The Pittsburgh Pirates deal away two-time All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan and middle infield prospect Brock Holt to the Boston Red Sox for four former prospects who have struggled in the last couple of years: Mark Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel, Jerry Sands and Iván DeJesús Jr.

ByTom

The Pittsburgh Pirates deal away two-time All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan and middle infield prospect Brock Holt to the Boston Red Sox for four former prospects who have struggled in the last couple of years: Mark Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel, Jerry Sands and Iván DeJesús Jr.

2010 – Having lost Cliff Lee earlier this month, the Rangers sign another former Cy Young Award winner to bolster their starting rotation. Brandon Webb, who last pitched in April of 2009 before being felled by shoulder injuries is expected to be fit for spring training as he joins the defending American League champs. However, he won’t pitch at all in 2011.

ByTom

2010 – Having lost Cliff Lee earlier this month, the Rangers sign another former Cy Young Award winner to bolster their starting rotation. Brandon Webb, who last pitched in April of 2009 before being felled by shoulder injuries is expected to be fit for spring training as he joins the defending American League champs. However, he won’t pitch at all in 2011.

2009 – The Diamondbacks sign free agent relief pitcher Bobby Howry to a one-year contract while the Nationals ink veteran reliever Eddie Guardado to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

ByTom

2009 – The Diamondbacks sign free agent relief pitcher Bobby Howry to a one-year contract while the Nationals ink veteran reliever Eddie Guardado to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

2008 – 44-year-old Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, signs with his hometown San Francisco Giants for $8 million (with $5 million in incentives) for one season. Johnson is five wins shy of 300 for his career.

ByTom

2008 – 44-year-old Randy Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, signs with his hometown San Francisco Giants for $8 million (with $5 million in incentives) for one season. Johnson is five wins shy of 300 for his career.

MLB outlines steroid and amphetimine policies

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Associated Press reports that baseball took a lot of shots in 2005 from politicians, commentators and players themselves as the sport struggled with steroids. MLB went from no drug policy in 2002 to anonymous testing in 2003, to counseling for positive tests in 2004, to a dozen 10-day suspensions this year. Starting next year, an initial positive test will result in a 50-game suspension, and players will be tested for amphetamines for the first time, with penalties for a second positive result.

Free agent P Jason Johnson signs a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. Johnson, who went 8-13 with a 4.55 ERA and a career-high 210 innings for the Detroit Tigers last season, joins C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook in one of the American League’s deepest rotations.

ByTom

Free agent P Jason Johnson signs a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. Johnson, who went 8-13 with a 4.55 ERA and a career-high 210 innings for the Detroit Tigers last season, joins C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook in one of the American League’s deepest rotations.