The Rays sign two potentially useful players who had until now elicited little interest on the free agent market to one-year deals, OFs Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. The two former teammates with the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox will share the LF and DH jobs in Tampa. The Cardinals also sign a player, veteran utility infielder Nick Punto.

ByTom

The Rays sign two potentially useful players who had until now elicited little interest on the free agent market to one-year deals, OFs Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. The two former teammates with the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox will share the LF and DH jobs in Tampa. The Cardinals also sign a player, veteran utility infielder Nick Punto.

The Blue Jays trade veteran OF Vernon Wells to the Angels in return for OF Juan Rivera and C-1B Mike Napoli. Wells was considered untradeable because of his huge contract, but the Angels bite after Wells showed a return to form in 2010, topping 30 homers in his best season since 2006.

ByTom

The Blue Jays trade veteran OF Vernon Wells to the Angels in return for OF Juan Rivera and C-1B Mike Napoli. Wells was considered untradeable because of his huge contract, but the Angels bite after Wells showed a return to form in 2010, topping 30 homers in his best season since 2006.

2011 – The Yankees sign OF Andruw Jones to a one-year contract. Jones almost washed out of baseball after a terrible 2008 season that saw him hit .158 with no power, but he has since bounced back to being a useful player again, although his days of stardom are over.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2011 – The Yankees sign OF Andruw Jones to a one-year contract. Jones almost washed out of baseball after a terrible 2008 season that saw him hit .158 with no power, but he has since bounced back to being a useful player again, although his days of stardom are over.

In other signings, the A’s ink lefty reliever Brian Fuentes for the next two years, while the Padres add righty Chad Qualls to their bullpen.

ByTom

In other signings, the A’s ink lefty reliever Brian Fuentes for the next two years, while the Padres add righty Chad Qualls to their bullpen.

After months of toing and froing, the Minnesota Twins and P Carl Pavano agree on a two-year contract worth $16.5 million. Pavano led the Twins with a 17-11 record in 2010, his second straight solid season after four disastrous years with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008.

ByTom

After months of toing and froing, the Minnesota Twins and P Carl Pavano agree on a two-year contract worth $16.5 million. Pavano led the Twins with a 17-11 record in 2010, his second straight solid season after four disastrous years with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008.

Royals’ starter Gil Meche, who signed a controversial five-year, $55 million free-agent contract prior to the 2007 season, announces his retirement from baseball due to ongoing troubles caused by a shoulder injury. With this decision, the 32 year-old right-hander forfeits the remaining $12 million on his contract, but he believes Kansas City has been fair to him and does not want to take the club’s money when he is unable to pitch effectively.

ByTom

Royals’ starter Gil Meche, who signed a controversial five-year, $55 million free-agent contract prior to the 2007 season, announces his retirement from baseball due to ongoing troubles caused by a shoulder injury. With this decision, the 32 year-old right-hander forfeits the remaining $12 million on his contract, but he believes Kansas City has been fair to him and does not want to take the club’s money when he is unable to pitch effectively.

The Yankees sign Rays’ free-agent Rafael Soriano to a $35 million, three-year deal. The All-Star right-handed reliever, who led the AL in saves last year with 45, will be used by New York as a set-up man to the team’s iconic closer, 41 year-old Mariano Rivera.

ByTom

The Yankees sign Rays’ free-agent Rafael Soriano to a $35 million, three-year deal. The All-Star right-handed reliever, who led the AL in saves last year with 45, will be used by New York as a set-up man to the team’s iconic closer, 41 year-old Mariano Rivera.

With the deadline for settling cases headed for salary arbitration looming, teams strike deals with most of their unsigned players. Most notable among these is the Brewers signing 1B Prince Fielder to a one-year, $15.5 million contract, the highest single-season contract ever for an arbitration-eligible player. Josh Hamilton and Jose Bautista are the two biggest names who remain unsigned.

ByTom

With the deadline for settling cases headed for salary arbitration looming, teams strike deals with most of their unsigned players. Most notable among these is the Brewers signing 1B Prince Fielder to a one-year, $15.5 million contract, the highest single-season contract ever for an arbitration-eligible player. Josh Hamilton and Jose Bautista are the two biggest names who remain unsigned.

OF Milton Bradley is in trouble with the law once again. He is arrested this morning in Los Angeles, CA on unspecified charges and released late in the day, with a court appearance set for February 8th. The Mariners state that they are treating the situation “very seriously”.

ByTom

OF Milton Bradley is in trouble with the law once again. He is arrested this morning in Los Angeles, CA on unspecified charges and released late in the day, with a court appearance set for February 8th. The Mariners state that they are treating the situation “very seriously”.

P Gil Meche of the Royals, whose career has been derailed by numerous injuries and who is facing another shoulder surgery, announces his retirement in spite of having one season left on his contract at a salary of $12 million. The Royals had been trying to trade him for prospects earlier this off-season.

ByTom

P Gil Meche of the Royals, whose career has been derailed by numerous injuries and who is facing another shoulder surgery, announces his retirement in spite of having one season left on his contract at a salary of $12 million. The Royals had been trying to trade him for prospects earlier this off-season.