Breaking News

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the Seattle Mariners are "clear front-runners" to sign free agent third baseman Chone Figgins . The Mariners did offer Adrian Beltre , their starting third baseman for last several years, arbitration but he will likely sign elsewhere as he is only a Type-B free agent and his Gold Glove defence should be enough for him to get a contract he wants.

THE TRADE

He A's have traded Matt Spencer, Jeff Gray, and Ronny Morla for Jake Fox and Aaron Miles.

A's lost

Matt Spencer 
age: 23
drafted: 3rd round 2007
positions:  OF-188, 1B-26

Talk about anticlimactic.

Smart, but anticlimactic.

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was pulled from his winter ball game in the Dominican Republic Wednesday because he was experiencing tingling and numbness in his right arm.

Saltalamacchia will be examined by the Texas Rangers’ medical staff on Friday.

According to a number of reports, the Chicago Cubs have dealt Jake Fox and Aaron Miles to the Oakland A's for reliever Jeff Gray and minor-leaguers Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer.

Gray, 28, appeared in 24 games last season, where he had a 3.76 ERA. He had a 1.29 WHIP as well.

From 2002 to 2005, Placido Polanco was a consistent, dependable second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. When Chase Utley burst onto the scene, Polanco was regulated to splitting time at third base.

Now the 34-year-old is returning to Philadelphia, this time as the starting third baseman. The Phillies and Polanco have agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract. A mutual option for a fourth year is also included as well as $450,000 available in award incentives.

The Lowell Spinners, Class-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will welcome Red Sox star and 2001 Spinner Kevin Youkilis back to Lowell for the Eighth Annual Lowell Spinners Alumni Dinner Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in downtown Lowell to raise money for the Joann Weber Charitable Fund.