The relief market is well known for unusual activity during the off-season. For example, the Philadelphia Phillies made a head-turning move with its signing of Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract this year. Since then, Philadelphia’s former closer, Ryan Madson, signed a one-year deal worth around $8 million with the Reds — and their former, former closer,...

The offseason has provided a good amount of drama, some mammoth contracts, and plenty of frequent flyer miles racked up. One thing that I think has gone under the radar a bit is the caliber of players — maybe more so in terms of how good they once were — who have already settled for minor league deals, or may be in line for them as we draw closer to Cactus and Grapefruit...

Fielder looks like a super addition to theTigers, but will he be the right fit? (Photo: AP)Some news, notes, and thoughts from my Indians notebook…Prince of TidesIt has been an offseason of shocking signings. First the Miami Marlins went crazy in early December spending a lot of money on three players, and then the Los Angeles Angels came out of nowhere to land the top free agent...

Look people, I know you are all down and out because the Tigers signed Prince Fielder and the Indians would have had to dump payroll had they signed a Carlos Beltran type, but all is not lost. The games still have to be played. Let us concentrate on what we have and stay positive. (SIDE NOTE – can I also mention that if the Tigers indeed use Miguel Cabrera at third base regularly...

The relief market is a hotbed for unusual activity during the off-season. This winter, the Philadelphia Phillies got the party started with its signing of Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract. Since then, Philadelphia’s former closer, Ryan Madson, signed a one-year deal worth around $8 million with the Cincinnati Reds — and their former, former closer, Brad...

Dan Wheeler (Photo: MLB)The Cleveland Indians announced yesterday afternoon that they signed reliever Dan Wheeler to a minor league deal. The 34-year old Wheeler is a 12-year veteran right-hander who has spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, going 2-2, with a 4.38 ERA, while striking out 39 batters and walking only eight...

The Cleveland Indians have signed reliever Dan Wheeler to a minor-league deal, Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports. Wheeler posted a 4.38 era and averaged 7 strikeouts per nine innings in 49 1/3 innings for Boston last season. Wheeler made $3mm last season and became a free agent when Boston declined his $3mm team option for 2012. Speier also notes that the Red Sox will not receive compensation...

The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with free-agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a minor-league contract.

The Cleveland Indians signed right-handed pitcher Dan Wheeler to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to the team's spring training.

The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with free agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a minor league contract., Wheeler, who pitched in 37 games for Boston last season, will be in training camp with a chance to win a spot in the Indians bullpen. The 34-year-old has a 3.88 ERA and 43 career saves in 577 major league games. He has also pitched for Tampa Bay, the New York Mets, Houston and...

The Indians today added to the pile of arms vying for a spot on the roster. No, they didn’t sign Roy Oswalt. According to several reports the team added veteran Dan Wheeler with a minor league deal. Wheeler is 34 years old, and will be entering his 13th Big League season. He has pitched for Tampa Bay, the Mets, the Astros and most recently the Red Sox. He has appeared in 577...

The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with free agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a minor league contract.,

The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with free agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a minor league contract., Wheeler, who pitched in 37 games for Boston last season, will be in training camp with a chance to win a spot in the Indians bullpen. The 34-year-old has a 3.88 ERA and 43 career saves in 577 major league games.

The Indians continued to pad their bullpen depth on Thursday, signing free-agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a Minor League contract. The deal includes a non-roster invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club.

Two Pittsburgh Pirates free agent rumors, after a few weeks of little to no news: -Dejan Kovacevic reports that the Pirates have had discussions with Paul Maholm, although a return seems unlikely. Kovacevic mentions that the Pirates are looking to upgrade the rotation, but that those additions will probably come from non-roster invitees, rather than a high profile addition. We heard...

LENIII: From talks with Twins officials over the last week or so, it doesn't look like they will sign any more free agents this offseason. The Twins' projected payroll is around $99 million for 2012. They have 24 non-roster invites. They are out of money and out of spots. A trade is always possible if the right deal came along. But, again, the Twins can't take...

DALLAS –– Dan Wheeler has declined salary arbitration, Red Sox general manger Ben Cherington confirmed Wednesday. In his first season with Boston, the right-handed hurler went 2-2 and recorded a 4.38 ERA. If he signs with another team, the Red Sox will receive a draft pick as compensation for Wheeler. The reliever could have received at least $2.5 million in 2012 if he accepted...

Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal has the scoop on reliever Dan Wheeler, a type B free agent.  Wheeler must be confident in his ability to get a better deal in free agency. He's coming off a decent year. His 4.38 ERA over 49 innings doesn't look good, but FanGraphs notes he had a 3.71 xFIP, so he pitched a little better than his ERA indicates. In that same...

So I take a few days off and enjoy my time off from work and the Red Sox over the Thanksgiving Day holiday, returning today–and it’s like when you stop watching your favorite soap opera for, like, 2 YEARS…and you come back, and nothing really much has changed… The Sox STILL do not have a Manager, although Torey Lovullo has been eliminated–not that this is...

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump. They also announced they have declined arbitration on Erik Bedard, Trever Miller, Tim Wakefield, J.D. Drew, Conor Jackson and Jason Varitek, so they will receive no compensation if any of those players leaves...

It's your move, David Ortiz. The Red Sox met last night's deadline to extend salary arbitration to their free...

Boston offered salary arbitration to David Ortiz and relief pitcher Dan Wheeler in advance of Wednesday's midnight deadline, putting itself in position to get draft compensation if either of those players leave town.

The Boston Red Sox offered salary arbitration to designated hitter David Ortiz and right-handed reliever Dan Wheeler.

The Boston Red Sox have offered salary arbitration to free agents David Ortiz and pitcher Dan Wheeler.

The Red Sox have offered salary arbitration to designated hitter David Ortiz, according to general manager Ben Cherington. In a press release, the Sox announced that they have opted to offer arbitration to both Ortiz and reliever Dan Wheeler, while declining to offer it to Jason Varitek, J.D. Drew and Tim Wakefield, among others. The deadline for the team to offer arbitration was...