2012 – The Red Sox sign OF Cody Ross to a one-year contract and designate P Scott Atchison for assignment, while the Nationals sign former Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge, also for one year.

ByTom

2012 – The Red Sox sign OF Cody Ross to a one-year contract and designate P Scott Atchison for assignment, while the Nationals sign former Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge, also for one year.

In other signings today, the Giants agree to a two-year contract with star P Tim Lincecum for $40.5 million, avoiding a potential record payout via arbitration, and the Blue Jays add yet another veteran reliever, signing former Reds closer Francisco Cordero for one year.

ByTom

In other signings today, the Giants agree to a two-year contract with star P Tim Lincecum for $40.5 million, avoiding a potential record payout via arbitration, and the Blue Jays add yet another veteran reliever, signing former Reds closer Francisco Cordero for one year.

More than 20 bids are received for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are being sold as a result of owner Frank McCourt’s costly divorce settlement with his wife Jamie. It’s a far cry from when McCourt was the sole bidder for the team in 2004 and underpaid through a highly-leveraged transaction: this time, the new owners will have a chance to auction the team’s broadcast rights for a huge payout. Prominent among the bidders are Mark Walter, CEO of a financial firm, who is allied with former NBA great Magic Johnson; multi-millionaire Steve Cohen, allied with former deputy Commissioner Steve Greenberg; real estate developer Rick Caruso, allied with former Dodgers manager Joe Torre; talk show host Larry King; Peter O’Malley, the team’s former owner; Allen Casden, another real estate tycoon, whose plan is to move the team to a downtown location while redeveloping the land around Dodger Stadium for housing; NBA owner Mark Cuban; and NHL owner Ron Burkle, a close friend of former President Bill Clinton.

ByTom

More than 20 bids are received for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are being sold as a result of owner Frank McCourt’s costly divorce settlement with his wife Jamie. It’s a far cry from when McCourt was the sole bidder for the team in 2004 and underpaid through a highly-leveraged transaction: this time, the new owners will have a chance to auction the team’s broadcast rights for a huge payout. Prominent among the bidders are Mark Walter, CEO of a financial firm, who is allied with former NBA great Magic Johnson; multi-millionaire Steve Cohen, allied with former deputy Commissioner Steve Greenberg; real estate developer Rick Caruso, allied with former Dodgers manager Joe Torre; talk show host Larry King; Peter O’Malley, the team’s former owner; Allen Casden, another real estate tycoon, whose plan is to move the team to a downtown location while redeveloping the land around Dodger Stadium for housing; NBA owner Mark Cuban; and NHL owner Ron Burkle, a close friend of former President Bill Clinton.

Rocked by the loss of DH Victor Martinez to an off-season injury last week, the Tigers react by signing the most prominent free agent remaining on the market, 1B Prince Fielder. It takes a nine-year, $214 million contract to land the big slugger. The move is doubly surprising because Detroit was not rumored to be among the teams bidding for Prince, and because they already have one the game’s premium first basemen, Miguel Cabrera, signed to a long-term deal.

ByTom

Rocked by the loss of DH Victor Martinez to an off-season injury last week, the Tigers react by signing the most prominent free agent remaining on the market, 1B Prince Fielder. It takes a nine-year, $214 million contract to land the big slugger. The move is doubly surprising because Detroit was not rumored to be among the teams bidding for Prince, and because they already have one the game’s premium first basemen, Miguel Cabrera, signed to a long-term deal.

The Blue Jays ink 44-year-old Omar Vizquel, the all-time major league leader in games played at shortstop, to a minor league contract that will have him compete with Mike McCoy and Luis Valbuena to be the Jays’ utility infielder. Meanwhile, the Orioles sign utility player Wilson Betemit to a one-year deal.

ByTom

The Blue Jays ink 44-year-old Omar Vizquel, the all-time major league leader in games played at shortstop, to a minor league contract that will have him compete with Mike McCoy and Luis Valbuena to be the Jays’ utility infielder. Meanwhile, the Orioles sign utility player Wilson Betemit to a one-year deal.

Escogido takes a two games to none lead in the Dominican League finals with a 4 – 1 win over Aguilas Cibaeñas. Nelson Figueroa is the winner and Mauro Gomez leads the offense with a homer off Manauris Baez. Julio Lugo helps out by going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles.

ByTom

Escogido takes a two games to none lead in the Dominican League finals with a 4 – 1 win over Aguilas Cibaeñas. Nelson Figueroa is the winner and Mauro Gomez leads the offense with a homer off Manauris Baez. Julio Lugo helps out by going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles.

In the Mexican Pacific League, Agustin Murillo hits a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to lead Ciudad Obregon to a 6 – 5 win over Guasave, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals.

ByTom

In the Mexican Pacific League, Agustin Murillo hits a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to lead Ciudad Obregon to a 6 – 5 win over Guasave, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals.

In a surprise move, the Red Sox trade their starting shortstop for the past two years, Marco Scutaro, to the Colorado Rockies in return for P Clayton Mortensen.

ByTom

In a surprise move, the Red Sox trade their starting shortstop for the past two years, Marco Scutaro, to the Colorado Rockies in return for P Clayton Mortensen.