Free agent pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel signs a one-year deal with Kansas City, while the Pirates sign reliever Octavio Dotel for a year with an option for a second season. Dotel will replace Matt Capps as the Bucs’ closer.

ByTom

Free agent pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel signs a one-year deal with Kansas City, while the Pirates sign reliever Octavio Dotel for a year with an option for a second season. Dotel will replace Matt Capps as the Bucs’ closer.

Joe Blanton (2-8, 4.05) and the Phillies, avoiding an arbitration hearing, come to terms on a $24 million, three-year deal. The 29 year-old right-hander is expected to be the National League champion’s number three starter in a rotation which includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ

ByTom

Joe Blanton (2-8, 4.05) and the Phillies, avoiding an arbitration hearing, come to terms on a $24 million, three-year deal. The 29 year-old right-hander is expected to be the National League champion’s number three starter in a rotation which includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ

The Angels sign free agent starting pitcher Joel Pineiro to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

ByTom

The Angels sign free agent starting pitcher Joel Pineiro to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

The Brewers sign their second free agent left-handed starting pitcher of the off-season, inking Doug Davis to a one-year deal a month after adding Randy Wolf. Davis pitched for the Brew Crew from 2003 to 2006 before spending the last three seasons with Arizona.

ByTom

The Brewers sign their second free agent left-handed starting pitcher of the off-season, inking Doug Davis to a one-year deal a month after adding Randy Wolf. Davis pitched for the Brew Crew from 2003 to 2006 before spending the last three seasons with Arizona.

The Blue Jays purchase reliever Merkin Valdez from the Giants. The hard-throwing righty was designated for assignment last week to make room on San Francisco’s 40-man roster.

ByTom

The Blue Jays purchase reliever Merkin Valdez from the Giants. The hard-throwing righty was designated for assignment last week to make room on San Francisco’s 40-man roster.

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

ByTom

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

ByTom

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

The San Diego Padres sign utility player Jerry Hairston to a one-year deal; he joins his brother Scott Hairston, re-acquired by the Padres in a trade two days earlier.

ByTom

The San Diego Padres sign utility player Jerry Hairston to a one-year deal; he joins his brother Scott Hairston, re-acquired by the Padres in a trade two days earlier.

The Cleveland Indians acquire infielder Brian Bixler from the Pirates for Class-A 3B Jesus Brito, who hit .353 in his first professional season in the United States last year.

ByTom

The Cleveland Indians acquire infielder Brian Bixler from the Pirates for Class-A 3B Jesus Brito, who hit .353 in his first professional season in the United States last year.

The Diamondbacks designate OF Eric Byrnes for assignment. He signed a three-year contract extension after a great 2007 season, but has not been productive since, hitting .218 in 136 games while being constantly bothered by injuries. The D-Backs are on the hook for $11 million left on his contract.

ByTom

The Diamondbacks designate OF Eric Byrnes for assignment. He signed a three-year contract extension after a great 2007 season, but has not been productive since, hitting .218 in 136 games while being constantly bothered by injuries. The D-Backs are on the hook for $11 million left on his contract.