The Minnesota Twins are apparently willing to deal their closer, Joe Nathan, ahead of his free agent season after seeing Cordero land a four-year $46MM deal from the Cincinnati Reds. If Minnesota do reload for the next season or two, the club will likely find a good closer among its stable of present relievers and to pack the middle relief core from its pitchers in the minors. The New York Yankees could add Whelan or the Red Sox could add Hansen or Delcarmen. The player will be an “under-the-radar” type.

Kendall will be guaranteed over 4 million dollars under the 1-year deal that the player and the Milwaukee Brewers intend to finalize tonight. Milwaukee reached a preliminary agreement last week with Kendall and planned a news conference at Miller Park today. In addition to the catcher’s base salary, Jason can earn $1 million in performance bonuses next year. The contract includes an option for 2009 that would become guaranteed at $4.25 million in case the player starts 110 games next season, $4.35 million in case he starts 120 games, and $4.6 million in case he starts 130 games.

The White Sox primary free-agent’s target during the offseason is to sign a 5-year, $90 million contract with the LA Angels of Anaheim. Hunter’s completely unexpected selection serves as a bump on the road GM Ken Williams intends to travel while bringing the Sox back to 2008 playoff contention. Ken Williams set his sights on acquiring the 32-year-old Hunter, in an effort to strengthen his team up the middle. Cabrera, a 2-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop, joined the Sox via a trade from the LA Angels for Garland this Monday.

A-Rod has millions of dollars in his investment accounts, three American League Most Valuable Players awards for his trophy case and zero WS rings for his fingers. Of course, a WS will have to wait. But for the present moment, A-Rod has the satisfaction of his latest Most Valuable Player, won yesterday in a romp over the Detroit Tiger Magglio Ordonez. Alex Rodriguez , said he had had many opportunities, but there was a lot of interest from a lot of other clubs, but he felt he did not want to go anywhere else.
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Next year the seasonal games of the US professional baseball league “Boston” will be held in Japan. The first game will feature the Boston Red Sox (the World Series champion) and the Oakland A’s. The game will take place on March 25 and 26 at the Tokyo Dome. Both the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A’s will play seasonal games outside North America for the first time. The organizers of the Baseball League are also planning to hold the games as a part of a season opening ceremony, featuring the Red Sox and the Oakland A’s team against Nippon Professional Baseball teams.