Former major-league star Vladimir Guerrero has signed a contract to play with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Guerrero hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2011 with the Baltimore Orioles, when he hit .290 with 13 homers, 63 RBI and a .733 OPS.

Guerrero made it known this spring that he was looking to make a comeback, but it appeared he had no major-league takers. Last year, he signed with the Blue Jays in early May, spending time in the organization’s extended spring training camp. He had a line of .358/.364/.679 in 12 games for the Blue Jays’ High-A Dunedin and Triple-A Las Vegas affiliates, but he never cracked the major-league roster.

Source: Vladimir Guerrero signs with Long Island Ducks, an independent minor-league team.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 4, 2013

The Cubs have reportedly told pitcher Carlos Marmol’s agent to “expect” a trade. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs have told reliever Carlos Marmol’s agent to “expect” a trade — though it might not come right away.

The Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer reported Saturday that the Cubs want Marmol to “re-establish some trade value” before they look into making a move. The report comes amid renewed rumors involving Marmol, some of which have said that the Cubs are hoping to trade him before the start of the season.

Wittenmyer reported that Marmol has provided the Cubs with a list of five teams to which he would accept a trade. But the Cubs want to wait until Kyuji Fujikawa — who came from Japan and signed a two-year, $9 million deal in December — establishes himself in the Cubs’ bullpen.

The 30-year-old Marmol will make $9.8 million this season before he becomes a free agent. He had a bounce-back year last season, saving 20 games in 23 chances with a 3.42 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. Marmol’s control continued to plague him, however, as he walked 45 in those 55 1/3 innings.

Free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a four-year deal worth $48 million, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Monday night. Rosenthal reported that the deal contains a fifth-year vesting option for $12 million. The Indians will have to forfeit a draft pick in exchange for Bourn.

Bourn, a 30-year-old outfielder who was an All-Star with the Atlanta Braves last season, was by far the most prominent name still available on the free-agent market. It was surprising that he had not yet landed a deal as pitchers and catchers started reporting to camp on Monday.

The Mets and Cubs had also been rumored as potential suitors for Bourn before he signed with the Indians.

Batting almost exclusively in the leadoff spot with the Braves last season, Bourn hit .274 with a .348 on-base percentage. He hit nine homers and had 57 RBI.

Source: Bourn with #Indians: Four years, $48M with $12M vesting option for fifth year if he reaches 550 plate appearances.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2013

Bourn can earn $60M max. #Indians will lose competitive-balance pick, approximately No. 71 overall. They forfeited 2nd-rounder for Swish.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said on Thursday that there is “mutual interest” between the organization and pitcher Clayton Kershaw on a potential contract extension.

Colletti said that talks between Kershaw and the organization would remain private, but that there was urgency on both sides toward getting a deal done.

“This is not going to be a daily discussion point for us publicly,” Colletti said, according to The Los Angeles Times. “But there is a mutual interest.”

Kershaw, one of the best pitchers in the majors, has one year remaining on a two-year, $19 million contract. He will be arbitration-eligible for the final time next offseason, and the Dodgers would like to get him locked up to a long-term deal.

He could be in line for a contract that exceeds the one reportedly given on Thursday to Felix Hernandez, who agreed to a contract that paid him the most ever for a pitcher.

Kershaw finished second to R.A. Dickey in Cy Young Award voting this season after winning the prize in 2011. He has a 2.79 ERA through his first five seasons, including a 2.53 ERA last season.

The Seattle Mariners and left-handed starting pitcher Joe Saunders have agreed on a one-year deal pending a physical, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday night. Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available.

Saunders pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season before they traded him to the Baltimore Orioles in August. Combined with the Diamondbacks and Orioles, Saunders went 9-13 with a 4.07 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He had a 3.63 ERA in seven starts with Baltimore.

Saunders adds a left-handed presence to what would have been an all-right-handed rotation with the Mariners. The 31-year-old spent most of his first six MLB seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

Source: #Mariners are in agreement with Saunders on one-year contract, pending a physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2013

Giants reliever Sergio Romo avoid arbitration by agreeing to a two-year deal with the team. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The San Francisco Giants avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Sergio Romo by agreeing to a two-year contract on Wednesday, the team announced. 

Financial terms were not disclosed. Romo, who will begin next season as the team’s closer, had requested $4.5 million and was offered $2.675 million by the Giants when arbitration figures were exchanged last month.

The new two-year deal buys out Romo’s two arbitration years. Romo appeared in 69 games last season, going 4-2 with 14 saves and 23 holds. He had a 1.79 ERA and struck out 63 batters in 55.1 innings pitched.

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer agreed to a one-year deal worth $6.7 million. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers and pitcher Max Scherzer agreed to a one-year deal on Monday, avoiding arbitration, the team announced. 

The deal is worth $6.725 million. Scherzer requested about $7.4 million and the team offered $6.05 before the two sides settled.

Scherzer led all major league starting pitchers by striking out 11.1 batters per nine innings last season and finished with a 16-7 record, with a 3.74 ERA and and 1.27 WHIP.

Scherzer has one year of eligibility left before he can hit the first agent market.

The 28-year-old has one more year of arbitration eligibility before reaching free agency.

Free-agent Brandon Lyon and the Mets are nearing a deal to bring Lyon to New York,  ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin reported on Sunday.

Lyon would come as the latest addition to the Mets’ offseason revamping of their bullpen. They have also signed right-handers LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Atchison and added left-hander Pedro Feliciano on minor-league contracts. The Mets ranked 29th out of 30 major-league teams in bullpen ERA last season. Their 4.65 ERA was only topped by the Milwaukee Brewers’ 4.66.

The 33-year-old Lyon had a 3.10 ERA and 1.25 WHIP last season, splitting time between the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays. In 67 appearances, he struck out 63 batters while walking only 20.

Lyon also has experience closing, though he hasn’t done so on a full-time basis since his 2010 season with the Astros. He has 79 career saves. Rubin tweeted, though, that the team doesn’t view Lyon as a potential closer:

I don’t believe Brandon Lyon is viewed as a closer.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 3, 2013

Carl Pavano will be out six to eight weeks after rupturing his spleen. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano has suffered a freak injury that could keep him on the sidelines for six to eight weeks.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday that Pavano suffered a ruptured spleen after slipping and falling while shoveling snow at his home in Vermont. Rosenthal reported that the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies had shown interest in Pavano before the injury.

The 37-year-old Pavano had a 6.00 ERA in 63 innings in 11 starts for the Minnesota Twins last season. He did not pitch after June 1 because of a shoulder problem.

Before last year, Pavano had two solid seasons with the Twins. He finished with 3.75 and 4.30 ERAs in 2010 and 2011, respectively. His time with the Twins came after four high-profile, injury-riddled seasons with the New York Yankees that featured ailments from a bruised buttocks to Tommy John surgery.

Pavano’s agent declined to comment to Rosenthal about his client’s reported injury.

Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton could be on his way out of town if the Braves trade for him (Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Braves are said to be in hot pursuit of Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton and could make a trade for him in the upcoming days, reports CBSSports.com.

Upton hit 26 homers, scored 84 runs and drove in 86 runs at age 21 and in March 2010, the Diamondbacks rewarded him with a six-year, $51.5 million deal. Upton finished fourth in the NL MVP voting in 2011 after hitting 31 homers and driving in 88 runs. The team is also shopping outfielder Jason Kubel and the Orioles are one of the teams interested in his services.

The Braves are said by a source to have offered a “strong” package. The Braves, who signed older brother B.J. Upton earlier this winter, have the type of young pitching to get a deal done for Justin Upton. Arizona is also believed to like young outfielder Evan Gattis. Their bigger need is for a leadoff hitter but, at least for the moment, they seem focused on Upton.

“I think Justin is an enigma at this point,” Arizona owner Ken Kendrick told Phoenix radio station KTAR. “I know he had an injury early on and maybe a little bit of a nagging injury. But he’s played. He’s certainly not the Justin Upton that he has been in the past and that we would expect of him. He’s 24 years old and it’s time for him to be a consistent performer, and right now this year he’s not been that.”

Last season, Upton hit .280 with 17 homers and 67 RBI and has struck out 120 or more times in each of the past five seasons.

Cardinals relief pitcher Jason Motte agreed to a 2-year deal worth $12 million. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals and relief pitcher Jason Motte agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday, the team announced. 

By signing the deal, Motte avoids arbitration and will receive $12 million over the next two seasons.

Motte led the National League in saves last season with 42 and is eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.

Motte is 17-13 with a 2.87 ERA and 54 saves in his four seasons in the majors. Last season, Motte went 4-5 with a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 86 strikeouts and seven blown saves.  He also had three saves in the postseason for the Cardinals.

Brewers slugger Corey Hart will get a second opinion on his injured knee. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Corey Hart will not undergo his scheduled right knee surgery today but will instead get a second opinion on his knee, the team announced.

Hart will get a second opinion from Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., according the team’s public relations staff.

Hart’s experienced swelling in the knee during the offseason, and an MRI revealed a torn meniscus and other damage. He had surgery on the same knee last spring to repair cartilage damage.

It was previously reported that Hart would need surgery and would miss three to four months. Mat Gamel is the prime candidate to open the season as the starting first baseman if Hart is not available.

Hart, a two-time All-Star, hit .270 with 30 homers and 83 RBIs last season and is entering the final year of his contract.

#Brewers 1B Corey Hart will not undergo his scheduled knee surgery today. Will get a second opinion from Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, CO.—
Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) January 22, 2013

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Francisco Lirano agree to a 2-year, $12.75 million deal. (Hannah Foslien.Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates and left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano adjusted and finalized a deal for two years, worth $12.75 million on Monday, reports FoxSports.com.

Lirano broke his right arm last month and agreed to the deal just in case he has to miss time during the season because of the injury. If he does not spend any time on the disabled list, he will receive the full $12.75 million.

Liriano went 6-12 had a 5.34 ERA, 1.47 WHIP with 167 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings this past season for the Chicago White Sox.

Sources: #Pirates, Liriano have adjusted and finalized 2-year agreement. Liriano will assume risk due to injury to right (non-throwing) arm.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 21, 2013

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has made two All-Star teams despite being just 22 years old. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Still in search of a trade partner for outfielder Justin Upton, the Arizona Diamondbacks asked the Chicago Cubs for 22-year-old shortstop Starlin Castro in exchange for Upton, ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine reports.

The Cubs balked at the offer and cut off talks, according to Levine.

Arizona has openly discussed Upton’s availability during the offseason, and he has be on been rumored to be on the trading block throughout the past year. But general manager Kevin Towers’ asking price has been too high for teams’ liking, as he has reportedly sought top prospects Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt from the Rangers, and/or 24-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus.

The Diamondbacks’ interest in Castro would seem to indicate that they are still interested in acquiring a middle infielder, despite the presence of second baseman Aaron Hill and their deal for young Reds shortstop Didi Gregorius in December.

Upton used his limited no-trade clause to reject an agreed-upon deal to the Mariners for four prospects earlier this month. He has three years and $38 million left on his contract.

Castro, a two-time All-Star, hit .283 with 14 home runs and 25 stolen bases last season.

The Nationals traded outfielder Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners Wednesday. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals traded Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team trade Wednesday night, reports the Washington Post. 

The deal will also send Mariners catcher John Jaso to the Oakland Athletics and minor-league right-handers A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen and a player to be named from Oakland will go to the Nationals.

Morse became expendable when the team re-signed first baseman Adam LaRoche last week. Morse, 30, hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in 102 games with the Nationals last season. He is scheduled to make $6.75 million next season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed in principle on a trade that would have sent star young outfielder Justin Upton to the Seattle Mariners. But Upton rejected the trade, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi at Fox Sports.

Upton’s no-trade clause contains four teams, and the Mariners are one of the four on the list. Rosenthal and Morosi report that Arizona would have received a package of young players back from the Mariners. The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, who confirmed the report, called the Mariners’ package “substantial.”

Can confirm report by @ken_rosenthal and @jonmorosi. Told package from Mariners was “substantial” but Upton blocked the deal.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) January 11, 2013

Rosenthal later reported that the Mariners offered one of top prospects Danny Hultzen, James Paxton or Taijuan Walker — plus Nick Franklin, Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor.

Upton has been the subject of trade rumors for more than two years now, and his name began popping up once again last week with the Mariners, Rangers and Braves. The Diamondbacks have stepped up efforts to move Upton after signing Cody Ross late last month, giving them a surplus of outfielders.

Rosenthal and Morosi surmise that both sides could be making a play to gain leverage in the latest discussions:

Upton’s rejection of the Mariners could be an attempt by him to leverage the Diamondbacks into sending him to a more preferred destination. The D-Backs, meanwhile, could be telling Upton that Seattle is his only option if he wants to leave Arizona, and for that reason it’s always possible that a deal could revive.

The 25-year-old Upton is still under contract for the next three years for a total of $38.5 million. Upton’s stats regressed a bit in his third major-league season in 2012, as he hit .280 with 17 homers, 67 RBI and a .785 OPS.

Free-agent Lance Berkman signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Free-agent Lance Berkman and the Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year deal Saturday, reports MLB.com.

The deal also comes with a vesting option for 2014 and Berkman will receive a $10 million salary plus a $1 million buyout this season.

Berkman, 36, had two surgeries on his right knee last season, forcing him to play only 32 games with the St. Louis Cardinals. Berkman hit .259 in 81 at-bats with two homers and seven RBIs.

“In a way they have to buy me out of retirement, and I know that sounds crass — I wish it didn’t — but it’s a big commitment, it can put a strain on the family,” Berkman said last week. “If I’m going to play, I’m going to give my heart and soul to the team. But if the carrot’s not big enough, the mule isn’t going to want to go.”

The Rangers would likely put Berkman in the designated hitter spot.  In 13 MLB seasons, Berkman is a career .290 hitter with 360 home runs and 1,200 RBI.

Raul Ibanez is going back to the place where he started his career, signing a one-year deal with the Mariners. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Seattle Mariners and outfielder/designated hitter Raul Ibanez agreed to a one-year deal on Saturday, reports CBSSports.com.

The deal is worth $2.75 million and Ibanez can make an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses.

Ibanez, 40, hit. 240 last season with the New York Yankees with 19 home runs with 62 RBI in 425 plate appearances, and hitting three home runs during the Yankees postseason run to the American League Championship Series.

Ibanez is making his third stint with the Mariners, previously playing for the team from 1996-2000 and from 2004-2008. In 16 season major league seasons with four different teams, Ibanez is a career .278 hitter with 271 home runs and 1,116 RBI.

Raul Ibanez has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Mariners.—
Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 23, 2012

The Boston Red Sox are “moving toward” acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan, ESPN.com’s Gordon Edes is reporting.

Hanrahan, a 31-year-old right-hander, saved 36 games for the Pirates last season and 40 in 2011, the first year in which he served as a full-time closer. With a fastball that reaches the upper-90s, he struck out more than a batter per inning in 2012.

The Red Sox could tab Hanrahan as their closer in 2013 and shift Andrew Bailey into a set-up role in hopes of solidifying their bullpen, but it is unclear what the Pirates need in exchange to complete the deal, according to Edes.

Hanrahan saved a total of 76 games over the last two seasons for the Pirates and is a year away from free agency. With incumbent closer Andrew Bailey still a question mark after a season in which he was injured for most of the year, then pitched ineffectively, it makes sense that the Sox would explore bullpen upgrades.

It is unclear what the Pirates would be getting back in return. Pittsburgh has been looking for pitching, primarily starters, but just came to terms with Francisco Liriano.

One major league source said Pittsburgh is seeking a “significant return” for Hanrahan, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons. He earned $4.1 million in 2012 and can expect a significant bump in salary arbitration, to close to $7 million.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the deal is likely for multiple players.

#redsox still talking to #pirates about hanrahan. likely be for multiple players. jose iglesias not in current offerings—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 22, 2012

The Cleveland Indians are making a push to sign free agent outfielder Nick Swisher, according to multiple reports. Swisher, a Columbus, Ohio native and Ohio State product, visited Cleveland this week to meet with the Indians’ front office and has a standing offer from the Indians.

The team has a hole to fill in its outfield after trading Shin-Soo Choo to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team deal last week. Swisher could fit the bill as a veteran right fielder, alongside young players Michael Brantley and newly acquired center fielder Drew Stubbs.

WTAM’s Nick Camino reported that Swisher had dinner with Indians president Mark Shapiro on Monday.

Source: Nick Swisher coming to Cleveland tonight. Having dinner with #Indians team president Mark Shapiro this evening.—
Nick Camino (@CaminoTribe) December 17, 2012

The 32-year-old met with more members of the Indians’ front office today before leaving to visit another team, reports MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.

Free-agent OF Nick Swisher meeting with Indians' brass in Cleveland now. Scheduled to depart town this afternoon. Stay tuned for more.—
Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) December 18, 2012

Swisher hasnt signed. Has standing offer from CLE. Outfielder en route to another team's city for visit. More soon on MLB.com—
Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) December 18, 2012

Swisher posted an .837 OPS, 24 home runs and 93 RBI for the Yankees last season and owns an .828 career OPS. He played four seasons in New York after spending one year with the White Sox and four with the Athletics, who drafted him in the first round in 2002.

He is believed to be seeking a four- or five-year deal and has also been linked to the Mariners, Orioles, Phillies, Rangers and Red Sox.

Pitcher Mike Pelfrey has signed a one-year deal with the Twins. (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Free-agent pitcher Mike Pelfrey has agreed to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin reported Sunday. Rubin reported that Pelfrey can earn another $1.5 million in various incentives.

The 28-year-old Pelfrey made three starts with the New York Mets last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. Despite a normal year-long recovery period from the surgery, Pelfrey has expressed optimism that he will be ready to return by spring training.

“Tim Hudson came back in seven months (from Tommy John surgery). Joba Chamberlain last year came back in eight before he broke his ankle. And I’ll be about eight and a half or so. I’ll definitely be ready when spring training rolls around,” Pelfrey said recently, according to Rubin.

In his last full season in 2011, Pelfrey made 33 starts and went 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA. He is 50-54 with a 4.36 ERA in his career.

The Angels and free-agent Josh Hamilton reportedly agree to a five-year deal. (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Angels might have swung the balance of power in the American League West and added some protection in the lineup for slugger Albert Pujols.

The team and free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton agreed to a five-year deal worth $125 million on Thursday, multiple sources report.

Hamilton, 31, spent the last five seasons with the Texas Rangers, was voted an All-Star each season and won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2010 when he hit a league-leading .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBI.

After that season, he avoided arbitration by signing a two-year deal worth $24 million in February 2011. Hamilton batted .285 with 43 home runs, 128 RBI and scored 103 runs in 148 games last season with the Rangers.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he spoke with Hamilton last week and the team was willing to give Hamilton a four-year contract in the $100 million range. Hamilton wanted $175 million over seven years, but Daniels said that the Angels did not give Texas a chance to match their offer.

“It’s business and everybody has to make their own calls. I get it,” Daniels said. “I’m a little disappointed in how it was handled. He had a decision to make and he made it.”

Hamilton joins a lineup that includes Pujols and AL Rookie of the Year Mike Trout. The Angels spent $240 million on a contract for Pujols and $77.5 million for pitcher C.J. Wilson last offseason, yet failed to make the playoffs in 2012.

BREAKING: Josh Hamilton has agreed to join the LA Angels. Story to come: es.pn/e3bpkT—
  (@ESPNDallas) December 13, 2012

The Indians traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds on Tuesday. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Indians traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday night in a trade that involves three teams and nine players, reports CBSSports.com.

Indians shortshop Jason Donald is also going to the Reds with Choo, while Reds centerfielder Drew Stubbs and pitcher Patrick Corbin are headed to Cleveland.

The Indians also receive right-handed pitchers Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reds minor league shortshop Didi Gregorius, Indians left-hander Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson were traded to the Arizona.

Indians may not be done working deals and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera could be the next one traded. To complete the trade, the Indians will send the Reds about $3.5 million to account for the differences in the projected salaries between Choo and Stubbs.

Choo, who played right field for the Indians and is entering free agency in 2013, will likely play center field and bat leadoff for the Reds. Choo hit .283 with 16 homers and 67 RBIs in 155 games last season.

Stubbs batted .213 with 14 homers and 40 RBIs, and but also struck out 166 times in 493 at-bats.

choo goes to #reds. done deal.—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 12, 2012

Could Zack Greinke’s six-year, $147 million contract only be the second-largest deal the Los Angeles Dodgers give out this season?

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Monday that the organization could begin to talk contract extension with left-handed ace Clayton Kershaw, according to The Los Angeles Times’ Dylan Hernandez.

Kershaw has one year remaining on a two-year, $19 million contract. He will be arbitration-eligible for the final time next offseason, and the Dodgers would like to get him locked up to a long-term deal.

Colletti: #Dodgers could explore Kershaw extension in coming weeks.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) December 10, 2012

Any potential deal for the 24-year-old Kershaw could easily surpass both the deal the Dodgers gave to Greinke and the $161 million record contract the Yankees gave to C.C. Sabathia. Kershaw finished second to R.A. Dickey in Cy Young Award voting this season after winning the prize in 2011. He has a 2.79 ERA through his first five seasons, including a 2.53 ERA last season.

The deals for Greinke and South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin give the Dodgers an incredible eight starting pitchers under contract for 2013 — Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Josh Beckett, Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang.

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to trade All-Star starter James Shields and reliever Wade Davis to the Kansas City Royals for top prospect Wil Myers and other prospects, according to multiple reports.

The Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin was the first to report the trade. Topkin reported that the Rays will receive three additional prospects along with the outfielder Myers — right-hander Jake Odorizzi, left-hander Mike Montgomery and third baseman Patrick Leonard.

Huge #Rays trade is Shields AND Davis (and PTBNL) to #Royals for OF Myers, RHP Odorizzi, LHP Montgomery, 3B Leonard

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 10, 2012

The 30-year-old Shields went 15-10 with a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 223 strikeouts last season. His numbers came down a bit from an All-Star 2011 season in which he finished third in Cy Young voting. Shields leaves the Rays as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.

Davis, 27, excelled last season after a conversion from starter to reliever. In 70 1/3 innings pitched, he had a 2.43 ERA and 83 strikeouts.

Myers was rated Kansas City’s No. 1 prospect by Baseball America. Myers, who will be 22 at the start of the 2013 season, hit .314 and slugged .600 with 37 homers between the Royals’ Double- and Triple-A affiliates last season.

Free agent Mark Reynolds has signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli reported Sunday.

Reynolds has signed with Cleveland. One year deal. First reported by @jonheymancbs

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) December 10, 2012

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that, like last season with the Baltimore Orioles, Reynolds will play first base for the Indians in 2013.

reynolds will play first base with #indians. was terrific at 1b for o’s last year.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 10, 2012

Earlier on Sunday, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the Indians viewed Reynolds as a backup plan if they were not able to sign free-agent Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis has been offered a reported one-year deal by the New York Yankees, but has yet to sign.

The 29-year-old Reynolds has put up some big power numbers in his career with a consistently low batting average. He has hit .221 in each of the last two season with the Orioles. He had 23 homers last year in 135 games with Baltimore.

The Texas Rangers traded third baseman Michael Young for prospects on Saturday. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young waived his 10-and-5 rights and accepted a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, which would acquire league approval and Young passing a physical, reports the Dallas Morning News. 

The Rangers will receive 25-year-old RHP Josh Lindblom and a minor leaguer, believed to be 22-year-old RHP Lisalverto Bonilla.

The Rangers must also still gain approval of MLB commissioner Bud Selig due to the large amount of cash (more than $10 million) the Rangers are sending Philadelphia. As with all deals, it would not be official until Young passes a physical for Philadelphia.

Young is set to make $16 million in 2013, the final season of a five-year, $80-million contract. The Rangers reportedly will pay $10-12 million of that salary. Young, 36, had spent his entire career with the Rangers where he hit .301 with 177 career home runs and 984 RBI.

Young agreed to the deal after getting the $1.2 million in benefits and getting full no-trade clause.—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 08, 2012

The Seattle Mariners and free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton are discussing potential three-year contracts worth up to $25 million per season, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported on Thursday. The deals being thrown around sit in the range of $20 million to $25 million per year, Rosenthal reported.

Sources: #Mariners have discussed three-year deals with Hamilton in range of $20M to $25M per season.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2012

The Mariners and Texas Rangers have been the two most active teams in pursuit of Hamilton, who left this week’s Winter Meetings without a contract in hand. Mariners president Chuck Armstrong told The Seattle Times that the Mariners were still interested in Hamilton, but they were waiting to see where other free-agent dominoes fall.

Where Hamilton goes could depend on whether the Rangers sign pitcher Zack Greinke. If they do, they would be unlikely to fork over the kind of money needed to sign Hamilton.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a three-year contract with free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman.

Hearing keppinger to white sox, 3 yrs—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 05, 2012

Previous reports indicated that Keppinger was seeking a three-year $13-million deal and had interest from about six teams, including the Yankees. His deal with the White Sox is for about $12 million, according to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal:

Keppinger three-year deal with #WhiteSox for about $12M.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 05, 2012

The 32-year-old has played every position along the infield during his career, spending last season with the Rays as primarily a third baseman.

A career .288 hitter with an .864 OPS against lefties, Keppinger will likely fill Chicago’s hole at third base, where current free agent Kevin Youkilis was the starter for the second half of 2012.

After locking up their centerpiece player David Wright, the New York Mets are now facing the major decision of whether to trade or sign top pitcher R.A. Dickey, who is signed for the 2013 season at $5 million.

The front office remains “genuinely undecided” on which course to take, according to a New York Daily News report. But while up to eight teams are reportedly interested in trading for Dickey, the organization is apparently making progress in their contract negotiations with the 38-year-old knuckleballer.

Dickey himself told ESPN’s Jim Bowden that he is “inching toward” an extension:

I just ran into R.A. Dickey who told me they were inching along towards a deal with the Mets—
JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) December 05, 2012

The current gap between the two sides is “not unbridgeable,” according to the Daily News‘ Andy Martino:

The Mets know they can sign Dickey to a two-year extension at approximately $13 million per season, which would begin after he is paid $5 million next season.

Team insiders said that the Mets were not willing to pay Dickey quite that much.

Despite the impasse in negotiations that might or might not be permanent, some high-ranking Mets people remained optimistic about agreeing to an extension with Dickey.

The Mets’ third option would be to stand pat and enter next season with Dickey, the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner, as their ace on a bargain one-year deal — a possibility that COO Jeff Wilpon mentioned on Wednesday, according to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin:

Jeff Wilpon reiterated that R.A. Dickey can come back next year with no extension and again made that sound more viable than trade.—
Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) December 05, 2012

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are discussing a blockbuster trade involving outfielder Justin Upton and pitcher Cliff Lee, according ESPN.com’s Pedro Gomez.

The Diamondbacks, one of the more active teams at the Winter Meetings based on reports out of Nashville, could land Lee for Upton, with the Phillies sending additional money to Arizona, Gomez tweeted.

Phillies and Diamondbacks are discussing Justin Upton for Cliff Lee. Money coming to AZ would also be involved.—
Pedro Gomez (@pedrogomezESPN) December 04, 2012

But Arizona general manager Kevin Towers has long coveted a young shortstop, and Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan is reporting that Upton and Lee could simply be the foundation of a larger deal.

Arizona discussing all sorts of three- and four-way deals to get shortstop. Upton for Cliff Lee (per @pedrogomezESPN) could just be a start.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 04, 2012

Source insists Diamondbacks aren't actively talking Cliff Lee for Justin Upton. Lots of interest in D-backs' young pitching.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 04, 2012

Multiple other reporters are refuting the rumor, including CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury and CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, as well as Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson:

Kirk Gibson on Justin Upton-for-Cliff Lee rumor: "I can tell you right now that's not going to happen.'' #dbacks—
Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 04, 2012

The Phillies reportedly considered trading Lee, 34, at last season’s deadline in the midst of just the second year of a five-year, $120-million contract. He finished the season with a 3.16 ERA and 207 strikeouts to 28 walks. During the 2009 offseason, Lee was involved in a stunning three-way trade that sent him to the Mariners for prospects, with the Blue Jays also sending Roy Halladay to Philadelphia for prospects.

Upton, 25,  hit .280 with 17 home runs in 2012. He was drafted by Arizona with the first overall pick in 2005, and has slugged 108 homers in four-plus seasons amid repeated trade talk.

In need of outfield help, the Red Sox emerged as frontrunners for free agent outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday after offering him a three-year, $38-million deal, according to The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo.

The two sides have agreed to a three-year contract, reports WEEI’s Alex Speier.

Sox have agreed with Victorino on 3yr deal—
Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 04, 2012

Victorino has played all three outfield positions during his nine-year career, and fits with Boston in right field alongside Jacoby Ellsbury and the recently signed Johnny Gomes.

The Indians, Cubs, Yankees and Phillies also showed interest in Victorino, according to reports.

The 32-year-old batted .255 with 11 home runs and 39 stolen bases for the Phillies and Dodgers last season. He made two All-Star teams and won three Gold Gloves and a World Series during seven-plus seasons in Philadelphia, before being traded at the 2012 non-waiver deadline.

Boston also considered Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, according to reports on Monday, when the team agreed to sign Mike Napoli to a three-year deal.

The Rangers and reliever Joakim Soria have agreed to a two-year contract pending a physical, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Monday.

Soria in agreement with #Rangers on two-year deal, pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2012

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that the deal is for two years and $8 million.

Soria got $8M for 2 yrs with #rangers in agreed-upon deal.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 3, 2012

The 28-year-old Soria missed the entire 2012 season after having Tommy John surgery on his elbow in April.

Soria has played his entire five-year career in Kansas City with the Royals, where he posted a 2.40 career ERA and 1.04 WHIP. In 60 1/3 innings in 2011, Soria struck out 60 batters and had a 4.03 ERA. He would join a bullpen that includes closer Joe Nathan.

Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey could be traded if a deal can’t be reached with the team. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The New York Mets are talking to as many as eight teams trying to reach a deal to trade National League Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey, reports ESPN.com.

One of the teams included in the talks are the Boston Red Sox. Dickey is under contract for next season at $5 million but the team is willing to trade him if they can’t reach a deal on an extension.

Only six previous Cy Young winners have opened the following season with another club, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“Are we punting ’13? Absolutely not,” Mets  general manager Sandy Alderson said when asked if the team is pessimistic about their 2013 chances. “This is not about making a trade for four players from the Appalachian League. You have to balance the quality of the player with the potential arrival date of the player, obviously. That’s something we’re trying to do. But it is important for us if we’re going to do something — and I want to emphasize, we may not — if we do something, we want whatever comes back to us to have an impact on us as soon as possible.”

Dickey went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA and struck out 230 batters for the Mets, who finished 4th in the National League East last season.

Free-agent outfielder Grady Sizemore had surgery on his knee and won’t be ready to start the 2013 season. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Free-agent outfielder Grady Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his right knee in September and won’t be ready for the start of the 2013 season, reports MLB.com.

Sizemore’s agent, Joe Urbon, confirmed the surgery and says Sizemore won’t be available until mid-season at the earliest.

Sizemore had the same surgery performed on his left knee in June 2010 while with the Cleveland Indians. Sizemore didn’t play in 2012 after signing a one-year, $5 million contract with the Indians.

“He has a good mindset,” Urbon said. “He knows what to expect and what each step brings. “He has every intention of coming back when he’s 100 percent and not a day sooner.”

Sizemore had an arthroscopic procedure performed on the knee near the end of the 2011 season, but the knee was a continual source of pain and frustration throughout 2012.

Sizemore, 30, has played in just 210 games over the last four seasons. He had one of his best seasons with 33 home runs, 39 doubles and 38 stolen bases in 2008.