The Dodgers finalize the signing of Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda that was first reported on New Year’s Eve. He signs for eight years at $25 million, but incentive bonuses could take the value of the deal to $106.2 million. The deal is structured that way because of concerns over a potential arm injury. The Dodgers will also pay $20 million to Maeda’s former team, the Hiroshima Carp, through the posting system.

ByTom

The Dodgers finalize the signing of Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda that was first reported on New Year’s Eve. He signs for eight years at $25 million, but incentive bonuses could take the value of the deal to $106.2 million. The deal is structured that way because of concerns over a potential arm injury. The Dodgers will also pay $20 million to Maeda’s former team, the Hiroshima Carp, through the posting system.

2012 – Media in New York, NY report that C Jorge Posada is about to announce his retirement after a brilliant 17-season career during which he caught over 1,500 games and won four World Series titles. His final season was difficult, however, as he lost the starting catching job to Russell Martin and hit only .235 as the team’s designated hitter. His retirement will become official on January 24th, when he calls a press conference at New Yankee Stadium.

ByTom

2012 – Media in New York, NY report that C Jorge Posada is about to announce his retirement after a brilliant 17-season career during which he caught over 1,500 games and won four World Series titles. His final season was difficult, however, as he lost the starting catching job to Russell Martin and hit only .235 as the team’s designated hitter. His retirement will become official on January 24th, when he calls a press conference at New Yankee Stadium.

2011 – The Cubs and Rays engineer a big trade, with P Matt Garza, author of a no-hitter last season, OF Fernando Perez and a minor league pitcher to be named headed to Chicago in return for a slew of prospects. Those include P Chris Archer, OF Brandon Guyer, SS Hak-Ju Lee, C Robinson Chirinos and OF Sam Fuld, the only one in the group with major league experience. Archer and Guyer were the Cubs’ 2010 minor league player and pitcher of the year, respectively.

ByTom

2011 – The Cubs and Rays engineer a big trade, with P Matt Garza, author of a no-hitter last season, OF Fernando Perez and a minor league pitcher to be named headed to Chicago in return for a slew of prospects. Those include P Chris Archer, OF Brandon Guyer, SS Hak-Ju Lee, C Robinson Chirinos and OF Sam Fuld, the only one in the group with major league experience. Archer and Guyer were the Cubs’ 2010 minor league player and pitcher of the year, respectively.

The Mariners and Red Sox finalized their trade that brings Casey Kotchman to Seattle

ByTom

The Mariners and Red Sox finalized their trade that brings Casey Kotchman to Seattle in exchange for outfielder Bill Hall, a player to be named, and cash. The M’s acquisition of the 26 year-old slick-fielding first baseman signals the departure of free-agent slugger Russell Branyan, who suffered from a disc issue in his back late in the season last year.

Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bob Watson, the former Yankee GM, receives the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The honor is bestowed on the first black general manager in baseball history during the organization’s Legacy Awards ceremonies in Kansas City.