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.

San Diego Padres sign 2b Chris Burke

Chris Burke, former Houston Astros 2b of the future, signed with the San Diego Padres for a minor league deal. Burke hit .195 with 2 HR last year for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Burke was part of the Astros deal to acquire Jose Valverde last year.

Astros Avoid Arbitration with Jose Valverde

The Houston Astros avoided arbitration with closer Jose Valverde by inking him to a one year, $8 million contract. The hard throwing right handed Valverde had a very slow start to the 2008 season, but really settled down to return to his premiere closing position by the end of the season. Valverde, who lost his arbitration claim prior to the 2008 season, was also probably happy to avoid the arbitration process and chose one year certainty over a repeat of 2008. Valverde made $4.7 million in 2008, so the $8 million is quite a raise for the organization. The Astros now are able to move toward signing their other arbitration eligble players knowing what their most expensive player in that process is going to make.

Brewers and Trevor Hoffman Reach One Year Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers seem to have found their closer, opting for likely future Hall of Fame closer and all time saves leader Trever Hoffman on a one year, $6 million contract. Hoffman, who is 41 years old, had been the closer for years in San Diego, but recent ownership problems and financial issues with the Padres, along with other issues, made Hoffman expendable. After a rough start, he finished last season with a respectable 30 saves and a 3.77 ERA. The Brewers, pardon the beer pun, hope he still has something in the tank.

Chad Cordero to Have Throwing Session for Interested Teams

Chad Cordero, the 26 year old former Washington Nationals closer who is recovering and rehabbing from shoulder injury, is planning to have throwing sessions with teams that might be interested in his services. Current teams reportedly in the hunt are the Nats, Diamondbacks, Brewers and Tigers.

Cold Stoves That Should Be Hot Stoves

This has been an interesting offseason, to be sure. With some ballclubs, like the New York Yankees spending like it is going out of style (after dumping nearly $85 million in payroll) while others like my beloved Houston Astros cutting quality mid level players to desperately try to reduce payroll to prepare for the economic collapse, it certainly has not been dull. There are, however, many free agent names that are barely getting press that should, in my opinion, have signed by now or at least had front runners/news to report. With that in mind, here is my list of "where are they now?":

1. Ben Sheets - Yes, there have been health issues,, but the guy is a #1 starter and is not that old...clearly there is a team that could use him.

2. Manny Ramirez - In a normal offseason, there would be a dozen teams looking to add his bat to their lineup, offseason problems or not. Granted, Scott Boras clients are likely out of the question for smaller market clubs, but for the Dodgers, Angels, Mets or Cubs not to sign this guy by now is pretty amazing to me.

3. Derek Lowe - There has been some scuttle here and there for Lowe, but normal offseason you would, I think, see a clear front runner with some piping hot small market clubs in the running.

4. Randy Wolf - This guy had a phenomenal second half of the season and is left handed yet he remains unsigned and was even not offered arbitration by the Astros, who really needed his services.

5. Ty Wiggington - Like Wolf, Wiggington had a great second half an actually held his own fielding at 3B in Houston last year. Granted, he's getting a raise from the bargain the Astros got him for, but it is still fairly in line with 3B salaries for a guy that can play every day.

6. Brad Penny - Yes he's been hurt and can be wild, but he's a big dude, throws hard, and has shown he can be a top of the rotation kind of guy. As far as I've heard, only the Red Sox are seriously talking to him at this point, normally there would be a dozen teams talking to him.

7. Adam Dunn - yes, the Red Sox nation started to talk about Dunn after Teixeira signed, but so far Boston has not pulled the trigger. He's another guy that was not offered arbitration, something that would probably have been unheard of last year.

8. Pat Burrell - I mean, he only was the starting OF for a World Series club with 33 HR. Granted, he's pricey if he wants to make what he did last year.

9. Brian Fuentes - 30 saves and a 2.73 ERA while pitching in Colorado. Hellllllooooo?

Anyway, check out the free agent tracker at ESPN and see for yourself. Weird year for the Hot Stove League and us at the Hot Stove Report.

Ty Wiggington, Reggie Abercrombie non-tendered by Houston Astros

In a move only done because of the economy, the Houston Astros non-tendered 3B Ty Wiggington. The Astros appear to be offering the job to Geoff Blum or prospect Chris Johnson, but neither will probably excite the Astros' faithful. Brandon Backe was tendered, as was Jose Valverde and all the other Astros eligible players except for OF Reggie Abercrombie.

Wood, Tribe agree to two year deal

The Cleveland Indians and free agent closer Kerry Wood have agreed to a two year deal today, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Wood offered 2-year deal to close for Tribe

Kerry Wood and the Cleveland Indians are close to a two year deal, but according to Peter Gammons of ESPN, the Tribe are still exploring other options for their most glaring need, with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes being the most likely possibilities left in the closer market.

Astros not likely to move Valverde but Tejada and Wigginton drawing interest

According to Alyson Footer of MLB.com, Ty Wigginton, Jose Valverde and Miguel Tejada are the three Astros' names generating the most activity on the rumor mill at the Winter Meetings, but in all likelihood it's Wigginton and Tejada who will stay on the front burner, while Valverde has the best chance to still be wearing a Houston uniform in 2009. Tejada is scheduled to make $13 million next year, so it's likely the team would have to absorb some of his salary if they move him.

K-Rod to Mets

Francisco Rodriguez has agreed to a 3 year deal with the New York Mets, worth approximately $37 million. With Billy Wagner on the shelf, the Mets got the closer they were after. Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes will now continue to shop their services to other teams.

Rumor: Mets close to closer K-Rod

Filling a need from the injury of Billy Wagner, Mets are reportedly closing in on a three year deal worth $37 million with 27 year old closer K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez.

Indians to look at Astros' Valverde and Wiggington?

Although I thought that Wiggington would be an Astro next year, looks like the Tribe may be interested in a deal for Valverde and Wiggington, at least according to this article. Valverde is likely going to be trade bait for the Astros, since a team that is likely rebuilding is not going to be looking for a closer, but I see Wiggington staying with the Astros as he has a Drayton McLane temperment. I guess we'll see.