pat Burrell seems to have set off a domino like chain reaction around the league, with numerous other clubs picking up whatever's left on the free agent market.

The Chicago Cubs and Milton Bradley agreed on a 3 year $30 million deal (pending physical) that will add some much needed pop into the Cub's lineup. Bradley is slated to play right field for the '09 season, but may not last that long. Bradley has only played 100 games in the field (during his career) just once; with the '04 Dodgers.

Jason Giambi is returning home, as he and the Oakland A's agreed (pending physical) on a $4 million deal for the 2009 season with a $6.5 million base salary for the option year in 2010. The second year would also provide for a $1.25 million buyout.

Another ex-Yankee has found a new home, this time in Cleveland. We're not sure if Cleveland is running a rehab center or a baseball team, but the Indians' signing of RHP Carl Pavano points to the later. After signing oft injured closer Kerry Wood, the Indians offered Pavano a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Pavano can make another $5.3 million in performance bonuses.

Finally, according to ESPN.com, the Baltimore Orioles added a Japanese pitcher to help fill in their rotation:

Koji Uehara will be paid $10 million over the two years of the contract, which also includes incentives that could raise the total to as much as $16 million.

Uehara has spent his entire career with the Yomiuri Giants. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Uehara was 6-5 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 26 games for the Giants last year.

This Date in Baseball History: January 6, 1942

Bob Feller, ace of the Cleveland Indians, became one of the first pro-athletes to enlist for active duty during World War 2.

Feller left the Indians to begin training with the Navy on this date (he actually enlisted on December 8th, a day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor).

Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service in World War II, being decorated with five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars.

Rays Continue to Strengthen Roster

The 2008 defending World Champs had decided to let longtime outfielder Pat Burrell walk via free agency, and it looks like the runner ups have decided to pick him up.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Pat Burrell have agreed, in principle, on a two year contract worth $16 million.

Burrell (.250/33/86 last season) will most likely take over the DH spot in the Rays lineup.

This move comes a few days after the Rays bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of Joe Nelson.

Marlins Land Their Fish, Shore Up Bullpen

After seeing their star reliever Joe Nelson jump ship and head over to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida Marlins countered with the signing of RHP Scott Proctor.

The Marlins and Proctor agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with an additional $250,000 in incentives.

Proctor battled elbow ailments last season, posting a 6.05 ERA in 38 2/3 innings pitched. Some have predicted these elbow issues, as he was often overworked by manager Joe Torre while in New York and later in LA.

Proctor's signing has made this fan glad he's found a new home.

Teams Make Additions to Ring in the New Year

The Angels have found their man whom they hope will replace the single season saves leader Fransisco Rodriguez; and that man just happens to hail from Colorado.

The Angels agreed to a two year deal with 33 year old left handed closer Brian Fuentes (1-5, 30 saves in 34 chances, 2.73 ER).

According to ESPN.com Fuentes will earn $8.5 million for 2009 and $9 million for 2010. The contract includes a $9 million vesting option for 2011, based on games finished, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The Chicago Cubs continued to tweak their roster, trading away fan favorite Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub.

DeRosa fills the Indian's void over at the hot corner, and allows them to keep their young middle infield intact (GM Mark Shapiro considered moving shortstop Jhonny Peralta to third and Asdrubal Cabrera from second to short.)

The Cubs are also considering a trade for the Rockies Luis Vizcaino in exchange for Jason Marquis. According to ESPN; The 30-year-old Marquis was 11-9 for Chicago last season, with a 4.53 ERA in 167 innings while Vizcaino, 34, struggled in his first season in Colorado, pitching to a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings.

The Baltimore Orioles signed left handed starter Mark Hendrickson to a one year deal. The Orioles only have Jeremy Guthrie slated in their rotation, as Daniel Cabrera signed on with the Washington Nationals.

Rumor Mill:

The Mets may have made an offer to free agent starter Derek Lowe.

Mets and Dodgers talking trade? Andrew Jones could be wearing blue and orange next season.

Dodgers are looking to get their offseason shoping list Dunn.

The Rangers added three arms into the mix for bullpen help.

Aaron Miles is set to replace DeRosa.