Happy Holidays to all of our readers! It's been slow the past couple of days, but there was plenty of action earlier in the week, so let's recap:
- The Marlins and Ricky Nolasco won't be parting ways any time soon. Nolasco signed a new three-year deal worth $26.5MM that buys out his last two arbitration years and his first year of free agency. That marks the second offseason in the row Florida has extended one of its young pitchers.
- A pair of NL teams signed second basemen this week: Bill Hall inked a one-year, $3.25MM deal with the Astros to man second base in Houston every day, while Orlando Hudson finally found a multiyear deal, signing with the Padres for two years and $11.5MM. Both have potential to be bargain signings.
- Those weren't the only moves for that pair of teams this week though, as Houston traded former closer Matt Lindstrom to the Rockies in exchange for a pair of minor league arms and signed Gustavo Chacin to a minor league deal, while San Diego acquired Rob Johnson from Seattle to back up Nick Hundley and reached an agreement with Brad Hawpe to play first base.
- The Rangers reached an agreement with Arthur Rhodes for one year with a vesting 2012 option. Rhodes will join Darren Oliver in forming a southpaw tandem that totals over 80 years of age.
- Cleveland signed a couple of low-cost outfielders, as they were reunited with Austin Kearns on a one-year, $1.3MM deal and signed former top prospect Travis Buck to a minor league deal.
- The Brewers made a similar pair of signings, bringing back Craig Counsell for one year and $1.4MM, while signing reliever Sean Green to a non-guaranteed $875K deal.
- The Nationals signed Sean Burnett to a two-year extension that will guarantee the lefty a total of $3.95MM and includes a mutual option for 2013. Additionally, the Nats agreed to sign Rick Ankiel to a one-year contract worth $1.5MM guaranteed and are still in the mix for Carl Pavano.
- It's been a steep decline for Garrett Atkins, who signed a minor league deal with the Pirates this week. Pittsburgh also made a minor league swap with the A's, trading right-hander Ryan Kelly for speedy utilityman Corey Wimberly.
- There were over a dozen more minor transactions that took place this week, so be sure to check out our Transactions section for all of the minor moves that took place this week!
- And now a quick look at what the future might hold: The Yankees are interested in a reunion with Johnny Damon, the Reds are interested in Scott Podsednik, the Orioles renewed contract discussions with Derrek Lee, three teams are interested in Octavio Dotel, and the Mariners want an impact bat in return for closer David Aardsma.
- Last but not least, it's worth noting that Jamie Moyer underwent successful Tommy John surgery this week and is still aiming for a return to the Majors at age 49 when he's healed. It's implausible, but it'd make for a great story. Best of luck to you, Jamie.