Free Agent Signings - February 5, 2011

Today, there was finally some movement with some of the big name free agents, plus some other teams making roster adjustments.  Here are the signings:

Miguel Tejawa resigns with Hollywood for $138 Million over 6 years.  Miguel is now the leagues highest paid player on a per year basis.

Utah makes a series of moves to solidify their infield for next season:
Previously signed legend Lou Zamuda will most likely shift to 2B next season.  To fill the shortsop gap for one season (while the team awaits the arrival of future all-star SS Chad Richardson), the team signed longtime winner Kurt Scherman to a one year, $2 Million dollar contract.  

To fill the 3B role, Utah turns to longtime Ute Doug Dodson, resigning him to a 6 year contract valued at $90 Million dollars.

Utah still has some money left and not too many holes to fill.  My sources tell me that sooner rather than later, they will reach out to free agent Joe Young to see if he is ready to sign.  If he does not commit, the source says Utah will move on and resign Ryan Ballard.  Ballard is receiving numerous contract offers but would prefer to stay in Battletrap's offense in Utah.  However, Ballard has said that he cannot sit on the sidelines all offseason waiting for Joe Young.  

Also resigining some of their own players was the reigning World Series Champion Philadelphia Grays.  The Grays resigned 2B and leadoff man Jimmy Taylor, for 4 years and $40 million.  Philadelphia also retains the services of platoon OF Corey Sloan.  Sloan inks a 2 year, $8 million dollar contract.  

In other moves, the Mars Eyebiters purge a little bit of payroll by trading 3B Kana Wake (1 year left at $19 million) to the Alaska Snowsox in exchange for RP Luther Trautwein (owed $16 over the next 2 years) and 3B Oscar Martinez (league minimum salary).  Martinez is a solid if unspectacular player, and will play 3B for Mars.  Alaska is hoping to make a big push for the division title next year with Kana Wake completing their infield.  Wake will provide a bigger bat in the middle of the lineup, and is also the best defensive 3B in the game today.