The Angels sign free agent starting pitcher Joel Pineiro to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

ByTom

The Angels sign free agent starting pitcher Joel Pineiro to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

The Blue Jays purchase reliever Merkin Valdez from the Giants. The hard-throwing righty was designated for assignment last week to make room on San Francisco’s 40-man roster.

ByTom

The Blue Jays purchase reliever Merkin Valdez from the Giants. The hard-throwing righty was designated for assignment last week to make room on San Francisco’s 40-man roster.

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

ByTom

Jonathan Papelbon, avoiding arbitration, agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The 28 year-old All-Star closer has compiled a career 1.84 ERA, the second-best in big league history among pitchers with at least 200.0 innings, trailing only Meriden, Connecticut’s Ed Walsh mark of 1.82.

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

ByTom

Adam LaRoche signs a $7.05 million, one-year contract with the payroll-poor Pirates. The 25 year-old first baseman’s deal, which avoids the need for arbitration, will most likely be the second richest in Pittsburgh this season, being slightly less than shortstop Jack Wilson’s $7.25 million.

With the encouragement of President George W. Bush, a former major league owner, baseball’s second application to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to allow Cuba to play in the World Baseball Classic is approved. With the issues of potential espionage by Cuban spies accompanying the team and money going to the Castro government having been resolved, the Olympic champs will be one of the 16 teams to compete in the WBC.

ByTom

With the encouragement of President George W. Bush, a former major league owner, baseball’s second application to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to allow Cuba to play in the World Baseball Classic is approved. With the issues of potential espionage by Cuban spies accompanying the team and money going to the Castro government having been resolved, the Olympic champs will be one of the 16 teams to compete in the WBC.

Danny Graves, the only major leaguer born in Vietnam, travels to Quang Tri province just south of the DMZ, to dedicate the country’s first baseball field. Seventeen explosive devices were removed between home base and the outfield as the former soccer field was transformed into a diamond for the Le Loi High School, using money donated from Major League Baseball and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

ByTom

Danny Graves, the only major leaguer born in Vietnam, travels to Quang Tri province just south of the DMZ, to dedicate the country’s first baseball field. Seventeen explosive devices were removed between home base and the outfield as the former soccer field was transformed into a diamond for the Le Loi High School, using money donated from Major League Baseball and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Cuba will be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic after all. President Bush’s administration issued a license allowing the Cubans to participate in the 16-team tournament.

ByTom

Cuba will be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic after all. President Bush’s administration issued a license allowing the Cubans to participate in the 16-team tournament.

Pitcher Bronson Arroyo agrees to a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, and the San Diego Padres claim first baseman Walter Young off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Pitcher Bronson Arroyo agrees to a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, and the San Diego Padres claim first baseman Walter Young off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

2005 – Eric Gagné and the Los Angeles Dodgers agree to a $19 million, two-year deal. The 2003 National League 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 Los Angeles closer.

ByTom

2005 – Eric Gagné and the Los Angeles Dodgers agree to a $19 million, two-year deal. The 2003 National League 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 Los Angeles closer.