Junichi Tazawa becomes the first blue chip Japanese prospect to skip the NPB draft and sign directly with a Major League Baseball team. He inks a three-year, $3.3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. A member of Japan’s squad in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, he is projected to start 2009 at AA.

ByTom

Junichi Tazawa becomes the first blue chip Japanese prospect to skip the NPB draft and sign directly with a Major League Baseball team. He inks a three-year, $3.3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. A member of Japan’s squad in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, he is projected to start 2009 at AA.

In other shortstop news, the St. Louis Cardinals acquire Khalil Greene, a star in 2007 who struggled in 2008, from the San Diego Padres for Mark Worrell and a player to be named later.

ByTom

In other shortstop news, the St. Louis Cardinals acquire Khalil Greene, a star in 2007 who struggled in 2008, from the San Diego Padres for Mark Worrell and a player to be named later.

Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces plans of corporate layoffs, which includes employees from the team’s sales staff. The team cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

ByTom

Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces plans of corporate layoffs, which includes employees from the team’s sales staff. The team cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. Chicago plans to use the right-handed reliever as the club’s primary setup man.

ByTom

After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. Chicago plans to use the right-handed reliever as the club’s primary setup man.

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the new ballpark’s name will remain Citi Field regardless of the suggestion of two New York City council members who think the name should be Citi/Taxpayer Field due to the government’s bailout of the struggling financial institution. Citigroup is paying the franchise $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium.

ByTom

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the new ballpark’s name will remain Citi Field regardless of the suggestion of two New York City council members who think the name should be Citi/Taxpayer Field due to the government’s bailout of the struggling financial institution. Citigroup is paying the franchise $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium.

2008 – The post-season Serie A1 All-Star team and award winners for 2008 are announced. Batting champ Giuseppe Mazzanti wins MVP honors while Gustavo Martinez is named the best pitcher. All-Stars are C Kelly Ramos, 1B Dean Rovinelli, 2B Renato Imperiali, SS Seth La Fera, 3B Mazzanti, RF Claudio Liverziani, CF Richard Austin, LF Willie Vasquez, DH Max De Biase and P Martinez. Doriano Bindi is named Manager of the Year and Alessandro Cappuccini Umpire of the Year.

ByTom

2008 – The post-season Serie A1 All-Star team and award winners for 2008 are announced. Batting champ Giuseppe Mazzanti wins MVP honors while Gustavo Martinez is named the best pitcher. All-Stars are C Kelly Ramos, 1B Dean Rovinelli, 2B Renato Imperiali, SS Seth La Fera, 3B Mazzanti, RF Claudio Liverziani, CF Richard Austin, LF Willie Vasquez, DH Max De Biase and P Martinez. Doriano Bindi is named Manager of the Year and Alessandro Cappuccini Umpire of the Year.

Chase Utley is expected to need four to six months to recover from arthroscopic hip surgery performed today at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery. Despite battling the injury for much of the year, the All-Star Phillies second baseman, played a pivotal role in the team’s World Championship this season.

ByTom

Chase Utley is expected to need four to six months to recover from arthroscopic hip surgery performed today at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery. Despite battling the injury for much of the year, the All-Star Phillies second baseman, played a pivotal role in the team’s World Championship this season.

2008 – The Pittsburgh Pirates become the first major league team to sign a player from India. They ink pitchers Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, who had not touched a baseball prior to this year, when they participated in a reality show from India, “The Million Dollar Arm Hunt”.

ByTom

2008 – The Pittsburgh Pirates become the first major league team to sign a player from India. They ink pitchers Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, who had not touched a baseball prior to this year, when they participated in a reality show from India, “The Million Dollar Arm Hunt”.

The 35-year reign of George Steinbrenner as the Yankees boss officially ends when the MLB owners unanimously approve of his son taking control of the franchise. Hal Steinbrenner was appointed co-chairman of the team along with his brother Hank at the start of last season when it became evident their 78 year-old dad was gradually reducing his role as the owner of the storied franchise.

ByBaseball

The 35-year reign of George Steinbrenner as the Yankees boss officially ends when the MLB owners unanimously approve of his son taking control of the franchise. Hal Steinbrenner was appointed co-chairman of the team along with his brother Hank at the start of last season when it became evident their 78 year-old dad was gradually reducing his role as the owner of the storied franchise.

Mike Mussina, a twenty-game winner last season, announces his retirement, ending an 18-year career with the Orioles and the Yankees. ‘Moose,’ who compiled a 270-153 record with a 3.68 ERA, left Baltimore after the 2000 season, signing an $88.5 million, six-year free-agent deal to play in the Bronx.

ByBaseball

Mike Mussina, a twenty-game winner last season, announces his retirement, ending an 18-year career with the Orioles and the Yankees. ‘Moose,’ who compiled a 270-153 record with a 3.68 ERA, left Baltimore after the 2000 season, signing an $88.5 million, six-year free-agent deal to play in the Bronx.