Cubs signed LHP John Grabow to a two-year, $7.5 million contract.
The deal, for some reason, took over a week to finalize. Perhaps the Cubs were having second thoughts. Grabow, 31, was a very solid left-handed reliever this season, but the salary does seem a bit high. He'll need to prove that his 3.36 2009 ERA was no fluke to justify the chunk of change. And with a 4.03 career ERA and 1.44 career WHIP, the odds are against him.
According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, a reported three-team deal involving the Cubs, Mets, Rangers and Milton Bradley will not happen.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reported Friday morning that a deal which would send Kevin Millwood to the Mets, Luis Castillo to the Cubs, and Bradley to Texas was in the works. Sullivan spoke to a "high-ranking" Rangers official Friday afternoon, who said bluntly: "Not happening." The Rangers have Millwood tabbed as their No. 1 starter heading into the 2010 season.
According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Brewers plan to approach Prince Fielder with a long-term extension this offseason.
Fielder finished second in the majors with 46 homers in 2009 and tied Albert Pujols with 141 RBI. He tallied an impressive .299/.412/.602 batting line. The Brewers need to find solutions for the wretched starting rotation this winter, but locking up a hitter like Fielder can only be described as wise. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt doesn't expect talks to truly get going until January.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the White Sox are close to a one-year deal with infielder Omar Vizquel.
Vizquel, 42, would serve as a backup all around the Chicago infield, spelling Mark Teahen at third, Alexei Ramirez at short or Gordon Beckham at second base. He hit just .266//316/.345 in 177 at-bats during the 2009 season but remains one of the finest defenders in all of baseball.
According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Mariners are in talks with the Tigers about a trade involving right-hander Edwin Jackson.
Jackson went 13-9 this season with a 3.62 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 33 starts. He'd be a great addition to any rotation and especially in the spacious confines of Safeco Field. He made $2.3 million in 2009 via salary arbitration and, as Heyman points out, is due for a substantial raise.
According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs, Mets and Rangers have discussed a deal that would land Milton Bradley in Texas.
The Mets would send Luis Castillo to the Cubs, Kevin Millwood would head to New York, and cash would be paid to the Rangers to cover some of the two years, $21 million remaining on Bradley's contract. We've heard similar rumors before and the amount of moving parts make it difficult to take too seriously. That said, it does make some sense. Stay tuned.
Angels owner Arte Moreno indicated Thursday that the Angels will pursue free agent outfielder Jason Bay this winter.
Moreno told local media members that he's intrigued by Bay's "great bat and great makeup." The 31-year-old should come at a cheaper price than Matt Holliday and seems like a fine fit in Anaheim, where a spot has opened via the expected departure of Vladimir Guerrero. Bay hit .267/.384/.537 in 2009 with 36 home runs, 119 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 531 at-bats.
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