In other signings, the Rangers sign reliever Joakim Soria, coming off Tommy John surgery, and re-sign C Geovany Soto, who will be Napoli’s replacement, while the Rays ink 1B James Loney, who vacated the spot Napoli will now fill in Boston, to a one-year deal.

ByTom

In other signings, the Rangers sign reliever Joakim Soria, coming off Tommy John surgery, and re-sign C Geovany Soto, who will be Napoli’s replacement, while the Rays ink 1B James Loney, who vacated the spot Napoli will now fill in Boston, to a one-year deal.

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

2011 – The Blue Jays acquire C Jeff Mathis from the Angels for left-hander Brad Mills. Mathis is an outstanding fielder, but has a career batting average below .200. He will back up J.P. Arencibia, whose strengths and weaknesses are exactly opposite.

ByTom

2011 – The Blue Jays acquire C Jeff Mathis from the Angels for left-hander Brad Mills. Mathis is an outstanding fielder, but has a career batting average below .200. He will back up J.P. Arencibia, whose strengths and weaknesses are exactly opposite.

The Blue Jays acquire reliever Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later; the deal will be completed on December 6th when the Jays send P Shaun Marcum, their Opening Day starter, to the Brewers but also receive top prospect Brett Lawrie.

ByTom

The Blue Jays acquire reliever Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later; the deal will be completed on December 6th when the Jays send P Shaun Marcum, their Opening Day starter, to the Brewers but also receive top prospect Brett Lawrie.

Future Hall of Famer Ron Santo passes away

Future Hall of Famer Ron Santo passes away

ByTom

Former major league third baseman Ron Santo dies in an Arizona hospital from complications of bladder cancer and diabetes. The 70 year-old, considered one of the best players in Cubs history, rejoined the team in 1990 as the team’s WGN radio announcer, enamoring his listeners with his devotion to the lovable losers and gaining their admiration for his continued failure to gain induction into the Hall of Fame, an honor he will receive posthumously in 2012.

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

ByTom

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

The A’s trade right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and minor league prospects Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla to the Cubs in exchange for infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles along with cash considerations. With the addition of Fox added to their lineup, Oakland gets a much-needed power boost from the right side of the plate.

ByTom

The A’s trade right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and minor league prospects Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla to the Cubs in exchange for infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles along with cash considerations. With the addition of Fox added to their lineup, Oakland gets a much-needed power boost from the right side of the plate.

2009 – Free agent 2B Placido Polanco signs a three-year $18 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he is expected to replace 3B Pedro Feliz.

ByTom

2009 – Free agent 2B Placido Polanco signs a three-year $18 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he is expected to replace 3B Pedro Feliz.

Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces plans of corporate layoffs, which includes employees from the team’s sales staff. The team cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

ByTom

Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces plans of corporate layoffs, which includes employees from the team’s sales staff. The team cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. Chicago plans to use the right-handed reliever as the club’s primary setup man.

ByTom

After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. Chicago plans to use the right-handed reliever as the club’s primary setup man.