(WARNING THERE ARE GIFS AHEAD)

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Via foxsports.com

Tejada---> O's

The Baltimore Orioles and Miguel Tejada are headed toward a reunion. This time, however, Tejada will play third base instead of shortstop.

Tejada and the Orioles have agreed on a 1-year contract, pending a physical, the infielder confirmed Saturday.

"I've reached a deal for one season and $6 million. I know it's less than what I made last year, but the market has changed and I feel happy to be able to play in the major leagues,'' Tejada told The Associated Press in Santo Domingo during a phone interview from Miami.

Tejada made more than $14 million with the Houston Astros in 2009, the final season of a six-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Orioles. Tejada played shortstop with the Orioles from 2004-07 before being traded to Houston for five players: outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Mike Costanzo.

 

 

Giambi----->Rockies

Jason Giambi has agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Rockies, one major league source confirmed to FOXSports.com.

Giambi was a valuable contributor for the Rockies down the stretch last year, batting .292 in 19 games as a pinch hitter and occasional first baseman. Then he went 1-for-3 in Colorado’s first-round playoff series against Philadelphia.

Byrd, Cameron on similar paths? — 12:00 p.m.

The markets for free agents Marlon Byrd and Mike Cameron continue running parallel to one another.

One major league source pointed out Wednesday morning that many of the same teams are interested in both players: The Braves, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Mariners, Mets and Giants have checked on each of them.

Byrd and Cameron entered the marketplace as center fielders but have drawn interest from teams seeking help in the corners, the source said.

Byrd, 32, has the advantage of being younger than Cameron, who will play at 37 next year.

The Cardinals also view Byrd as one fallback option if they fail to re-sign left fielder Matt Holliday.

The Mariners, meanwhile, believe Cameron would be an ideal fit for the expansive left field at Safeco Field, but he hasn't played anywhere other than center since the 2005 season. -- Jon Paul Morosi

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Via Fox Sports:

Catching shortage helping Olivo — 12:36 p.m.

There is a shortage of catching.

And it is driving the market for the catchers on the open market.

Miguel Olivo has found strong interest from San Francisco, Seattle and Colorado. The Giants and Mariners have driven the price up. They are both seeking every day catchers. Colorado, meanwhile, looks at Chris Iannetta as its No. 1 catcher, but wants a strong backup in case a need arises.

The Rockies declined a $4 million option on Yorvit Torrealba, but are having renewed discussions on signing him.

Olivo became a free agent when Kansas City opted to pay the $100,000 buyout on his $3.3 million option for 2010 even though he led the Royals with 23 home runs while appearing in 114 games last year.

Kansas City is among the teams looking for a catcher, even though in addition to buying out Olivo's contract the Royals plan to non-tender catcher John Buck. The deadline for tendering contracts to players is on Saturday. -- Tracy Ringolsby

"If it works out for both sides, I'm fine," Griffey told The Associated Press before the Mariners opened a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night. "We'll figure it out at the end of the year. We've still got 30 days."

While Griffey won't go as far as to say he's leaning toward playing in 2010, he'd be game for another year in Seattle if the situation was right for both himself and the club.

The slugger said his representatives have had preliminary talks with the Mariners and another meeting would take place soon after the season ends.

He has enjoyed his role as a mentor for the young players and believes this franchise is close to turning the corner.

"I want to be part of this," he said. "We're building something."

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Rosenthal:

The Phillies have reached agreement with the Indians on a trade that would bring them left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to major-league sources.

The deal is pending a review of medical records.

...

[something about them going after Washburn still which has gone missing]

We this bodes less badly for a certain team with all right handed hitters that will be facing Philly in the first round

Rosenthal,

Albert Pujols is getting help.

 

The Cardinals are on the verge of acquiring outfielder Matt Holliday from the A's, according to two major-league sources. <

In return, the A's are expected to receive third baseman Brett Wallace, right-hander Clayton Mortensen and another prospect.

The Cardinals rank eighth in the National League in runs per game, but their offense has been sporadic.

Holliday, a free agent at the end of the season, has been hot in recent weeks. He presumably will bat cleanup for the Cardinals, giving Pujols arguably the best lineup protection he has had in his career.

The move is certain to be welcomed by Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who has lobbied for the addition of Holliday and is in the last year of his contract.

It also is certain to be well-received by Pujols, who can be a free agent after the 2011 season and has questioned ownership's commitment to winning.

and confirmed by ESPN

In addition, sources said the Athletics will throw in $1.5 million to the Cardinals.

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