The Blue Jays ink 44-year-old Omar Vizquel, the all-time major league leader in games played at shortstop, to a minor league contract that will have him compete with Mike McCoy and Luis Valbuena to be the Jays’ utility infielder. Meanwhile, the Orioles sign utility player Wilson Betemit to a one-year deal.

ByTom

The Blue Jays ink 44-year-old Omar Vizquel, the all-time major league leader in games played at shortstop, to a minor league contract that will have him compete with Mike McCoy and Luis Valbuena to be the Jays’ utility infielder. Meanwhile, the Orioles sign utility player Wilson Betemit to a one-year deal.

In the Mexican Pacific League, Agustin Murillo hits a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to lead Ciudad Obregon to a 6 – 5 win over Guasave, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals.

ByTom

In the Mexican Pacific League, Agustin Murillo hits a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to lead Ciudad Obregon to a 6 – 5 win over Guasave, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals.

Escogido takes a two games to none lead in the Dominican League finals with a 4 – 1 win over Aguilas Cibaeñas. Nelson Figueroa is the winner and Mauro Gomez leads the offense with a homer off Manauris Baez. Julio Lugo helps out by going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles.

ByTom

Escogido takes a two games to none lead in the Dominican League finals with a 4 – 1 win over Aguilas Cibaeñas. Nelson Figueroa is the winner and Mauro Gomez leads the offense with a homer off Manauris Baez. Julio Lugo helps out by going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles.

In a surprise move, the Red Sox trade their starting shortstop for the past two years, Marco Scutaro, to the Colorado Rockies in return for P Clayton Mortensen.

ByTom

In a surprise move, the Red Sox trade their starting shortstop for the past two years, Marco Scutaro, to the Colorado Rockies in return for P Clayton Mortensen.

The Indians acquire P Kevin Slowey from the Rockies in exchange for P Zach Putnam. For Slowey, it’s a second trade this off-season, having gone from Minnesota to Colorado on December 6th.

ByTom

The Indians acquire P Kevin Slowey from the Rockies in exchange for P Zach Putnam. For Slowey, it’s a second trade this off-season, having gone from Minnesota to Colorado on December 6th.

In signings today, the Rays repatriate 1B Carlos Pena with a one-year contract; Pena played for Tampa Bay from 2007 to 2010 before spending last season with the Cubs. Also, the Rangers add OF/1B Brad Hawpe on a minor league contract and the Indians sign OF Ryan Spilborghs, also to a minor league contract.

ByTom

In signings today, the Rays repatriate 1B Carlos Pena with a one-year contract; Pena played for Tampa Bay from 2007 to 2010 before spending last season with the Cubs. Also, the Rangers add OF/1B Brad Hawpe on a minor league contract and the Indians sign OF Ryan Spilborghs, also to a minor league contract.

Ryan Braun, facing a 50-game suspension for showing abnormally high levels of testosterone in a PED test last season, pleads his case before a three-member panel in New York, NY. He strongly denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Ironically, Braun is in the “Big Apple” to receive his MVP Award at the annual dinner of the local chapter of the BBWAA, where he is to make his first statement since news of his positive test became public.

ByTom

Ryan Braun, facing a 50-game suspension for showing abnormally high levels of testosterone in a PED test last season, pleads his case before a three-member panel in New York, NY. He strongly denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Ironically, Braun is in the “Big Apple” to receive his MVP Award at the annual dinner of the local chapter of the BBWAA, where he is to make his first statement since news of his positive test became public.

Dominican Republic authorities arrest Indians­ pitcher Fausto Carmona on charges of using a false identity as he leaves the United States consulate where he is applying for a visa. A police spokesman explains that Carmona’s real name is “Roberto Hernandez Heredia”, and that he is three years older than his listed age. The arrest is part of a joint operation with U.S. immigration authorities to curb visa fraud in the Caribbean country; the campaign earlier nabbed Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez on similar charges last September.

ByTom

Dominican Republic authorities arrest Indians­ pitcher Fausto Carmona on charges of using a false identity as he leaves the United States consulate where he is applying for a visa. A police spokesman explains that Carmona’s real name is “Roberto Hernandez Heredia”, and that he is three years older than his listed age. The arrest is part of a joint operation with U.S. immigration authorities to curb visa fraud in the Caribbean country; the campaign earlier nabbed Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez on similar charges last September.