Gwynn now San Diego State's baseball coach previously had a malignant growth removed from the same spot in August 2010.

Gwynn's wife Alicia told ESPN that doctors do not believe the cancer has spread outside of Gwynn's salivary gland. But she said she expected to know more after the operation at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San...]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:13:09 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/orioles-cf-jones-agree-to-1-year-deal-46551.htm BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles and center fielder Adam Jones have agreed to a $6.15 million one-year contract avoiding arbitration.

The club announced the agreement on Tuesday night.

Jones made $3.25 million last season when he hit .280 and set career highs in games (151) doubles (26) homers (25) and RBIs (83). The 26-year-old also stole 12 bases and was voted Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media.

Jones was seeking $7.4 million and the Orioles were offering...]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:43:04 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/royals-exercise-option-on-yost-for-next-season-46540.htm KANSAS CITY Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Royals have exercised their option on manager Ned Yost to keep him with the club through the 2013 season.

The team announced the move Tuesday six days before pitchers and catchers are due to report to the Royals' spring training home in Surprise Ariz.

Yost was hired in May 2010 to replace Trey Hillman. He signed a two-year extension that July that included a club option for next season.

Yost is just 126-163 since taking over the Royals but...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/dodgers-bidders-to-meet-mlbs-ownership-committee-46539.htm NEW YORK (AP) Remaining bidders for the Los Angeles Dodgers have been told they will be scheduled for meetings with Major League baseball's ownership committee early next month.

The exact date of each group's meeting has not been set yet but the range of dates for the sessions has been given to the bidders a person familiar with the process said Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the parties have signed nondisclosure agreements.

``What we will be doing...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:13:12 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/king-felix-happy-as-mariners-much-needed-ace-46538.htm PEORIA Ariz. (AP) He is the ace on a team that is struggling to find respectability in the tough AL West and the role suits Felix Hernandez just fine.

``King Felix'' says he is ``not going anywhere'' exactly the position of the Seattle Mariners' front office despite speculation that inevitably surfaces from time to time for a team that finished dead last in its division the past two years.

The 2010 AL Cy Young winner is entering his seventh full season with the Mariners and he's only...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:13:12 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/kosuke-fukudome-white-sox-agree-to-1m-deal-46537.htm CHICAGO (AP) Four years later the Chicago White Sox finally signed Kosuke Fukudome - and for a fraction of the price he cost the Cubs.

The outfielder agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract that guarantees $1 million. He will get a $500000 salary this year and the White Sox have a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $500000 buyout.

Now 34 Fukudome joined the Cubs for the 2008 season with a $48 million four-year contract.

``We were aggressive'' White Sox assistant general manager...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/ap-source-maddon-rays-reach-contract-extension-46536.htm ST. PETERSBURG Fla. (AP) Joe Maddon insisted all along that he wasn't interested in managing any other team than Tampa Bay.

And apparently the Rays feel the same about Maddon. A person familiar with the deal said Tuesday that the Rays and Maddon had agreed on a three-year contract extension after the manager led the Rays to the playoffs three of the past four seasons.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team had not yet made an official...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/orioles-vp-team-no-longer-interested-in-ramirez-46531.htm BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles are no longer interested in free agent slugger Manny Ramirez.

Dan Duquette the Orioles vice president of baseball operations told The Associated Press on Tuesday ``I don't know that Manny Ramirez is a fit for our club right now.''

The 39-year-old Ramirez retired last season rather than serve a suspension for violating Major League baseball's drug policy. He was suspended for 100 games but the ban was trimmed to 50 games because he sat out...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:43:06 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/pineda-joins-early-workouts-46532.htm TAMPA Fla. (AP) Michael Pineda started his New York Yankees' career a little early.

The All-Star pitcher acquired from Seattle last month joined pre-spring training workouts Tuesday at the Yankees' minor league complex.

``I'm excited because it's my first time'' Pineda said. ``I'm working hard to help my team make it to the playoffs.''

The Mariners and Yankees completed a four-player trade that sent promising slugger Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi to the Mariners...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:43:06 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/cruzs-16-million-deal-with-rangers-is-backloaded-46528.htm ARLINGTON Texas (AP) Nelson Cruz's $16 million two-year contract with the Texas Rangers calls for the AL championship series MVP to receive a $500000 signing bonus and salaries of $5 million this year and $10.5 million in 2013.

Under the agreement announced Friday Cruz's 2013 salary can rise by an additional $500000 based on plate appearances in 2012: $100000 each for 500 525 550 575 and 600.

He can earn an additional $50000 if he's an All-Star as he was in 2009 and $75000 if he's...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:13:11 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/brewers-beat-reliever-veras-in-salary-arbitration-46518.htm ST. PETERSBURG Fla. (AP) Milwaukee has won its arbitration case against reliever Jose Veras giving teams a 4-2 lead over players this year.

Veras was awarded a $2 million salary by a three-person panel Tuesday rather than his request for $2375000. Arbitrators Dan Brent Marlene Gold and John Sands made the decision one day after hearing arguments.

Veras was 2-4 with a 3.80 ERA in a career-high 79 appearances for Pittsburgh last season when he made $1.35 million. The right-hander...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/janssen-and-blue-jays-avoid-arbitration-46486.htm TORONTO (AP) Right-hander Casey Janssen and the Toronto Blue Jays have avoided salary arbitration agreeing on a $5.9 million two-year contract.

Janssen gets $2 million this year and $2.9 million in 2013. Monday's agreement includes a $4 million team option for 2014.

A hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday in St. Petersburg Fla.

Janssen was 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA and two saves in 55 relief appearances last year when he made $1095000. The 30-year-old is 21-19 with nine saves and...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:43:20 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/yankees-pirates-progressing-toward-burnett-deal-46483.htm NEW YORK (AP) The New York Yankees and Pirates have made progress toward a trade that would send much-maligned pitcher A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh would pay at least $10 million of the $33 million Burnett is owed in the final two seasons of his $82.5 million five-year contract a person familiar with the discussions said Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing.

The exact amount of money involved in the trade depends on the quality of...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:13:39 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/schillings-company-launches-first-video-game-46485.htm NEW YORK (AP) A teenage Curt Schilling got a paper route so he could afford an Apple II just like the one his Little League coach owned.

Three decades later with cash to spare from his baseball career the retired pitcher has invested nearly $35 million into a business producing the sort of fantasy video game that first made him yearn for a personal computer.

In New York on Monday to promote the first offering from his 38 Studios entertainment company Schilling stopped in at a video...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:13:39 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/manager-guillen-likes-look-of-marlins-makeover-46484.htm MIAMI (AP) Ozzie Guillen says Hanley Ramirez is reluctant Carlos Zambrano is rejuvenated and the Miami Marlins' much-maligned uniforms are redeemable.

``They look bad'' Guillen said Monday. ``But if we win those are going to be the best uniforms in the game.''

With spring training a week away Guillen spoke at the Marlins' media day about the team's offseason makeover which included new colors a name change and a spending spree as the franchise moves into a new ballpark. Among the...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:13:39 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/ortiz-red-sox-avoid-hearing-agree-at-14575000-46479.htm BOSTON (AP) David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration by agreeing Monday to a one-year contract worth $14575000.

The deal for the slugging designated hitter was midway between the $16.5 million he asked for last month and the $12.65 million submitted by the Red Sox which matched his 2011 earnings.

Ortiz became a free agent after the season then passed up a chance to go elsewhere when he accepted Boston's arbitration offer on Dec. 7.

``I feel happy since I...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/cespedes-agrees-to-36m-4-year-deal-with-as-46478.htm OAKLAND Calif. (AP) After a winter of rebuilding the Oakland Athletics were the surprise winner for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes.

Cespedes and the A's have agreed to a $36 million four-year contract - quite a splash for the low-budget franchise that traded away several key faces this offseason.

Agent Adam Katz confirmed Monday the slugging outfielder had reached agreement on a deal with details still to be finalized. This is a significant move for Oakland which wanted to add a steady...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:43:13 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/marlins-to-be-focus-of-showtime-series-46480.htm MIAMI (AP) With their profile on the rise the Miami Marlins are getting a TV show.

This season the Marlins will be the focus of Showtime's documentary series ``The Franchise.'' That means unprecedented exposure for a team that has finished last in the NL in attendance each of the past seven seasons.

Showtime and Major League baseball Productions announced the decision Monday and said the Marlins were an appealing choice as a team in transition. They hired Ozzie Guillen as manager...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:43:14 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/indians-garland-agree-to-contract-46472.htm CLEVELAND (AP) Jon Garland may give the Cleveland Indians yet another option for their uncertain rotation.

The right-hander who has won 132 games in the majors for five teams agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the Indians who have four starting spots filled but want to add depth and experience. Garland's deal is contingent on him passing a physical in the next week at the Indians' training complex in Goodyear Ariz.

Garland's 2011 season was cut short by a shoulder injury....]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:43:12 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/jeter-says-moves-have-made-al-stronger-46468.htm TAMPA Fla. (AP) Yankees captain Derek Jeter says offseason moves have made the American League stronger and new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine will make Boston even more exciting.

The Los Angeles Angels added free-agent slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson while Detroit signed power-hitting Prince Fielder the son of former Tigers' star Cecil Fielder.

``It's scary for the whole American League especially for the West and Central'' Jeter said on Monday. ``Our league has always...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:43:07 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/veras-and-brewers-argue-in-salary-arbitration-46469.htm ST. PETERSBURG Fla. (AP) Milwaukee reliever Jose Veras has become just the second Brewers player to go to arbitration in 14 years.

Veras asked a three-person panel Monday for a raise from $1.35 million to $2375000. Milwaukee argued he should be paid $2 million.

A decision by arbitrators Dan Brent Marlene Gold and John Sands is expected Tuesday.

Two years ago outfielder Corey Hart beat the Brewers in Milwaukee's first case since Jose Mercedes won in 1998. Sands was on the...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:43:07 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/cespedes-agrees-to-36m-4-year-deal-with-as-46454.htm OAKLAND Calif. (AP) Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $36 million four-year contract.

Agent Adam Katz confirmed Monday the sides had reached agreement with details still to be finalized. This is a significant move for Oakland which now has the steady hitter it sought to boost the roster heading into 2012. The A's also have expressed interest in slugger Manny Ramirez.

The A's hoping to be given clearance from Major League baseball to relocate...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:13:10 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/mariners-begin-spring-with-new-japanese-import-46414.htm PEORIA Ariz. (AP) Spring training is officially under way with Seattle's pitchers and catchers holding their first workout.

The center of attention for the brief Sunday morning session under a bright blue sky at the Peoria Sports Complex was the team's newest import from Japan.

Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma did a small amount of running and a little defensive work. He will throw off the mound for the first time on Monday.

``It felt really easy'' he said through an interpreter...]]> Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:13:21 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/rangers-finalize-1-year-deal-with-napoli-46411.htm Catcher Mike Napoli and the Texas Rangers finalized a $9.4 million one-year contract Sunday to avoid a salary arbitration hearing.

Napoli set career highs last season by hitting .320 with 30 homers and 75 RBIs in 113 games in his first season with Texas making starts at catcher first base and designated hitter. He spent his first five major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angles before being traded twice in a five-day period last winter.

``Mike was a really good fit for us''...]]> Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:14:01 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/ap-source-rangers-napoli-agree-on-1-year-deal-46372.htm Catcher Mike Napoli and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a $9.4 million one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.

Napoli is getting a raise from $5.8 million last season his first in Texas. A person familiar with the deal spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday night because the team had not yet announced the deal.

After spending his first five major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels Napoli set career highs last season by hitting...]]> Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:43:02 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/spring-training-starts-with-sluggers-in-new-places-46353.htm Tim Lincecum thought about the seismic shifts of baseball's offseason the ones that saw Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder migrate to the American League.

``I think it's great'' San Francisco's two-time Cy Young Award winner joked. ``I won't have to pitch to them anymore.''

Just 106 days after the surprising St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series baseball returns this weekend when pitchers and catchers for the Seattle Mariners report to spring training in Peoria Ariz.

There's...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:13:08 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/os-apologize-to-s-korean-baseball-organizations-46303.htm BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles have apologized to two South Korean baseball organizations upset with the club over its contract with a local high school pitcher.

The Korea baseball Association said Friday that the Orioles violated local rules that bar the signing of student players until their graduation year. KBA officials said the Orioles signed 17-year-old left-hander Kim Seong-min last month.

Dan Duquette Baltimore's new executive vice president of baseball operations...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:13:14 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/valentine-not-sure-what-to-expect-from-rivalry-46302.htm UNCASVILLE Conn. (AP) Bobby Valentine has learned a lot of things across his many years as a manager.

Among them?

How to work the media.

So it was hardly a surprise inside the Mohegan Sun casino on Friday - at the Connecticut Sports Foundation's annual charity dinner to benefit cancer research - that the new manager of the Boston Red Sox offered very little especially when it comes to who is now his biggest rival.

In fact Valentine said he's not sure what it will be like...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:43:06 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/veteran-reliever-gets-minor-league-contract-46298.htm ST. LOUIS (AP) Reliever Scott Linebrink agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and will be among the non-roster invitees to spring training.

The 35-year-old Linebrink was 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA in 64 games with the Atlanta Braves last season. He struck out 42 in 54 1-3 innings and held batters to a .235 batting average.

In 607 career games Linebrink has a 3.51 ERA - fourth-best among active pitchers with at least 600 appearances trailing Mariano Rivera...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:13:25 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/asdrubal-cabrera-indians-agree-at-4-55-million-46292.htm CLEVELAND (AP) Nobody dodges salary arbitration like the Cleveland Indians.

With a hearing just days away the club and All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera agreed to terms on a one-year $4.55 million contract Friday extending the Indians' streak of avoiding arbitration to 21 years.

The Indians haven't had an arbitration hearing since 1991 when gas was $1.14 per gallon and Cabrera was 6.

The agreement was $75000 above the midpoint between the $5.2 million Cabrera asked for last...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:13:04 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/ap-source-mustain-white-sox-close-to-deal-46281.htm CHICAGO (AP) A person familiar with the situation says former Arkansas and Southern California quarterback Mitch Mustain is closing in on a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized. That is expected to happen early next week.

Mustain told the NBC affiliate in Northwest Arkansas that he had agreed to a deal with the White Sox. He had planned to play in the Arena Football League this...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:43:10 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/seattle-set-for-early-start-to-spring-training-46256.htm SEATTLE (AP) Right around the first of the year Eric Wedge placed a call to a select number of Seattle Mariners telling them to get to the Pacific Northwest in the dead of winter.

Wedge wanted to see firsthand if this group had followed through during the offseason in getting themselves ready for the upcoming season in the way Wedge and his staff asked.

It wasn't the first time in Wedge's managerial career that he'd made such a request of a few players. But for him it was important...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:13:08 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/royals-alex-gordon-agree-at-4775000-46228.htm KANSAS CITY Mo. (AP) Alex Gordon doesn't know where negotiations stand on a long-term contract. He doesn't even know how much he deserves to make after a breakout season with the Kansas City Royals.

All he knows is that he's under contract for next season and spring training is almost here.

``I don't know what I should make what I shouldn't make. I just go out there practice hard work hard and the games take care of themselves'' said Gordon who avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:43:10 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/garner-returning-to-as-as-special-adviser-46226.htm OAKLAND Calif. (AP) Phil Garner says he has agreed to stay on with the Oakland Athletics in a part-time special adviser role.

Garner who had contemplated retirement will be with the team throughout spring training in Phoenix. His role will then be further determined.

Garner managed the Brewers Detroit and Houston. A's manager Bob Melvin coached in Milwaukee under Garner who was first hired as an A's adviser in August. They also worked together with the Tigers.

Garner said after...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:13:11 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/rangers-cruz-strike-16m-2-year-deal-46225.htm Nelson Cruz seems to be a perfect fit for the Texas Rangers with his potent bat and big personality.

With hopes of staying together even longer AL championship series MVP Cruz and two-time defending AL champion Texas avoided arbitration by agreeing Thursday to a $16 million two-year contract.

``Nelson is a cornerstone of our team for what really marks the whole turnaround of the franchise. He been part of the winning core he's a huge part of that'' assistant general manager Thad Levine...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:13:10 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/victorino-to-guest-star-monday-on-hawaii-five-0-46221.htm NEW YORK (AP) Book `em Shane-O.

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino nicknamed the ``Flyin' Hawaiian'' will be a guest star on Monday's episode of ``Hawaii Five-0.''

Victorino plays a business executive on a company retreat CBS said Thursday during an episode involving the murder of a man dressed as a Hawaiian NaKoa warrior.

Speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno winner of two Olympic gold medals also appears as a Hawaiian history buff.

The sides had agreed to terms in December. Mota has been added to the 40-man roster. Mota a 38-year-old right-hander has become a reliable option for manager Bruce Bochy. He went 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 52 outings last season for the NL West runners-up.

Mota's 80 1-3 innings last season were his third highest in 13 big...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:13:14 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/two-mets-minor-leaguers-get-50-game-drug-bans-46219.htm NEW YORK (AP) New York Mets catcher Charles ``Dock'' Doyle and pitcher Scott Moviel have been suspended games each under baseball's minor league drug program.

Both were penalized Monday for second violations involving a drug of abuse.

Doyle 25 hit .296 with two homers and 11 RBIs last year for the Class A St. Lucie Mets. He was a fifth-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina in 2008 and a New York-Penn League All-Star the following year.

Moviel a 6-foot-11 right-hander was...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:13:14 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/former-red-sox-pitcher-boyd-says-he-used-cocaine-46216.htm FORT MYERS Fla. (AP) Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis ``Oil Can'' Boyd says he probably pitched under the influence of cocaine ``at every ballpark'' during his 10-year career.

``There wasn't one ballpark that I probably didn't stay up all night until 4 or 5 in the morning and the same thing is in your system'' Boyd said in an interview with Jon Miller of WBZ radio in Boston. ``It ain't like you had time to go and do it while you were in the game which I have (done) that.''

Boyd was 78-77...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:43:06 +0000 http://www.imagine-baseball.com/news/reds-finalize-contracts-with-ludwick-francis-46208.htm CINCINNATI (AP) The Reds have made a couple moves to improve their depth finalizing a $2.5 million one-year contract with outfielder Ryan Ludwick and a minor league deal with left-handed starter Jeff Francis.

The 33-year-old Ludwick gets $2 million this year and Wednesday's deal includes a $5 million mutual option for 2013 with a $500000 buyout. He can earn $500000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $50000 each for 250 300 and 350 $100000 apiece for 400 and 450 and $150000 for 500.

The outfielder batted .237 last season in 139 games with the Padres and Pirates hitting 13 homers with 75 RBIs. Ludwick also has played for the Rangers Indians and Cardinals.

The 31-year-old Francis has struggled since he missed the 2009 season because of shoulder surgery. Last season he was 6-16 for Kansas City with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts.

Cincinnati also designated right-handed reliever Carlos Fisher for assignment. The Reds have 10 days to trade him place him on release waivers or send him outright to the minors.