The Los Angeles Angels signed starting pitcher Joe Blanton to a two-year contract worth $15 million with an option for a third year. Blanton played for the Phillies and the Dodgers last season, posting a 10-13 record with a mediocre 4.71 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 191 innings.

The Chicago White Sox signed versatile veteran Jeff Keppinger to a three-year pact that will pay the infielder $12 million. Keppinger had a career-year in 2012 with the Rays, batting .340 with 9 homers and 40 RBIs. The right-handed batter will likely be the team's regular third baseman.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a surprise signing, inking 3B/DH Eric Chavez to a one-year contract worth $3 million. Chavez was very good in limited duties with the Yankees, batting .281 with 16 dingers and 37 RBIs in only 278 at-bats. Chavez will most likely platoon with Chris Johnson at the hot corner for the D-Backs.

Nate Schierholtz signed a one-year contract worth $2.25 million with the Chicago Cubs. The right fielder who can also earn up to $500,000 in incentives, split time between the Phillies and the Giants last season. Schierholtz is expected to platoon with David Dejesus in right field.

Nate McLouth signed a one-year pact worth $2.5 million with the Baltimore Orioles, a deal which also contains another $500,000 of incentives. McLouth split time between the Pirates and the Orioles last campaign, having moderate success with the surprising Orioles and playing a major role offensively.

The Seattle Mariners have signed veteran outfielder Jason Bay to a $1 million contract as he attempts to prolong his injury-plagued career. Bay batted a mediocre .165 in 70 games last season with the Mets.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Ben Revere from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for starting pitcher Vance Worley and prospect Trevor May. After trading Span to the Nationals, the Twins traded the speedy Revere for pitching help. Vorley will most likely step into the Twins' rotation after throwing 133.0 innings for the Phillies this past season, posting a 6-9 record and 4.20 ERA in 23 starts.

Revere, who batted .294 with 40 stolen bases and 70 runs will bat lead-off or second for the rebuilding Phillies and should see improved offensive numbers. May, who pitched at double-AA Reading, posting a 10-13 record with a poor 4.87 ERA, struck out 151 hitters in 149.2 innings. He is still a few years away before making it to the majors.

The Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal worth $4.25 million with reliever Koji Uehara who pitched for the Texas Rangers last summer. The 38 year-old Uehara posted a great 1.75 ERA with a stellar 0.63 WHIP, as well as other impressive stats: 10.8 K/9, 0.8 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, and 32.5% groundball rate in 36 innings. Uehara will solidify the Red Sox's bullpen as he consistently throws strikes and keeps hitters off balance with a great mix of pitches, despite a fast ball that does not reach 90 MPH.

After acquiring him in the blockbuster deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Miami Marlins traded shortstop Yunel Escobar to the other team from Florida, the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for Escobar, the Marlins received middle infield prospect Derek Dietrich.

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to re-sign outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a two-year contract, including a mutual option for 2015. The financial terms of the deal are still unknown. The power-hitting Ludwick had the best offensive season since 2009, hitting .275 with 26 dingers and 28 doubles, as well as producing 80 runs in 125 games with the Reds.

The New York Yankees avoided arbitration with speedy left fielder Brett Gardner yesterday, signing him to a one-year deal worth $2.85 million. Gardner missed most of last season due to an elbow injury. Gardner stole 47 and 49 bases in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Finally, according to several rumors, versatile veteran Michael Young is expected to waive his no-trade clause to accept a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies today. Young, 36, hit .277/.312/.370 in 651 plate appearances with the Texas Rangers last summer. The Rangers are seeking a young reliever and a low-level prospect in exchange for the franchise's all-time leader in hits who would become the Phillies' regular third-baseman.

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