The Washington Nationals have signed reliever Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28 million contract earlier today. The agreement includes a 2015 option also valued at $14 million. Soriano will rejoin an already very solid bullpen in Washington with closer Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Craig Stammen and Ryan Mattheus. Soriano, who replaced Mariano Rivera as the Yankees' closer last season, finished the year with 42 saves in 67.1 innings pitched. He also posted an excellent 2.26 ERA and a good 1.17 WHIP while striking out a little more than one hitter per inning. Look for Soriano to rack the holds in 2013 while picking up the occasional save.

The Toronto Blue Jays avoided arbitration with outfielder Colby Rasmus signing him to a one-year $4.675 million contract. Rasmus, 26, had a difficult season in Toronto posting an atrocious .223 batting average in 565 at-bats. With the arrival of Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Maicer Izturis, look for Rasmus to bat at the bottom of the Blue Jays' revamped line-up.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed closer J.J. Putz to a one-year extension worth $7 million. The new contract will keep Putz in Arizona through 2014. Putz, 36, posted good numbers last season, earning 32 saves in 57 appearances for the D-Backs. The veteran finished the campaign with 65 strikeouts in 54.1 innings while posting a 2.82 ERA and an excellent 1.04 WHIP. Newly acquired Heath Bell and David Carpenter will set up the table for Putz this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton invoked limited no-trade clause to reject an agreed-upon deal between the D'Backs and Seattle Mariners that would have sent Upton to the west coast. The D'Backs would have received highly-touted prospect Taijuan Walker along with Nick Franklin, Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor in exchange for Upton. I am sure the Snakes are not very happy about Upton's decision to remain in the desert...

The three-year, $39 million deal between catcher Mike Napoli and the Boston Red Sox has yet to be officially announced as the Red Sox want to restructure the deal to include prospective language because they found an issue in one of Napoli's hip. The veteran catcher struggled at the plate last season: despite belting 24 dingers, he batted only .227 while striking out 125 times in only 352 at-bats with the Texas Rangers,

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed starter Jeff Karstens to a one-year deal after non-tendering him after the 2012 season. The 30 year-old right-hander will earn $2.85 million after posting a 3.97 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 6.6 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in 90 2/3 innings for the Pirates. His season was riddled with shoulder, groin and hip injuries.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed versatile infielder Cesar Izturis to a minor-league contract with an invitation to the training camp. The 32 year-old Izturis posted a .241/.254/.343 batting line in 173 plate appearances for the Brewers and Nationals in 2012 while playing all four infield position.

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