The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent outfielder Andruw Jones for $36 million over two years. Jones had led the 2005 NL with 51 home runs but is coming off a disappointing 88 OPS+ in 2007. Jones will hit just 3 home runs and bat .158 for the Dodgers and be released after the season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent outfielder Andruw Jones for $36 million over two years. Jones had led the 2005 NL with 51 home runs but is coming off a disappointing 88 OPS+ in 2007. Jones will hit just 3 home runs and bat .158 for the Dodgers and be released after the season.

The Rule V Draft is held. Tim Lahey goes first to the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Evan Meek to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brian Barton, expected to go first, slips to #10. Former major leaguers taken include R.A. Dickey, Travis Blackley and Jose Capellan.

ByTom

The Rule V Draft is held. Tim Lahey goes first to the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Evan Meek to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brian Barton, expected to go first, slips to #10. Former major leaguers taken include R.A. Dickey, Travis Blackley and Jose Capellan.

A number of free agents sign with new teams today: the Dodgers agree to a one-year contract with C Mike Lieberthal; the Giants sign C Bengie Molina to a three-year deal; the Indians sign P Joe Borowski; and the Athletics agree to a two-year deal with P Alan Embree.

ByTom

A number of free agents sign with new teams today: the Dodgers agree to a one-year contract with C Mike Lieberthal; the Giants sign C Bengie Molina to a three-year deal; the Indians sign P Joe Borowski; and the Athletics agree to a two-year deal with P Alan Embree.

2005 – The Toronto Blue Jays award a five-year, $55 million contract to highly-coveted starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, formerly of the Florida Marlins. The contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2008 season, which Burnett will exercise to reap even more riches from the New York Yankees.

ByTom

2005 – The Toronto Blue Jays award a five-year, $55 million contract to highly-coveted starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, formerly of the Florida Marlins. The contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2008 season, which Burnett will exercise to reap even more riches from the New York Yankees.

Filling a two-month managerial void, the Dodgers hire Grady Little as the team’s skipper. The former Red Sox manager, who compiled an outstanding 188-136 (.580) record in two seasons in Boston in 2002-03, is best remembered for not pulling a tiring Pedro Martinez during the eighth inning of ill-fated Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.

ByTom

Filling a two-month managerial void, the Dodgers hire Grady Little as the team’s skipper. The former Red Sox manager, who compiled an outstanding 188-136 (.580) record in two seasons in Boston in 2002-03, is best remembered for not pulling a tiring Pedro Martinez during the eighth inning of ill-fated Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.

2004 – Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests‚ and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

ByTom

2004 – Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests‚ and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year issue, featuring the 2004 Red Sox as the magazine’s choice for its prestigious honor, arrives on the newsstands today. Since its inception in 1954, SI annually has named an “athlete whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement,” making the World Champions the first team to earn the distinction in the 50-year history of the award.

ByTom

Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year issue, featuring the 2004 Red Sox as the magazine’s choice for its prestigious honor, arrives on the newsstands today. Since its inception in 1954, SI annually has named an “athlete whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement,” making the World Champions the first team to earn the distinction in the 50-year history of the award.

The MLB Players Association agrees to allow the Expos to play 22 of its home games in Puerto Rico. In an effort to increase overall attendance, the team will play three homestands at San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium but still will host 59 contests at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

ByTom

The MLB Players Association agrees to allow the Expos to play 22 of its home games in Puerto Rico. In an effort to increase overall attendance, the team will play three homestands at San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium but still will host 59 contests at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.