A devastating earthquake hits the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, located a few hundred miles off the coast of Florida. Major League Baseball quickly pledges $1 million to UNICEF to help with the relief effort. Teams like the New York Yankees and players such as Miguel Tejada also pledge their support. While Haiti is not a traditional source of players, unlike its neighbor to the east the Dominican Republic, there were 13 Haitian-born players in the minor leagues in 2009 and efforts are now directed to ascertain their well-being.

ByTom

A devastating earthquake hits the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, located a few hundred miles off the coast of Florida. Major League Baseball quickly pledges $1 million to UNICEF to help with the relief effort. Teams like the New York Yankees and players such as Miguel Tejada also pledge their support. While Haiti is not a traditional source of players, unlike its neighbor to the east the Dominican Republic, there were 13 Haitian-born players in the minor leagues in 2009 and efforts are now directed to ascertain their well-being.

The Marlins and the major league players’ union come to an understanding in which the team agrees to increase its payroll, an agreement which will end in 2012 when Florida’s new ballpark is scheduled to open. The small amount that the club spends on paying its players violates the revenue-sharing provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

ByTom

The Marlins and the major league players’ union come to an understanding in which the team agrees to increase its payroll, an agreement which will end in 2012 when Florida’s new ballpark is scheduled to open. The small amount that the club spends on paying its players violates the revenue-sharing provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

21-year-old Cuban lefthanded pitching star Aroldis Chapman signs a 6-year, $30.25 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds after weeks of auditioning for a number of interested teams. Chapman defected in July, before taking part in the 2009 World Port Tournament and established residency in Andorra, making him a free agent. The package offered by the Reds is comparable to that given by the Washington Nationals to Stephen Strasburg, the top pick in the 2009 amateur draft.

ByTom

21-year-old Cuban lefthanded pitching star Aroldis Chapman signs a 6-year, $30.25 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds after weeks of auditioning for a number of interested teams. Chapman defected in July, before taking part in the 2009 World Port Tournament and established residency in Andorra, making him a free agent. The package offered by the Reds is comparable to that given by the Washington Nationals to Stephen Strasburg, the top pick in the 2009 amateur draft.

After years of rumors and speculation which have stalled his candidacy for the Hall of Fame, retired slugger Mark McGwire comes clean in an interview, confirming that he was a user of steroids and human growth hormone starting in 1990, including during his record-setting 1998 season. He had refused to broach the subject when called before a Congressional committee hearing in March, 2005, but decides to speak to the media a few months after accepting a position as hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals.

ByTom

After years of rumors and speculation which have stalled his candidacy for the Hall of Fame, retired slugger Mark McGwire comes clean in an interview, confirming that he was a user of steroids and human growth hormone starting in 1990, including during his record-setting 1998 season. He had refused to broach the subject when called before a Congressional committee hearing in March, 2005, but decides to speak to the media a few months after accepting a position as hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Greg Maddux, who started his major league career with the Cubs in 1986, is returning to the team as an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry

Greg Maddux, who started his major league career with the Cubs in 1986, is returning to the team as an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry

ByTom

Former pitching great Greg Maddux, who started his major league career with the Cubs in 1986, is returning to the team as an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry. A sure first-ballot Hall of Famer, the 355-game winner’s duties will include assisting the major league and minor league coaching staffs at spring training, evaluating talent, and developing minor league players.

Ryne Sandberg, with aspirations of being the Cubs manager someday, agrees to be the skipper of the team’s Triple-A Iowa farm club, replacing Bobby Dickerson

ByTom

Ryne Sandberg, with aspirations of being the Cubs manager someday, agrees to be the skipper of the team’s Triple-A Iowa farm club, replacing Bobby Dickerson who left for a position with Baltimore. The 50 year-old Hall of Fame infielder has been managing in the Chicago farm system for the past three seasons, two with the Single-A Peoria Chiefs and one year with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

The Giants sign Aubrey Huff to a one-year contract. He will play first base after being mainly a designated hitter with Baltimore and Detroit last season, and will be a key cog in the Giants drive to their first World Championship in San Francisco.

ByTom

The Giants sign Aubrey Huff to a one-year contract. He will play first base after being mainly a designated hitter with Baltimore and Detroit last season, and will be a key cog in the Giants drive to their first World Championship in San Francisco.

The Texas Rangers sign slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who is coming off an injury-filled season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is expected to be the starting designated hitter in Texas. The Rangers also sign free agent infielder Khalil Greene to a one-year contract.

ByTom

The Texas Rangers sign slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who is coming off an injury-filled season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is expected to be the starting designated hitter in Texas. The Rangers also sign free agent infielder Khalil Greene to a one-year contract.

The Houston Astros sign P Brett Myers, who won three games for the Phillies in the 2008 Postseason, to a one-year deal. Myers missed most of the 2009 season after undergoing hip surgery.

ByTom

The Houston Astros sign P Brett Myers, who won three games for the Phillies in the 2008 Postseason, to a one-year deal. Myers missed most of the 2009 season after undergoing hip surgery.