The San Diego Padres sign utility player Jerry Hairston to a one-year deal; he joins his brother Scott Hairston, re-acquired by the Padres in a trade two days earlier.

ByTom

The San Diego Padres sign utility player Jerry Hairston to a one-year deal; he joins his brother Scott Hairston, re-acquired by the Padres in a trade two days earlier.

The A’s sign Joe Blanton (14-10, 3.95) to a $3.7 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration with the 27 year-old right-hander. The workhorse of the staff, throwing 230 innings, second most in American League, has been the subject of trade talks as Oakland continues to rebuild for the future.

ByTom

The A’s sign Joe Blanton (14-10, 3.95) to a $3.7 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration with the 27 year-old right-hander. The workhorse of the staff, throwing 230 innings, second most in American League, has been the subject of trade talks as Oakland continues to rebuild for the future.

The Rays avoid arbitration with two of their key players when the club reaches agreements with southpaw Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.48) and infielder Carlos Pena (.282, 42, 99). The left-hand hurler, who led the AL in strikeouts last season, inks a $3,785,000, one-year pact while the club’s first baseman, the American League comeback player of the year, signs a $24+ million, three-year deal.

ByTom

The Rays avoid arbitration with two of their key players when the club reaches agreements with southpaw Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.48) and infielder Carlos Pena (.282, 42, 99). The left-hand hurler, who led the AL in strikeouts last season, inks a $3,785,000, one-year pact while the club’s first baseman, the American League comeback player of the year, signs a $24+ million, three-year deal.

At their quarterly meetings, thirty major league owners voted unanimously to extend Bud Selig’s contract by three years, retaining him as commissioner through 2012. In the post since 1992, the 73 year-old has championed change in baseball, supporting the wild card, interleague play, and the World Baseball Classic in a sport not known for innovation.

ByTom

At their quarterly meetings, thirty major league owners voted unanimously to extend Bud Selig’s contract by three years, retaining him as commissioner through 2012. In the post since 1992, the 73 year-old has championed change in baseball, supporting the wild card, interleague play, and the World Baseball Classic in a sport not known for innovation.

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are selected to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game, to be held this year on May 15th at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY.

ByTom

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are selected to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game, to be held this year on May 15th at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY.

Pitcher Danny Graves travels a long way to find his roots. Just a baby when he left Vietnam in 1974, the Cleveland Indians reliever returns for the first time to glean a sense of the country and teach baseball to kids.

ByTom

Pitcher Danny Graves travels a long way to find his roots. Just a baby when he left Vietnam in 1974, the Cleveland Indians reliever returns for the first time to glean a sense of the country and teach baseball to kids.

Eric Gagne and the Dodgers agree to a $19-million, two-year deal. The 2003 National League’s Cy Young Award winner, who set a major league record with 84 consecutive saves from August, 2002 to July, 2004, made $5 million last year, after arbitrators ruled in favor of the club’s offer over the $8 million request made by the L.A. closer.

ByTom

Eric Gagne and the Dodgers agree to a $19-million, two-year deal. The 2003 National League’s Cy Young Award winner, who set a major league record with 84 consecutive saves from August, 2002 to July, 2004, made $5 million last year, after arbitrators ruled in favor of the club’s offer over the $8 million request made by the L.A. closer.