The Orioles look to the Far East once again to improve their pitching. A month after signing Japanese hurler Tsuyoshi Wada, they ink Taiwanese lefthander Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year contract. Chen was released by the Chunichi Dragons earlier and did not have to go through the posting system.

ByTom

The Orioles look to the Far East once again to improve their pitching. A month after signing Japanese hurler Tsuyoshi Wada, they ink Taiwanese lefthander Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year contract. Chen was released by the Chunichi Dragons earlier and did not have to go through the posting system.

Cincinnati signs reliever Ryan Madson to a one-year deal, but he will miss the entire season and never pitch for the team; meanwhile the Cubs add lefty Paul Maholm and the Brewers repatriate righty Seth McClung.

ByTom

Cincinnati signs reliever Ryan Madson to a one-year deal, but he will miss the entire season and never pitch for the team; meanwhile the Cubs add lefty Paul Maholm and the Brewers repatriate righty Seth McClung.

Barry Larkin

Barry Larkin, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, is elected to the Hall of Fame with 86.4% of the vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America in his third year of eligibility. Larkin won the 1995 National League Most Valuable Player Award and was a 12-time All-Star, as well as the first shortstop to join the 30-30 club.

ByTom

Barry Larkin, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, is elected to the Hall of Fame with 86.4% of the vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America in his third year of eligibility. Larkin won the 1995 National League Most Valuable Player Award and was a 12-time All-Star, as well as the first shortstop to join the 30-30 club.

2012 – Media in New York, NY report that C Jorge Posada is about to announce his retirement after a brilliant 17-season career during which he caught over 1,500 games and won four World Series titles. His final season was difficult, however, as he lost the starting catching job to Russell Martin and hit only .235 as the team’s designated hitter. His retirement will become official on January 24th, when he calls a press conference at New Yankee Stadium.

ByTom

2012 – Media in New York, NY report that C Jorge Posada is about to announce his retirement after a brilliant 17-season career during which he caught over 1,500 games and won four World Series titles. His final season was difficult, however, as he lost the starting catching job to Russell Martin and hit only .235 as the team’s designated hitter. His retirement will become official on January 24th, when he calls a press conference at New Yankee Stadium.

The Padres trade 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo and minor league P Zach Cates to the Cubs for P Andrew Cashner and OF Kyung-Min Na. The move seems to confirm that the Cubs have no interest in signing free agent 1B Prince Fielder.

ByTom

The Padres trade 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo and minor league P Zach Cates to the Cubs for P Andrew Cashner and OF Kyung-Min Na. The move seems to confirm that the Cubs have no interest in signing free agent 1B Prince Fielder.

The Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins for right-hander Chris Volstad and cash

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins for right-hander Chris Volstad and cash. The 30 year-old right-hander will join fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, Miami’s new manager, who has been publicly supportive during the combative hurler’s controversial moments, which have included firing a ball into the outfield and physically fighting with teammates.

The Rockies acquire 1B Chad Tracy, the son of manager Jim Tracy, in a deal with the Rangers for former top draft pick Greg Reynolds

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Rockies acquire 1B Chad Tracy, the son of manager Jim Tracy, in a deal with the Rangers for former top draft pick Greg Reynolds. Colorado also signs 3B Casey Blake as a free agent.

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The Mariners sign Japanese P Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract as a free agent

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mariners sign Japanese P Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract as a free agent. Iwakuma had gone through the posting system a year ago, but the 2008 Pacific League MVP failed to agree on a contract with the winning bidders, the Oakland A’s. For their part, the Yankees announce they have been unable to reach an agreement with SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, whose rights they secured through the posting system last month; Nakajima will return to play for the Seibu Lions this season.