NEWS
The Marlins have officially name all-time HR leader Barry Bonds to be their hitting coach with Frank Menechino as the assistant hitting coach.
The Padres have named Mark McGwire as their new hitting coach. He had held the same job with the Dodgers the last 3 seasons.
Bob Geren is leaving the Mets to become the Dodgers bench coach. He interviewed with the Dodgers to be their manager.
Joe Torre and Dave Winfield to lead a group of MLB players on a goodwill tour of Cuba from Dec. 15-18. It will be the 1st visit to Cuba since the Orioles played an exhibition game against the Cuban National Team in March of 1999.
Cliff Lee has been cleared by doctors and plans to pitch in 2016. He has already began a throwing program.
The Hiroshima Carp will post ace RHP Kenta Maeda. He will be 28 in April and is a 2 time Sawamura Award winner (Japan’s Cy Young).
TRANSACTIONS
The Red Sox have signed OF Chris Young to a 2 year/$13 million contract.
The Cardinals have signed C Brayan Pena to a 2 year/$5 million contract.
The Braves have signed RHP Jim Johnson to a 1 year/$2.5 million contract.
The Royals and LHP Tim Collins agreed to a 1 year/$1.475 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Indians have signed RHP Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Twins have signed Korean 1B Byung-Ho Park to a 4 year/$12 million contract.
The Red Sox have signed LHP David Price to a 7 year/$217 million contract with an opt-out after 3 years. He is now the highest paid pitcher in baseball. (Until the Greinke deal)
The Orioles have acquired 1B/DH Mark Trumbo and LHP C.J. Riefenhauser from the Mariners. The Mariners will receive C/1B Steve Clevenger.
The Mariners have signed OF Nori Aoki to a 1 year/$5.5 million contract with a vesting option.
The A’s have acquired 1B Yonder Alonso and LHP Marc Rzepczynski from the Padres. The Padres will receive LHP Drew Pomeranz and minor league LHP Jose Torres.
The Orioles and RHP Vance Worley agreed to a 1 year/$2.6 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Braves have signed 2B Gordon Beckham to a 1 year/$1.25 million contract.
The Phillies have claimed OF Peter Bourjos off of waivers from the Cardinals.
The Blue Jays and 1B Justin Smoak agreed to a 1 year/$3.9 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The White Sox have signed C Dioner Navarro to a 1 year deal.
The Rays have acquired C Hank Conger from the Astros. The Astros will receive cash considerations.
The Tigers have signed RHP Mike Pelfrey to a 2 year/$16 million contract pending physical.
The Nationals have signed LHP Oliver Perez to a 2 year/$7 million contract.
The Cubs have signed RHP John Lackey to a 2 year/$32 million contract.
The D-Backs have signed RHP Zack Greinke to a 6 year/$206.5 million contract. He will have the highest AAV in baseball at $34 million a year.
The Giants have signed RHP Jeff Samardzija to a 5 year/$90 million contract. The deal includes limited no trade clause.
RUMORS
Shelby Miller of the Braves is one of the hottest names on the trade market right now. D-Backs, Giants, Marlins, Yankees and Dodgers all have shown interest.
The Astros are now shopping OF Jake Marsnick.
The Pirates are interested in RHP Justin Masterson.
The A’s have interest in RHP Ryan Madson.
Ben Zobrist has visited Mets, Giants and will make at least 2 more to teams not yet known.
The D-Backs have met with RHP Mike Leake even after signing Zack Greinke.
The Dodgers have turned their attention to RHP Johnny Cueto after losing out on Greinke.
The Giants still looking for big OF bats such as Justin Upton or Yoenis Cespedes.
The Cubs are actively exploring a trade for a top tier closer.
The Dodgers are making a push for RHP Hisashi Iwakuma.
The Nationals are going to shop RHP Drew Storen at the Winter Meetings.