The Diamondbacks exercise their $8.5 million option on the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. The 30 year-old right-handed starter, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, was shut down after pitching just four innings on Opening Day and did not retake the mound for the duration of the season.

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The Diamondbacks exercise their $8.5 million option on the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. The 30 year-old right-handed starter, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, was shut down after pitching just four innings on Opening Day and did not retake the mound for the duration of the season.

Bobby Abreu (.293, 15, 103), a last-minute signing with the club last season, agrees to a $19 million, two-year deal to stay with the Angels rather than to retake a chance on the free-agent market. The veteran outfielder didn’t find a team until just before spring training when Los Angeles offered him a one-year contract guaranteeing $5 million.

ByBaseball

Bobby Abreu (.293, 15, 103), a last-minute signing with the club last season, agrees to a $19 million, two-year deal to stay with the Angels rather than to retake a chance on the free-agent market. The veteran outfielder didn’t find a team until just before spring training when Los Angeles offered him a one-year contract guaranteeing $5 million.

The Marlins trade Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox for a pair of southpaw prospects, Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. The move of the underachieving outfielder, a first-round draft choice in 2002, will allow Florida to cut payroll while adding pitching.

ByBaseball

The Marlins trade Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox for a pair of southpaw prospects, Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. The move of the underachieving outfielder, a first-round draft choice in 2002, will allow Florida to cut payroll while adding pitching.

Tom Ricketts, the Cubs’ chairman, makes it clear that the new ownership intends to win a World Championship. At his introductory press conference, the investment banker tells the media he believes a thoughtful, long-range approach is needed for the team to succeed in overcoming its 101-year absence from the Fall Classic.

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Tom Ricketts, the Cubs’ chairman, makes it clear that the new ownership intends to win a World Championship. At his introductory press conference, the investment banker tells the media he believes a thoughtful, long-range approach is needed for the team to succeed in overcoming its 101-year absence from the Fall Classic.

Freddy Sanchez signs a $12-million, two-year contract extension to stay with the Giants, the team the Pirates traded him to in midseason in exchange for a minor league pitching prospect. Due to an ailing shoulder, the two-time All-Star second baseman and former batting champ played in only 25 games with San Francisco.

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Freddy Sanchez signs a $12-million, two-year contract extension to stay with the Giants, the team the Pirates traded him to in midseason in exchange for a minor league pitching prospect. Due to an ailing shoulder, the two-time All-Star second baseman and former batting champ played in only 25 games with San Francisco.

The Yankees even the World Series by taking Game 2 at home, 3 – 1, over the Phillies. A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera combine for the win while Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui go deep against the Phils’ Pedro Martinez.

ByBaseball

The Yankees even the World Series by taking Game 2 at home, 3 – 1, over the Phillies. A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera combine for the win while Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui go deep against the Phils’ Pedro Martinez.

The Padres formally introduced 35 year-old Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager. The former assistant to Boston’s GM Theo Epstein replaces Kevin Towers, who held the position in San Diego for 14 seasons.

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The Padres formally introduced 35 year-old Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager. The former assistant to Boston’s GM Theo Epstein replaces Kevin Towers, who held the position in San Diego for 14 seasons.

Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65 year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006.

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Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65 year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006.

Mark McGwire will join his former manager Tony La Russa on the Cardinals’ bench as the team’s hitting coach, replacing Hal McRae. The one-time single season home run champ, whose reputation was ruined when he infamously refused to answer questions about the use of steroids during a 2005 congressional hearing, had La Russa for his skipper in 15 of the 16 years he played in the major leagues, both in Oakland and St. Louis.

ByBaseball

Mark McGwire will join his former manager Tony La Russa on the Cardinals’ bench as the team’s hitting coach, replacing Hal McRae. The one-time single season home run champ, whose reputation was ruined when he infamously refused to answer questions about the use of steroids during a 2005 congressional hearing, had La Russa for his skipper in 15 of the 16 years he played in the major leagues, both in Oakland and St. Louis.