In an effort to increase attendance, Washington reduces individual ticket prices on 14,000 seats and does not raise prices on any of the 41,888 seats at Nationals Park. The club ranked a disappointing 13th place in attendance in the 16-team National League circuit despite the debut of a brand new stadium in the nation’s capital.

ByTom

In an effort to increase attendance, Washington reduces individual ticket prices on 14,000 seats and does not raise prices on any of the 41,888 seats at Nationals Park. The club ranked a disappointing 13th place in attendance in the 16-team National League circuit despite the debut of a brand new stadium in the nation’s capital.

“​Nine years ago you welcomed me into your community. You greeted me as a name and embraced me as a person, and I leave you now as a friend.” – ROCCO BALDELLI, thanking Tampa Bay fans in an open letter for their support during his time with the Rays. Rocco Baldelli, traded to the Red Sox in the offseason, takes out an ad in the St. Petersburg Times to show his appreciation of the support given to him by the Rays fans during his five years with the franchise. In an open letter, the outfielder writes,”I will always think of the Tampa Bay area as my second home, and I would like to thank everyone for accepting me and for making my time here as enjoyable as it was”.

ByTom

“​Nine years ago you welcomed me into your community. You greeted me as a name and embraced me as a person, and I leave you now as a friend.” – ROCCO BALDELLI, thanking Tampa Bay fans in an open letter for their support during his time with the Rays. Rocco Baldelli, traded to the Red Sox in the offseason, takes out an ad in the St. Petersburg Times to show his appreciation of the support given to him by the Rays fans during his five years with the franchise. In an open letter, the outfielder writes,”I will always think of the Tampa Bay area as my second home, and I would like to thank everyone for accepting me and for making my time here as enjoyable as it was”.

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

ByTom

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

ByTom

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

ByTom

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

The Red Sox sign Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia to long term deals

ByTom

The Red Sox sign another infielder to a long-term contract when Kevin Youkilis agrees to a four-year deal reportedly worth $41 million. The 29 year-old Gold Glove first baseman will join Dustin Pedroia, who inked a six-year contract extension in December, on the right side of Boston’s infield for the foreseeable future.

Derek Lowe signs a four-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $60 million. The 35 year-old right-hander will be the ace of Atlanta’s new-look rotation that includes the recently acquired Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami, who pitched in Japan last season for the Chunichi Dragons.

ByTom

Derek Lowe signs a four-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $60 million. The 35 year-old right-hander will be the ace of Atlanta’s new-look rotation that includes the recently acquired Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami, who pitched in Japan last season for the Chunichi Dragons.

The Dodgers, who had restructured Andruw Jones’s contract earlier in the month, put their expensive center fielder on waivers rather than pursuing a trade for the five-time All-Star. The highest-paid player in the franchise history, who signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal during the 2007 offseason, was a complete bust in his one season with the team, hitting a meager .158 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at-bats.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Dodgers, who had restructured Andruw Jones’s contract earlier in the month, put their expensive center fielder on waivers rather than pursuing a trade for the five-time All-Star. The highest-paid player in the franchise history, who signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal during the 2007 offseason, was a complete bust in his one season with the team, hitting a meager .158 with just three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at-bats.