It's Official: Manny Ramirez Signs Two Year Deal with Dodgers

Well, it's finally official. After all the hullaballooooo...Manny Ramirez signed the deal that the Dodgers wanted him to sign last year. But wasn't it fun?

The contract is apparently signed for a two year deal with the Dodgers worth $45 million guaranteed. The Dodgers will need to do a roster move to get Manny in camp, which will probably happen today.

One wonders if Manny is loving Scott Boras about now.

Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors Continue

The new rumor is that Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers have agreed on a three year deal, with two years guaranteed at $45 million, with a third year vesting player option of $15 million. No confirmation yet on this...

Boras Rejects Latest Manny Offer, Talks to Resume Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers' most recent offer of two years, $45 million to Manny Ramirez apparently was rejected late last night by Scott Boras, but both sides are saying that the talks will continue. It appears that the Dodgers' deal was predicated on deferment of Manny's salary, so although the team would owe him $45 million in the deal, the payments for 2009 would be more like $15 million with the remaining deferred. According to the reports, the rejection was due to the deferment, but Boras and ManRam are ok with $45 million as a concept. This tells me that sometime today they will reach a deal. We'll see.

Manny Ramirez Rumored to be Close to Signing

Undisclosed internal office workers with the LA Dodgers apparently have indicated that Manny Ramirez is very close to signing with them. The last offer made by the Dodgers according to some reports was one year, $25 million, with a player option for the second year at $20 million. One report says that Manny Ramirez will have to respond to the offer by this Friday the 27th of February. The Dodgers have opened camp without him, but apparently the Dodgers organization is anxious to sign the talented outfielder to a deal. The Giants have apparently indicated to Manny Ramirez's agent Scott Boras that they are no longer bidding for his services.

Andruw Jones Signs Minor League Deal With Texas Rangers

Andruw Jones, who is still being paid millions by the Dodgers, agree to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers for $500,000 with an invitation to Spring Training. If Jones, who hit .158 with 3 HR, but made $14.7 million in 2008, makes the Rangers' roster, he will make $1 million (and half of that will be refunded to the Dodgers.

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.

Manny Ramirez Turns Down $25 Million

With Boras now looking to be backed in a corner, Manny Ramirez has reportedly rejected a one year, $25 million offer from his previous team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Speculation is that the Guiants and the Mets have interest, but it is looking doubtful that ManRam will get more than the two year guarantee originally contracted by the Red Sox...stay tuned...

Guillermo Mota and Los Angeles Dodgers Agree to One Year Deal

The Mota Reunion is official...The Los Angeles Dodgers, who traded Guillermo Mota to the Florida Marlins in the Brad Penny trade a few years ago, agreed to terms with Mota for a return to the Dodgers' bullpen. Last season for the Millwaukee Brewers Mota posted a 5-6 record with a 4.11 ERA in 58 games.

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.

Red Sox Keep the Signings Coming With Takashi Saito

The Boston Red Sox remained busy with the signing of Takashi Saito, the right handed reliever who spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Saito's deal is reported to be guaranteed $1.5 million for the first year, but with incentives that could make it worth $7 million. It is a one year deal with the Red Sox, with a club option for 2010.

Andruw Jones and Dodgers Part Ways...

In a move largely seen as a way to free up payroll for the offer to Manny Ramirez, Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to defer portions of Jones' remaining contract amounts and Jones agreed to waive his no trade clause. The Players Association agreed to the deal because Jones would still be paid his entire contract amount, it will just be spread out over several years. It is likely no coincidence that Jones and Ramirez have the same agent, Scott Boras.

Report: Brad Penny to sign one year deal with Red Sox

WEEI.com is reporting that RHP Brad Penny has confirmed a one year contract with the Boston Red Sox. The big right hander had previously shown a promise for top of the rotation stuff before going down with an injury, missing much of last year. Penny has previously confirmed he wanted a deal with Red Sox, despite other suitors, since he wanted to play for a team with a likely chance to be in the post season. If this is, indeed, a $5 million base salary deal, as is being reported, this is a decent investment on a guy with large upside and has shown the ability to throw 200 plus innings as a hard thrower.

Red Sox say they are out of Teixeira Sweepstakes

After a meeting with Mark Teixeira and his agent, Scott Boras, the Red Sox, through their principal owner John Henry has stated, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry said in an e-mail time-stamped 10:45 p.m. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."  This basically puts the Orioles back in the spotlight, given Teixeira is a Baltimore native and owner Peter Angelos has indicated he is interesting in signing Teixeira, who hit .308 with 33 home runs and 121 RBIs, and 97 walks last season.  Given Boras is his agent, I would not count out the fact that this may all be a plan by the Sox to really see what Boras has on the table, and to see if a split with Boras might be in Teixeira's future.

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.

Manny Ramirez to Retire?

Newsday is reporting that Manny Ramirez is so upset with the lack of suitors for his services that he is considering retiring if no suitable offer shows up soon. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.

Report: Chan Ho Park signs with Phillies

Chan Ho Park announced at a Monday press conference in Korea that he's agreed to terms with the Phillies on a one-year contract worth $2.5 million in guaranteed money with another $2.5 million in potential incentives. Park made 49 of his 54 appearances last season as a reliever with a respectable 3.40 ERA with the Dodgers, but he apparently has indicated that the Phillies will give him a chance to start. If true, one wonders where this puts the negotiations with Jamie Moyer.

CC to wait on West Coast offers

CC Sabathia has spoken with Brian Cashman and the Yankees but is reportedly holding off on a decision pending any forthcoming offers from the Angels, Dodgers, and Giants, presumably once those teams get some other priorites settled. He could also be waiting on Mark Texeira to sign first, although he has met with Cashman for a second time. In tow with Cashman Sunday night were Yanks' skipper Joe Girardi and Yankees' icon Reggie Jackson.

Yankees Plan "B": "B"en Sheets

As insurance that they cannot sign the best free agent pitcher on the market CC Sabathia (who yesterday apparently indicated that he wanted to pitch next year for the Dodgers), the Yankees met with Sheets on Monday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, and the New York Daily News reported that according to a source, they will offer the right-hander a multiyear deal, believed to be for two years and about $30 million dollars. The offer is expected to be made before the Meetings wrap up on Thursday and is seen as an insurance policy related to Sabathia, as clearly the Yankees have made no doubts that it wants Sabathia wearing pinstripes. Sabathia is no Boras client, however, and seems to be resistant to playing on the East Coast, although the money the East Coast teams are floating are so huge he may not be able to resist.

Former Astro Mark Loretta signs with Dodgers

Former Astro Mark Loretta, 37, signed a free agent deal with what is appearing to be a freewheeling Hot Stove League Dodger team. Loretta hit .280 in 261 at-bats last season but batted .330 against left-handers. He played 46 games at second base, 17 at third base, five at shortstop and two at first base. He presumably would take the place of Nomar Garciaparra, who appeared at three infield positions this season but is apparently considering retirement because of health issues. Loretta is a 13-year veteran and two-time All-Star that earned $2.75 million last year and will receive around $1.4 million in 2009.

Loretta is one of those great utility players and has some of the best patience at the plate I've ever seen from a reserve player. He doesn't have the pop in the bat to be a likely every day player, but he is great off the bench and a decent fielder. The Astros were only not interested due to salary concerns.