Pat Gillick, the executive who built the Toronto Blue Jays from an expansion team to an American League power that won two World Series in the early 1990s, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Players Association head Marvin Miller falls just one vote shy of election.

ByTom

Pat Gillick, the executive who built the Toronto Blue Jays from an expansion team to an American League power that won two World Series in the early 1990s, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Players Association head Marvin Miller falls just one vote shy of election.

The Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds, renowned for both his homers and strikeouts, from the Diamondbacks for P David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. In a related move, the D-Backs sign 3B Melvin Mora, formerly of Colorado, to a one-year deal; they also ink P J.J. Putz for two years, with the aim of installing him as their new closer.

ByTom

The Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds, renowned for both his homers and strikeouts, from the Diamondbacks for P David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. In a related move, the D-Backs sign 3B Melvin Mora, formerly of Colorado, to a one-year deal; they also ink P J.J. Putz for two years, with the aim of installing him as their new closer.

On the eve of the winter meetings, free-agent Jayson Werth (.296, 27, 85) and the Nationals come to terms on a $126 million, seven-year contract. The signing of the 31 year-old right-fielder, who has been a cog in Philadelphia’s recent success, will help to fill the void created by the departure of Adam Dunn, the team’s former clean-up hitter, to the south side of Chicago.

ByTom

On the eve of the winter meetings, free-agent Jayson Werth (.296, 27, 85) and the Nationals come to terms on a $126 million, seven-year contract. The signing of the 31 year-old right-fielder, who has been a cog in Philadelphia’s recent success, will help to fill the void created by the departure of Adam Dunn, the team’s former clean-up hitter, to the south side of Chicago.

2010 – The Washington Nationals sign free agent OF Jayson Werth to a seven-year deal worth $125 million. The deal is considered shocking because of its length, considering Werth is already 31 and was a late bloomer.

ByTom

2010 – The Washington Nationals sign free agent OF Jayson Werth to a seven-year deal worth $125 million. The deal is considered shocking because of its length, considering Werth is already 31 and was a late bloomer.

The Cardinals sign free agent 1B Lance Berkman from the Yankees. He will move to LF in St. Louis, as 1B Albert Pujols is very much entrenched at his position.

ByTom

The Cardinals sign free agent 1B Lance Berkman from the Yankees. He will move to LF in St. Louis, as 1B Albert Pujols is very much entrenched at his position.

The Red Sox acquire All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego for three prospects, P Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Reymond Fuentes; Kelly and Fuentes are former first round picks in the amateur draft and are considered prize catches for the Friars, although Rizzo will turn out to be the best of the three. The move also means that 1B Kevin Youkilis will move across the diamond to 3B, where he played in the minor leagues, and signals that the Sox have given up hopes of re-signing 3B Adrian Beltre, their best hitter last season. The deal will be official in two days when Gonzalez signs a seven-year contract with Boston, worth $154 million.

ByTom

The Red Sox acquire All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego for three prospects, P Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Reymond Fuentes; Kelly and Fuentes are former first round picks in the amateur draft and are considered prize catches for the Friars, although Rizzo will turn out to be the best of the three. The move also means that 1B Kevin Youkilis will move across the diamond to 3B, where he played in the minor leagues, and signals that the Sox have given up hopes of re-signing 3B Adrian Beltre, their best hitter last season. The deal will be official in two days when Gonzalez signs a seven-year contract with Boston, worth $154 million.

Ron santo 1963

Future Hall of Famer Ron Santo passes away

ByTom

Former major league third baseman Ron Santo dies in an Arizona hospital from complications of bladder cancer and diabetes. The 70 year-old, considered one of the best players in Cubs history, rejoined the team in 1990 as the team’s WGN radio announcer, enamoring his listeners with his devotion to the lovable losers and gaining their admiration for his continued failure to gain induction into the Hall of Fame, an honor he will receive posthumously in 2012.

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

ByTom

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

The Blue Jays acquire reliever Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later; the deal will be completed on December 6th when the Jays send P Shaun Marcum, their Opening Day starter, to the Brewers but also receive top prospect Brett Lawrie.

ByTom

The Blue Jays acquire reliever Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later; the deal will be completed on December 6th when the Jays send P Shaun Marcum, their Opening Day starter, to the Brewers but also receive top prospect Brett Lawrie.