Ben Sheets and the A’s come to terms on a $10 million, one-year contract, making the free-agent right-hander the team’s second-highest paid player behind third baseman Eric Chavez. The 31 year-old, recovering from elbow surgery that caused him to miss all of last season, compiled an 86-83 record along with a 3.72 ERA in his first eight seasons in the major leagues, all with Milwaukee.

ByTom

Ben Sheets and the A’s come to terms on a $10 million, one-year contract, making the free-agent right-hander the team’s second-highest paid player behind third baseman Eric Chavez. The 31 year-old, recovering from elbow surgery that caused him to miss all of last season, compiled an 86-83 record along with a 3.72 ERA in his first eight seasons in the major leagues, all with Milwaukee.

2010 – Three veteran free agents sign deals with new teams today. P Ben Sheets, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery, signs with the Athletics where he will be the leader of their young starting rotation; the Twins sign DH Jim Thome for one year; and the Padres add P Jon Garland for a year as well.

ByTom

2010 – Three veteran free agents sign deals with new teams today. P Ben Sheets, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery, signs with the Athletics where he will be the leader of their young starting rotation; the Twins sign DH Jim Thome for one year; and the Padres add P Jon Garland for a year as well.

The Royals and Zack Greinke, avoiding salary arbitration, agree to a $38 million, four-year contract. The 25 year-old right-hander, grateful to the club for their understanding of his social disorder which caused him to bolt from spring training two years ago, posted a 13-10 record last season with the best ERA (3.47) by a Kansas City starter in 11 years.

ByTom

The Royals and Zack Greinke, avoiding salary arbitration, agree to a $38 million, four-year contract. The 25 year-old right-hander, grateful to the club for their understanding of his social disorder which caused him to bolt from spring training two years ago, posted a 13-10 record last season with the best ERA (3.47) by a Kansas City starter in 11 years.

The Yankees sign starting pitcher Andy Pettitte to a $5.5 million one-year deal

ByTom

The Yankees sign starting pitcher Andy Pettitte to a $5.5 million, one-year deal, less than half the club’s original $10 million offer. The 36 year-old southpaw, however, can make an additional $4.5 million based on innings pitched and another $2 million dependent on days spent on the active roster.

Fidel Castro confirms that his country will play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic in Cuba’s first official reaction to the U.S. government’s decision allowing the communist country to participate.

ByTom

Fidel Castro confirms that his country will play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic in Cuba’s first official reaction to the U.S. government’s decision allowing the communist country to participate.

Two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas agrees a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics, and first baseman Ben Broussard avoids salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.

ByTom

Two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas agrees a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics, and first baseman Ben Broussard avoids salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.

2005 – The New York Mets, who failed to sign free agent Carlos Delgado who was snatched up by the Marlins yesterday, quickly fill the void at first base by trading three prospects to the Boston Red Sox for Gold Glove Award winner Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox, who acquired Mientkiewicz from Minnesota to solidify their defense, will use heavy-hitting, light-fielding Kevin Millar at first.

ByTom

2005 – The New York Mets, who failed to sign free agent Carlos Delgado who was snatched up by the Marlins yesterday, quickly fill the void at first base by trading three prospects to the Boston Red Sox for Gold Glove Award winner Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox, who acquired Mientkiewicz from Minnesota to solidify their defense, will use heavy-hitting, light-fielding Kevin Millar at first.

2002 – The Seattle Mariners trade third baseman David Bell to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for infielder Desi Relaford. Bell became expendable when Seattle acquired Jeff Cirillo from the Colorado Rockies earlier in the off-season.

ByTom

2002 – The Seattle Mariners trade third baseman David Bell to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for infielder Desi Relaford. Bell became expendable when Seattle acquired Jeff Cirillo from the Colorado Rockies earlier in the off-season.

interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series

interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series

ByTom

The June 8-10 (Arlington) and June 15-17 (Houston) interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series. It will be first time the two Texan teams have ever played one another during the regular season.