Twitter is filled with updates from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, and Opening Day is less than two months away! Amidst the sea of "best shape of his life" stories, we saw plenty of news here at MLBTR this past week, so let's run it down:
- The Athletics stunned most of the baseball world when they signed Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year deal that will guarantee the highly-touted Cuban center fielder $36MM. Cespedes' contract contains a unique clause that allows him to become a free agent after the final year, despite the fact that he won't have accumulated six years of service time. Here are some media reactions to the bombshell.
- Speaking of large sums of money, the Yankees were able to unload one when they traded A.J. Burnett to the Pirates for minor leaguers Diego Moreno and Exicardo Cayones. Pittsburgh will pay $13MM of the remaining $33MM on Burnett's deal.
- New York is expected to use that money to sign Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez. They're negotiating extensively with Ibanez currently. Another DH candidate, Johnny Damon, says that a reunion isn't happening.
- The Bombers also saw their deal with Hideki Okajima fall through due to shoulder troubles, and instead signed Clay Rapada, who was released by the Orioles earlier in the week.
- The Orioles had a deal of their own fall apart, as MLB voided Baltimore's agreement with 17-year-old Korean lefty Seong-Min Kim — a move that will likely strengthen the relationship between MLB and the Korean Baseball Organization.
- David Ortiz and the Red Sox avoided arbitration by settling at the midpoint of their exchanged figures. Ortiz will earn $14.575MM in 2012 — the highest salary ever for a full-time DH.
- The Orioles and Adam Jones have discussed an extension, but for the time being, they avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal that will pay Jones $6.15MM in 2012 and includes incentives.
- Pitchers and catchers may be reporting, but Roy Oswalt still remains unsigned. Here's the latest on him, as Opening Day draws nearer.
- The Rangers and Athletics continue to discuss a deal that would send Koji Uehara to Oakland, and the sides are getting close to an agreement.
- As many as seven teams are seriously interested in Jorge Soler at this point, with the Phillies and Yankees said to be showing the highest levels of interest.
- The Pirates avoided arbitration with Casey McGehee and defeated Garrett Jones in an arbitration hearing. McGehee will earn $2.5375MM on a one-year deal, while Jones will be paid $2.25MM.
- The Brewers beat the man they acquired in exchange for McGehee — Jose Veras — in his arbitration hearing as well. Veras will earn $2MM in 2012.
- The Twins and Alexi Casilla avoided arbitration as well, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.3825MM.
- Casey Janssen agreed to a two-year extension with the Blue Jays that's valued ast $5.9MM. Toronto holds a $4MM club option for the 2014 season.
- A few managerial headlines this week, as the Royals exercised Ned Yost's 2013 option, and the Rays signed Joe Maddon to a three-year extension worth roughly $6MM.
- Long-time White Sox hurler Jon Garland will likely return to the AL Central; he signed a minor league deal with the Indians this past week. Injuries limited the 32-year-old to just nine starts with the Dodgers in 2011.
- The White Sox signed Kosuke Fukudome to a one-year deal that will pay the Japanese outfielder $500K in 2012. The South Siders have a $3.5MM club option on Fukudome that comes with a $500K buyout, making his guarantee a total of just $1MM.
- The Cardinals signed 17-year-old Dominican left-hander Erick Hurtado for an undisclosed amount.
- Longtime Red Sox Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek have likely seen their last days as Major Leaguers. Wakefield announced his retirement this week, while Varitek is leaning in the same direction.
