Off Season Trades, Free Agent Signings and MGR Hirings

[TheGame]

The Cubs and Rays have agreed to a trade that will send Matt Garza to Chicago, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak-Ju Lee and Sam Fuld head to Tampa for Garza, a minor-league pitcher and a minor-league outfielder, Levine reports.

[TheGame]

All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman told MLB.com's Barry Bloom that he is retiring. Hoffman walks away with 601 career saves, a 2.87 ERA and 1133 strikeouts in 1089 1/3 innings for the Marlins, Padres and Brewers. After 18 seasons in the big leagues, he says he's ready to call it a career.

"It's time to retire. It's time to move on," Hoffman told Bloom. "This is more of a self-evaluation. I expect to pitch at a certain level and I had to be honest with myself that I wasn't certain I could maintain that anymore."

[TheGame]

The Tigers have agreed to a one-year, $3MM deal with Brad Penny, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The deal includes up to $3MM in incentives for the Legacy Sports client.

[TheGame]

Jim Thome and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract

[STGUCHI]

MILWAUKEE (AP)—First baseman Prince Fielder(notes) and the Milwaukee Brewers have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $15.5 million, one-year contract.

Fielder, a Scott Boras client who can become a free agent after this year’s World Series, hit .261 with 32 homers and 83 RBIs last season. It was the lowest batting average in his big league career.

Left-hander Manny Parra(notes) also avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1.2 million, one-year deal.

[TheGame]

The Twins have agreed to terms with right-hander Carl Pavano on a two-year, $16.5MM contract, according to a team press release.

[TheGame]

Fifteen years after he put on an eye-popping October show in the first game he ever played in Yankee Stadium, outfielder Andruw Jones agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

[TheGame]

The Padres and Jorge Cantu have agreed to terms on a Major League contract

[TheGame]

You don't see this everyday

The D'Backs announced that they have agreed to sign Micah Owings to a minor league contract. The right-hander will also get an invitation to Spring Training. The D'Backs intend to use Owings as a pitcher and occasional first baseman

293 hitter with 9 HR's in 198 at bats

[TheGame]

The D'Backs acquired Armando Galarraga from the Tigers for Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski,

[TheGame]

Looks like the Rangers pulled a fast one on the Angels

Hopefully Mike Napoli's suitcase is still packed. Just four days after acquiring the catcher/first baseman from the Angels, the Blue Jays have sent him back to the AL West. Napoli is heading to the Rangers for Frank Francisco and cash, the teams announced.

[GreatLaker]

MLB Network showing Top 50 Prospects tonite.  I'm sure it's not the first time it's aired but it's the first time I've seen it.  Good stuff! 

[TheGame]

The Hut is back !

Yankees Sign Bartolo Colon

[TheGame]

The Brewers will sign Mark Kotsay to a Major League contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Assistant GM Gord Ash confirmed to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy that the sides are talking. The 35-year-old Legacy Sports client will provide the Brewers with another option in the outfield and at first base.

[TheGame]

The Yankees have agreed to sign Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link).  The deal will pay Garcia $1.5MM if he makes the Major League roster, and the total value of the contract could be worth $5.1MM if Garcia reaches all his start-based incentive plateaus, up to 30 starts.

[STGUCHI]

Lou Piniella is staying right in the baseball mix.

The longtime skipper told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants to work as a special assistant for the World Series champions. Sweet Lou will report to general manager Brian Sabean.

“I took a little consulting job with the Giants,” Piniella said in a telephone interview from his home in Florida. “It’s a done deal. I look forward to it. Brian and I are good friends. Whatever Brian needs me to do.”

The 67-year-old Piniella retired as a manager during the 2010 season with the Chicago Cubs in order to return home to Tampa, Fla., and help his ailing mother, 91-year-old Margaret. He was with her Wednesday in the hospital after she underwent a procedure and reported she is hanging in there.

Piniella is 14th with 1,835 regular-season wins while managing the New York Yankees, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Cubs. As the Giants have done with former manager Felipe Alou, Piniella will remain in Florida and do most of his work from his home base—and probably no longer throwing bases. He said he will scout American League teams in Florida during spring training and attend Rays games at Tropicana Field.

The new gig provides Piniella, known for his animated arguments with umpires over the years, the best of both worlds.

“It gives me a chance to stay involved in baseball and not have to travel,” Piniella said. “I worked with Brian a lot of years in New York. He’s a good man. They have several former Yankees (working for the club). They won a world championship—we won a world championship. I’m joining a world-class organization.”

It may turn into a longer-term agreement.

“I’ll do it for a year, and we’ll see what happens,” Piniella said.

The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report Piniella’s new job.