Following the confirmation of the R.A Dickey trade to the Blue Jays, the speculative media frenzy has calmed down and things are back to normal on the free agent and trade markets. Below you will find a few news worthy of mention since Sunday:

The San Francisco Giants signed reliever Santiago Casilla to a three-year deal worth $15 million with a vesting option for the fourth season. The 32 year-old Casilla posted a 7-6 record with 25 saves last summer with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Casilla took over as the team's closer when Brian Wilson went down with a season-ending injury.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed reliever Roberto Hernandez to a one-year, $3.25 million contract with $1.85 million in incentives. The 32 year-old Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, only started three games for the Cleveland Indians last season, posting a 0-3 record with a mediocre 7.43 ERA in only 14.1 innings of work. Talk about throwing money out of the window!

The Houston Astros signed 1B power-hitter Carlos Pena to a one-year contract worth $2.9 million. The 34 year-old veteran is expected to split DH and 1B duties with Brett Wallace. While he hit 19, 28 and 28 homeruns the past three seasons, Pena posted a pathetic .206/.337/.408 line in that period. Expect more of the same from him next summer, 20 homers, 80 RBIs, 90 BBs and 175 Ks with a .200 batting average.

The Oakland Athletics signed short-stop Hiroyuki Nakajima to a two-year pact worth $6.5 million. The 30 year-old hitter batted .311/.382/.451 with the Seibu Lions in Japan. He will replace Stephen Drew as the team's regular shortstop. Drew just signed a one-year deal worth $9.5 million with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. Drew, who posted a mediocre .223/.309/.348 batting line with only seven home runs in 327 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks and Athletics last season, will try to increase his value in order to land a longer-term deal on the free agency market in 2013.

To make room for Nakajima on the 40-man roster, the Athletics traded OF Colin Cowgill to the New York Mets in exchange for minor-leaguer Jefry Marte. Cowgill will most likely be used as the Mets' fourth outfielder while Marte will continue his development in the minors.

The Minnesota Twins signed starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey to a one-year deal worth $4 million with up to $1.5 million in incentives. Pelfrey, who is currently recovering from Tommy John Surgery, is expected to be ready for training camp. The former Mets pitcher, has a career ERA of 4.36 in 153 games with New York.

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