The Baltimore Orioles sign Chris Ray CL/RP to a one year deal.  The former closer will be a set up man for Gearge Sherrill CL/RP as the year begins.  But if he is back to his former form, look for Ray to take back that role by mid season.  The Orioles also finalized there deal for Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara SPto a two year deal worth up to 16 million with incentives.

San Diego resigned Mark Prior SP and Chris Burke 2B to a one year deal.

Jermaine Dye OFcould be dealt from the Chicago White Sox to the Los Angeles Angels.  Nick Adenhart SP and Branden Wood SS could be sent out in a deal.

The Atlanta Braves hoping to add some pop to there line-up are in talks with the Yankees about Nick Swisher 1B/OF and Xavier Nady OF.  The Braves finalized the deal with Derek Lowe SP making for a decent starting pitching staff.

Last month the Texas Rangers approached Micheal Young about moving to Third base.  His response?  Trade me now!  The Mets, Royals, Dodgers and Angels have all talked to the Rangers about the Gold Glove SS.

The Dodgers should be out of it now with the signing of Furcal.

The Angels have allot of young pitching to trade and could make a move at little harm to there major league staff.

The Mets have Jose Reyes and adding Young could cause a rift there unless Reyes is coming to the Rangers.  But the Rangers have Elvis Andrus ready to go at SS and projects to be a better defender than Young and Reyes.

The Royals would be an interesting fit, but I do not think Young would except a trade there.

To me the best choice would be the Atlanta Braves, a trade involving Kelly Johnson and moving the Braves starting SS Yunel Escobar to Second base making room for Young.  The Braves also have some pitching to add to a deal, say a Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton along with Johnson could be a good haul for Young.

No matter who Young gets delt to the Rangers may need to eat some of his 62 million still owed.

The Red Sox have been busy the last few days.  Signing Brad Penny SP, John Smoltz SP, Rocco Baldelli CF and Takashi Saito RP/CL all to one year deals.  Penny, Smoltz and Saito are low risk high reward guys who could prove better than going for a mid season trade.  Baldelli could unseat Jacob Ellsbury as the starting CF and could be a huge guy for the Red Sox all next year.

The Atlanta Braves seem to be making headway with completing there starting rotation for next year.  Kenshin Kawakami SP has agreed to a deal, the Japanese SP could be a good 4th or 5th starter.  Also Derek Lowe SP appears to be there focal point and could sign this week.  Making a starting rotation of Lowe, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Kawakami. Campillo/Hanson a good rotation but missing that number one starter.  Stil could lead them to a play off birth.

The Brewers got there man in Trevor Hoffman CL.

Pedro Martinez SP had a rumor he was headed to the Marlins out there but it appears to be just that.  on a side note I think the Marlins will be the NL wild card this year.

A look at some of the TOP F/A still left:

Trevor Hoffman finalized a deal to play for the Brewers.  A one year deal for 6 million.

Nationals say there done with any big time free agents.

Dodgers are still likely to sign Manny Ramirez, realistically there his best option.

Dodgers are looking to at bringing in Kris Benson.

Yankees are looking to trade Xavier Nady.

Cliff Lee is looking for an extension with the Indians.

Rocco Baldelli signs a one year deal with the Red Sox.

John Smoltz signs a one year deal with the Boston Red Sox for 5 million with another 5 in bonuses.

Carl Pavano signs a 1 year deal with the Indians.

The New York Yankees have signed Angel Berroa SS to a minor league contract.

Jason Giambi is set to sign with Oakland pending a  physical, 1 year 4 million dollar contract, with a team oprion for a second with a 1.5 million dollar buy out.

Marcus Giles 2B sign with the Phillies.

Jerry Hairston signs a 1 year 2 million dollar deal with the Reds.

The M’s sign Tyler Walker RP to a one year deal.

Brewers are the front runner for the services of Trevor Hoffman.

Chad Cordero is set to have an audition to show teams he can still throw.

What a day!

Milton Bradley Agrees to a deal with the Cubs 3 years 30-36 Million dollars.

Pat Burrell agrees to terms with T.B. 2 years 16.5 Million deal.

Mike Scioscia gets and extension to manage the Halos through 2012.

Jason Giambi should agree to terms with Oakland this week on a one year deal.

Andy Pettite officially rejects the Yankees 10 Million dollar offer.

Ken Griffey Jr. and the M’s could meet this week.

Takashi Saito RP formerly of the LAD, have had talks with the Red Sox on a one year deal.  Could be a low cost, low risk, high reward guy.

Todd Helton 1B is taking it slow with his rehab from back surgery.

Ken Griffey Jr. OF/DHhas had several teams show interest, It appears the Rays and M’s are the frunt runners.

Shawn Hill SP told MASN that the surgery on his elbow went well and rehab is  on schedule.

The Pittsburgh Gazette reports that Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zake Duke and Ross Olendorf are locks in the rotation leaving a battle for the Fifth spot between Jeff Karstens, Tom Gorzelanny, Phil Dumatrait.  I would also like to add Daniel McCutchen to that list, he was a non roster invitee.

With Derek Lowe SP now out of the picture for the Mets, Jon Garland SP appears to be the next target.  A move for him to the NL could be huge for fantasy owners looking for a guy on the cheap.

Jason Varitek C looks to be making a return to the red Sox with a 2 year deal.

The LAD have finalized a deal paying Andrew Jones his full contract amount interest free over the next 6 years.

Derek Lowewants 16 million a year?!?!  Yea and I want to sleep with Hale Berry, which is going to happen 1st.  Crap Lowe getting his 16 Mill.  However Lowe be be forced to take less realistically Teams are keeping there pay down, except for the Yankee’s.

Looks as if The Padres have been sold pending final league aprovel to now partial owner of the Diamondbacks Jeff Moorad.  Could mean Trevor Hoffman will be back and Jake Peavy is no longer on the trading block.

The Cardinals look to be moving Chris Carpenter to the pen as there closer in 2009.

Catcher Josh Bardis officially a Red Sox.

Pitcher Paul Byrd is contiplating retiring.

MASN is reporting that the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox NOT the Cubs could be working on a deal to add the speedy Second Baseman Brian Roberts to there roster.  The deal would include Gavin Floyd.

The Washington post is reporting that the Cubs are the front runners for Milton Bradley.  According to Chico Harlen The Nat’s really are looking at signing Bradley, but the Cubs are his 1st choice with a chance to win.

Baltimore being busy today may have put in an offer for pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, However Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck doesn’t believe the report originally reported by the Japanese sports network Sanspo.

There could be someinteresting this that could happen for the M’s given all the picks they have in the 1st 51 players to be taken.  First look for Josh Fields to be let go so that the M’s get another pick added making there total picks 6 in the 1st 51 players selected.

The 2nd pick, Stephen Strausburg RHP maybe still available at #2 givin his 10 Million Dollar asking price if reports are correct.  So that would leave the m’s with a poss. choice of Stephen Strausburg RHP, Alex White RHP, Dustin Ackley OF, Aaron Crowe RHP as the top choices.  Givin how The M’s new GM wants to win now and have impact now.  I believe Aaron Crowe would be the best choice a year removed from his draft last year and playing for the Fort Worth Cats I feel gives him a leg up.  Even with him wanting around a 9 Million Dollar contract.

With the 21st pick the M’s have a couple glairing needs such as 1B and Ryan Ortiz 1B/C Oregon ST would be a great fit here the Oregon state product plays Firstbase and catcher, but is best suited for 1st.  Both there 1st two picks here could be up in the big leagues by years end.

With the 28th pick the Mariners should get Mike Minor LHP Vanderbuilt would be a steal and you can never pass a solid LHP.

Now comes the 35th pick and Ryan Jackson SS Miami could be a steal even tho the M’s have Betencourt, Jackson should be an upgrade and could also be moved to Thirdbase.

With the 41st pick Chris Dominquez 3B Louisville should be a steal with this pick.  A Louisville product that can play a mean thirdbase, could be a cornerstone for years.

Finally the 51st pick the M’s will go with a much younger player in Jacob Morris CF Coppel HS Texas.  Morris has the looks of a 5 tool player but is still very raw.  Givin the time in the minors could help to prove to be the M’s best draft ever.

The M’s may have the picks still move around a bit depending on who signs and were……

To racap:

#2 Aaron Crow RHP Fort Worth Cats
#21 Ryan Ortiz 1B/C Oregon
#29 Mike Minor LHP Vanderbuilt
#35 Ryan Jackson SS Miami
#47 Chris Dominquez 3B Louisville
#51 Jacob Morris CF Coppel HS Tex

Story By: James W. Foland