Pedro Feliz signs with Houston Astros

Former Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz agreed yesterday to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros on the final day of baseball's winter meetings.

Polanco Signs with Phillies

Placido Polanco, 34, will make roughly $18 million over three years going back to Philadelphia. It is structured as $5 million, plus a $500,000 signing bonus, in 2010. He will make $5.25 million in '11 and $6.25 million in '12. The mutual option in '13 is $5.5 million with a $1 million buyout.

Phillies, Blue Jays Looking at Plan B re Halladay

Both the Phillies and the Blue Jays are looking at their other options vis a vis Roy Halladay, according to many reports. Although it woul benefit both teamms to do a deal, apparently the Phillies have determined that the asking price is too much. In response, the Phillies are eyeing a deal for Cliff Lee of the Indians, and the Blue Jays may be in talks with the Yankees...stay tuned...Friday is the trading deadline...

Phillies sign Pedro Martinez to One Year Deal

The Phillies, somewhat desperate for starting pitching in their run for the defense of their world title, signed three time Cy Young Award pitcher Pedro Martinez to a one year deal worth $1 million guaranteed, plus $1.5 million in incentives.

Ryan Howard, Phils Avoid Arbitration

Ryan Howard, who led the majors in HR and RBI last year, signed for three years with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies worth a reported $54 million. The $54 million averages out to $18 million per year for the rest of Ryan Howard's arbitration eligible years. Howard had requested $18 million, the Phillies had originally countered with $14 million, which had them both headed for an ugly arbitration. This signing avoids that, and puts the 29 year old in the fold for three more years. Howard was the 2005 Rookie of the Year and the 2006 MVP.

Phillies Avoid Arbitration and Lock Up Ryan Madson

The Phillies avoided arbitration and were able to extend the contract with reliever Ryan Madson with a three year, $12 million contract. Madson was 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in the post season during the Phillies track to the World Series title.

Phillies Lock Up Cole Hamels

Avoiding arbitration, the Phillies signed LHP Cole Hamels to a three year, $20.5 million deal. The Phillies starting pitcher, who at 25 years of age went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA (and 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in the post season) last year, will make $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011.

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.

Pat Burrell Takes Pay Cut, Signs with Tampa Bay Rays

Pat Burrell, who made nearly $14 million last year (but was not offered arbitration by the Philadelphia Phillies), took a pretty massive pay cut by signing a two year, $16 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. It had been expected that Burrell's locations were limited, as he was looking like a DH candidate, but he did receive more than a one year deal. This is probably a win, win...The Rays, in a division with the Red Sox and Yankees, needed an extra right handed power bat, and Burrell gets a two year deal to be a DH for a contender.

This is showing, however, the difference that free agents on the market are facing this off season. With the car makers struggling (one of the most dedicated advertisers and promotions industry for middle and smaller market teams), teams are projecting significantly less revenue and are therefore holding down the number of years and keeping their offers significantly lower as a rule. Ultimately Burrell signing for $8 million may make the Ty Wiggington's of the world think twice about asking for too much in their negotiations. Burrell is a pretty consistent bat that is well proven (and has playoff and World Series experience), and if he's taking $8 million, some of the less proven players are likely trying to get the coal out of their Christmas stockings.

Phillies Sign Jamie Moyer to 2 Year Deal

I'm imagining that the Phillies waited to sign Jamie Moyer, 46, simply because of the second year of the deal, but apparently they have finalized a deal for two years, terms as yet undisclosed. Moyer is third now on the active win list with 246, and will likely end his career in his hometown. The agreement to sign was announced today by the team's VP, Ruben Amaro, Jr.

Astros sign OF Jason Michaels to One Year Deal

The Astros signed Jason Michaels to a one-year contract worth $750,000. He can play all three outfield positions, and can, if needed, play on a regular basis. Michaels, 32, didn't exactly light it up last year when he hit .224 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs in 123 games with the Indians and Pirates in 2008. In 50 pinch-hit appearances last season, Michaels hit .200 and recorded 13 RBIs, ranking third in the Majors in RBIs as a pinch-hitter. Michaels started his major league career and played with the Phillies when Ed Wade was the GM, so presumably Wade knows his makeup.

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.

Raul Ibanez, Phillies agree to a 3-year Deal

Former Seattle Mariners OF Raul Ibanez, 36, and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a 3-year, $30 million contract to be the Phillies every day left fielder. Ibanez hit .293 this past season, with 23 homers, 110 RBIs, a .358 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. Ibanez is a hard-nosed player that should fit in with the Phillies faithful. This likely means the Phillies will not go after their former OF Pat Burrell in free agency.