2009 – C John Buck signs a one-year deal with Toronto, one day after being non-tendered by Kansas City. He will have an excellent season in Toronto, making the All-Star team for the first time in his career.

ByTom

2009 – C John Buck signs a one-year deal with Toronto, one day after being non-tendered by Kansas City. He will have an excellent season in Toronto, making the All-Star team for the first time in his career.

The Blue Jays announced coming to terms with Jose Bautista on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The utility player will establish a new franchise mark of home runs in a season when he goes deep 54 times, six more than George Bell’s total in 1987.

ByTom

The Blue Jays announced coming to terms with Jose Bautista on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The utility player will establish a new franchise mark of home runs in a season when he goes deep 54 times, six more than George Bell’s total in 1987.

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

ByTom

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

Clearly stating he wants to be an everyday player on a winning team, Ivan Rodriguez agrees to a $6 million, two-year deal with the Nationals, the worst team in baseball last season. The 38 year-old catcher will share playing time and his experience with Jesus Flores, Washington’s young up-and-coming backstop.

ByTom

Clearly stating he wants to be an everyday player on a winning team, Ivan Rodriguez agrees to a $6 million, two-year deal with the Nationals, the worst team in baseball last season. The 38 year-old catcher will share playing time and his experience with Jesus Flores, Washington’s young up-and-coming backstop.

The Royals sign free agent catcher Jason Kendall to a two-year contract, replacing Miguel Olivo who became a free agent himself. In other signings, the White Sox add former Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz to their bullpen. Putz’s season with the Mets ended on June 9th when he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery.

ByTom

The Royals sign free agent catcher Jason Kendall to a two-year contract, replacing Miguel Olivo who became a free agent himself. In other signings, the White Sox add former Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz to their bullpen. Putz’s season with the Mets ended on June 9th when he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery.

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

ByTom

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

ByTom

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.