The A’s sign 37 year-old free-agent Frank Thomas to a $500,000, one-year deal. The two-time American League aging MVP gives Oakland the right-handed bat the team needs in the middle of their lineup.

The Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Wade Miller agree to a one-year contract that will pay $1 million in salary and up to another $1 million in bonuses based on the number of starts he makes.

Pitcher Casey Fossum avoids arbitration with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when he agrees to a $4.55 million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2008.

Former Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa retires from baseball.

Barry Bonds pulls out of the U.S. team for the World Baseball Classic, opting to skip the March tournament to focus on the next baseball season.

According the New York Daily News, the daughter of Jackie Robinson thinks Major League Baseball should not retire Roberto Clemente’s number 21.

Reds general manager Dan O’Brien is surprised when he is fired with spring training schedule to begin in the next few weeks. Cincinnati’s new owner Bob Castellini makes it clear performance is not the reason for the team’s former GM’s dismissal, but wanted to place his ‘own person’ in the position.

When the island’s best players meet for an exhibition game, Dayan Viciedo becomes the youngest player in Cuban baseball history to be named to an All-Star squad. The 16 year-old Villa Clara prospect has played shortstop and third base, as well as having pitched in international youth competitions for various national teams.

The Baltimore Orioles add much-needed experience to their starting rotation, acquiring pitcher Kris Benson from the New York Mets for relief pitchers Jorge Julio and John Maine.