The non-tender deadline passed at midnight EDT Friday night and, as a result, some interesting players became free agents. Among them are SP Jair Jurrjens, SP Jeff Karstens, 1B/3B Mark Reynolds, CA Geovany Soto, and former closer Brian Wilson.

Jurrjens, Reynolds and Wilson hold the most fantasy value depending on where they land, so stay tuned to see with which team they sign and the impact it will have on their statistics for 2013.

The New York Mets have officially re-signed their franchise player, 3B David Wright, to the richest contract in franchise history. The pact, an eight-year contract worth $138 million, will keep Wright with the Mets through the 2020 season. Wright bounced back offensively last summer, batting .306 with an excellent .391 OBP, as well as with 21 homers and 93 RBIs. Wright added 41 doubles and 15 stolen bases along the way after a disappointing campaign in 2011.

The Los Angeles Angels appear to be the front runners for Japanese free agent closer Kyuji Fujikawa. The 32 year-old reliever has 202 saves with an eye-popping 1.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 369 2/3 innings over the past six seasons with the Hanshin Tigers. Fujikawa would become the Angels' closer, especially after the team traded former closer Jordan Walden to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for starter Tommy Hanson. Our own Mac Vincent has a very in-depth analysis of the trade right here.

The Houston Astros have claimed right-hander Phil Humber off of waivers earlier this week, after he was non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox. Humber finished with dismal numbers after throwing a perfect game back in April, posting a 6.44 ERA, with a 7.5 K/9 and a 3.9 BB/9 in 102 innings. The starter will certainly get a crack at the weak Astros' rotation next season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed catcher Russell Martin to a two-year contract worth $17 million. Martin, who said the Yankees didn't offer him a contract, batted only .211 in his second campaign with the Bronx Bombers. Martin, who still managed to hit 21 dingers and batted in 53 RBIs, was one of the few quality free-agent catchers available on the market this off-season along with Mike Napoli, A.J. Pierzynksi and Ramon Hernandez.

The New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract with future hall-of-famer Mariano Rivera. The deal is worth $10 million in guaranteed money, plus extra performance and awards incentives. Rivera, who pitched only 8.1 innings in 2012, missed most of the season because of an ACL surgery to his right knee. The 43 year-old veteran will most likely reclaim his closer job once he is completely healthy.

The Washington Nationals acquired center fielder Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in exchange for highly-touted pitching prospect Alex Meyer. Span's value skyrockets with this trade as he will most likely bat lead-off for a very good Nationals' line-up. Span batted .283 with the Twins in 2012, while scoring 71 runs, stealing 17 bases and hitting 38 doubles.

Mayer pitched 129 innings at level A in 2012, striking out 139 batters and walking 45 hitters. The lanky 6' 9'', 220-lb hurler posted a good 2.86 ERA with a great 1.10 WHIP in 25 starts. While Meyer boasts an excellent fastball that reaches 97 mph and a nasty power slider that hits the high-80s, he needs to improve a deficient change-up and be much more consistent on the mound as he tends to walk batters in bunch.

The Atlanta Braves signed center fielder B. J. Upton to a franchise record five-year, $75,25 million contract despite declined numbers from Upton in recent years. Upton, who belted 28 homers and produced 78 runs, saw his OBP go under the .300 mark for the first time of his career in 2012 at .298. Upton walked only 45 times in a little more than 600 plate appearances. The 28 year-old, who was on of the top free agents on the market, will replace free agent Michael Bourn in center field.

The New York Yankees also re-signed veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte to a one-year contract worth $12 million. The 40 year-old southpaw came out of retirement in 2012, posting a 5-4 record in 75.1 innings, with a 2.87 ERA and a good 1.14 WHIP. Pettitte is slated to be the team's third starter behind C.C. Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda signed a one year contract worth $15 million with the Yankees on November 20th, 2012.

The Los Angeles Angels have boasted their bullpen, agreeing to sign free-agent reliever Ryan Madson to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million in guaranteed money, plus incentive bonuses depending on the health of his throwing arm. Madson missed the whole 2012 season to undergo Tommy John surgery last April. If the Angels are unable to land Fujikawa, Madson will battle with Ernesto Frieri for the team's closer role.

Finally, the Seattle Mariners have officially released Chone Figgins even though he is still owed $8 million for 2013, an amount that the Mariners will be responsible for even if he signs with another team. Figgins' fantasy value has plummeted drastically in the past two seasons, following dismal offensive numbers. Stay away from him on draft day.

Check in later this week for more baseball ramblings

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Fred Poulin said:

	... ***UPDATE*** The Chicago Cubs have signed Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million later yesterday.
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December 02, 2012
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