The New York Yankees finalize their deal with Mark Teixeira for $180 million over 8 years, joining Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter and A.J. Burnett on the payroll-heavy Yanks.
The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs exchange pitchers, with Jason Marquis going to Chicago in return for Luis Vizcaino.
The Baltimore Orioles sign former Yomiuri Giants right-hander Koji Uehara to a two-year, $10 million deal with incentives reaching $16 million. The deal, pending a physical, brings the two-time Olympic hurler to the USA. Uehara struggled in 2008 and had the highest ERA of his 10-year career.
According to reports, a preliminary agreement has been reached between the Cubs and free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley on a $30 million, three-year deal. The switch-hitting All-Star, who batted .321 and led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage, will fill the team’s need for a left-handed presence in the middle of the lineup.
The Tampa Bay Rays come to terms with Pat Burrell, whose Phillies beat Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series. The deal is for two years and $16 million. Burrell hit 33 homers and drew 102 walks last season, but his production will plummet in Tampa.
Major League Baseball launches MLB Network, a cable and satellite television channel based out of Secaucus, NJ. The channel debuts in nearly 50 million cable and satellite homes – the largest debut in cable television history, exceeding any other cable television launch by approximately 20 million homes.
The friendly confines of Wrigley Field see a different type of action as the ballpark is fitted with an outdoor hockey rink to welcome an afternoon NHL game between the Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings. The event is a huge success with 40,818 in attendance and a huge television audience in place to watch the Wings beat the Hawks,…
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