The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

ByTom

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

ByTom

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.