Around the League: Week of January 30, 2012

Around the League:  January 30, 2012 – February 5, 2012

For the remainder of the off season, we will provide you with a quick trip around MLB to recap what has happened in the past week, thanks for following.

Monday, January 30, 2012

• Victor Martinez had micro-fracture surgery to repair the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee.  He expects to have ACL surgery in six-to-eight weeks, officially ending his 2011 season before it started.
• Pat Burrell retired at the age of 35 due to chronic foot injury.
• Manager Ron Washington received a two-year extension through 2014.
• Orioles sign RHP Pat Neshek, C Ronny Paulino, and 17 year old LHP Seong-Min Kim to minor league contracts.
• Brewers sign former Cub outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract.
• Yankees sign RHP Manny Delcarmen to a minor league contract

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

• Diamondbacks avoid arbitration with C Miguel Montero(1 yr. $5.9MM), Ryan Roberts (1 yr. $2.0125MM)
• Phillies sign RHP Chad Qualls (1 yr. $1.15MM).  The Cubs were interested in Qualls as well.
• Yankees hire former Cubs GM Jim Hendry as a special assignment scout.
• Astros sign Livan Hernandez to a minor league deal.
• Padres avoid arbitration with RHP Dustin Moseley (1 yr. $2.0125MM).
• Jon Heyman hears that Davey Johnson wants RF Bryce Harper to start the season as Nationals.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

• White Sox sign 1B Dan Johnson to a minor league deal.
• Pirates sign former RHP Juan Cruz to a minor league deal.
• Nationals sign RHP Chard Durbin to a minor league deal.
• Padres sign RHP Micah Owings (1 yr. $1MM)
• Mariners sign INF Carlos Guillen to a minor league deal.
• Orioles sign LHP Casey Fossum to a minor league deal.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

• Indians avoid arbitration with LHP Rafael Perez (1 yr. $2.005MM plus incentives).
• Nationals beat LHP Lannan in arbitration (1 yr. $5 MM) and are actively looking to deal him.
• Nationals agree to sign RHP Edwin Jackson (1 yr. $11MM plus incentives).

Friday, February 3, 2012

• Indians sign 1B Casey Kotchman (1 yr. $3MM)
• Rockies agree on a one-year extension with RHP Matt Belisle.
• Pirates signed LHP Brian Tallet.
• Orioles release RHP Rick VandenHurk.
• Brewers avoid arbitration with RHP Shaun Marcum (1 yr. $7.725MM).
• The Rays beat RHP Jeff Niemann in arbitration (1 yr. 2.75MM).
• Dodgers sign RHP Todd Coffey to a one-year deal with a club option for 2013.
• After having a relapse with alcohol OF Josh Hamilton and the Rangers won’t discuss contract extension at this time.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

• Manny Ramirez appears to be deciding between the Orioles, Blue Jays, and A’s.
• According to Peter Gammons the A’s are evaluating Magglio Ordonez for a spring tryout.
• Cardinals close to signing INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

• Red Sox avoid arbitration with RHP Alfredo Aceves (1 yr. $1.2MM).
• Brad Penny signs with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.

- Mark Sorrentino