Yomiuri Giants starter Hirokazu Sawamura, with a 2.03 ERA in 2011, is the runaway winner of the 2011 Central League Rookie of the Year Award. He is the fourth straight Yomiuri winner, following Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Matsumoto and Hisayoshi Chono. Seibu Lions closer Kazuhisa Makita takes home the 2011 Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award, while long-hyped Yuki Saito gets just 3 of 214 votes and places fourth.

The Cubs sign free agent OF David DeJesus to a two-year contract.

The Angels acquire C Chris Iannetta from the Rockies for P Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies then sign Ramon Hernandez to be their new catcher.

The Royals sign former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton to a one-year contract. He was limited to 14 games last year because of elbow problems and is expected to become the set-up man for Joakim Soria, but will take over as closer when Soria goes down with an injury in spring training.

Less than a week after obtaining the Astros from Drayton McLane, new owner Jim Crane fires GM Ed Wade and team president Tal Smith. In a statement issued by new team president and chief executive officer George Postolos, Dave Gottfried, Houston’s assistant GM, has been asked to serve as the club’s interim general manager.

2011 – The Rays sign veteran C Jose Molina as a free agent, one day after trading John Jaso. Youngsters Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos are expected to compete for the starting job next year, but the experienced Molina will turn out to be the most used at the position.

The Mariners trade P Josh Lueke to Tampa Bay for C John Jaso.

New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane decides to clean house in the front office with the team coming off the worst season in franchise history. Both team President Tal Smith and GM Ed Wade get the axe. The new President is George Postolos, while assistant GM Dave Gottfried takes over for Wade on an interim basis while a search for a permanent replacement begins.

2011 – The Blue Jays purchase infielder Luis Valbuena from Cleveland.