— Indians Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Saturday, 04 February 2012 03:38)

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti began the offseason by saying that Matt LaPorta would have to come to spring training and win the first base job. Antonetti made no secret of the fact that in searching for another hitter, he was considering any and all available first basemen below the two marquee free agents, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.

That search ended Feb. 3 when Cleveland signed free agent Casey Kotchman to a one-year, $3 million contract. Antonetti said the addition of Kotchman improves the Indians' offense but, of equal importance, enhances the team's defense.

Upgrading the defense, particularly the infield defense,...

— Cleveland Indians Ready to Go with Casey Kotchman on First: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 17:07)

On Friday, February 3 the Cleveland Indians signed free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman to a one-year $3 million contract, a day after reaching the agreement. In 146 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, Kotchman batted .306 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs.

— MLB Roundup: Hamilton admits 'weak moment' (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 17:05)

In a somber tone, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton acknowledged his latest relapse in drinking alcohol, issuing a raw statement live at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Friday. He acknowledged having a "weak moment" and apologized in the statement he said was not...

— Cleveland Indians Sign First Baseman Casey Kotchman: A Fan's Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 17:02)

On Friday, Feb. 3, the Cleveland Indians officially announced the signing of free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman to a one-year deal. The Washington Post, amongst other media outlets, confirmed a deal between Kotchman and the Tribe on Thursday, Feb.

— Indians sign first baseman Kotchman (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 15:01)

The Cleveland Indians added Casey Kotchman on Friday, announcing they had signed the first baseman to a one-year deal. Kotchman, who hit .306 with 10 homers and 48 RBI in 146 games for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, did not have a spot in Tampa after the Rays re-acquired Carlos...

— New showcase for top Dominican and Venezuelan prospects brings structure and order to scouting (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Sunday, 05 February 2012 00:13)

The inaugural event for 15- and 16-year-olds could curb age and name falsifications while protecting players from unscrupulous agents.

— Pirates Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Saturday, 04 February 2012 03:38)

Pitchers and catchers don't report until later this month, and the Pirates are pretty much set with their everyday lineup.

Yes, seriously.

A team that lost 90 games in 2011, that made precious few waves this offseason, that has a 19-year streak of losing seasons will enter spring training with all but two everyday positions set for 2012. That's according to manager Clint Hurdle, who identified third baseman Pedro Alvarez and left fielder Alex Presley as the exceptions. And even those two will be considered starters unless things change.

"They will get the first shot," Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Either the...

— #ejaxtobucs: Fans use Twitter to unsuccessfully ask Edwin Jackson to sign with the Pirates (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Thursday, 02 February 2012 11:34)

Despite the amount of riches falling on other players, the free-agent market has yet to shower anything on Edwin Jackson. Being a reliable 28-year-old workhorse with occasional "really good stuff" apparently doesn't go as far as it used to. While … Continue reading →

— Colorado GM tries a classic Rockies approach (Yahoo! Sports)

   (Thursday, 02 February 2012 10:31)

Dan O'Dowd turned to a collection of graybeards in pursuit of consistency that has eluded the Rockies.

— Pirates Summer Schedule Shows the Big Market Teams Have Advantage Once Again: Fan's Opinion (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

   (Thursday, 02 February 2012 09:04)

Every news story that involves my Pittsburgh Pirates or the New York Yankees is just a reminder of how unfair Major League Baseball is. The Yankees are able to pay whatever amount of money they want to acquire the services of anybody they want.

— Penny inks 1-year deal to pitch in Japan (AP)

   (Sunday, 05 February 2012 01:09)

The Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League have signed former major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract. Softbank announced the signing of free agent Penny on its website Sunday The 33-year-old right-hander is expected to arrive in Japan on Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

— Yankees GM Cashman's wife wants divorce (AP)

   (Saturday, 04 February 2012 11:41)

The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has filed divorce papers, a day after prosecutors charged a woman with stalking him and extorting money over an extramarital affair. Mary Cashman filed the paperwork Friday in Stamford, Conn. Her lawyer didn't immediately return a phone message Saturday.

— Hamilton calls relapse 'weak moment' (AP)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 22:33)

Josh Hamilton shed no tears and used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done. The Texas Rangers slugger and recovering drug addict said he had "three or four" drinks during dinner at a Dallas restaurant and bar Monday and continued drinking later that night.

— Dodgers ink RHP Coffey for 1 year, $1.3M (AP)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 18:19)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Todd Coffey on a $1.3 million, one-year contract with a club option for 2013. The deal, announced Friday, will pay Coffey $1 million this season. The Dodgers hold a $2.5 million option for next season with a $300,000 buyout. Coffey was 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA in 69 games with Washington last season.

— Dodgers ask court to disallow Stow claim (AP)

   (Friday, 03 February 2012 18:11)

The Los Angeles Dodgers asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge on Friday to disallow claims against the team filed by Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan nearly beaten to death outside Dodger Stadium last spring. Stow and his family sued the Dodgers in California state court, then filed the claim with the federal court in July, weeks after owner Frank McCourt put the team in bankruptcy.