Kensing and the Florida Marlins agreed Wednesday on a $660,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
Analysis: Kensing went 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA in a career-high 55 1-3 innings last year. The right-hander missed much of the 2007 season recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Giambi and the A's finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter and first baseman back to the place he began his big league career.
Analysis: The sides had reached a preliminary agreement earlier this week but Giambi still needed to complete the obligatory physical for the deal to get done. Giambi, who turns 38 on Thursday, follows a line of aging and injury-prone designated hitters in recent years with the A's - Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney and then Thomas again. Giambi also could play some first base to give Daric Barton a break from time to time.
Hairston stayed with the Cincinnati Reds, agreeing Wednesday to a $2 million, one-year contract.
Analysis: The 32-year-old infielder-outfielder played six positions in 80 games for the Reds last season. Hairston signed a minor league contract with the Reds last March and was promoted to the major league roster just before the start of the season. His new deal allows him to earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.
Giles' minor league contract was announced Wednesday by the Philadelphia Phillies, and the former All-Star second baseman was among nine players invited to spring training by the World Series champions.
Analysis: Giles, who was out of the majors last year after being released by Colorado in spring training, provides another option for the World Series champions with second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Pedro Feliz recovering from offseason operations.
Walker and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract Tuesday, giving the Mariners a potential replacement for former closer J.J. Putz - who was dealt to the New York Mets last month.
Analysis: Walker was 5-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 65 games last season. In 53 1-3 innings, the 32-year-old allowed 47 hits, struck out 49 and walked 21. Walker, who has spent six seasons in the majors, had 23 saves for the Giants in 2005. He earned 10 more in 2006 after being traded to Tampa Bay then missed 13 months with elbow ligament replacement surgery.
The Pirates signed Lopez to a minor league contract Tuesday with an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Lopez played last season for the Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A club, batting .236. The 24-year-old shortstop has played 16 games in the majors.
The Pirates signed Machado to a minor league contract Tuesday with an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: The 28-year-old Machado has played 24 games in the majors, but none since 2005. He spent last season in the New York Mets' system and has a .228 career average in the minor leagues.
Park and Phillies finalized their $2.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.
Analysis: "We've acquired a veteran guy who can pitch in either a starting role or as a reliever," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He will come to spring training and be given every opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation." The 35-year-old right-hander went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA as a starter and 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in relief.
Proctor's one-year deal with the Florida Marlins has been finalized after the reliever passed his physical, the team said Tuesday. Proctor reached an agreement last week on a $750,000, one-year contract with an additional $250,000 in incentives.
Analysis: "Scott brings experience to our staff and provides us with depth at the back of the bullpen," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "He gives us another live arm to help finish games." Proctor underwent surgery in October for repair of a partially torn flexor tendon and is expected to be healthy for spring training. He went 2-0 with a 6.05 ERA in 41 games for the Dodgers in 2008, but missed two months of the season and was left off the postseason roster.
The Indians have signed free agent pitcher Carl Pavano, who was a four-year bust with the New York Yankees because of injuries.
Analysis: Pavano, who will turn 33 on Thursday, signed a one-year deal with the Indians, who have been looking to add starting depth and hope the right-hander has put his injury problems behind him. Pavano spent most of the past four years on the disabled list with shoulder and elbow issues. He made only 26 starts and went 9-8 with a 5.00 ERA with the free-spending Yankees, who signed him to a deal worth nearly $40 million before the 2005 season.
Teixeira and the Yankees have completed their $180 million, eight-year contract,
Analysis: The deal was agreed to Dec. 23, but both sides had to settle contract language and the first baseman had to pass a physical. New York has committed $423.5 million on three free-agent additions during the offseason after its streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances ended. On Dec. 18, the Yankees completed a $161 million, seven-year contract with left-hander CC Sabathia and an $82.5 million, five-year deal with right-hander A.J. Burnett.
Giambi might just finish his career where it began more than a decade ago. The free-agent first baseman was nearing a deal Tuesday to return to the Oakland Athletics nearly 14 years after making his debut with the club, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
Analysis: The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The AP because the contract hasn't been completed. The addition of Giambi would be the second big offseason acquisition by general manager Billy Beane, who made a trade with Colorado for star outfielder Matt Holliday back in November. Giambi, who turns 38 on Thursday, spent the past seven seasons with the Yankees. Giambi, who batted .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2008 for the Yankees, won the AL MVP for the A's.
Vargas agreed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year contract Monday.
Analysis: The 30-year-old went 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 11 appearances last season for the New York Mets, including four starts. Vargas averaged 11 wins per season from 2005-07 and won a career-high 12 games for Arizona in 2006. The following year, he was 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA for Milwaukee.
According to a source with knowledge of the discussions, the Dodgers have agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the center fielder deferring much of the $22 million remaining on his contract.
Analysis: The agreement is expected to cut $12 million off the Dodgers' payroll. If Los Angeles releases Jones, it would owe him all but the minimum $400,000 salary. Jones agreed to a $36.2 million, two-year contract in December 2007. He hit .158 with three home runs in 75 games last season.
Ring became the third left-hander in the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen, agreeing Monday to a $475,000. one-year contract.
Analysis: The 28-year-old was 2-1 with an 8.46 ERA in 42 games for the Atlanta Braves last season after making an opening-day roster for the first time in his career. He was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA through June, then faded and was cut by the Braves in early August. In addition to his salary, Ring can earn $25,000 in performance bonuses based on games.
Ramirez agreed to a minor league contract with the Rangers.
Analysis: The 25-year-old Ramirez had one appearance out of the bullpen last season for the Rangers. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma, going 10-7 with a 4.50 ERA. He has appeared in the majors in each of the last five seasons with Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Texas.
Turnbow agreed to a minor league contract with the Rangers.
Analysis: The 30-year-old Turnbow was an All-Star in 2006 and was with the Milwaukee organization for the past four seasons. He has a career 17-16 record with a 4.30 ERA with the Brewers and Angels. He spent most of the 2008 season with Triple-A Nashville, where he was placed on the disabled list in July for the duration of the season with right shoulder tendinitis.
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