Giambi Returns To Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have brought back first-baseman/designated-hitter Jason Giambi on a 1-year deal worth $4.5M, including a club option at $5M for 2010. Giambi will be happy to allow his hair and tattoos to show again back with the green-and-yellow, but he can't be too excited with the small dollar amount that he received.

Jason hit 32 HR's and drove in 96 for the 2008 Yankees, and will be a fixture in the middle of the order with newest Athletic Matt Holliday. Oakland has transformed their lineup from one of the worst to a top-10 caliber by just adding two players the quality of Giambi and Holliday.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Indians Sign Often-Injured Pavano

The Cleveland Indians continued their competitive offseason, signing 33-year old starter Carl Pavano to a 1-year deal worth $1.5M plus another $5.3 in possible incentive money. Pavano's claim to fame is 2004 with the Florida Marlins, when the right-hander went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 222.1 innings pitched. The season was so good that it lead to a monsterous 3-year $55M deal with the Yankees that same offseason. He has yet to touch upwards of 100 innings the last three years and is viewed as a primary health-issue.

Smart move for the Tribe, as they get a seemingly strong starting-pitcher whos health concerns ended up saving them a couple of bucks. If Pavano goes back to his normally injured self, they would only waste $1.5M compared to much worse pitcher salaries in the rest of the baseball world. If Pavano is healthy, he could no doubt spit out a season similar to another Indians' starter, Jake Westbrook. Now thats a low-risk, high-reward deal clubs look for.

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com: Rudy C. Jones

Milton Bradley Becomes A Cub

In a seemingly emminent move, the Chicago Cubs have signed designated-hitter Milton Bradley to a 3-year deal worth $30M. Milton hit an astronomic .321 last year, making the all-star game and providing definite protection for the Rangers' Josh Hamilton.

Bradley hasn't fielded much lately, only compiling 165 innings in the field in 2008, but will have to play the field now since Chicago is a National League club. Milton has questionable at times and isn't the healthiest of players, but will provide quite the stick in the order. Will he keep to himself in such a market as Chicago brings? We will definitely have to see, but I do believe he will be fine.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: John Williamson/Getty Images

Rays Land Pat The Bat

The Tampa Bay Rays have shown the world that they are in the competing mood and ready to sign some free-agents, this time inking left-fielder Pat Burrell of the World Series Champion Phillies to a 2-year deal worth $16M. Burrell will be the team's primary DH, and gives Tampa a lefty-masher to inject into the middle of an order that was haunted by left-handers last year.

Tampa is definitely making good deal after another, now solidifying their two holes in their lineup by both landing a young full-time right fielder in Matt Joyce as well as bringing in a 32-year old Burrell who still provides 30+ HR pop.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Cubs Ship DeRosa to Indians

The Chicago Cubs have shipped the veteran utility player known as Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians for a package of minor-league arms. Cleveland sent Chicago pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub and will receive quite the versatile player. Mark will likely be the full-time third-baseman, and gives Cleveland 20+ HR pop from a corner-spot.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry decided to sell high on the aging DeRosa, and instead grab some prospects and give the job to recently signed Aaron Miles.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN

Halos/Fuentes Agree To Deal

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have filled the void left by Francisco Rodriguez, signing left-hander Brian Fuentes to a 2-year deal worth $17.5M. The deal includes a vesting option for 2011, and will give Fuentes the chance to play for his home-town team.

Brian had a very good 2008, posting up a 2.77 ERA and 11.78 K/9 for the Colorado Rockies. He will have a chance to be even better when you consider he is moving into an entirely different league and a much more spacious ballpark.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: Jerry Lai/US Presswire

Mets,Lowe Have Ongoing Discussion

The New York Mets and free-agent starter Derek Lowe continue to have discussion on Lowe's services for the 2009 season. The Mets desperately need a strong number two starter to back the great Johan Santana, and the durable Lowe seems like a perfect fit. Writers in the community believe that if the Mets and Lowe come to terms, it will be a 2-year deal worth $30M and include a third-year option for the same price ($15M per season).

If Derek goes elsewhere, perhaps back to Boston where he had some playoff success, the Mets will need to act quickly and attempt to retain one of their own free-agents, Oliver Perez.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: Mark Avery/AP Photo

Rays Ink Joe Nelson

The Tampa Bay Rays have strengthened their already amazing bullpen, signing 34-year old Joe Nelson to a 1-year deal worth $1.3M. Nelson pitched for the Florida Marlins last season, compiling a 2.00 ERA in 54 innings. Florida was forced to non-tender him this offseason.

Nelson was a journeyman pitcher until he put together his monsterous 2008 campaign, and hopes to continue his success with the "other" Florida team.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Quick Hits

• The Mets are in discussion with free-agent starter Derek Lowe. The 35-year starter would be a good, durable fit to the top of their rotation.
• The Washington Nationals have inked two veteran players: outfielder Corey Patterson and reliever Jorge Sosa. Patterson has a track record, but was nothing short of horrific in the 2008 campaign.
• Clay Hensley, formerly of the San Diego Padres, has joined the Houston Astros. The 29-year old posted a 3.94 ERA in the minor leagues but got eaten alive in the majors.
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim GM Tony Reagins made it clear that Manny Ramirez will not be a member of the halos' organization. With the Yankees out of the running thanks to their monster signing Teixeira, it seems like the Dodgers are the only organization with a true interest.

Teixeira Signs With Yankees

What an offseason for the New York Yankees. After spending more than $350 million on hurlers CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, they have reportedly agreed to a 8-year deal worth upwards of $170M with first-baseman Mark Teixeira. Its quite suprising, as the front-runners for Tex's services to begin the day were the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals.

Mark made it clear he wanted to choose his destination before christmas, and the Yankees allowed him to grant this wish. The move solidifies the middle of the Yankees order and will seemingly push Nick Swisher back onto the bench role.

Photo Courtesy: ESPN: Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire

Sorry Guys!

My computer crashed on December 8th and I failed to have internet access until today! All the freshest news and rumors will be back to MLB Notes & Tidbits so stay put!

Tigers Acquire Gerald Laird

The Texas Rangers have seemingly decided which of their 3 catchers to move, sending catcher Gerald Laird to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso as well as a second prospect.

Laird is a top defensive catcher, but is fairly mediocre with the bat. He boasts a .256 career batting average and will give you a few dingers here and there. Gerald made $1.6M in his first year of arbitration, and is now under Detroit's control for another 2 seasons.

Photo Courtesy: MLB.com

Furcal Declines A's Offer

In a completely stunning move, free-agent short stop Rafael Furcal has turned down the Oakland Athletics' contract offer, which was said to be a 4-year deal worth $35-40M. Oakland was known to be Furcal's best suitor, but will now continue on with Bobby Crosby at short.

The economy is really affecting players like Furcal, as even a top-flight short stop like himself can't seem to grab the money that his side commends. The Giants seemed to be in the market for Furcal, but decided that giving Edgar Renteria $9.5M per year was a better decision.

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com: NJ Baseball

Quick Hits

• The Milwaukee Brewers have signed releiver Jorge Julio to a 1-year deal worth $900k. The deal also includes $900k in incentives. Julio is the typical case of a hard-thrower who surrenders too many walks and long balls.
• It appears that the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are coming close to a deal which will bring short-stop Jack Wilson to Detroit.
• The Atlanta Braves have made an offer to free-agent AJ Burnett, hoping to pair him with recently acquired Javier Vazquez.
• Free-agent starter Derek Lowe has received offers from two teams, but it was not made clear which teams this was. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wouldn't deny speculations, though.

Renteria/Giants Agree to 2-year Pact

As I believed would happen last night, the San Francisco Giants have signed short-stop Edgar Renteria to a 2-year deal worth $18.5M dollars. A 5-time NL All-Star, Renteria has been exceptional when he's been in the Nationa League, but slightly decent in the AL. Last year with the Detroit Tigers, he hit a mere .270 with 10 HR and 55 RBI. He's a career .290 hitter and will give the Giants a considerable boost at the top of their lineup.

Edgar will receive a $2M signing bonus, $7M in 2009 and $9M in 2010. His agreement also includes a $10.5M option for the 2011 season, with a $500k buyout.

I'm a huge fan of Renteria, and truly believe he will have a strong career in San Francisco. His average should slide back up into the upper .280's and he should connect with 15+ HR and drive in around 80 since he will likely be in the top 3 spots of the lineup. San Francisco has been tremendously active this offseason, already inking Renteria as well as reliever Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry.

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com: April A. Taylor