The Phillies sign three-year contract extensions with centerfielder Shane Victorino and starting pitcher Joe Blanton. The two deals combined are worth $46 million.

Free agent pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel signs a one-year deal with Kansas City, while the Pirates sign reliever Octavio Dotel for a year with an option for a second season. Dotel will replace Matt Capps as the Bucs’ closer.

The Brewers sign their second free agent left-handed starting pitcher of the off-season, inking Doug Davis to a one-year deal a month after adding Randy Wolf. Davis pitched for the Brew Crew from 2003 to 2006 before spending the last three seasons with Arizona.

The Blue Jays purchase reliever Merkin Valdez from the Giants. The hard-throwing righty was designated for assignment last week to make room on San Francisco’s 40-man roster.

The Angels sign free agent starting pitcher Joel Pineiro to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

The San Diego Padres sign utility player Jerry Hairston to a one-year deal; he joins his brother Scott Hairston, re-acquired by the Padres in a trade two days earlier.

The Cleveland Indians acquire infielder Brian Bixler from the Pirates for Class-A 3B Jesus Brito, who hit .353 in his first professional season in the United States last year.