Ben Sheets and the A’s come to terms on a $10 million, one-year contract, making the free-agent right-hander the team’s second-highest paid player behind third baseman Eric Chavez. The 31 year-old, recovering from elbow surgery that caused him to miss all of last season, compiled an 86-83 record along with a 3.72 ERA in his first eight seasons in the major leagues, all with Milwaukee.

ByTom

Ben Sheets and the A’s come to terms on a $10 million, one-year contract, making the free-agent right-hander the team’s second-highest paid player behind third baseman Eric Chavez. The 31 year-old, recovering from elbow surgery that caused him to miss all of last season, compiled an 86-83 record along with a 3.72 ERA in his first eight seasons in the major leagues, all with Milwaukee.

Jon Garland and the Padres agree to a $5.3 million, one-year deal that includes a mutual option for $6.75 million in 2011. Along with Chris Young and Kevin Correia, the 30 year-old right-hander, known for his durability, will play a major role in San Diego’s rotation.

ByTom

Jon Garland and the Padres agree to a $5.3 million, one-year deal that includes a mutual option for $6.75 million in 2011. Along with Chris Young and Kevin Correia, the 30 year-old right-hander, known for his durability, will play a major role in San Diego’s rotation.

2010 – Three veteran free agents sign deals with new teams today. P Ben Sheets, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery, signs with the Athletics where he will be the leader of their young starting rotation; the Twins sign DH Jim Thome for one year; and the Padres add P Jon Garland for a year as well.

ByTom

2010 – Three veteran free agents sign deals with new teams today. P Ben Sheets, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery, signs with the Athletics where he will be the leader of their young starting rotation; the Twins sign DH Jim Thome for one year; and the Padres add P Jon Garland for a year as well.

Veteran infielder Mark Loretta announces his retirement after 15 years in the majors and is immediately hired by the San Diego Padres, one of his former teams, to a front office job; he will be a special assistant to the baseball operations staff.

ByTom

Veteran infielder Mark Loretta announces his retirement after 15 years in the majors and is immediately hired by the San Diego Padres, one of his former teams, to a front office job; he will be a special assistant to the baseball operations staff.

Two veteran left-handed sluggers are signed today, Jason Giambi by the Colorado Rockies and Matt Stairs by the San Diego Padres. Both have become mainly pinch-hitters by this point of their careers.

ByTom

Two veteran left-handed sluggers are signed today, Jason Giambi by the Colorado Rockies and Matt Stairs by the San Diego Padres. Both have become mainly pinch-hitters by this point of their careers.

The Orioles reach a one-year deal worth $6 million with former star shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada, who put up great numbers while playing for the Orioles from 2004 to 2007 before being traded to the Houston Astros, will move to third base.

ByTom

The Orioles reach a one-year deal worth $6 million with former star shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada, who put up great numbers while playing for the Orioles from 2004 to 2007 before being traded to the Houston Astros, will move to third base.

A group headed by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan purchase the Texas Rangers from Tom Hicks

ByThis Day in Baseball

A group headed by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan and including a number of prominent business people from the Dallas, TX-Ft. Worth area purchases the Texas Rangers from Tom Hicks for a price rumored to exceed $500 million. Ryan will continue as team President, while attorney Chuck Greenberg will be managing partner and Chief Executive Officer. The corporation will be known as Rangers Baseball Express, in honor of Ryan’s famed fastball. Because of complications caused by Hicks’s bankruptcy proceedings, the deal will not be finalized for another six months.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets, in need of a center fielder until Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup in early May, deal 30 year-old right-handed reliever Brian Stokes (2-4, 3.97) to the Angels in exchange for the highly-paid, but under-achieving Gary Matthews Jr. (.250, 4, 50). Los Angeles agrees to pay a significant portion of the slumping outfielder’s $50 million five-year contract that ‘Little Sarge’ signed three seasons ago with the Halos.

A’s prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to pursue his calling to be a Catholic priest. In 2009, The 23 year-old minor league outfielder, who was recently named the Arizona Fall League’s Most Valuable Player, hit .288 along with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs, playing single A ball with the Kane County Cougars (MWL) and the Stockton Ports (CAL).

ByTom

A’s prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to pursue his calling to be a Catholic priest. In 2009, The 23 year-old minor league outfielder, who was recently named the Arizona Fall League’s Most Valuable Player, hit .288 along with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs, playing single A ball with the Kane County Cougars (MWL) and the Stockton Ports (CAL).

Joe Blanton (2-8, 4.05) and the Phillies, avoiding an arbitration hearing, come to terms on a $24 million, three-year deal. The 29 year-old right-hander is expected to be the National League champion’s number three starter in a rotation which includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ

ByTom

Joe Blanton (2-8, 4.05) and the Phillies, avoiding an arbitration hearing, come to terms on a $24 million, three-year deal. The 29 year-old right-hander is expected to be the National League champion’s number three starter in a rotation which includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ