The Indians, to fill the void created by Manny Ramirez’s departure to Boston, sign Juan Gonzalez to a one-year, $10-million deal. The two-time American League MVP leaves the Tigers after hitting .289 with only 67 RBIs in a disappointing injury-plagued season, after turning down a $143 million, eight-year contract extension stay in Detroit last year.

The Expos agree to a one-year contract with RDS and TSN to telecast 55 games (46 on RDS, 12 on TSN, and three on both) this year. The approximately $2 million pact with French-language Reseau des Sports ends the year-long local television blackout which resulted in the departure of Dave Van Horne, a respected play-by-play announcer, and the loss of the team’s primary sponsor, Labatt Brewery, which cited the lack of local TV rights as a factor in ending its 15-year relationship with the club.

The Montreal Expos agree to a one-year contract to telecast 55 games this season – 46 on Réseau des sports, 12 on The Sports Network, and three on both. The approximately $2 million pact with French-language RDS ends the year-long local television blackout imposed by owner Jeffrey Loria which resulted in the departure of Dave van Horne, a respected play-by-play announcer, and the loss of the team’s main sponsor, Labatt Brewery, which cited the lack of local TV rights as a factor in ending its 15-year relationship with the club.

The Chicago White Sox announce that pitcher Bill Simas will miss the entire season following ligament replacement surgery on his elbow last month.

Free agent signings include outfielder Juan Gonzalez by the Cleveland Indians, and catcher Kelly Stinnett and infielder Wilton Guerrero by the Cincinnati Reds.