Detroit Tigers Release Gary Sheffield

When the Tigers traded for Josh Hamilton, everyone did a complete "whaaa?". But today, with Gary Sheffield being released, it is making a little more sense. Sheffield has no doubt struggled in Spring Training, but it is still a bit of a shocker the news today that he was released with the Tigers still owing him $14 million this year. I have no doubt someone will now sign Sheffield as a low cost, high potential OF, but it is possible he goes by the way of Barry Bonds...forced into a retirement. Will be interesting to find out the reasons for the Tiger release in the coming days.

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.

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.

Adam Dunn to Sign with Nationals

Adam Dunn, former OF for the Cincinnati Reds, has agreed to a reported two year, $20 million contract to play for the Washington Nationals.

Bobby Abreu To Sign with Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Bobby Abreu, the former New York Yankees' right fielder that was not offered arbitration, is going to sign a deal with the Los Angeles Angels for a reported $5 million plus incentives for one year. This appears to be a pretty good move for the Angels, who lost Mark Teixeira to free agency this year and needs to replace that production in the lineup. Abreu batted .296 with over 100 RBI last year and is a left handed bat in a very right handed Angels clubhouse. The deal was reported on SI.com and MLB.com.

But Abreu signing for $5 million has to lower the targets of other free agents on the market, the ones that still do not have a team with pitchers and catchers reporting just around the corner.

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.

Cliff Floyd Signs with San Diego Padres

Cliff Floyd, the oft-injured, but effective veteran presence last year on the Tampa Bay Rays, reportedly has reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres. The Padres were in need of a left handed bat, but it is a little surprising Floyd, a decent DH candidate, went to a national league team. The club, who was also interested in Luis Gonzales, apparently decided Floyd had enough left in the tank to still play a little outfield. Floyd hit .268 with 11 HR in 80 games last year with the Rays.

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...

Twins, Jason Kubel Avoid Arbitration

The Twins avoided arbitration with DH/OF Jason Kubel yesterday, signing him to a two-year contract that media sources claim is for about $7 million and contains a team option for 2011 that is worth $5 million. Kubel batted .272 with 20 HR in 141 games last year.

Tigers ink Fernando Rodney and Marcus Thames to Avoid Arbitration

The Tigers, looking at free agent closers but have not yet signed one, have avoided arbitration with their existing closer Fernando Rodney as the club agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract worth $2.7 million. Rodney, who will turn 32 years old in March, saved 13 games this year to go with an 0-6 record and a 4.91 ERA. He became Detroit's closer near the end of July while Todd Jones battled shoulder problems. In addition to Fernando Rodney, the Tigers avoided arbitration with outfielder Marcus Thames by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal, terms not immediately disclosed. Thames is projected to return as Detroit's reserve outfielder and in 2008 batted .245 with 25 home runs and 56 RBIs over just 316 at-bats.

Gabe Kapler signs with Tampa Bay Rays

OF Gabe Kapler signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Rays Monday, which came as a little bit of a surprise after a weekend in which he was rumored to be headed to Philadelphia. Kapler hit .301 with Milwaukee last year.

Royals Find Their Utility Man in Willie Bloomquist

Willie Bloomquist, the utility man who played seven years for the Seattle Mariners, is reported to be signing with the Kansas City Royals in a two year deal worth $3 million total. Bloomquist, who nearly played every position for the Mariners, is more speed than power, and hit .279 last year in 71 games without a home run, but had 14 stolen bases in those 71 games.

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.

Red Sox and Rocco Baldelli Reportedly Close to Deal

Rocco Baldelli, recent recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity (he had been diagnosed with mitochondrial disorder which causes chronic fatigue), is reportedly close to signing with the Boston Red Sox to be their fourth outfielder. Baldelli was limited in action last year due to the disease, but reportedly Baldelli was recently diagnosed with a different disorder that is more treatable, channelopathy. Baldelli had also battled injuries in other years since his impressive debut in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Rays, but is a lifetime .280 ish hitter with decent speed.

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.

Willy Taveras Signs Two Year Deal with Cincinnati Reds

MLB.com is reporting that speedster Willy Taveras, who last year led the league in steals, has signed a two year deal to be the center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds, terms of the deal undisclosed.