Avoiding arbitration, Ricky Nolasco and the Marlins agree to a $3.8 million, one-year deal, which is an increase of $1.4 million from last season. The team’s Opening Day starter posted a 13-9 record, compiling an ERA of 5.06 for the Fish last season.

The Cubs trade outcast Milton Bradley to the Mariners in exchange for starting pitcher Carlos Silva (1-3, 8.60), Seattle’s very costly and underachieving right-hander. Chicago suspended the outspoken and unpopular outfielder for his criticism of the atmosphere surrounding the team as being the reason the club hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.

For the second year in a row, the Korea Baseball Organization voids a trade by the Seoul Heroes. The cash-strapped Heroes had decided to send star flyhawk Taek-keun Lee (.311/.408/.467) to the LG Twins for two players and 2.5 billion won. The Heroes have been banned from making trades involving large sums of cash until their franchise fee has been paid off.

The Yankees sign free agent and former Yankee Nick Johnson to a one-year contract with an option for 2011. He is expected to play DH and bat second in place of Johnny Damon, whom the Yanks announce they will not seek to re-sign.

Two expensive underarchievers are traded for each other as the Cubs ship troublesome OF Milton Bradley to Seattle for P Carlos Silva, who won only 5 games in two years after signing a lucrative contract with the Mariners.