Hisashi Iwakuma announces he is closing negotiations with the Oakland Athletics and will remain with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2011. Selected under the posting system, Iwakuma was offered a four-year, $15 million deal, which he felt was below his value.

ByTom

Hisashi Iwakuma announces he is closing negotiations with the Oakland Athletics and will remain with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2011. Selected under the posting system, Iwakuma was offered a four-year, $15 million deal, which he felt was below his value.

Flush with young starting pitchers, the Blue Jays trade last year’s Opening Day starter, Shaun Marcum, to the Brewers for top Canadian prospect Brett Lawrie.

ByTom

Flush with young starting pitchers, the Blue Jays trade last year’s Opening Day starter, Shaun Marcum, to the Brewers for top Canadian prospect Brett Lawrie.

The Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds, renowned for both his homers and strikeouts, from the Diamondbacks for P David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. In a related move, the D-Backs sign 3B Melvin Mora, formerly of Colorado, to a one-year deal; they also ink P J.J. Putz for two years, with the aim of installing him as their new closer.

ByTom

The Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds, renowned for both his homers and strikeouts, from the Diamondbacks for P David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. In a related move, the D-Backs sign 3B Melvin Mora, formerly of Colorado, to a one-year deal; they also ink P J.J. Putz for two years, with the aim of installing him as their new closer.

The Red Sox complete their deal for Adrian Gonzalez

The Red Sox complete their deal for Adrian Gonzalez

ByTom

The Red Sox complete their deal for Adrian Gonzalez by sending minor league right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named to San Diego for the All-Star first baseman. The left-handed slugger, who is expected to take advantage of the Green Monster’s proximity to home plate, is entering the last year of his contract, and the deal does not include a contract extension to stay in Boston.

2010 – The Washington Nationals sign free agent OF Jayson Werth to a seven-year deal worth $125 million. The deal is considered shocking because of its length, considering Werth is already 31 and was a late bloomer.

ByTom

2010 – The Washington Nationals sign free agent OF Jayson Werth to a seven-year deal worth $125 million. The deal is considered shocking because of its length, considering Werth is already 31 and was a late bloomer.

On the eve of the winter meetings, free-agent Jayson Werth (.296, 27, 85) and the Nationals come to terms on a $126 million, seven-year contract. The signing of the 31 year-old right-fielder, who has been a cog in Philadelphia’s recent success, will help to fill the void created by the departure of Adam Dunn, the team’s former clean-up hitter, to the south side of Chicago.

ByTom

On the eve of the winter meetings, free-agent Jayson Werth (.296, 27, 85) and the Nationals come to terms on a $126 million, seven-year contract. The signing of the 31 year-old right-fielder, who has been a cog in Philadelphia’s recent success, will help to fill the void created by the departure of Adam Dunn, the team’s former clean-up hitter, to the south side of Chicago.

The Red Sox acquire All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego for three prospects, P Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Reymond Fuentes; Kelly and Fuentes are former first round picks in the amateur draft and are considered prize catches for the Friars, although Rizzo will turn out to be the best of the three. The move also means that 1B Kevin Youkilis will move across the diamond to 3B, where he played in the minor leagues, and signals that the Sox have given up hopes of re-signing 3B Adrian Beltre, their best hitter last season. The deal will be official in two days when Gonzalez signs a seven-year contract with Boston, worth $154 million.

ByTom

The Red Sox acquire All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego for three prospects, P Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Reymond Fuentes; Kelly and Fuentes are former first round picks in the amateur draft and are considered prize catches for the Friars, although Rizzo will turn out to be the best of the three. The move also means that 1B Kevin Youkilis will move across the diamond to 3B, where he played in the minor leagues, and signals that the Sox have given up hopes of re-signing 3B Adrian Beltre, their best hitter last season. The deal will be official in two days when Gonzalez signs a seven-year contract with Boston, worth $154 million.

The Cardinals sign free agent 1B Lance Berkman from the Yankees. He will move to LF in St. Louis, as 1B Albert Pujols is very much entrenched at his position.

ByTom

The Cardinals sign free agent 1B Lance Berkman from the Yankees. He will move to LF in St. Louis, as 1B Albert Pujols is very much entrenched at his position.

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

ByTom

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.