Breaking News

I mentioned yesterday the possibility of the White Sox signing A.J. Pierzynski to a one- or two-year deal to serve as a mentor/platoon partner for prospect Tyler Flowers.

Well, today, Pierzynski addressed that very question:

(Photo caption: David Ortiz showed off his leaner physique today at spring training camp in Fort Myers. He quipped to reporters: “you should see me naked”.)

David Ortiz started the 2009 season bearing the weight of extraordinary Red Sox Nation expectations. Fellow slugger Manny Ramirez had been dealt to the Dodgers at the previous trade deadline, and while Jason Bay was expected to roughly replace Ramirez’s production, the eyes of the Nation turned to Ortiz.

The Cincinnati Reds, feeling they needed a right-handed power bat, decided to bring back a slugger who had a pretty good year for them in 2009.

According to ESPN.com, the Reds have brought back right-handed-hitting outfielder Jonny Gomes on a one-year contract worth $800,000.

The contract also includes a $1.75 million club option for 2011.

The Reds have a pretty interesting outfield situation heading into 2010. They are set in right and center with two phenomenal young players in Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs.

So says owner Stuart Sternberg: The team will do everything they can to keep free-agents-to-be Carl Crawford and also Carlos Pena for as long as they can. On Crawford specifically he said: "He's been a face of this organization, he's been a great Ray, he was a great Devil Ray, he's an extraordinary player and teammate, for the community and a face of this team. We're going to do everything we can to make sure he stays here longer.''

By Patrick Read

Washington, DC

In the wee hours of Monday morning, 36-year-old former Philadelphia Phillies starter Chan Ho Park agreed to terms with the New York Yankees.

The deal is for one year and $1.2 million guaranteed, plus another $300K in incentives for a possible total of $1.5 million.

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com , the Yankees have signed free agent reliever Chan Ho Park who most recently pitched against the Bombes for the Phillies in the World Series to a one-year $1.2 million contract. Incentives could make the deal worth an additional $300,000.

He's baaaaack.

Johnny Damon (.282, 24 HR, 82 RBI), who spent the 1995-2000 season with the Kansas City Royals, is returning to the AL Central after signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.

Damon, who turned 36 last November, was also rumored to be negotiating with the Atlanta Braves, but ultimately decided to sign with the Tigers, who offered him more money.

Possibly the most uneventful free-agent auction of the offseason is over: Johnny Damon has signed a one year, $8 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, pending a physical scheduled for sometime on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Other clubs that had shown interest in the 36-year old outfielder are the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Atlanta Braves, and early on the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the man who hit the final homer in original Yankee Stadium history, Jose Molina, has signed a one-year, $400,000 deal with the Blue Jays with a 2011 team option worth $1.2 million.

The Yankees acquired Molina back in 2007 when they traded minor leaguer Jeff Kennard for him near the July deadline.

Molina played well enough down the stretch in 2007—in 29 games he had a 101 OPS+—to earn himself a two-year, $4 million deal.

According to sources, former National League Cy Young award winner Eric Gagne has decided to return to the team that lifted him to the top of the baseball world in his prime. Eric Gagne has reportedly signed a $500,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is a minor league deal, but with Spring Training coming up he could earn a spot on the team's major league roster.

The former Los Angeles Dodgers closer could earn up to $1MM, with $500,000 in performance bonuses.