Jacoby Ellsbury agrees to a seven-year deal, valued around $153 million, to patrol center field for the Yankees, joining Brian McCann as the team’s second major free-agent signing this week. The outfielder, who played a major role in the Red Sox’ World Championship last season, also received offers from his former team, the Tigers, and Mariners.

ByTom

Jacoby Ellsbury agrees to a seven-year deal, valued around $153 million, to patrol center field for the Yankees, joining Brian McCann as the team’s second major free-agent signing this week. The outfielder, who played a major role in the Red Sox’ World Championship last season, also received offers from his former team, the Tigers, and Mariners.

In other moves, Washington signs OF Nate McLouth, and Houston adds P Scott Feldman with a three-year deal, both players leaving the Orioles.

ByTom

In other moves, Washington signs OF Nate McLouth, and Houston adds P Scott Feldman with a three-year deal, both players leaving the Orioles.

It’s a big day of transactions for the Yankees. They lose two free agents, 2B Robinson Cano, who agrees to a ten-year deal with Seattle for $240 million, and OF Curtis Granderson, who moves across town to the Mets for four years at $60 million. To compensate, the Bronx Bombers ink OF Carlos Beltran for three years at $45 million, and 2B Kelly Johnson for one year.

ByTom

It’s a big day of transactions for the Yankees. They lose two free agents, 2B Robinson Cano, who agrees to a ten-year deal with Seattle for $240 million, and OF Curtis Granderson, who moves across town to the Mets for four years at $60 million. To compensate, the Bronx Bombers ink OF Carlos Beltran for three years at $45 million, and 2B Kelly Johnson for one year.

The Brewers trade OF Norichika Aoki to the Royals for P Will Smith, while a number of free agents sign with new teams: P Edward Mujica with Boston, P Ronald Belisario with the White Sox, and SS Rafael Furcal, who was injured all of last season, with the Marlins.

ByTom

The Brewers trade OF Norichika Aoki to the Royals for P Will Smith, while a number of free agents sign with new teams: P Edward Mujica with Boston, P Ronald Belisario with the White Sox, and SS Rafael Furcal, who was injured all of last season, with the Marlins.

Ellsbury heading to New York

In a major coup, the Yankees grab American League stolen bases leader Jacoby Ellsbury 

ByTom

In a major coup, the Yankees grab American League stolen bases leader Jacoby Ellsbury from their rivals the Red Sox, signing him to a seven-year deal worth $153 million. The Sox lose another starter from last year’s Championship team, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who moves to the Marlins for $21 million over three years, but replace him with veteran backstop A.J. Pierzynski, plucked from the Rangers on a one-year deal. The other big signing is reliever Joe Nathan, who moves to the Tigers on a two-year contract.

It’s also a day of trades as the Rockies trade OF Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later to Houston for OF Brandon Barnes and P Jordan Lyles; the A’s acquire P Luke Gregerson from San Diego for OF Seth Smith; the Rangers send OF Craig Gentry and P Josh Lindblom to Oakland for prospects Michael Choice and Chris Bostick; and the Rays get C Ryan Hanigan and P Heath Bell in a three-team deal with the Reds and Diamondbacks, with P David Holmberg going from Arizona to Cincinnati and Justin Choate from Tampa to Arizona, while some money also changes hands to even things out.

ByTom

It’s also a day of trades as the Rockies trade OF Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later to Houston for OF Brandon Barnes and P Jordan Lyles; the A’s acquire P Luke Gregerson from San Diego for OF Seth Smith; the Rangers send OF Craig Gentry and P Josh Lindblom to Oakland for prospects Michael Choice and Chris Bostick; and the Rays get C Ryan Hanigan and P Heath Bell in a three-team deal with the Reds and Diamondbacks, with P David Holmberg going from Arizona to Cincinnati and Justin Choate from Tampa to Arizona, while some money also changes hands to even things out.

The Nationals obtain Tigers starter Doug Fister for southpaws Ian Krol and Robbie Ray and infielder Steve Lombardozzi. Washington’s acquisition of the 29 year-old right-hander improves the team’s already strong rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Gio Gonzalez.

ByTom

The Nationals obtain Tigers starter Doug Fister for southpaws Ian Krol and Robbie Ray and infielder Steve Lombardozzi. Washington’s acquisition of the 29 year-old right-hander improves the team’s already strong rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Gio Gonzalez.

The Orioles send closer Jim Johnson, author of back-to-back 50-save seasons, to the Athletics in return for 2B Jemile Weeks. The A’s also sign free agent P Scott Kazmir to a two-year deal worth $22 million, in expectation of losing both starter Bartolo Colon and closer Grant Balfour to free agency. Kazmir’s signing will prove to be a good move, but Johnson will be a complete bust, earning his unconditional release by mid-season.

ByTom

The Orioles send closer Jim Johnson, author of back-to-back 50-save seasons, to the Athletics in return for 2B Jemile Weeks. The A’s also sign free agent P Scott Kazmir to a two-year deal worth $22 million, in expectation of losing both starter Bartolo Colon and closer Grant Balfour to free agency. Kazmir’s signing will prove to be a good move, but Johnson will be a complete bust, earning his unconditional release by mid-season.