January 17, 2009 [LINK / comment]

More hot stove news

Several teams have made deals in the last few days, clarifying the competitive situation as the 2009 season approaches. In Boston, first baseman Kevin Youkilis signed a $41-million four-year contract with the Red Sox; see MLB.com, while talks with Jason Varitek are still under way. They aren't conceding anything to the big-spending Yankees. Atlanta showed they aren't giving up easily, either, signing pitcher Derek Lowe, a former Red Sock who has played with the Dodgers for the past four years. The Dodgers released a former Brave, Andruw Jones, under special terms that ensures that some other team will pick him up. (Manny Ramirez is still a "man of mystery.") The World Champion Phillies signed their young pitcher Cole Hamels (age 25) to a three-year contract worth $20.5 million; see MLB.com. He was one of the stars of the 2008 postseason. They also signed a two-year contract with Greg Dobbs, whose 22 pinch-hits last year led the Major Leagues. See MLB.com.

Anaheim Stadium photos

I've finally added some photos that were kindly submitted to me by John Minor to the Anaheim Stadium page. Several more batches of his photos are yet to come...