Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will chair a 14-person committee to analyze ways to improve baseball’s on-field product. The group will look at issues such as the pace of the game, umpiring, instant replay and possible rule changes.

ByTom

Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will chair a 14-person committee to analyze ways to improve baseball’s on-field product. The group will look at issues such as the pace of the game, umpiring, instant replay and possible rule changes.

The White Sox acquire OF Juan Pierre from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. Pierre, signed to a five-year contract worth $44 million before the 2007 season, has become the odd man out in the Dodgers’ outfield with the development of youngsters Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and the acquisition of superstar slugger Manny Ramirez in 2008.

ByTom

The White Sox acquire OF Juan Pierre from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. Pierre, signed to a five-year contract worth $44 million before the 2007 season, has become the odd man out in the Dodgers’ outfield with the development of youngsters Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and the acquisition of superstar slugger Manny Ramirez in 2008.

Rumors of a blockbuster three-team deal involving two former American League Cy Young Award winners dominate the headlines. The trade sends 2003 winner Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies and 2008 winner Cliff Lee from the Phils to Seattle, with the Blue Jays picking up a load of prospects. The youngsters changing teams include P Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor and C Travis d’Arnaud from Philly to Toronto. For their part, the Phils pick up P Phillippe Aumont and OF Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez from Seattle, while, to further complicate the deal, Toronto then flips Taylor to Oakland for another top draft pick, 1B Brett Wallace. Final confirmation of the complex transaction only takes place on December 16th.

ByTom

Rumors of a blockbuster three-team deal involving two former American League Cy Young Award winners dominate the headlines. The trade sends 2003 winner Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies and 2008 winner Cliff Lee from the Phils to Seattle, with the Blue Jays picking up a load of prospects. The youngsters changing teams include P Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor and C Travis d’Arnaud from Philly to Toronto. For their part, the Phils pick up P Phillippe Aumont and OF Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez from Seattle, while, to further complicate the deal, Toronto then flips Taylor to Oakland for another top draft pick, 1B Brett Wallace. Final confirmation of the complex transaction only takes place on December 16th.

The Red Sox sign former Angels ace John Lackey to a five-year contract worth $85 million and OF Mike Cameron to a two-year deal worth approximately $16 million.

The Red Sox sign former Angels ace John Lackey to a five-year contract worth $85 million and OF Mike Cameron to a two-year deal worth approximately $16 million.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Red Sox sign former Angels ace John Lackey to a five-year contract worth $85 million and OF Mike Cameron to a two-year deal worth approximately $16 million.

The Blue Jays announced coming to terms with Jose Bautista on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The utility player will establish a new franchise mark of home runs in a season when he goes deep 54 times, six more than George Bell’s total in 1987.

ByTom

The Blue Jays announced coming to terms with Jose Bautista on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The utility player will establish a new franchise mark of home runs in a season when he goes deep 54 times, six more than George Bell’s total in 1987.

2009 – C John Buck signs a one-year deal with Toronto, one day after being non-tendered by Kansas City. He will have an excellent season in Toronto, making the All-Star team for the first time in his career.

ByTom

2009 – C John Buck signs a one-year deal with Toronto, one day after being non-tendered by Kansas City. He will have an excellent season in Toronto, making the All-Star team for the first time in his career.

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

ByTom

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

Clearly stating he wants to be an everyday player on a winning team, Ivan Rodriguez agrees to a $6 million, two-year deal with the Nationals, the worst team in baseball last season. The 38 year-old catcher will share playing time and his experience with Jesus Flores, Washington’s young up-and-coming backstop.

ByTom

Clearly stating he wants to be an everyday player on a winning team, Ivan Rodriguez agrees to a $6 million, two-year deal with the Nationals, the worst team in baseball last season. The 38 year-old catcher will share playing time and his experience with Jesus Flores, Washington’s young up-and-coming backstop.