National Baseball Report

Dodgers sign Brian Giles

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outielder Brian Giles to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Giles had surgery on his right knee last June and was out the rest of the year.  He hit .191 with two home runs and 23 RBI in 225 at-bats for the San Diego Padres in 2009.  Giles is expected to battle for a fifth outfielder spot or as a left-handed bat off the bench.

Mariners re-sign Erik Bedard

The Seattle Mariners signed pitcher Erik Bedard to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2011 of at least $8 million according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.  The 2011 option can increase above $8 million depending on his performance in 2010.  The Mariners designated Yusmeiro Petit for assignment to make room for Bedard in the 40-man roster.

"We think Erik is an important piece for us to add," GM Jack Zduriencik said in the press release.. "We're confident he'll be ready to pitch major league games this season. We've carefully monitored his recovery from surgery and his rehabilitation process and are confident he'll be a contributor to our 2010 campaign. We are looking forward to him returning and being a part of this organization as we move forward."

Blue Jays get Dana Eveland from Athletics

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired pitcher Dana Eveland from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.  Eveland spent most of 2009 in Triple-A where he went 8-6 with a 4.94 ERA.  The Blue Jays are making pitching depth a priority after trading away Roy Halladay this offseason.

Nationals sign Shawn Estes

The Washington Nationals signed left-handed pitcher Shawn Estes to a minor league contract according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  Estes will make $600,000 plus possibly $400,000 more in performance bonuses if he makes the major league club.  Estes spent all of 2009 in Triple-A where he went 3-4 with a 3.07 ERA.  He stopped in June because he did not have interest in pitching in the minor leagues.

Rockies sign Melvin Mora

The Colorado Rockies signed infielder Melvin Mora to a one-year, $1.3 million contract according to the Associated Press.  Mora will backup Ian Stewart at third base and can play every infield and outfield position.  He won the American League Gold Glove award at third base in 2004.  Mora hit .260 with eight home runs and 48 RBI in 450 at-bats for the Baltimore Orioles in 2009.

Padres sign Yorvit Torrealba

The San Diego Padres signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a one-year, $1.25 million contract according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  The contract includes a mutual option for 2011 for $3.5 million.  Torrealba turned down a two-year, $4.5 million offer from the Colorado Rockies earlier in the offseason.  He hit .291 with two home runs and 31 RBI in 213 at-bats for the Rockies in 2009.

Nationals sign Adam Kennedy

The Washington Nationals signed second baseman Adam Kennedy to a one-year, $1.125 million contract according to ESPN.com.  The Nationals turned to Kennedy after Orlando Hudson agreed to a contract with the Minnesota Twins.  Kennedy hit .289 with 65 runs and 20 stolen bases for the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

Twins reach agreement with Orlando Hudson

The Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement on a one-year, $5 million contract with Orlando Hudson according to Jon Heyman of Si.com.  Heyman expects the Washington Nationals to go after Adam Kennedy since they lost out to the Twins on Hudson.  Hudson hit .283 with 74 runs and 62 RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.

Orioles sign Joel Guzman

The Baltimore Orioles signed Joel Guzman to a minor league contract according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.  Guzman hit .268 with 12 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A for the Washington Nationals in 2009.

Rangers lose catching prospect for 2010

The Texas Rangers lost the services of catching prospect Tomas Telis because of Tommy John surgery according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.  Telis signed for $130,000 in 2007 and played at the age of 17.  He switched from shortstop to catcher for the Rangers and is now considered their second best catching prospect behind Max Ramirez.

Phillies sign pitcher Oscar Villarreal

The Philadelphia Phillies signed pitcher Oscar Villareal to a minor league contract according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  Villareal missed all of 2009 after having Tommy John surgery.  He is not expected to be ready to pitch in te major leagues on opening day.

Cubs sign Carlos Marmol

The Chicago Cubs signed pitcher Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million contract according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.  Marmol was 2-4 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP for the Cubs in 2009.  He saved 15 games in 19 opportunities.  He took over for Kevin Gregg as the closer in August and went 11-for-11 in save opportunities.

Tigers reach an agreement with Verlander on a five-year contract

The Detroit Tigers have reach an agreement with pitcher Justin Verlander on a five-year, $80 million contract according to the Associated Press.  The contract is $2 million more than what Seattle signed Felix Hernandez for this offseason.  Verlander was 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP for the Tigers in 2009.  Verlander turns 27 this month.

Rays claim pitcher Mike Ekstrom

The Tampa Bay Rays claimed pitcher Mike Ekstrom off waivers from the San Diego Padres and signed him to a major league contract according to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune.  Ekstrom spent most of 2009 in Triple-A where he posted a 1.73 ERA.  He is a four-time minor league All-Star.

Brewers claim Marco Estrada off waivers

The Milwaukee Brewers calimed pitcher Marco Estrada off waivers from the Washington Nationals acording to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.  Estrada appeared in four games for the Nationals in 2009.  He spent most of 2009 in Triple-A where he posted a 3.63 ERA.  The Brewers calimed Estrada based on the recommendation of his Triple-A manager in 2009, Rich Gale, who will be the Triple-A manager for the Brewers in 2010.  Estrada has two minor leagues options remaining.

Mariners sign Casey Kotchman

The Seattle Mariners signed first baseman Casey Kotchman to a one-year believed to be worht around $3.5 million according to Jim Street of MLB.com.  Kotchman was asking for $3.9 million in arbitration and the Mariners were offering $3.135 million.  Kotchman was the last arbitration eligible player for the Mariners.  Kotchman was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in early January.

Phillies sign Freddy Guzman

The Philadelphia Phillies signed outfielder Freddy Guzman to a minor league contract according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  Guzman spent 2009 with for different organizations at the Triple-A level with just 10 games played for the New York Yankees in the major leagues.  Guzman can play all three outfield positions but has worked primarily in center field in the past.

Nationals sign Kevin Mench

The Washington Nationals signed Kevin Mench to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  Mench last played in the major leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008.  He is a career .269 hitter with a .786 OPS.

Dodgers sign pitcher Ramon Ortiz

The Los Angelels Dodgers signed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  Ortiz has not pitched in the major leagues since 2007.  He has a 4.90 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in his nine major league seasons.

Padres avoid arbitration with Scott Hairston

The SanDiego Padres signed outfielder Scott Hairston to a one-year, $2.45 million contract according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.  Hairston was asking for $2.9 million in arbitration.  The Padres were offering $2.1 million.  Hairston was the last arbitration-eligible player for the Padres.

Giants sign Guillermo Mota

The San Francisco Giants signed pitcher Guillermo Mota to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Yahoo! Sports.  Mota was 3-4 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.

Dodgers sign Jeff Weaver to a minor league contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Jeff Weaver to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.  Weaver is a native of Simi Valley, California.  He was 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP for the Dodgers in 2009.  He is expected to have a good shot at making the Dodgers' pitching staff.

Blue Jays sign Kevin Gregg

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with relief pitcher Kevin Gregg according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.  The contract guarantees Gregg $2.75 million.  Options in the deal could earn Gregg almost $8 million over two years or $12 million over three.  Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.  He converted just 23 of 30 save opportunities for the Cubs last season.

Dodgers sign Alfredo Amezaga

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Alfredo Amezaga to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.  If Amezaga makes the major league club, he will make $650,000.  He can make up to $800,000 with incentives.  Amezaga is recovering from knee surgery which limited him to 27 games for the Florida Marlins in 2009.

Marlins sign Seth McClung

The Florida Marlins signed relief pitcher Seth McClung to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.  McClung was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009.