2010 – A number of players sign with new teams today, with P Scott Downs agreeing to a three-year deal with the Angels, OF Melky Cabrera going to the Royals, who immediately proclaim him their new starting centerfielder, the Astros signing P Ryan Rowland-Smith, the Brewers adding C Wil Nieves, and the Pirates coming to terms with P Scott Olsen.

ByTom

2010 – A number of players sign with new teams today, with P Scott Downs agreeing to a three-year deal with the Angels, OF Melky Cabrera going to the Royals, who immediately proclaim him their new starting centerfielder, the Astros signing P Ryan Rowland-Smith, the Brewers adding C Wil Nieves, and the Pirates coming to terms with P Scott Olsen.

The 2010 Rule V draft is held on the last day of the Winter Meetings. SS Josh Rodriguez, selected by Pittsburgh from Cleveland is the top pick, but pitchers dominate the proceedings, representing 16 of the 19 picks. No player with major league experience is taken.

ByTom

The 2010 Rule V draft is held on the last day of the Winter Meetings. SS Josh Rodriguez, selected by Pittsburgh from Cleveland is the top pick, but pitchers dominate the proceedings, representing 16 of the 19 picks. No player with major league experience is taken.

The Twins trade SS J.J. Hardy and IF Brendan Harris to the Orioles for P Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey. The Twins are shedding salary in preparation for signing Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, whose rights they acquired via the posting system earlier this off-season.

ByTom

The Twins trade SS J.J. Hardy and IF Brendan Harris to the Orioles for P Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey. The Twins are shedding salary in preparation for signing Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, whose rights they acquired via the posting system earlier this off-season.

In other moves, OF Jeff Francoeur signs with Kansas City, P George Sherrill goes to the Braves, and DH Jack Cust inks a deal with Seattle.

ByTom

In other moves, OF Jeff Francoeur signs with Kansas City, P George Sherrill goes to the Braves, and DH Jack Cust inks a deal with Seattle.

Dave Van Horne, longtime broadcaster of the Montreal Expos (from 1969 to 2001) and Florida Marlins (since 2002), is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s 2011 Ford Frick Award.

ByTom

Dave Van Horne, longtime broadcaster of the Montreal Expos (from 1969 to 2001) and Florida Marlins (since 2002), is named recipient of the Hall of Fame’s 2011 Ford Frick Award.

The Tampa Bay Rays are at the center of dealings at the Winter Meetings today. Three of the starters from last season’s team, which posted the best record in the major leagues, change uniforms: OF Carl Crawford signs a seven-year, $142 million deal with Boston, 1B Carlos Pena inks a one-year deal with the Cubs, and the Rays trade SS Jason Bartlett to San Diego for two young pitchers, Cesar Ramos and Adam Russell. With P Joaquin Benoit signing with Detroit as a free agent last month, and closer Rafael Soriano expected to follow suit shortly, the team will have a very different look next year.

ByTom

The Tampa Bay Rays are at the center of dealings at the Winter Meetings today. Three of the starters from last season’s team, which posted the best record in the major leagues, change uniforms: OF Carl Crawford signs a seven-year, $142 million deal with Boston, 1B Carlos Pena inks a one-year deal with the Cubs, and the Rays trade SS Jason Bartlett to San Diego for two young pitchers, Cesar Ramos and Adam Russell. With P Joaquin Benoit signing with Detroit as a free agent last month, and closer Rafael Soriano expected to follow suit shortly, the team will have a very different look next year.

Signings today include OF Matt Diaz going to the Pirates and utility player Ty Wigginton going to Colorado, both on two-year deals, and the Mets reaching agreement with P D.J. Carrasco and C Ronny Paulino. Paulino still has 8 games remaining on 50-game suspension for PED use which he began to serve as a member of the Marlins at the end of last season.

ByTom

Signings today include OF Matt Diaz going to the Pirates and utility player Ty Wigginton going to Colorado, both on two-year deals, and the Mets reaching agreement with P D.J. Carrasco and C Ronny Paulino. Paulino still has 8 games remaining on 50-game suspension for PED use which he began to serve as a member of the Marlins at the end of last season.

A judge in the divorce proceedings of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt muddies the waters when he invalidates a 2004 marital property agreement that stated the Dodgers were McCourt’s sole property. As a result, his former wife Jamie is recognized as half-owner of the team; she is considering selling her share to outside investors.

ByTom

A judge in the divorce proceedings of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt muddies the waters when he invalidates a 2004 marital property agreement that stated the Dodgers were McCourt’s sole property. As a result, his former wife Jamie is recognized as half-owner of the team; she is considering selling her share to outside investors.

Pat Gillick, the executive who built the Toronto Blue Jays from an expansion team to an American League power that won two World Series in the early 1990s, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Players Association head Marvin Miller falls just one vote shy of election.

ByTom

Pat Gillick, the executive who built the Toronto Blue Jays from an expansion team to an American League power that won two World Series in the early 1990s, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Players Association head Marvin Miller falls just one vote shy of election.