The Mariners part ways with Chone Figgins with one year remaining on his four-year contract, swallowing a hit of $8 million. The third baseman had been a major disappointment since signing as a free agent before the 2010 season, hitting only .227 in 304 games with Seattle over three years. The Mariners also trade OF Trayvon Robinson to Baltimore for IF Robert Andino.

The Yankees re-sign P Hiroki Kuroda for one year for $15 million, giving him a big raise after he won 16 games for the club last season.

The Blue Jays rehire John Gibbons as their manager to replace John Farrell, who was released from his contract last month to become Boston’s skipper. In the 605 games he managed over parts of five seasons from 2004-08, the 50 year-old field boss compiled a 305-305 won-lost record for Toronto.

Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals come to terms on a $25 million, three-year deal that will keep the right-hander in Kansas City through 2015. The former Eagle Scout, obtained in a midseason trade from the Rockies for southpaw starter Jonathan Sanchez, compiled a 5-3 record along with a 3.16 ERA in 14 starts with his new team.

The Rays announce the club has re-signed Joel Peralta to a $6 million, two-year deal that includes club options for 2015-17. The 36 year-old right-handed reliever, mainly in his role as setup man for Fernando Rodney, posted a 2-6 record along with a 3.63 ERA and a career-high 84 strikeouts in his 76 appearances for Tampa Bay.

Commissioner Bud Selig gives final approval to the 12-player trade between the Marlins and Blue Jays first announced on November 13th. “After a thorough examination […], it is my conclusion that this transaction, involving established Major Leaguers and highly regarded young players and prospects, represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both Clubs, does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball and does not otherwise warrant the exercise of any of my powers to prevent its completion,” Selig says in a written statement.

The Padres exercised their 2014-15 options on Bud Black’s contract, ensuring their skipper will remain with the club for the next three seasons. The 2010 National League’s Manager of the Year, who has the second-longest tenure in the dugout in franchise history, has compiled a 464-509 (.465) won-loss record during his six seasons with San Diego.

After cleaning house earlier this week, the Marlins add a rare veteran by signing free agent OF Juan Pierre to a one-year contract.

The Athletics trade P Tyson Ross and A.J. Kirby-Jones to the Padres in return for IF Andy Parrino and P Andrew Werner.

At Busch Stadium, the Cardinals unveil a jersey that for the first time in eight decades will feature the words “St. Louis” in script on the front. The Redbirds also announce the team will wear red hats on the road instead of navy and their logo will have more-detailed cardinals on the bat.