MLB announced yesterday that it had suspended outfielders Jay Gibbons of the Baltimore Orioles and Jose Guillen, of the Kansas City Royals, fifteen days each for violations of MLB’s substance abuse policy. Rich Levin, the league’s spokesman, said the duration of the suspensions reflected MLB’s rules at the times of the violations. The present policy dictates a fifty-game suspension for the 1st positive test for illegal performance-enhancing drugs

Kansas City and José Guillén have reached an agreement on a 3-year, $36 million deal. 31-year-old power hitter Jose Guillén, batted .290 with 23 homers and 99 runs that he batted in for the Mariners this season. The Seattle Mariners declined its $9 million option and Jose Guillén refused a $5 million player option, receiving a $500,000 buyout. The agreement was reported by Foxsports.com. and ESPNdeportes.com.

Pettitte made a decision to pitch for the Yankees in the next season and put off retirement. The player’s agent, Randy Hendricks, said yesterday that the thirty-five-year-old pitcher had started telling teammates on weekend. Randy Hendricks then informed New York GM Brian Cashman of the news. New York captain Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada had lobbied Andy Pettitte to come back, and the player consulted his wife. The positive decision came yesterday.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno had 2 trades for Cabrera cancelled after the Florida Marlins backed out. Arte Moreno says Florida has been dealing the same way with the Los Angeles Dodgers. DiGiovanna has again reiterated that the Los Angeles Angels don’t want to deal 3B Wood. It might mean that he will be given the opportunity to be a contributor in the following season at either 3B or SS. It will depend on the resolution of the Miguel Cabrera issues.

The Cleveland Indians have recently contracted Paul Byrd, a 36-year-old pitcher, in spite of the fact that he took human growth hormones prescribed by the doctor to treat a disease during 2002-2005. According to the words of the Cleveland Indians manager, Byrd is a very good baseball player and teammate who fits well in the baseball community. Besides, Byrd went 15-8 last season with a 4.59 earned run average in 31 starts, and 2-0 during the postseason with a 3.60 ERA. If to believe the estimations carried our by MLB.com Byrd will make $8 million next season, which is perfect from the financial point of view. Let’s wait and see if the Indians manager had made the right decision to pick up the contract option on Paul Byrd.