White Sox agree to $3M deal with Putz (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-11 13:02:47]
Reliever J.J. Putz agreed Friday to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Chicago White Sox and will fill a setup role in the bullpen. Putz is 23-19 with a 3.24 ERA and 103 saves in 337 relief appearances over seven major-league seasons with Seattle and the New York Mets. He was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA with the Mets last season in 29 appearances before undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone...

Ryan won't work for Rangers if bid fails (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-11 12:42:44]
Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan says he is unsure when or how the pending sale of the team will be resolved -- a decision that will determine if he stays with the organization. "I have no way of knowing," Ryan said Friday. "We'll just have to wait and see." Ryan has partnered with Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and a group of mainly local investors in a bid to buy...

Rodriguez signs 2-year deal with Nats (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-11 13:46:51]

Ivan Rodriguez has signed a $6 million, two-year deal with the Washington Nationals after passing a physical. The 38-year-old catcher said on Friday that he wants to be an everyday player. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, however, wants Rodriguez to split time with Jesus Flores, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and is supposed to be ready for spring training.

Harden wants to be Rangers staff ace (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-11 13:12:44]

Rich Harden looks forward to the opportunity to put his injury woes in the past and pitch 200 innings a season for the Texas Rangers. Harden has averaged 9.35 strikeouts per nine innings over the past seven seasons, more than any pitcher with at least 125 starts in that span. Now if he could just pitch a full season.

Rays newcomer Soriano signs $7.25M deal (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-11 15:20:40]
The Tampa Bay Rays completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano and agreeing to a $7.25 million, one-year contract with the reliever. The deal sent right-hander Jesse Chavez to the Braves, who weren't willing to give Soriano a long-term contract and recently signed free agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito.

Red Sox discuss dealing Lowell to Texas (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-10 15:57:00]

The Boston Red Sox are discussing a trade that would send 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers. The 35-year-old third baseman was an All-Star four times from 2002-07, hitting .324 with 21 homers and 120 RBIs in 2007. But he slumped to 73 RBIs in 2008 and 75 RBIs this year, hitting 17 homers each season.

Mets make offers to LF Bay, C Molina (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-10 17:46:56]
Looking to fill two big holes and add much-needed power to their lineup, the New York Mets have made contract offers to a pair of free agents: left fielder Jason Bay and catcher Bengie Molina. The team's bid for Bay was between $60 million and $65 million over four years. Molina would cost much less.

Astros sign former Phillies 3B Feliz (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-10 12:26:54]
The Houston Astros landed a new third baseman on the final day of the winter meetings, agreeing Thursday to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with Pedro Feliz. The 34-year-old hit .266 with 12 homers and 82 RBIs last season for NL champion Philadelphia Phillies, who declined a $5.5 million option for 2010 and opted to pay a $500,000 buyout.

Astros give reliever Lyon 3 years, $15M (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-10 08:05:01]
Reliever Brandon Lyon reached a preliminary agreement with the Houston Astros on a $15 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday. The deal is subject to the 30-year-old right-hander passing a physical, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.

Red Sox acquire RHP Bonser from Twins (AP)
Yahoo! Sports - MLB News [2009-12-10 07:17:02]
The Minnesota Twins have traded right-hander Boof Bonser to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash. The Twins announced the trade Thursday. The 28-year-old Bonser was on the way out in Minnesota, designated for assignment earlier this week after pitcher Carl Pavano agreed to go to arbitration with the team.