MLB News Blog

The Detroit Tigers have found their closer. Jose Valverde and the Tigers reached a preliminary agreement on a $14 million, two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the team hadn't made an announcement, said the deal includes [...]

All Star centerfielder Carlos Beltran says the New York Mets made their request to delay knee surgery only after the operation was underway. A day after his right knee was repaired, Beltran contradicted on Thursday the claims of team officials who said they asked him to delay surgery while the club's medical staff evaluated his [...]

Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, second baseman Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz agreed to one-year contracts with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration. De La Rosa's deal is for $5.6 million, and the left-hander could make another $300,000 in performance bonuses.

Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract on Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn't announced an agreement. The deal covers Johnson's final two years of salary arbitration eligibility and pushes back his chance [...]

Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract on Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn't announced an agreement. The deal covers Johnson's final two years of salary arbitration eligibility and pushes back his chance [...]

Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima and the Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.75 million, one-year contract on Thursday. The left-hander was 6-0 with a 3.39 ERA last year, his third with Boston after coming to the major leagues from Japan. In all, he is 12-4 with six saves and a 2.72 ERA.

Braves outfielder Melky Cabrera has agreed to a $3.1 million, one-year contract with his new team to avoid arbitration. Cabrera, who made $1,425,000 last season with the New York Yankees, was acquired by Atlanta in a five-player deal that sent 15-game winner Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions.

A person with knowledge of the deal says first baseman Adam LaRoche has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because LaRoche had to complete the physical needed before the contract can be finalized. The 30-year-old hit .277 for Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh last [...]

Infielder Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz have agreed to one-year contracts with the Colorado Rockies, avoiding salary arbitration. Barmes gets $3,225,000 and Buchholz $1,055,000. Barmes hit 23 home runs last season for Colorado, a team record for a second baseman. Barmes also had career highs in hits (135), RBIs (76) and runs (69) to [...]

The New York Mets are upset Carlos Beltran had knee surgery this week after the team asked him to wait while management discussed options with its medical staff. Assistant general manager John Ricco said the center fielder had permission to be examined Tuesday by Dr. Richard Steadman, a knee specialist in Colorado who also looked [...]