• The Mets and David Wright officially finalized the largest contract in franchise history. The Mets extended Wright for seven years and $122MM in new money, which can be considered an eight-year, $138MM deal if the value of Wright’s previously-exercised 2013 club option is included.
• The Reds agreed to sign outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a two-year contract worth $15MM. The 34-year-old posted a .275/.346/.531 batting line with 26 home runs in 472 plate appearances for the Reds this past season.
• The Giants agreed to re-sign second baseman Marco Scutaro to a three-year, $20MM deal. The veteran was greatly aided by a strong finish, as he hit .362/.385/.473 in 268 regular season plate appearances with the Giants after coming over in a July trade with the Rockies.
• Outfielder Angel Pagan agreed to a four-year, $40MM contract to remain with the Giants. Pagan bounced back from a down 2011 season and was valued at nearly five wins above replacement in 2012, providing all-around production.
• The Giants exercised their 2014 options on GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy. Sometime next year the Giants will initiate extension talks for Bochy and Sabean beyond 2014, president and CEO Larry Baer told reporters.
• The Diamondbacks agreed to sign right-hander Brandon McCarthy to a two-year deal worth $15.5MM. When healthy, McCarthy pitched well, posting a 3.24 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 111 innings. 
• The Nationals reached an agreement to sign Dan Haren to a one-year deal worth $13MM. After posting a 3.33 ERA in 170 games over the course of five seasons from 2007 to 2011, Haren recorded the worst full-season ERA of his career in 2012, with a 4.33 mark.
• The Cubs reached an agreement with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa. The two-year, $9.5MM contract includes a club/vesting option for 2015.
• The Braves agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Reed Johnson. Johnson, 36 on Saturday, hit .290/.337/.398 in 288 plate appearances for the Cubs and Braves this year.
• The Twins locked up one of their best relievers by signing Jared Burton to a two-year, $5.5MM extension with a $3.6MM club option for 2015. Burton would have been entering a walk year in 2013, so the contract buys out one free agent year with an option for another.
• The Cubs re-signed third baseman Ian Stewart to a one-year deal worth $2MM. The 27-year-old is said to be back to full health after playing with a broken bone in his wrist for the last two years. 
• The Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with reliever Koji Uehara worth $4.25MM. Uehara, 38 in April, posted a 1.75 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 0.8 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, and 32.5% groundball rate in 36 innings this year, missing time with a strained lat muscle.
• The Rays signed James Loney to a one-year deal worth $2MM, plus an additional $1MM in incentives. The 28-year-old CAA client batted .249/.293/.336 with six homers in 465 plate appearances for the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2012.
• The Phillies acquired outfielder Ben Revere from the Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Vance Worley. Revere, 24, hit .294/.333/.342 in 553 plate appearances for the Twins this year, stealing 40 bags in 49 tries.
• The Angels agreed to terms with righty Joe Blanton on a two-year, $15MM deal. Blanton, 31, posted a 4.71 ERA, 7.8 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, 1.37 HR/9, and 44.6% groundball rate in 191 innings for the Phillies and Dodgers this year.
• The Rockies agreed to a one-year, Major League deal with lefty Jeff Francis. The contract includes a $1.5MM base salary with incentives that could push the value up to $3MM. 
• The Angels reinforced their bullpen by reaching an agreement with lefty Sean Burnett on a two-year deal with a club option. Burnett, 30, had been drawing strong interest as one of the best free agent lefty relievers available this offseason. 
• The Pirates acquired lefty Andrew Oliver from the Tigers for catcher Ramon Cabrera. Oliver, 25, was drafted by the Tigers in the second round in 2009.
• The Cardinals reached a contract agreement with lefty reliever Randy Choate. The deal spans three years and will pay Choate a total of $7.55MM.
• The Braves exercised their one-year option for manager Fredi Gonzalez. The move ensures Gonzalez is locked up through the 2014 season.
• The Diamondbacks strengthened their corner infield positions by adding Eric Chavez on a one-year, $3MM deal.
• The Mariners reached an agreement to sign left fielder Jason Bay to a one-year, $1MM deal. An annual 30 home run threat when he signed with the Mets, Bay hit just .234/.318/.369 in 1,125 plate appearances for them from 2010-12.
• Jeff Keppinger greatly improved his stock in 2012, going from a non-tender a year ago to a three-year, $12MM contract with the White Sox.
• The Orioles reached an agreement to retain Nate McLouth on a one-year, $2MM deal with $500K in incentives. McLouth had a nice run for the O’s, hitting .268/.342/.435 in 236 plate appearances this season.
• The Diamondbacks signed Wil Nieves to be their backup catcher. Nieves’ deal will be for one year and $800K.
• The Rays acquired a new shortstop, getting Yunel Escobar from the Marlins for middle infield prospect Derek Dietrich. Escobar, a 30-year-old Cuban, hit .253/.300/.344 in 608 plate appearances for the Blue Jays this year. 
• The Rockies added a late-inning reliever by acquiring Wilton Lopez, and a player to be named later or cash from the Astros for starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham.
• Joakim Soria, 28, officially signed a two-year, $8MM deal with the Rangers, which includes a club option for 2015. Soria owns a 2.40 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, and 160 saves in 315 1/3 career innings.
  
• The Red Sox agreed to terms with Shane Victorino on a three-year, $39MM contract. The 32-year-old slipped this year to a .255/.321/.383 line for the Phillies and Dodgers.
• The Diamondbacks signed first baseman/outfielder Eric Hinske to a one-year contract. The 35-year-old struggled with the Braves this year, posting a .197/.272/.311 line in 147 plate appearances.
• The Rays avoided arbitration with infielder Sean Rodriguez, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1MM deal. The utility infielder spent extensive time at second base, shortstop, and third base for Tampa Bay in 2012, posting a slash line of .213/.281/.326 in 342 plate appearances.
• The Rangers signed catcher Geovany Soto that will pay the veteran will pay Soto $2.75MM, with incentives giving him the chance to earn $3MM. Soto, 29, had a .198/.270/.343 batting line with 11 home runs in 361 plate appearances for the Rangers and Cubs last season.
• The Red Sox reached an agreement on a three-year contract with Mike Napoli worth $39MM over the life of the deal. Napoli had a down year by his standards for the Rangers in 2012, hitting .227/.343/.469.
• The Nationals re-signed left-hander Zach Duke to a Major League contract. Duke spent most of the 2012 season with the Nats’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, posting a 3.51 ERA in 26 starts for the Chiefs.
• The Padres agreed to sign Jason Marquis to a one-year deal worth $3MM. The 34-year-old posted a 4.04 ERA over the course of 15 starts with San Diego this season.
  

As the hot stove continues to heat up, let's take a break from the action to catch up on the week that was here at MLBTR…

• The Yankees retained their most consistent starter from 2012 as the club has announced that it has re-signed Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year contract. Kuroda's contract is worth $15MM (plus incentives worth less than $1MM).
• John Gibbons finds himself returning to Toronto for a second managerial stint after being tapped by the Blue Jays to man the position. Gibbons served as the Blue Jays manager from 2004-08, leading the team to an even 305 wins and 305 losses, including a second-place finish in the AL East back in 2006.
• The Royals signed right-hander Jeremy Guthrie to a three-year contract through 2015. In 14 starts with the Royals, Guthrie posted a 3.16 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9. 
• The Red Sox agreed to a two-year contract with free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes. The deal will net Gomes nearly $10MM over the life of the contract.
• The Cubs designated Bryan LaHair for assignment. The team and LaHair are "pursuing an opportunity" for LaHair to sign with a Japanese team.
• Manager Bud Black will spending at least another three season with the Padres after the team picked up his options for 2014 and 2015. Since taking over for former manager (and now division rival) Bruce Bochy prior to the 2007 season, Black has managed the team to a 464-509 record.
• The Mariners acquired utility player Robert Andino from the Orioles for outfielder Trayvon Robinson. Andino, 28, appeared in 127 games for the Orioles in 2012, playing second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field.
• The Yankees claimed right-hander Mickey Storey off of waivers from Houston. The 26-year-old posted a 3.86 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings at the MLB level.
• The Cubs acquired right-hander Barret Loux and a player to be named later from the Rangers in exchange for right-hander Jake Brigham.
• Kyle Blanks will earn $605K during the 2013 season as he avoided arbitration with the Padres. The right-handed hitter has a career batting line of .219/.316/.421 with 20 home runs in 488 career plate appearances.
• The Diamondbacks and Rockies agreed to a trade that sends left-handed reliever Matt Reynolds to Arizona for infielder Ryan Wheeler. 
• The Reds signed utility player Emmanuel Burriss to a minor league deal. The 27-year-old posted a .213/.370/.221 batting line in 150 plate appearances.
• The Cubs signed outfielder Brian Bogusevic to a minor league contract. He posted a .203/.297/.299 batting line with seven home runs and nine doubles in 404 plate appearances.
• The White Sox re-signed Dewayne Wise to a one-year contract worth $700K. The outfielder has signed seven minor league contracts in the last three seasons.
• Shawn Camp reached an agreement with the Cubs to return to the team's bullpen next season. He tied for the MLB lead in appearances (80) and posted a 3.59 ERA with 6.3 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 47.4% ground ball rate in 77 2/3 innings.
• The Yankees signed right-hander David Herndon to a one-year contract. The split contract will pay Herndon $750K if he makes the Major League roster, plus $50K in possible incentives. 
• The Padres designated right-hander Cory Burns for assignment. Burns made his Major League debut in 2012, posting a 5.50 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18 relief innings for San Diego.
• The Red Sox designated third baseman Danny Valencia, infielder Ivan De Jesus and right-handed pitchers Sandy Rosario, David Carpenter and Zach Stewart for assignment.
• The Mariners designated Chone Figgins and Scott Cousins for assignment. Figgins signed a four-year, $36MM deal with the M's after the 2009 season but hit just .227/.302/.283 in three seasons with the team.

Before we dive into the week that was here at MLBTR, let's take a second to congratulate all of the players and managers who received an award from the BBWAA this past week.

• The Blue Jays reached agreement on a deal with the Marlins that will send right-hander Josh Johnson, left-hander Mark Buehrle, shortstop Jose Reyes, outfielder Emilio Bonifacio, and catcher John Buck to Toronto for shortstop Yunel Escobar, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, left-hander Justin Nicolino, outfielder Jake Marisnick, catcher Jeff Mathis, and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. The deal, which will also call for the Marlins to send $4MM to the Blue Jays, is awaiting MLB approval.
• The Tigers agreed to sign outfielder Torii Hunter to a two-year, $26MM deal. Hunter posted a .313/.365/.451 batting line with 16 home runs in 584 plate appearances as the Angels' right fielder last year.
• The Blue Jays agreed to sign Melky Cabrera to a two-year, $16MM contract. In 2012, he posted a .346/.390/.516 batting line with 11 home runs, 25 doubles and 10 triples in 501 plate appearances with the Giants.
• The Giants and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt reached an agreement on a three-year deal that will be worth around $18MM. The 33-year-old Affeldt was a critical component to the Giants 2012 World Series title, pitching to a 2.70 ERA, 8.1 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 with a sky-high 59.9 percent ground-ball rate in 63 1/3 innings.
• Outfielder Juan Pierre found a new home this week after signing a one-year agreement worth $1.6MM with the Marlins. Pierre, 35, hit .307/.351/.371 with 37 steals for the Phillies last season.
• The Padres acquired right-hander Tyson Ross and infielder A.J. Kirby-Jones from the A's for infielder Andy Parrino and left-hander Andrew Werner. None of the four players have enough service time to be arbitration eligible.
• The Cubs signed catcher Dioner Navarro to a one-year, $1.75MM (plus $250K in incentives) contract. Navarro, 28, hit .290/.306/.449 with two homers in 73 plate appearances for the Reds this year. 
• The Marlins claimed Scott Maine off of waivers from the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old made 30 relief appearances this year, posting a 6.08 ERA with 10.8 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 26 2/3 innings.
• Right-handers Miguel Socolovich and Brandon Dickson will pitch in Japan next season. Socolovich, who spent last season with the Orioles and Cubs, plans to join the Hiroshima Carp while Dickson will play for the Orix Buffaloes. 
• The Cubs agreed to terms with Scott Baker on a one-year contract. The deal includes a $5.5MM base salary with $1.5MM in incentives.
• The Braves agreed to sign Gerald Laird to a two-year contract reportedly worth $3.3MM in total. The 33-year-old catcher hit .282/.337/.374 with two homers in 191 plate appearances for the Tigers last season, his best offensive year since 2008. 
• Left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes called it a career this week as he looks to spend more time with his family. He had his most success as a closer with the Rockies several years ago, pitching to a 3.04 ERA with 111 saves with Colorado from 2005-2008.

With mere hours until the winners of MLB's top awards begin to be announced, let's put the mounting excitement aside and take a look at the week that was here at MLBTR…

• Jason Bay and the Mets agreed to an early expiration of his contract, making him a free agent. Bay's three years in New York could not have gone any worse, as the outfielder battled injuries and hit just .234/.318/.369 with 26 homers in 1,125 plate appearances with the team.
• The Nationals and manager Davey Johnson agreed to terms on a new contract that will keep the skipper in his current role for one more season. Johnson, who will turn 70 in January, will assume a consulting role with the team in 2014. 
• The Rockies hired Walt Weiss as their next manager. The former shortstop now becomes the sixth manager in club history, dating back to 1993.
• The Dodgers won the negotiating rights to Korean left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu with a $25,737,737.33 bid. Ryu, 25, is a Scott Boras client and the two sides will now have 30 days to work out a contract since the Hanwha Eagles have already accepted the bid.
• Catcher David Ross signed a two-year, $6.2MM contract with the Red Sox after spending a lengthy tenure with the Braves. Ross, 35, hit .269/.353/.463 with Atlanta during that time, including .256/.321/.449 with nine homers in 196 plate appearances this year.
• The Phillies signed Kevin Frandsen to a one-year contract that will pay Frandsen $850K, with incentives possibly pushing the total to $1.2MM. The 30-year-old Frandsen hit .338/.383/.451 in 210 plate appearances as Philadelphia's everyday third baseman over the last two months.
• The White Sox acquired Blake Tekotte from the Padres for right-hander Brandon Kloess. Tekotte, 25, has hit .163/.226/.224 in 55 plate appearances for the Padres over the last two years. 
• The Rangers acquired Tommy Hottovy from the Royals for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Hottovy, 31, spent most of the season in the Triple-A Omaha bullpen where he posted a 2.52 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 50 innings.
• Scott Maine may be in search of a new home after being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.The 27-year-old made 30 relief appearances this year, posting a 6.08 ERA with 10.8 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 26 2/3 innings.
• The Blue Jays agreed to sign Maicer Izturis to a three-year, $10MM contract with a $3MM club option for 2016. Izturis, 32, hit .256/.320/.315 in 319 plate appearances for the Angels this year, his worst full season as a big leaguer. 
• The Yankees claimed Josh Spence off waivers from the Padres and claimed David Herndon from the Blue Jays. New York also claimed catcher Eli Whiteside off of waivers from the Giants.

With teams already wheeling and dealing, let's take a break from the action to catch up on the week that was here at MLBTR…

• David Ortiz and the Red Sox reached agreement on a two-year deal worth $26MM. Ortiz, who turns 37 in just over two weeks, posted a .318/.415/.611 batting line in 383 plate appearances this past season.
• The Marlins hired Mike Redmond to be their next manager. The 41-year-old obtains a three-year deal to replace Ozzie Guillen in Miami as the Marlins look to rebound from a disappointing 2012 season.
• The Tigers agreed to extend manager Jim Leyland through the 2013 season. Leyland's contract expired once the Tigers lost the World Series.
• Nine players received a qualifying offer from their teams as the deadline passed on Friday. Players presented with the one-year, $13.3MM offer now have until November 9th to accept the deal. If the player turns down the offer and signs elsewhere, the team will get a compensatory draft pick in June.
• Ervin Santana and the Angels parted ways as the Royals acquired the veteran hurler in exchange for minor league left-hander Brandon Sisk. The 29-year-old posted a 5.16 ERA with 6.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 43.2% ground ball rate in 178 innings this past season.
• The A’s re-signed right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colón to a one-year contract with a base salary of $3MM plus incentives. Colon turned in a 3.43 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 through 24 starts before a positive test for testosterone landed him a 50-game suspension in August. 
• The Dodgers re-signed reliever Brandon League to a $22.5MM deal over three years. In 28 appearances for the Dodgers last season, the California native posted a 2.30 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. 
• The Blue Jays acquired Esmil Rogers from the Indians for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes. The move fills a hole for each club, as Toronto gets pitching depth while Cleveland gets infield depth.
• Ryan Madson declined his half of a mutual option for 2013 with the Reds. The option was worth $11MM, and he'll instead receive a $2.5MM buyout. 
• The Mariners re-signed reliever Oliver Perez to a one-year contract worth $1.5MM with the opportunity to earn $600K more in incentives. He posted a 2.12 ERA in 29 2/3 innings with 7.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 2012.
• The Brewers signed minor league free agent Michael Olmsted and placed him on the 40-man roster. Olmsted, 25, pitched to a 1.52 ERA with 14.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 59 1/3 relief innings between Double-A and Triple-A in the Red Sox's system last year.
• The Mariners agreed to a new deal with right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma that will extend him through 2014 with an option for 2015. The 31-year-old posted a 3.16 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 16 starts and 14 relief appearances in 2012.
• White Sox GM Rick Hahn's first move in his new position resulted in a two-year, $29MM contract extension with Jake Peavy. In 219 innings Peavy posted a 3.37 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. 
• The Angels declined their option on Dan Haren's contract for 2013 after nearly dealing him to the Cubs. The hurler will now enter the open market with a $3.5MM buyout rather than a $15.5MM salary with the Angels next season.
• The Padres designated left-hander Josh Spence for assignment. Spence, 24, appeared in 11 games for the Padres this season but spent the bulk of the year in Triple-A where he posted a 4.20 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 31 appearances. 
• The Royals designated right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, left-hander Tommy Hottovy and outfielder Jason Bourgeois for assignment. Bourgeois appeared in 30 games with Kansas City this past season, posting a .258/.303/.323 batting line in 66 plate appearances.