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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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