Hanley Ramirez, this year's top rookie in the National League, will miss the rest of the Dominican winter league season because of a left shoulder strain. The Marlins shortstop is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

The Florida Marlins today announced the signing of infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year contract. The announcement was made by Marlins Executive Vice President and General Manager Larry Beinfest.

Boone, 33, spent the past two seasons with Cleveland, batting .251 with seven home runs and 46 RBI in 104 games last year. He has played 969 ML games with Cincinnati (1997-2003), New York-AL (2003) and Cleveland(2005-06) and was named to the NL All-Star team in 2003. He missed the 2004 season recovering from a pair of left knee surgeries. Primarily a third baseman, Boone has also appeared at second base and shortstop in the Majors, and owns a career .264 average with 115 home runs and 499 RBI.

The Milwaukee Brewers today officially signed RHP Jeff Suppan to a four-year contract with a club option for 2011. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. Suppan passed a physical earlier today in Milwaukee and will be introduced during a press conference to take place at Miller Park at a time to be determined on January 11.

Texas Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels announced yesterday the club has signed C Guillermo Quiroz to a major league contract. The club also announced the signing of right-handed pitchers Mike Wood and Willie Eyre to minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training.

Now for some news that really matters...

Bobby Murcer, New York Yankees broadcaster and former star outfielder, is awake and resting comfortably following surgery for a brain tumor at The University of Texas.

Murcer had been having headaches and feeling a loss of energy, and the tumor was discovered following an MRI on Christmas Eve.

Murcer played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1965-83 and was a five-time All-Star and a Gold Glove-winning outfielder. In his career with the Yankees, Giants and Cubs, he batted .277 with 252 homers and 1,043 RBIs.

After his retirement, Murcer won three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage as the voice of the Yankees.

What is now old news already, here's what the AP is reporting...

Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants reached a preliminary agreement on the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history, a $126 million, seven-year deal.

While there was no immediate confirmation from the Giants, details of the contract were provided Thursday to The Associated Press by two persons familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't announced by the team.

Zito's agreement, reached late Wednesday night, includes an $18 million option for 2014 that could increase the value to $144 million. The option would become guaranteed if Zito pitches 200 innings in 2013, 400 combined over 2012 and 2013 or 600 combined from 2011-13.

Zito is scheduled to have a physical Friday, and the Giants planned to announce their agreement with the three-time All-Star later in the day.

The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa to a five-year contract worth an estimated $20 million. The Yankees won the exclusive rights to negotiate with him on November 28.

Igawa, 27, posted a 14-9 record with a 2.97 ERA in 29 starts with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Central League in 2006 (209.0IP, 180H, 77R, 69ER, 49BB, 194K). He was tied for the lead among all Central League pitchers with his 194 strikeouts, ranked second in the league in wins and complete games (eight), third in innings pitched and ranked seventh with his 2.97 ERA.

On April 14, 2006, Igawa became the fifth-fastest pitcher in Japanese baseball history to record 1,000 career strikeouts (in 1,058 innings pitched). Including 2006, he has now led the Central League in strikeouts three times during his career, having also captured the league strikeout title in 2002 (206 strikeouts) and 2004 (228).

A three-time Central-League All Star (2001, 2002 and 2003), Igawa has won at least 10 games in each of the last five seasons. In 2003, he was named the Central League MVP after going 20-5 with a league-leading 2.80 ERA in 29 games for the Tigers. He was also honored as the co-winner of the prestigious Sawamura Award in 2003, given to the top pitcher in Japanese baseball each year.

Originally selected out of Mito Shogyo High School as Hanshin’s second draft choice in 1997, Igawa owns a career record of 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA and 1,174 strikeouts in 190 appearances.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.9-million contract with infielder Alex Cintron, avoiding arbitration.

Cintron, who turns 28 on December 17, batted .285 (82-288) with five home runs and 41 RBI in 91 games in 2006, his first season with the White Sox. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound switch hitter played in 41 games at shortstop, 26 at second base and 11 at third base.

Cintron is a career .280 (480-1,712) hitter with 30 home runs and 193 RBI in 530 games with Arizona (2001-05) and the White Sox (2006). He was acquired by the Sox from the Diamondbacks on March 8, 2006 in exchange for pitcher Jeff Bajenaru.
Joe Crede is the White Sox lone remaining arbitration eligible player.

Free-agent first baseman Shea Hillenbrand agreed to join the Anaheim Angels on Tuesday after splitting last season between Toronto and San Francisco.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

Here are the 93 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

BALTIMORE (6) -- Signed Jamie Walker, lhp, Detroit, to a $12 million, three-year contract; signed Danys Baez, rhp, Atlanta, to a $19 million, three-year contract; signed Chad Bradford, rhp, New York Mets, to a $10.5 million, three-year contract; re-signed Kevin Millar, 1b, to a $2.75 million, one-year contract; signed Paul Bako, c, Kansas City, to a $900,000, one-year contract; signed Jay Payton, OF, Oakland, to a $9.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Chris Gomez, inf, to an $850,000, one-year contract.

BOSTON (3) -- Re-signed Alex Cora, ss, to a $4 million, two-year contract; signed Julio Lugo, ss, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $36 million, four-year contract; re-signed Doug Mirabelli, c, to a $750,000, one-year contract; signed J.C. Romero, lhp, Los Angeles Angels, to a $1.6 million, one-year contract.

CLEVELAND (4) -- Signed Roberto Hernandez, rhp, New York Mets, to a $3.5 million, one-year contract; signed Aaron Fultz, lhp, Philadelphia, to a $1.65 million, one-year contract; signed David Dellucci, OF, Philadelphia, to a $11.5 million, three-year contact; signed Joe Borowski, rhp, Florida, to a $4.25 million, one-year contract.

DETROIT (2) -- Re-signed Sean Casey, 1b, to a $4 million, one-year contract; signed Jose Mesa, rhp, Colorado to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.

KANSAS CITY (3) -- Signed Gil Meche, rhp, Seattle, to a $55 million, five-year contract; signed Octavio Dotel, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $5 million, one-year contract; signed David Riske, rhp, Chicago White Sox, to a $2.25 million, one-year contract.

LOS ANGELES (3) -- Signed Justin Speier, rhp, Toronto, to an $18 million, four-year contract; signed Gary Matthews Jr., OF, Texas, to a $50 million, five-year contract; signed Darren Oliver, lhp, New York Mets, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract.

MINNESOTA (2) -- Signed Jeff Cirillo, 3b, Milwaukee, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Rondell White, OF, to a $2.75 million, one-year contract.

NEW YORK (2) -- Re-signed Mike Mussina, rhp, to a $23 million, two-year contract; signed Andy Pettitte, lhp, Houston, to a $16 million, one-year contract.

OAKLAND (2) -- Signed Alan Embree, lhp, San Diego, to a $5.5 million, two-year contract; signed Mike Piazza, c, San Diego, to an $8.5 million, one-year contract.

SEATTLE (2) -- Signed Jose Guillen, OF, Washington, to a $5.5 million, one-year contract; signed Miguel Batista, rhp, Arizona, to a $25 million, three-year contract.

TEXAS (4) -- Signed Frank Catalanotto, OF, Toronto, to a $13.5 million, three-year contract; re-signed Vicente Padilla, rhp, to a $33.75 million, three-year contract; signed Kenny Lofton, OF, to a $6 million, one-year contract; signed Eric Gagne, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $6 million, one-year contract.

TORONTO (4) -- Signed Frank Thomas, 1b, Oakland, to an $18.12 million, two-year contract; re-signed Gregg Zaun, c, to a $7.25 million, two-year contract; signed Royce Clayton, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed Matt Stairs, OF, Detroit, to a minor league contract ($850,000).

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ATLANTA (2) -- Signed Tanyon Sturtze, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $750,000, one-year contract; signed Chris Woodward, ss, New York Mets, to an $850,000, one-year contract.

CHICAGO (8) -- Re-signed Aramis Ramirez, 3b, to a $75 million, five-year contract; re-signed Kerry Wood, rhp, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract; signed Mark DeRosa, 2b, Texas, to a $13 million, three-year contract; re-signed Henry Blanco, c, to a $5.25 million, two-year contract; signed Alfonso Soriano, OF, Washington, to a $136 million, eight-year contract; signed Ted Lilly, lhp, Toronto, to a $40 million, four-year contract; signed Daryle Ward, 1b, Atlanta, to a $1.05 million, one-year contract; signed Jason Marquis, rhp, St. Louis, to a $21 million, three-year contract.

CINCINNATI (3) -- Signed Alex Gonzalez, ss, Boston, to a $14 million, three-year contract; signed Mike Stanton, lhp, San Francisco, to a $5.5 million, two-year contract; re-signed David Weathers, rhp, to a $5 million, two-year contract.

COLORADO (3) -- Re-signed Kaz Matsui, 2b, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed LaTroy Hawkins, rhp, Baltimore, to a $3.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Tom Martin, lhp, to an $800,000, one-year contract.

HOUSTON (2) -- Signed Carlos Lee, OF, Texas, to a $100 million, six-year contract; signed Woody Williams, rhp, San Diego, to a $12.5 million, two-year contract.

LOS ANGELES (6) -- Re-signed Nomar Garciaparra, 1b, to an $18.5 million, two-year contract; signed Juan Pierre, OF, Chicago Cubs, to a $44 million, five-year contract; signed Randy Wolf, lhp, Philadelphia, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Mike Lieberthal, c, Philadelphia, to a $1.25 million, one-year contract; signed Jason Schmidt, rhp, San Francisco, to a $47 million, three-year contract; signed Luis Gonzalez, OF, Arizona, to a $7.35 million, one-year contract.

MILWAUKEE (2) -- Signed Craig Counsell, 2b, Arizona, to a $6 million, two-year contract; announced Tony Graffanino, 2b, accepted salary arbitration; signed Jeff Suppan, rhp, St. Louis, to a $42 million, four-year contract.

NEW YORK (6) -- Re-signed Jose Valentin, 2b, to a $3.8 million, one-year contract; re-signed Orlando Hernandez, rhp, to a $12 million, two-year contract; signed Damion Easley, 2b, Arizona, to an $850,000, one-year contract; signed Moises Alou, OF, San Francisco, to an $8.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed left-hander Tom Glavine to a $10.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Guillermo Mota, rhp, to a $5 million, two-year contract.

PHILADELPHIA (3) -- Signed Wes Helms, 3b, Florida, to a $5.45 million, two-year contract; signed Adam Eaton, rhp, Texas, to a $24.5 million, three-year contract; signed Rod Barajas, c, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.

PITTSBURGH (1) -- Signed Einar Diaz, c, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a minor league contract ($600,000).

ST. LOUIS (5) -- Re-signed Scott Spiezio, 1b, to a $4.5 million, two-year contract; signed Adam Kennedy, 2b, Los Angeles Angels, to a $10 million, three-year contract; signed Kip Wells, rhp, Texas, to a $4 million, one-year contract; re-signed Gary Bennett, c, to a $900,000, one-year contract; signed Russ Springer, rhp, Houston, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract.

SAN DIEGO (4) -- Re-signed Geoff Blum, 3b, to a $900,000, one-year contract; announced Todd Walker, 2b, accepted salary arbitration; signed Greg Maddux, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $10 million, one-year contract; re-signed Doug Brocail, rhp, to a $500,000, one-year contract.

SAN FRANCISCO (7) -- Re-signed Ray Durham, 2b, to a $14.5 million, two-year contract; signed Dave Roberts, OF, San Diego, to an $18 million, three-year contract; signed Rich Aurilia, inf, Cincinnati, to an $8 million, two-year contract; re-signed Pedro Feliz, 3b, to a $5.1 million, one-year contract; signed Bengie Molina, c, Toronto, to a $16 million, three-year contract; re-signed Steve Kline, lhp, to a $3.5 million, two-year contract; signed Ryan Klesko, 1b, San Diego, to a $1.75 million, one-year contract.

WASHINGTON (2) -- Signed Ray King, lhp, Colorado, to a minor league contract ($850,000); re-signed Robert Fick, 1b, to a minor league contract ($850,000).

REMAINING FREE AGENTS (Officially)

Unofficially, some of these guys may have agreed to terms but contracts have yet to be finalized (for example, J.D. Drew and Barry Bonds).

The 83 remaining free agents are:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

BALTIMORE (4) -- Bruce Chen, lhp; Russ Ortiz, rhp; Fernando Tatis, 3b; Chris Widger, c.

BOSTON (4) -- Keith Foulke, rhp; Gabe Kapler, of; Mark Loretta, 3b; Trot Nixon, of.

CHICAGO (3) -- Sandy Alomar Jr., c; Dustin Hermanson, rhp; Jeff Nelson, rhp.

CLEVELAND (2) -- Aaron Boone, 3b; Lou Merloni, 2b.

DETROIT (1) -- Troy Percival, rhp.

KANSAS CITY (2) -- Doug Mientkiewicz, 1b; Mark Redman, lhp.

LOS ANGELES (1) -- Darin Erstad, of-1b.

MINNESOTA (4) -- Phil Nevin, 1b; Brad Radke, rhp; Shannon Stewart, of.

NEW YORK (4) -- Miguel Cairo, 2b; Ron Villone, lhp; Bernie Williams, of; Craig Wilson, of.

OAKLAND (2) -- Steve Karsay, rhp; Barry Zito, lhp.

SEATTLE (1) -- Eduardo Perez, 1b.

TAMPA BAY (2) -- Brian Meadows, rhp; Tomas Perez, ss.

TEXAS (1) -- Eric Young, 2b.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ATLANTA (3) -- Brian Jordan, of; Todd Pratt, c; John Thomson, rhp.

CHICAGO (1) -- John Mabry, 1b.

CINCINNATI (7) -- Ryan Franklin, rhp; Eddie Guardado, lhp; Todd Hollandsworth, of; Jason Johnson, rhp; Kent Mercker, lhp; Scott Schoeneweis, lhp; Paul Wilson, rhp.

COLORADO (2) -- Vinny Castilla, 3b; Mike DeJean, rhp.

FLORIDA (2) -- Matt Herges, rhp; Brian Moehler, rhp.

HOUSTON (3) -- Jeff Bagwell, 1b; Roger Clemens, rhp; Aubrey Huff, 3b.

LOS ANGELES (2) -- J.D. Drew, of; Aaron Sele, rhp.

MILWAUKEE (4) -- David Bell, 3b; Rick Helling, rhp; Dan Kolb, rhp; Tomo Ohka, rhp.

NEW YORK (6) -- Mike DiFelice, c; Cliff Floyd, of; Yusaku Iriki, rhp; Ricky Ledee, of; Steve Trachsel, rhp; Michael Tucker, rf.

PHILADELPHIA (4) -- Alex S. Gonzalez, ss; Jose Hernandez, ss; Arthur Rhodes, lhp; Rick White, rhp.

PITTSBURGH (2) -- Jeromy Burnitz, of; Joe Randa, 3b.

ST. LOUIS (6) -- Ronnie Belliard, 2b; Mark Mulder, lhp; Jose Vizcaino, ss; Jeff Weaver, rhp; Preston Wilson, of.

SAN DIEGO (5) -- Shawn Estes, lhp; Sterling Hitchcock, lhp; Chan Ho Park, rhp; Rudy Seanez, rhp; David Wells, lhp.

SAN FRANCISCO (5) -- Barry Bonds, lf; Steve Finley, cf; Todd Greene, c; Shea Hillenbrand, 1b; Jamey Wright, rhp.

WASHINGTON (3) -- Tony Armas Jr., rhp; Ramon Ortiz, rhp.

The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that the Club has agreed to terms with free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan, MVP of the 2006 National League Championship Series. The agreement, which is pending a physical, is for four years with a Club option for an additional season.

“With 44 wins in the last three seasons, Jeff is not only a proven winner, he is also one of the most durable pitchers in baseball,” said Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. “This agreement makes us feel very good about the depth of our rotation. Jeff's experience and durability should have a positive influence on our entire pitching staff.”

Suppan, 31, went 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 32 starts for the World Champion Cardinals last season, including 6-2 with a 2.39 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star Break. Suppan was named Most Valuable Player of the National League Championship Series as he went 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA in two starts against the New York Mets (15ip, 1er). He was the starting pitcher in the decisive Game Seven, tossing 7.0 innings, allowing just one run and no hits after the first inning of play. For his career, Suppan is 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in nine postseason outings.

Notes on the Kenny Williams press conference are under the comments for the big trade.

(Pictured is rare footage of Griffey Jr. actually on the field)

The Goodyear City Council and Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority today approved the framework of an agreement to fund a new spring training facility that will return the Cleveland Indians to Arizona and pave the way for the expansion of the Cactus League.

Over at mlbtraderumors.com, there was a blurb recently about Miguel Cabrera's upcoming free agency (after the 2009 season, so don't hold your breath, Yankees fans). Cited therein was a blurb from Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinal.

Mr. Rodriguez suggests, "The same team unwilling to give Cabrera a $22 million AAV over eight years ($176 million) may deem six years and a $29 million AAV ($174 million) more palatable."

And mlbtraderumors.com asks, "I'm no economist, but does that make sense to you? I get the whole higher AAV, fewer years/risk concept. But explain to me why you wouldn't want two extra years for $4 mil more?"

Let's consider some hypothetical salary progressions for these two contracts:
Contract 1: 23-26-29-29-32-35 (avg 29)
Contract 2: 16-18-20-22-22-24-26-28 (avg 22)

First off, a lot of the valuation of these deals will be based on the concept of "Net Present Value", or how many 2010 dollars each future season will be worth. Using a 10% depreciation, the yearly values are:
10% annual discount rate:
Contract 1: 23-23-23-21-21-21 (avg 22)
Contract 2: 16-16-16-16-14-14-14-13 (avg 15)

Then, for purposes of risk management, always in the back of the mind for a team is going to be their exposure. If something catastrophic happens to their investment, and they get zero additional value from him for the length of the contract, how many "real" dollars are they out (adjusted to 2010 dollars). By year, here is the exposure each team has (in 2010 dollars):

2010: $133 (6-year contract), vs. $120 (8-year contract)
2011: $110 (6-year contract), vs. $104 (8-year contract)
2012: $86 (6-year contract), vs. $88 (8-year contract)
2013: $63 (6-year contract), vs. $72 (8-year contract)
2014: $42 (6-year contract), vs. $56 (8-year contract)
2015: $21 (6-year contract), vs. $41 (8-year contract)
2016: $0 (6-year contract), vs. $27 (8-year contract)
2017: $0 (6-year contract), vs. $13 (8-year contract)

So, if a team assumes that it is much more likely to be able to accurately project the next two years, and that M-Cab is very likely to be be worth the $23 and $26 in those years, they reduce their exposure starting in year 3.

I'm not saying it's a good idea, but that's the thinking that could make a shorter deal appear better.

(All dollar values are in $millions.)

Cincinnati Reds executive vice president/general manager Wayne Krivsky today announced the acquisition of IF/OF Jeff Conine from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor leaguers IF Brad Key and OF Javon Moran.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated for assignment IF Brendan Harris.

Last season Conine combined to hit .268 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI for the Baltimore Orioles and Phillies. He began the season with the Orioles, then on August 27 was traded to Philadelphia, along with cash, for a player to be named.

The 16-season veteran was a National League All-Star in 1994 and 1995 and was a member of the Florida Marlins’ World Series championship teams in 1997 and 2003. In 1993, his first full big league season, Conine finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He has a .286 career batting average in 1,923 games.
In his Major League career the versatile Conine has appeared in 935 games at first base, 928 games in the outfield and 67 games at third base.

Key last season played at Class A Dayton and Sarasota, while Moran spent time in Sarasota and Class AA Chattanooga. Harris, acquired from the Washington Nationals as part of an 8-player deal in July, spent most of last season at Class AAA but also made 17 appearances for the Nats and 8 appearances for the Reds.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have agreed to terms with right-handed pitchers Gary Glover andAl Reyes and outfielder Jason Grabowski on minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training, it was announced today.

Glover, 30, owns a career record of 21-18 and a 5.03 ERA in 149 games, 47 starts, over parts of six seasons with the Blue Jays, White Sox, Angels and Brewers. A graduate of DeLand High School in Florida, Glover last pitched in the majors in 2005 when he appeared in 15 games, making 11 starts, with Milwaukee (5-4, 5.57 ERA). He pitched last season for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Central League.

Reyes, 36, re-signs with Tampa Bay, the club that signed him as a free agent in March, 2006. He owns a 3.60 ERA in 297 career games over 11 seasons with the Brewers, Orioles, Dodgers, Pirates, Yankees and Cardinals holding opponents to a .215 batting average. He last pitched in the majors in 2005 with St. Louis going 4-2 and ranking among the National League’s top 10 relievers in ERA (2.15) and opponent’s average (.177). He tore his Ulnar Collateral Ligament in the season finale and missed the postseason and most of the 2006 season recovering from ‘Tommy John’ surgery. He returned to action last August appearing in two games with AAA Durham (3.0-IP, 3-H, 1-ER, 3-SO). Reyes was also a non-roster invite with the Rays in 2004.
Grabowski, 29, has appeared in 190 career major league games over parts of three seasons with the Athletics and Dodgers. He has a career average of .196 with 11 home runs. His most extensive action came in 2004 with Los Angeles when he played in 113 contests and led all of baseball with 69 pinch-hit at-bats. He played last season with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League.

The Kansas City Royals have signed right-handed reliever David Riske to one-year contract for the 2007 season with an option for 2008. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "David has been one of the most consistent relief pitchers in the game the last four years," Royals Senior Vice President-Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore said. His experience and success will give us a better opportunity to match up the last three innings of the game."

The Royals also have signed right-handed pitchers Zach Day and Brandon Duckworth to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training Camp. Duckworth was designated for assignment by the Royals on Dec. 11 and became a free agent on Dec. 13 when he was non-tendered by the club.

- The Atlanta Braves today agreed to terms with free-agent infielder/outfielder Chris Woodward on a one-year contract for the 2007 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Woodward, 30, played the last two seasons with the New York Mets. He batted .283 in 2005, but a left shoulder injury limited him to 83 games and a .216 average in 2006.

For the Braves, Woodward is expected to see time as an infielder and outfielder. He owns a .247 career batting average and in his eight Major League seasons he has played shortstop (302 games), second base (70), first base (43), third base (40) and the outfield (32). Woodward began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995 and reached the majors in 1999, playing in 351 games for the Blue Jays from 1999 to 2004.

- The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with catcher/first baseman Robert Fick on a non-guaranteed minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

Fick batted .266 with two homers and nine RBI in 60 games with the Nationals in 2006. He started 27 games, including 18 at catcher, six at first base and three in right field. The Nationals went 11-7 when he started behind the plate. Fick batted .333 (14-for-42) in 21 games in September/October and went 7-for-22 (.318) with a walk and a sacrifice bunt in 24 pinch-hit appearances.

Fick is a career .261 hitter with 67 homers and 308 RBI in 728 games with Detroit (1999-2002), Atlanta (2003), Tampa Bay (2004), San Diego (2004-05) and Washington (2006). He was an American League All-Star with Detroit in 2002.

- The San Diego Padres announced today that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Doug Brocail on a one-year contract. The club also claimed infielder Craig Stansberry off outright waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.

Brocail, 39, made 25 relief appearances for the Padres in 2006, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.76 ERA (15 ER/28.1 IP). He recorded 19 strikeouts compared to eight walks in his 28.1 innings of work. Brocail missed the club’s first 88 games last season after undergoing an angioplasty on March 11. He discovered blockage of his left anterior descending coronary artery after undergoing an angiogram during Spring Training and underwent a second angioplasty on April 10.

- The Red Sox today announced the signings of eight free agents to 2007 contracts with Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League. In addition, all eight players have been invited to Boston's major league spring training camp as non-roster players.
The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

The eight free agents are righthanded pitcher Travis Hughes, catcher Alberto Castillo, infielders Jeff Bailey, Luis Jimenez, Joe McEwing, Ed Rogers, and Bobby Scales, and outfielder Kerry Robinson.

- According to the St. Petersburg Times, former Devil Rays outfielder Damon Hollins is on the verge of a big move, as he is about to finalize a deal to play next season in Japan.