The Orioles and Nick Markakis finalize a significant $66.1 million six-year deal, which covers the span the right fielder would have been eligible for arbitration and the first three after he would be eligible to file for free agency. The 25 year-old fly chaser, who had his best offensive season with the team and led the American League in outfield assists last season, was named the team’s most valuable player by the local media last season.

ByTom

The Orioles and Nick Markakis finalize a significant $66.1 million six-year deal, which covers the span the right fielder would have been eligible for arbitration and the first three after he would be eligible to file for free agency. The 25 year-old fly chaser, who had his best offensive season with the team and led the American League in outfield assists last season, was named the team’s most valuable player by the local media last season.

Jeff Kent retires he hit 351 home runs as a second baseman claiming the record for the position

Jeff Kent retires he hit 351 home runs as a second baseman claiming the record for the position

ByTom

2009 – Jeff Kent retires. He hit 351 home runs as a second baseman in the majors, claiming the record for the position by 74 over his nearest competitor, Ryne Sandberg. A five-time All-Star and the 2000 National League MVP, he clubbed 377 homers overall and batted .290 in a 17-year career.

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

ByTom

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

ByTom

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

ByTom

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

ByTom

The Red Sox sign another infielder to a long-term contract when Kevin Youkilis agrees to a four-year deal reportedly worth $41 million. The 29 year-old Gold Glove first baseman will join Dustin Pedroia, who inked a six-year contract extension in December, on the right side of Boston’s infield for the foreseeable future.

The Dodgers, who had restructured Andruw Jones’s contract earlier in the month, put their expensive center fielder on waivers rather than pursuing a trade for the five-time All-Star. The highest-paid player in the franchise history, who signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal during the 2007 offseason, was a complete bust in his one season with the team, hitting a meager .158 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at-bats.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Dodgers, who had restructured Andruw Jones’s contract earlier in the month, put their expensive center fielder on waivers rather than pursuing a trade for the five-time All-Star. The highest-paid player in the franchise history, who signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal during the 2007 offseason, was a complete bust in his one season with the team, hitting a meager .158 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at-bats.

Derek Lowe signs a four-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $60 million. The 35 year-old right-hander will be the ace of Atlanta’s new-look rotation that includes the recently acquired Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami, who pitched in Japan last season for the Chunichi Dragons.

ByTom

Derek Lowe signs a four-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $60 million. The 35 year-old right-hander will be the ace of Atlanta’s new-look rotation that includes the recently acquired Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami, who pitched in Japan last season for the Chunichi Dragons.