The Brewers agree to a two-year contract with Norichika Aoki, a three-time batting champion in Japan. The Brewers had won the right to negociate with Aoki through the posting system and the contract agreement just beats a 4 p.m. deadline to reach a deal, barring which Aoki would have returned to the Yakult Swallows.

ByTom

The Brewers agree to a two-year contract with Norichika Aoki, a three-time batting champion in Japan. The Brewers had won the right to negociate with Aoki through the posting system and the contract agreement just beats a 4 p.m. deadline to reach a deal, barring which Aoki would have returned to the Yakult Swallows.

Bad news for the Tigers as they learn that DH/C Victor Martinez suffered a torn ACL during off-season training and is likely lost for the season. Also on the injury front, Boston’s Carl Crawford has surgery on his left wrist and is doubtful for Opening Day.

ByTom

Bad news for the Tigers as they learn that DH/C Victor Martinez suffered a torn ACL during off-season training and is likely lost for the season. Also on the injury front, Boston’s Carl Crawford has surgery on his left wrist and is doubtful for Opening Day.

A record is set as eligible players file for salary arbitration today. Giants P Tim Lincecum asks for a salary of $21.5 million – which is not a record – and his team offers him $17 million – which is. Roger Clemens had requested $22 million from the Astros before the 2005 season. Meanwhile, some 80 eligible players sign deals with their teams, the largest being the $15 million agreed to between the Phillies and P Cole Hamels.

ByTom

A record is set as eligible players file for salary arbitration today. Giants P Tim Lincecum asks for a salary of $21.5 million – which is not a record – and his team offers him $17 million – which is. Roger Clemens had requested $22 million from the Astros before the 2005 season. Meanwhile, some 80 eligible players sign deals with their teams, the largest being the $15 million agreed to between the Phillies and P Cole Hamels.

The Reds sign veteran OF Ryan Ludwick and C Dioner Navarro, while the Red Sox sign P Vicente Padilla, all as free agents. All three are former All-Stars expected to compete for spots as back-up players.

ByTom

The Reds sign veteran OF Ryan Ludwick and C Dioner Navarro, while the Red Sox sign P Vicente Padilla, all as free agents. All three are former All-Stars expected to compete for spots as back-up players.

2012 – Three pitchers find new homes today: Bartolo Colon agrees to a deal with Oakland; Joel Zumaya comes to terms with the Twins; and Joel Pineiro signs with the ­Phillies.

ByTom

2012 – Three pitchers find new homes today: Bartolo Colon agrees to a deal with Oakland; Joel Zumaya comes to terms with the Twins; and Joel Pineiro signs with the ­Phillies.

2012 – Mayaguez wins the first game of the finals of the Puerto Rican League with an emphatic 10 – 1 win over Caguas. Mayaguez bangs out 19 hits; Bobby Livingston is the winner over Matt DeSalvo.

ByTom

2012 – Mayaguez wins the first game of the finals of the Puerto Rican League with an emphatic 10 – 1 win over Caguas. Mayaguez bangs out 19 hits; Bobby Livingston is the winner over Matt DeSalvo.

The Yankees trade two of their top young players, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi, to Seattle in return for Ps Michael Pineda and Vicente Campos, although the trade will only be finalized on January 23rd, after all four players pass physical exams. They also sign free agent P Hiroki Kuroda for one year for $10 million.

ByTom

The Yankees trade two of their top young players, C/DH Jesus Montero and P Hector Noesi, to Seattle in return for Ps Michael Pineda and Vicente Campos, although the trade will only be finalized on January 23rd, after all four players pass physical exams. They also sign free agent P Hiroki Kuroda for one year for $10 million.

The Yankees sign OF Preston Mattingly, the son of franchise great Don Mattingly, to a minor league contract. Ironically, Preston was under employ of the Dodgers, the team his father is now managing.

ByTom

The Yankees sign OF Preston Mattingly, the son of franchise great Don Mattingly, to a minor league contract. Ironically, Preston was under employ of the Dodgers, the team his father is now managing.