The Pittsburgh Pirates deal veteran reliever Salomon Torres (10th on the team’s games pitched leaderboard at the time) to the Milwaukee Brewers for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts, two minor leaguers. Torres, a resident of the Pittsburgh suburbs, says he is considering retirement rather than reporting, but will decide to stay active for one more year. He will have a solid year as Milwaukee’s closer while Salas will only pitch 13 games for the Pirates, with a 8.47 ERA, and Roberts won’t reach the majors.

ByTom

The Pittsburgh Pirates deal veteran reliever Salomon Torres (10th on the team’s games pitched leaderboard at the time) to the Milwaukee Brewers for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts, two minor leaguers. Torres, a resident of the Pittsburgh suburbs, says he is considering retirement rather than reporting, but will decide to stay active for one more year. He will have a solid year as Milwaukee’s closer while Salas will only pitch 13 games for the Pirates, with a 8.47 ERA, and Roberts won’t reach the majors.

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent outfielder Andruw Jones for $36 million over two years. Jones had led the 2005 NL with 51 home runs but is coming off a disappointing 88 OPS+ in 2007. Jones will hit just 3 home runs and bat .158 for the Dodgers and be released after the season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent outfielder Andruw Jones for $36 million over two years. Jones had led the 2005 NL with 51 home runs but is coming off a disappointing 88 OPS+ in 2007. Jones will hit just 3 home runs and bat .158 for the Dodgers and be released after the season.

The Rule V Draft is held. Tim Lahey goes first to the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Evan Meek to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brian Barton, expected to go first, slips to #10. Former major leaguers taken include R.A. Dickey, Travis Blackley and Jose Capellan.

ByTom

The Rule V Draft is held. Tim Lahey goes first to the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Evan Meek to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brian Barton, expected to go first, slips to #10. Former major leaguers taken include R.A. Dickey, Travis Blackley and Jose Capellan.

Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons are suspended by Major League Baseball for steroid use, following the results of George Mitchell’s investigation. No penalty is given to Troy Glaus, Scott Schoeneweis, Rick Ankiel and Gary Matthews Jr., who have also been found to be users by the Mitchell investigation.

ByTom

Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons are suspended by Major League Baseball for steroid use, following the results of George Mitchell’s investigation. No penalty is given to Troy Glaus, Scott Schoeneweis, Rick Ankiel and Gary Matthews Jr., who have also been found to be users by the Mitchell investigation.

The Rays sign reliever Troy Percival (3-0, 1.80) to an $8 million, two-year deal. The 38 year-old right-hander, who came out of retirement last season to make 34 appearances for the Cardinals, is a major upgrade to Tampa Bay’s beleaguered bullpen.

ByTom

The Rays sign reliever Troy Percival (3-0, 1.80) to an $8 million, two-year deal. The 38 year-old right-hander, who came out of retirement last season to make 34 appearances for the Cardinals, is a major upgrade to Tampa Bay’s beleaguered bullpen.

The Mets trade highly-touted prospect Lastings Milledge to the Nationals in exchange for fly chaser Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider. Although the transaction helps New York fill its immediate needs behind the plate and in the outfield, the trade appears to favor Washington due to Milledge’s perceived potential.

ByTom

The Mets trade highly-touted prospect Lastings Milledge to the Nationals in exchange for fly chaser Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider. Although the transaction helps New York fill its immediate needs behind the plate and in the outfield, the trade appears to favor Washington due to Milledge’s perceived potential.

With fan favorites Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels modeling the team’s new ‘old’ look, the Phillies unveil their alternate home uniform which will be worn during all home day games next season. The uniforms, which do not feature the familiar red pinstripes, are styled similarly to the one the club wore in the 1940s.

ByTom

With fan favorites Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels modeling the team’s new ‘old’ look, the Phillies unveil their alternate home uniform which will be worn during all home day games next season. The uniforms, which do not feature the familiar red pinstripes, are styled similarly to the one the club wore in the 1940s.

In a split-squad game between the Cubs and Diamondbacks at Mesa’s HoHoKam Park, Ria Cortesio becomes the first female ump to work a major league exhibition game since Pam Postema in 1989. The thirty year-old, who is starting her ninth year overall as an arbitrator and fifth in Double-A minor league ball, hopes to be the first woman umpire in major league history.

ByTom

In a split-squad game between the Cubs and Diamondbacks at Mesa’s HoHoKam Park, Ria Cortesio becomes the first female ump to work a major league exhibition game since Pam Postema in 1989. The thirty year-old, who is starting her ninth year overall as an arbitrator and fifth in Double-A minor league ball, hopes to be the first woman umpire in major league history.

In a six-player trade, the Twins obtain outfielder Delmon Young, infielder Brendan Harris, and outfield prospect Jason Pridie from the Rays in exchange for right-handed starter Matt Garza, starting shortstop Jason Bartlett and pitching prospect Eduardo Morlan. The acquisition of the 22 year-old turbulent Tampa Bay outfielder, who was admonished by his manager Joe Maddon last season for not hustling, will help Minnesota fill the void created by free agent Torii Hunter’s departure to the Angels.

ByTom

In a six-player trade, the Twins obtain outfielder Delmon Young, infielder Brendan Harris, and outfield prospect Jason Pridie from the Rays in exchange for right-handed starter Matt Garza, starting shortstop Jason Bartlett and pitching prospect Eduardo Morlan. The acquisition of the 22 year-old turbulent Tampa Bay outfielder, who was admonished by his manager Joe Maddon last season for not hustling, will help Minnesota fill the void created by free agent Torii Hunter’s departure to the Angels.

The Brewers and Jason Kendall agree to a one-year contract that guarantees $4.25 million and includes a vesting option for 2009. The 33 year-old catcher, who split time with the A’s and Cubs last season, replaces recently traded Johnny Estrada behind the plate.

ByTom

The Brewers and Jason Kendall agree to a one-year contract that guarantees $4.25 million and includes a vesting option for 2009. The 33 year-old catcher, who split time with the A’s and Cubs last season, replaces recently traded Johnny Estrada behind the plate.