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View Article  Thursday's News and Notes
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he will be stepping down in three years when his contract ends.

The Phillies backed away from a multiyear agreement with free agent reliever
Joe Borowski because of concerns over Borowski's shoulder after the pitcher took a physical, several baseball sources told ESPN.com.

After agreeing to a deal on Monday, righty
Adam Eaton on Thursday finalized a three-year, $24.5 million contract to become part of the Phillies' 2007 rotation. Eaton, who replaces Randy Wolf, was drafted by Philadelphia in 1996 but was traded in 1999.

David Dellucci's scheduled physical with the Indians was postponed until next week because the outfielder has the flu.

After going through 2006 without a lefty specialist, the Red Sox hope they filled that void with Thursday's signing of Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima to a two-year deal. Okajima, 30, has been regarded as one of the best lefty setup men in Japan the last few years.

The Rockies formally announced today that left-handed pitcher
Jeff Francis has agreed to a four-year contract through 2010 with a club option for 2011.

Relief pitchers
Chad Bradford and Scott Williamson passed their physical examinations conducted by the Orioles on Thursday and have finalized contracts with the club. Bradford is thought to have signed a three-year deal worth close to $10 million. Williamson, who worked 42 games with a 5.76 ERA last season, reportedly has a one-year deal worth $900,000.

Tomorrow (Dec. 1) is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to eligible players. Players now have until December 7th to accept or decline.

The Winter Meetings in Orlando kick off on Monday.
View Article  Counsell Signs with the Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers today signed INF Craig Counsell to a two-year contract with a club option for 2009. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

“The Brewers are glad to have Craig back,” said Melvin. “He has always exemplified the true professional in how he prepares and plays the game. His ability to play all infield positions will be extremely valuable. Craig also brings a contact approach to hitting and has always been a fundamentally sound player.”
View Article  Cardinals Get Busy
The World Champion St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed with free agent second baseman Adam Kennedy on a three-year contract through the 2009 season. Kennedy, 30, returns to the organization that selected him with its first round draft pick (20th player overall) in 1997.

Kennedy batted .273 with four home runs and a career-high 55 RBI for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this past season. The left-handed hitting second baseman was solid in the field, making just two errors in his final 67 games and nine total for the year. Kennedy completed his seventh season with the Angels, and in addition to his late-season call-up by the Cardinals in 1999, has compiled a lifetime batting mark of .280 with 52 HR’s, 369 RBI and 123 stolen bases.

“We’ve had interest in bringing Adam back to our organization for some time,” said Cardinals Senior Vice President/General Manager Walt Jocketty. “He’s extremely excited to be back, and we’re just as excited to have him back in a Cardinals uniform.”

The Cardinals also announced today the signing of right-handed pitcher
Kip Wells to a one-year contract. Wells is a six-year veteran and played for Pittsburgh and Texas during an injury-shortened 2006 season.

And they completed a busy day of player signings, announcing they had consummated deals with catcher
Gary Bennett and utility man Eli Marrero. Bennett received a one year contract with a club option for 2008. Marrero was signed to a minor-league deal and was extended an invite to spring camp.
View Article  Orioles Land Pair of Relievers

The Orioles have also agreed to deals with veteran right-handed relievers Chad Bradford and Scott Williamson and backup catcher Paul Bako, according to two club sources.
View Article  Yanks Win Kei Bid
The Yankees have won the rights to negotiate with Japanese LHP Kei Igawa. The bid is said to be approximately $25 million. Here's the statement from Yanks GM Brian Cashman:

“We have been following Kei Igawa’s very successful and accomplished career in Japan, and we are excited about the opportunity to begin the negotiating process with him. "

“The Hanshin Tigers are a well respected and successful organization, and I’ve heard from a number of people about how devoted their fans are. I’m confident that if we are successful in bringing Mr. Igawa to the Bronx, the Yankees’ organization along with our passionate and diverse fan base can provide the same type of commitment and excitement that he has become so accustomed to.”
View Article  Wolf Officially in Dodger Blue

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008, according to Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti.
View Article  Blue Jays Go With Zaun
The Blue Jays have reached an agreement with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun on a two-year, $7.25 million contract. I guess that's the end of Rod Barajas!
View Article  It Could Be One and Done for Bradford and the Mets
According to the Baltimore Sun, one industry source said Monday night that the Orioles and Chad Bradford, a 32-year-old right-hander who went 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA for the Mets last season, were "close" to reaching agreement on a deal.

Rex Gary, Bradford's agent, acknowledged Monday afternoon that he has had ongoing discussions with the Orioles, though more than 10 teams have expressed interest in his client and he had no timetable for making a decision.

"The Orioles have been certainly in touch," Gary said. "We'll see where it goes. All along, if the right situation comes in front of Chad and he wants to do the deal, we'll do it."