The Reds sign veteran OF Ryan Ludwick and C Dioner Navarro, while the Red Sox sign P Vicente Padilla, all as free agents. All three are former All-Stars expected to compete for spots as back-up players.
Joey Votto and the Reds agree to a three-year contract extension worth $38 million. The 27 year-old first baseman, who was voted the National League’s Most Valuable Player last season, had a career year, batting .324 along with hitting 37 home runs and driving in 113 runs.
The Marlins deal Dan Uggla to the Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn. Atlanta’s acquisition of the two-time All-Star second baseman, who hit .287 with 33 homers and 105 RBIs last season, could be a signal the team is uncertain about Chipper Jones’ status for next year after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.
The Red Sox sign another infielder to a long-term contract when Kevin Youkilis agrees to a four-year deal reportedly worth $41 million. The 29 year-old Gold Glove first baseman will join Dustin Pedroia, who inked a six-year contract extension in December, on the right side of Boston’s infield for the foreseeable future.
Dontrelle Willis (22-10, 2.63), signing a record-setting one-year deal with the Marlins, avoids arbitration by agreeing to a $4.35 million one-year deal which could be worth $4.55 million if certain performance-based incentives are reached. The All-Star southpaw’s deal surpasses those for Roy Halladay and Andy Pettitte, who both inked $3.8 million contracts, for the highest amount ever given to a starting pitcher in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
The owners establish the minimum age of 14 for bat boys. The change from not having any age requirement is prompted by a near collision at home plate during Game 5 of last year’s World Series involving 4-year old bat boy Darren Baker, the son of Giants manager Dusty Baker.
The Hall of Fame announces that Gary Carter will become the first player to wear a Montreal Expos cap on his plaque when he is inducted next July at Cooperstown. Although the former Montreal catcher had expressed his desire to go in with a Mets logo, for whom he won a Championship in 1986, the Hall of Fame makes the final decision.
Trying to restore a competitive edge to the All-Star Game, the owners unanimously approve that the winning league of the Mid-Summer classic will have home field advantage during the World Series. Approval is needed by the players to change the current rotation between the two leagues, which was put in place since the inception of the World Series in 1903.
Free agent Jose Canseco agrees to terms with the Anaheim Angels. The incentive-laden contract ranging from $200,000 to as much as $5 million will be based on plate appearances as a designated hitter.
Outfielders Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. The former Minnesota Twins are the fourth pair of teammates selected by BBWAA in the same year.
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