Vegas trade Kurt Scherman

Las Vegas traded shortstop Kurt Scherman to Springfield for righthanded reliever Chris McCloud. Scherman will start for Springfield, and Las Vegas may have opened the position for rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick. McCloud, a hard thrower, joins a deep bullpen in Las Vegas.

Chicago reached a deal with Catfish North, the top lefty reliever in the free agent market. He will get 22 million over 4 years and will be the closer in 2009. Last year he was a workhorse in middle relief, pitching 133 innings with a 3.11 ERA.

Sithas Kawasaki agreed to a 2 year extension for 15 million dollars.