The Orioles trade P Jeremy Guthrie, their workhorse over the past three seasons, to the Rockies in return for Ps Matt Lindstrom and Jason Hammel. In a related move, the O’s designate P Clay Rapada for assignment.
An arbitration panel rules in favor of 27 year-old Anibal Sanchez (8-9, 3.67), awarding the Marlin right-hander with a record-breaking $8 million salary for this season. The decision, which puts aside the team’s counteroffer of $6.9 million, represents the largest amount ever given to a starting pitcher who went to arbitration.
Veteran pitcher Brad Penny signs a contract with the Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League, after spending the last 12 seasons in the U.S. major leagues.
A few major leaguers also sign contracts: P Micah Owings goes to the Padres, 1B Casey Kotchman to Cleveland and P Edwin Jackson to the Nationals.
The Orioles announce that they have extended 14 invitations to non-roster players for the upcoming spring training, including veteran Ps Armando Galarraga, Pat Neshek and Willie Eyre and C Ronny Paulino.
Escogido wins the Dominican League championship, taking Game 9 of a tightly-fought finals by a score of 6 – 5 over Aguilas Cibaeñas. Andy Dirks drives in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th to give Escogido the 14th title in team history.
With the start of spring training just around the corner, some of the remaining unsigned players find homes for the season. The Rays sign IF Jeff Keppinger; IF Ryan Theriot goes to the Giants; P John Maine goes to the Red Sox; OF Juan Pierre signs with the Phillies; IF Matt Tuiasosopo signs with the Mets; and the Astros add P Zach Duke.
Ron Washington is honored with the C.I. Taylor Award as the American League’s top manager by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, part of the organization’s Legacy Awards. The Rangers’ skipper led the team to a franchise-best 96 victories and their second consecutive AL pennant last season.
The Mets announce that John Franco, the club’s all-time leader in saves and games pitched, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The All-Star closer, who has the second longest tenure in franchise history behind Ed Kranepool, compiled 276 saves of his career 424 saves, the most by any left-handed reliever in baseball history, with New York.
Prince Fielder and the Tigers agree to a nine-year, $214 million contract, a move necessitated with the AL Central champion’s loss of Victor Martinez, who could miss the entire season after tearing his left ACL while conditioning in the off-season. As a child, Prince hit fence-clearing drives when taking batting practice with his dad, Cecil, who hit 51 home runs playing with Detroit in 1990.
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