2010 – A number of players sign with new teams today, with P Scott Downs agreeing to a three-year deal with the Angels, OF Melky Cabrera going to the Royals, who immediately proclaim him their new starting centerfielder, the Astros signing P Ryan Rowland-Smith, the Brewers adding C Wil Nieves, and the Pirates coming to terms with P Scott Olsen.

ByTom

2010 – A number of players sign with new teams today, with P Scott Downs agreeing to a three-year deal with the Angels, OF Melky Cabrera going to the Royals, who immediately proclaim him their new starting centerfielder, the Astros signing P Ryan Rowland-Smith, the Brewers adding C Wil Nieves, and the Pirates coming to terms with P Scott Olsen.

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

The 2009 Rule V Draft is held. The Nationals select OF Jamie Hoffmann from the Dodgers with the first pick, but immediately send him to the Yankees to complete an earlier trade for P Brian Bruney. The Pirates select OF John Raynor from the Marlins with the second pick. Two other selections serve to complete trades made earlier this week: P Ben Snyder, taken by the Orioles, becomes the player to be named later in yesterday’s trade with Texas which brought P Kevin Millwood to the O’s, and 3B Jorge Jimenez, taken by the Astros, is the missing piece in their trade with the Marlins for P Matt Lindstrom.

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

ByTom

The Pirates sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29 year-old versatile infielder played multiple games for the A’s at all four infield positions.

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

ByTom

Faced with a glut of expensive relief pitchers, the Braves trade Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay for Jesse Chavez. Soriano will have an outstanding as the Rays’ closer, leading the American League in saves.

The Mets complete a $37 million, three-year contract with free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez. The former Angels’ closer, who fills a big void in the New York bullpen due to Billy Wagner’s injury, set a major league record last season, recording 62 saves.

ByTom

The Mets complete a $37 million, three-year contract with free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez. The former Angels’ closer, who fills a big void in the New York bullpen due to Billy Wagner’s injury, set a major league record last season, recording 62 saves.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies exchange catchers. Ronny Paulino, on the outs with manager John Russell, goes to Philadelphia in exchange for AAA backstop Jason Jaramillo.

ByTom

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies exchange catchers. Ronny Paulino, on the outs with manager John Russell, goes to Philadelphia in exchange for AAA backstop Jason Jaramillo.

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The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The New York Yankees reach an agreement with free agent hurler CC Sabathia for a seven-year, $161 million deal, a new record for a pitcher. Sabathia had gone 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA for the Brewers after starting the season with Cleveland where he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award.

The New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians conduct a twelve-player deal at the winter meetings. New York gets J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green from Seattle, the Mariners pick up Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto from New York and Franklin Gutierrez from Cleveland, and the Indians add Luis Valbuena from Seattle and Joe Smith from New York.

ByTom

The New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians conduct a twelve-player deal at the winter meetings. New York gets J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green from Seattle, the Mariners pick up Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto from New York and Franklin Gutierrez from Cleveland, and the Indians add Luis Valbuena from Seattle and Joe Smith from New York.