Yankees Acquire Javy Vazquez

The Yankees are the rich getting richer, and re-acquired solid #2 starter Javy Vazquez from the Braves for Melky Cabrera. New York also got left-hander Boone Logan as part of the trade, and the Braves obtained a pair of pitching prospects, left-hander Mike Dunn and right-hander Arodys Vizcaino, along with about $500,000.

The Yankees' payroll for next year now tops $200 million, which is more than the #2 Los Angeles Angels were purchased for a few years ago.

Tom Glavine Re-Signs with Atlanta Braves

Smoltz is gone, but the Atlanta Braves have one of their glory days pitchers returning to the bump. Tom Glavine signed a one year, $1 million contract with the Braves plus incentives. The Braves hope he and the umpires will rediscover the eight foot wide strike zone that brought him prominence throughout the 90s.

Ken Griffey Jr. Selects Legacy over Convenience

In one of the uplifting news items coming from the Hot Stove League this year, Ken Griffey Jr. is going back to the Seattle Mariners. Griffey is signing a one year, $2 million plus incentives deal with the Mariners to be an OF/DH for the team. Griffey had debated about going to the Atlanta Braves, since the Braves' home is so convenient for Griffey to fly back to his family in Orlando, but ultimately (apparently after a call from Willie Mays), Griffey chose to create a legacy bookend to his career instead. When Griffey goes to the Hall, with one of the best swings in baseball, he will easily wear a Mariners cap.

Ken Griffey, Jr. | A Mariner or a Brave?

Ken Griffey Jr., formerly with the Chicago White Sox after a trading deadline deal with the Cincinnati Reds, is reportedly deciding between the Atlanta Braves as his new team, or a return to the glory days in Seattle with the Mariners. There were rumors that Griffey had decided on Atlanta due to its proximity to his family in Orlando, but Griffey specifically went out on the airwaves to dispel that rumor. It seems as though Atlanta would be a great fit for Junior, as they need the OF help, but with Seattle Jr. could play a little DH and get the hero's return. Griffey, in either case, is not the sought after player he once was due to age and injury, but he still could be a productive bat in the lineup in a supporting role. Griffey is a lifetime .288 batter with 611 HR, and last season hit a combined .249 and 18 HR in almost 500 AB.

Randy Wolf Signs With Dodgers

Randy Wolf, who last year carried the Astros in the second half of the season, signed, as expected, with the Los Angeles Dodgers for one year, $5 million guaranteed with $3 million in incentives. Wolf had originally been offered bthree years, $28.5 million from the Astros before they pulled the offer off the table during the economic collapse. It was reported that Wolf wanted three years, $30 million guaranteed but had to readjust after the collapse. Wolf, who was 12-12 last year with the Padres and Astros, pitched for the Dodgers in 2007, and the Dodgers sought his return this offseason after losing Brad Penny to the Red Sox, Derek Lowe to the Braves ang Greg Maddux to retirement.

Atlanta Braves and Derek Lowe Talks Getting Serious

There are many reports that the Atlanta Braves, after feeling much fan blowback after letting John Smoltz sign with the Red Sox, are showing some real Benjamins to try to land Derek Lowe. Reportedly the Braves have offered Lowe 4 years, $60 million in an attempt to bring the former Red Sox and Dodger pitcher into the fold. The 35 year old right handed Lowe was 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA last year with the Dodgers.

UPDATE: Many reports that Lowe has agreed to the four year deal, pending physical.

Braves Nearing Deal with Kenshin Kamakawi

The Atlanta Braves, clearing becoming a little more active after John Smoltz took the deal with the Boston Red Sox, are reportedly nearing a deal with 33 year old Kenshin Kamakawi from Japan to be a starter in their rotation. No rumors yet on the size of the deal (although original reports that the demand was in the 3 year, $30 million plus range). Previously the Mets, Orioles, Angels, Cardinals and Twins had been rumored to have been previously interested in Kamakawi's services. Kamakawi's fastball is supposed to be clocked around 92 with a nasty splitter, 2 seam fastball and curve that keeps batters off guard. He also, apparently, can handle a bat, which is definitely helpful in the National League.

Red Sox, Mark Kotsay Agree to One Year Deal

Continuing the news out of Boston, the Red Sox have agree to a one year, $1.5 million deal with OF/1B Mark Kotsay. It was thought that Kotsay would not be re-signed due to the recent signing of Rocco Baldelli, but the deal did indeed get done. Kotsay, 33, was acquired by the Sox from the Atlanta Braves last year and hit .226 in the 33 games he played in the AL, but was hitting .289 with the Braves when he was acquired. He is expecte to be a left handed bat off the bench and reserve OF.

John Smoltz to sign with Boston Red Sox

Reports abound that John Smoltz's days with the Atlanta Braves may be over, as the 41 year old right handed pitcher will sign with the Boston Red Sox. Smoltz, formerly a starter, had been moved to the pen in Atlanta (a team he has been with since he broke into the majors), and is coming off shoulder surgery. The deal is reportedly worth a guaranteed $5.5 million with incentives that could reach $10 million, and they are projecting him to be in the rotation when his rehab is complete.

Furcal signs with Dodgers, Braves Ticked

There are many reports right now that Furcal has agreed to terms with the Dodgers very similar to the deal reported worked out with the Braves, and the Braves management is very ticked at Furcal and his agent, as are many of the Braves faithful. There are mixed reports as to why Furcal chose to re-sign with the Dodgers, but suffice it to say this is not the last we've heard on this topic. Reports are that Furcal's agent and the Braves worked out a deal, and that the Braves signed the term sheet and returned it to Furcal's agent believing the deal to be done, but did not receive a countersigned term sheet from Furcal. When the Dodgers matched the offer, Furcal signed with the Dodgers. Stay tuned.

Report: Furcal Agrees to Contract with Braves

Rafael Furcal, SS/2B, has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves as reported by MLB.com. Furcal had left the Braves a few years ago to sign with the Dodgers, and so far the agent for Furcal is not acknowledging the agreement or its terms, raising questions whether it is a done deal. Stay Tuned.

UPDATE(12/17): It appears MLB's report was based on a conversation with the Braves, and the Braves clearly thought they had a deal. The agent for Furcal, though, said basically that currently the leader is the Braves, absent some movement from the Dodgers or another horse in the race. The Dodgers apparently moved it such that the Braves deal is not completely "done, done", but I understand they are still the front runners for Furcal's services. However, as of now, nothing is signed.

White Sox Trade RHP Javier Vazquez to Braves

The White Sox have agreed upon a trade that will send right-hander Javier Vazquez to the Braves, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday evening, with the deal apparently contingent upon the players passing their physicals (Vazquez is scheduled to undergo his physical in Atlanta on Wednesday). In return for Vazquez and another yet undisclosed White Sox player, Chicago will receive as many as three players from the Braves. Reports are that one of the players is shortstop Brent Lillibridge.