Breaking News

Back on December 22nd, I wrote a post wondering who’s going to be in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011.

Here is how I ended the post:

The New York Yankees are getting close to an agreement on a one-year contract with Andruw Jones, according to Tim Brown via Twitter.

After just a few days being told to sign Rafael Soriano to a three-year, $35 million deal by the owners, the Steinbrenners, general manager Brian Cashman has some good news after losing their first-round pick this upcoming draft. 

With Jones, they finally get a good fourth outfielder that can play all three outfield positions and give regular starters some rests. 

Courtesy of Yankees 'n More

Turns out GM Brian Cashman meant what he said a few days ago when declaring he would not be giving up the New York Yankees' No. 1 pick for any of the players remaining on the free-agent market.

He just didn't bother to check first with ownership, and they held a differing view.

The Yankees recently avoided arbitration with pitchers Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan, easily saving the club a lot of money. 

All three of the pitchers were signed to one-year deals with the club.

Hughes—$2.7 million

Joba—$1.4 million

Logan— $1.2 million

We're still in January, but most MLB team's rosters are taking shape for 2011.

Almost all of the major free agents have been signed, and we can start to look forward to Spring Training and the regular season beyond, anticipating the action on the field finally taking center stage again.

But we still have a few weeks of Hot Stove action left to get through and there are still plenty of juicy rumors to address.  Here is a look at some of the latest.

In a surprise announcement, the Kansas City Royals have sent out a press release that RHP Gil Meche will retire, effective immediately.

Meche, who is only 32 years old but has fought injuries, spent the past four seasons with the Royals after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners. He was drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft.

MLB Trade Rumors are still keeping the hot stove hot even as many teams have started to finalize their rosters and started to prepare for next month.

Yes, it's almost that time again. We're now officially less than a month from February 14, when pitchers and catchers will report to baseball outposts around Florida and Arizona. Of course, that doesn't mean business won't get done between now and then.

The Blue Jays have added some more closer depth to their already growing bullpen, as the club announced Monday that they have come to an agreement with former Twins closer Jon Rauch on a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. The deal also includes a club option for 2012 that will see the hurler earn $3.75 million.

Having already signed relievers Carlos Villanueva and Octavio Dotel, the Jays added quite possibly the most imposing presence on a pitching mound since Randy Johnson.

In what’s quickly becoming an offseason of highly intellectual signings, the New York Mets have struck again inking Chris Young to a one-year deal, pending a physical.

Via Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports:

"Y! source: Andruw Jones nearing a one-year deal with Yankees. Not done yet, however."