Putz signs with Chicago White Sox

The right-hander JJ Putz agreed to terms with the White Sox on a one-year, $3-million contract, with up to $3 million in incentives for games finished. Putz, who turns 33 in February, is 23-19 with a 3.24 ERA, 103 saves and 356 strikeouts covering 337 career relief appearances and 352 1/3 innings pitched over seven Major League seasons.

David Weathers, Reds Avoid Arbitration

The Reds signed reliever David Weathers to a one-year contract on Wednesday with a club option for 2010. Weathers will earn $3.5 million this season and can make an additional $700,000 in incentives. The option is worth $3.7 million and carries a $400,000 buyout clause.

Astros Sign Geoff Geary and Wandy Rodriguez

On Monday the Astros inked their final two arbitration-eligible players to one-year deals, signing right-hander Geoff Geary for $1.7 million plus incentives and left-hander Wandy Rodriguez for $2.6 million plus incentives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jason Marquis to Rockies?

It appears as if Jason Marquis, long rumored to be in need of a new home to save Chicago Cubs payroll, is going to be headed to Colorado in exchange for middle reliever Luis Vizcaino (although reportedly details are still being worked out). Although many may surmise this means the Cubs are back in the Jake Peavy hunt, likely the Cubs ownership situation (and all of the political hub-bub surrounding criminal investigations related thereto with the Illinois Governor) will need to be resolved before committing to Peavy's $60 million left on his multi-year deal. The longer that goes on, the less likely that Peavy will swap teams prior to pitchers and catchers reporting.

Now if this had been done by the Winter Meetings, it would have been a completely different story. How quickly things can change.

Kyle Farnsworth signs with Royals

Kansas City announced on Saturday that it had agreed to terms with hard throwing former Atlanta Braves and NY Yankee reliever Kyle Farnsworth on a two-year, $9.25 million deal that includes a club option for 2011.

Under the terms of the deal, Farnsworth will make $4.25 million next season and $4.5 million in 2010. The club option in 2011 is worth $5.25 million with a $500,000 buyout. Farnsworth could also earn an additional $750,000 per season in performance bonuses.

Farnsworth and the Royals had reached a preliminary agreement earlier in the week, but the announcement came today after Farnsworth passed his physical.

Alan Embree signs with Colorado Rockies

LH Setup Reliever Alan Embree, 38, joined the Colorado Rockies by agreeing to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2010 that will pay him $2.25 million. The contract was officially announced on Saturday, December 13. He pitched the last two seasons with the Athletics and is in line to pitch for his 10th Major League club.

Mets get setup man Putz in 3 way trade

The New York Mets have acquired J.J. Putz from the Mariners to serve as the setup man to new closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The Mets also received outfielder Jeremy Reed and right-hander Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners received outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and, from the Mets, right-hander Aaron Heilman, center fielder Endy Chavez and four Minor Leaguers -- first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and center fielder Ezekiel Carrera. The Indians received right-hander Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.

Astros sign Royals' Reliever Jeff Fulchino

The Astros added a bullpen candidate to the mix on Monday when they claimed right-hander Jeff Fulchino off waivers from the Royals. The 29-year-old Fulchino posted an 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA over 12 relief outings last season. He also made 25 appearances for Triple-A Omaha, where he was 3-4 with a 4.84 ERA. He also made two appearances at the Double-A level. Fulchino is a big man, at 6-foot-5, 250-pounds and was previously in the Marlins' organization. He has a Minor League record of 45-49 with a 4.45 ERA and six saves over 182 games, including 154 starts.

Brocail Re-Signs with Astros

According to the AP, as reported in the USA Today, Doug Brocail re-signed with the Astros, and gets a $2.5 million salary next year and Houston has a $2.85 million option for 2010, with a $250,000 buyout. The deal also includes performance bonuses. Brocail, 41, was a decent setup right handed reliever who was denied arbitration by the Astros yesterday. This eliminates the need for any discussions of Russ Springer in an Astros uniform.