The Hot Stove

After a tense three days of negotiation, including a 2-hour extension to cap off the talks, the Mets and Johan Santana officially reached an agreement around 6:30 last night, the New York Times reports. The two parties settled on a $137.5 million, six-year contract extension, marking the largest financial windfall for a pitcher in baseball history. More »

The New York Mets made a deal this afternoon for Johan Santana, the left-handed, two-time Cy Young winner from the Minnesota Twins, USA Today reports. The Mets are giving Minnesota four players for the star pitcher: outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. But the price seems to be worth it, as Santana will give the Mets the best rotation in the NL East. More »

A proposed trade of Orioles rising star and left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard still awaits the blessing of Peter Angelos, reports ESPN. Bedard, who won 13 for Baltimore last year, would go to Seattle for a package of prospects including outfielder Adam Jones. There are no guarantees, though, as Angelos is notorious for vetoing deals. In other hot stove news: More »

Scott Rolen, who has become increasingly unhappy in St. Louis, specifically with manager Tony LaRussa, is reportedly headed to Toronto in exchange for fellow third baseman Troy Glaus. Both sluggers have fought injuries, with each missing more than 45 games in 2007. The deal is contingent on both players passing physicals on Monday, according to ESPN. More »

Athletics GM Billy Beane, never one to shy away from an aggressive deal, today traded his team's top pitcher, Dan Haren, to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a slew of prospects, reports the Chronicle. Beane made the move with an eye on long-term building - apparently not convinced about his club's chances in 2008. The A's also traded minor league pitcher Connor Robertson. More »

The Baltimore Orioles traded disenchanted shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros today for five players, the Baltimore Sun reports. Unable to change the O’s losing ways and resistant to a third base switch, the former MVP became a prime offseason target by other teams. In return, the Orioles will get outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton, and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Michael Costanzo. More »

The Detroit Tigers made the biggest splash of the 2008 off-season so far by pulling off a blockbuster trade with Florida. Detroit will receive power-hitting third baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis in exchange for two previously untouchable prospects, outfielder Cameron Maybin and lefty Andrew Miller, along with several other players, reports the Detroit News . More »

Nearly a decade since he burst onto the scene with a 20 strikeout game in just his fifth big league start, Kerry Wood has assumed a new role with the Chicago Cubs. The injury-plagued hurler signed a one-year, $4.2 million deal to be the club’s new closer. Wood said he is excited for the new opportunity, reports the Chicago Tribune . More »

Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams, looking for salary flexibility, today traded starter Jon Garland to the Los Angeles Angels for Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Williams also hinted to the Chicago Sun-Times that more deals are in the works. Garland, twice an 18-game winner, had a tough 2007 season like many White Sox, going 10-13 with a 4.36 ERA. More »

Alex Rodriguez will be the New York Yankees' third baseman next season. One of Wall Street's power elite convinced A-Rod to sign a new contract as early as today, reports the Wall Street Journal . Gerry Cardinale, an executive at Goldman Sachs, which owns a big stake in the Yankees' television network, YES, negotiated the deal. More »

The Yankees may get Alex Rodriguez back, and for a (relative) bargain. The slugger is in talks to stay in pinstripes for 10 years and $275 million—about $75 million less than he's been seeking—under a stipulation that his agent isn't involved. Sources tell the NY Daily News A-Rod is playing by the Yanks' rules to save his reputation, which took a hit when he announced that he would opt out of his contract. More »

The busy Detroit Tigers picked up another left-handed bat, acquiring outfielder Jacque Jones from the Chicago Cubs yesterday for Omar Infante. Jones, a nine-year vet, is expected to be the main left fielder but could also spell stars Curtis Granderson and Magglio Ordonez, reports the Associated Press. Jones, set to make $5.5 million, has four seasons of 20-plus home runs. More »

After young flamethrower Joel Zumaya seriously injured his shoulder moving boxes in the recent California wildfires, the Tigers needed to find a closer. Fortunately, Todd Jones was willing to re-sign with the team. With Zumaya out until mid-season the club offered Jones, who saved 75 games over the past two seasons, a one-year, $7 million contract, reports the Detroit News . More »

The champion Red Sox locked up aging ace Curt Schilling with a one-year, $8 million contract with an additional $6 million in incentives, including $2 million if he stays below a certain weight. Schilling opined on his blog that he could net up to $15 million on the open market, but preferred to end his career in Boston. More »

On a day when Joe Torre was introduced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates also found themselves a new lead in John Russell. Russell spent the past two years managing the Phillies' Class AAA affiliate. Pirate GM Neal Huntington cited Russell’s energy, passion and experience as the reason for the hire, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . More »

The Joe Torre Era began in Los Angeles with a festive news conference in Dodger Stadium's capacious center field, reports the Los Angeles Times. The surefire Hall of Famer reported that longtime sidekicks Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly would also be joining his staff, Mattingly after losing out to Joe Girardi for the Yankees' managerial candidacy. More »

After an expedited courtship period, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially signed ex-Yankee Joe Torre as their manager for the next three years, replacing Grady Little, who stepped down Tuesday. While the details are yet to be disclosed, Torre is expected to haul in $4 million a season, the Los Angeles Times reports. More »

On the same day that duck boats paraded the World Series champion Red Sox around Boston the team’s veteran hurler, Curt Schilling, filed for free agency. Schilling was part of two championship teams in Boston, including the club’s first in 86 years, but told a radio audience that his return to the team is unlikely, reports the Boston Globe . He named 12 other teams he'd consider joining. More »

Joe Girardi has agreed to a three-year, $6 million contract to accept the unenviable task of succeeding Joe Torre, and his four championships, as the Yankees manager. Girardi is no slouch in the hardware department, however. He won three championships as a player for the Yankees and was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year for Florida, reports the AP. More »

Joe Torre's in and Grady Little's out with the Dodgers, who have okayed terms with the ex-Yankee skipper and almost clinched a deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Still at issue are Torre's coaching staff and player personnel input. Torre wants his own staff, with Don Mattingly, and is negotiating their salary budget. GM Ned Coletti may announce the deal later today. More »