The Mariners land the most sought-after free agent when the team signs Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240-million contract, a value that equals Albert Pujols’ deal with the Angels for the third largest in baseball history. The Yankees, the 32 year-old’s former team who did not want to commit those kinds of dollars or years for their All-Star second baseman, recently inked outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for $153 million (7 years) and catcher Brian McCann for $85 million (5 years).

ByTom

The Mariners land the most sought-after free agent when the team signs Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240-million contract, a value that equals Albert Pujols’ deal with the Angels for the third largest in baseball history. The Yankees, the 32 year-old’s former team who did not want to commit those kinds of dollars or years for their All-Star second baseman, recently inked outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for $153 million (7 years) and catcher Brian McCann for $85 million (5 years).

In the annual Rule V Draft, the Rangers make the biggest splash by selecting Russell Wilson from the Rockies in the minor league phase. Not that he is likely to help on the diamond, as he is currently busy playing quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and last played minor league baseball in 2011. The first pick in the draft, P Patrick Schuster, is immediately sent by the Astros to the Padres as the player to be named later in an earlier trade for P Anthony Bass.

ByTom

In the annual Rule V Draft, the Rangers make the biggest splash by selecting Russell Wilson from the Rockies in the minor league phase. Not that he is likely to help on the diamond, as he is currently busy playing quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and last played minor league baseball in 2011. The first pick in the draft, P Patrick Schuster, is immediately sent by the Astros to the Padres as the player to be named later in an earlier trade for P Anthony Bass.

Arizona signs P Brandon McCarthy for two years and $15 million after tests confirm that he is fully recovered from having been struck in the head by a line drive on September 5th.

ByTom

Arizona signs P Brandon McCarthy for two years and $15 million after tests confirm that he is fully recovered from having been struck in the head by a line drive on September 5th.

The Marlins trade P Burke Badenhop to the Rays in exchange for C Jake Jefferies and then sign veteran OF Aaron Rowand to a minor league contract assorted with an invitation to spring training.

ByTom

The Marlins trade P Burke Badenhop to the Rays in exchange for C Jake Jefferies and then sign veteran OF Aaron Rowand to a minor league contract assorted with an invitation to spring training.

The Brewers make a change at third base, trading incumbent Casey McGehee to Pittsburgh for P Jose Veras, and then signing free agent Aramis Ramirez to a three-year contract.

ByTom

The Brewers make a change at third base, trading incumbent Casey McGehee to Pittsburgh for P Jose Veras, and then signing free agent Aramis Ramirez to a three-year contract.

The Blue Jays acquire OF Ben Francisco from the Phillies in return form minor league P Frank Gailey. Francisco was made redundant when the Phils acquired Hunter Pence at the trading deadline, while holding on to youngsters Domonic Brown and John Mayberry to serve as back-ups. However, it is now the Jays who have a glut of outfielders following the trade.

ByTom

The Blue Jays acquire OF Ben Francisco from the Phillies in return form minor league P Frank Gailey. Francisco was made redundant when the Phils acquired Hunter Pence at the trading deadline, while holding on to youngsters Domonic Brown and John Mayberry to serve as back-ups. However, it is now the Jays who have a glut of outfielders following the trade.

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

ByTom

2009 – A new batch of free agents is created as the final deadline for offering contracts for next season passes: among prominent players non-tendered are DH Jack Cust (Oakland), 3B Garrett Atkins (Colorado), P Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), 1B Ryan Garko (San Francisco), OF Ryan Church and 2B Kelly Johnson (Atlanta), P Matt Capps (Pittsburgh) and OF Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati).

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.

ByTom

Brandon Lyon (6-5, 2.86) and the Astros finalize their $15 million, three-year deal. The Tigers’ former right-handed reliever, who saved 26 games for Arizona in 2008, hopes to be the club’s closer, but may be used in Houston as the set-up man to get to Matt Lindstrom.