This is the December 7, 2012 news archive. View today's MLB news and rumors.

Major League Baseball News and Rumors

Source: Dempster rejects $25M Red Sox offer Gordon Edes, ESPN.com The Boston Red Sox made a two-year, $25 million offer to free agent right-hander Ryan Dempster but were turned down by the pitcher and his agent, Craig Landis, according to a source.
	Pagan, Scutaro finalize contracts with Giants Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Center fielder Angel Pagan and second baseman Marco Scutaro have completed their new contracts with the San Francisco Giants.
	MLB's Stand Up To Cancer auction raises $152K Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Major League Baseball's auction benefiting Stand Up to Cancer raised $152,700.
	Giants' table-setters set contract table for each other Dec 7, 2012 Chris Haft, MLB.com During their contract negotiations with the Giants, Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro proved that what happens on the field can shape what happens off the field, too.
	Reds awaiting word from Rolen about '13 Dec 7, 2012 MLB.com The Reds are still awaiting word from free-agent third baseman Scott Rolen about whether he intends to play in 2013.
	Ludwick, Reds working on two-year deal Dec 7, 2012 MLB.com Two baseball sources told MLB.com on Friday that a deal between the Reds and free-agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick was close but terms had not been finalized.
	Friday Deals: Brandon McCarthy lands in Arizona, Andruw Jones reportedly headed to Japan Dec 7, 2012 Mark Townsend, yahoo.com It's the day after the winter meetings in Nashville and it's proving to be just as busy as the meetings themselves! OK, so maybe that's not saying a whole lot, but at least there has been some movement with two solid contributors coming off the board. D… Related: ESPN.com, MLB.com
	For $2.8M, Gardner avoids arbitration with Yanks Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com NEW YORK (AP) -- Speedy outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $2.85 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.
	MLB average salary jumps 3.8 percent to $3.2M Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com NEW YORK (AP) - Baseball's average salary increased 3.8 percent this year to a record $3.2 million.
	Source: McCarthy, D-backs agree to 2-year deal Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Right-hander Brandon McCarthy reached agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year, $15.5 million contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Friday.
	The Cubs' New Japanese Pitcher Accidentally Told The Press He Wouldn't Care If Chicago Traded Him Dec 7, 2012 Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com Today the Cubs officially introduced new signing Kyuji Fujikawa, because any time you can lock up a 32-year-old middle reliever who's never pitched in the MLB for two years and $9.5 million, you have to pull the trigger. Fujikawa met with the media at W…
	Reliever Montgomery on the rise in Yanks' system Dec 7, 2012 Bernie Pleskoff, MLB.com Remember the name Mark Montgomery. Many have not yet heard of the Yankees' pitching prospect. I believe the 22-year-old right-handed reliever will soon become a household name.
	Hunting mishaps aren't without precedent Dec 7, 2012 Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com The recent hunting injury of Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner is the latest in a long line of obscure offseason mishaps by Major Leaguers, and it serves as a reminder that all activities come with a risk.
	Yankees, Gardner avoid arbitration at $2.85M Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Speedy outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $2.85 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.
	Yanks' Gardner agrees to return on 1-year deal Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Speedy outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $2.85 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.
	Pro leagues, NCAA file brief against N.J. betting Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com NBA commissioner David Stern takes Gov. Chris Christie to task for his efforts to allow sports gambling in New Jersey.
	Cardinals, reliever Choate finalize 3-year deal Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Reliever Randy Choate and the St. Louis Cardinals have finalized a $7.5 million, three-year contract.
	Haren signs one-year deal to pitch for Nationals Dec 7, 2012 Bill Ladson, MLB.com The Nationals made it official on Friday, signing free-agent right-hander Dan Haren to a one-year, $13 million contract.
	This hot stove season is stuck in a winter-long simmer and it won’t get much warmer next year Dec 7, 2012 Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com If we're being honest with ourselves, this will probably turn out to be one of the dullest and most irrelevant hot stove seasons in recent memory. Yeah, there was the fun Blue Jays-Marlins blockbuster last month, and Justin Upton's extended stay on the …
	Loney excited to join Rays with one-year deal Dec 7, 2012 Bill Chastain, MLB.com Jame Loney is happy to be with the Rays. "I always liked the way they played," said the Rays' newest acquisition during a Friday afternoon conference call. "They're always in the hunt, winning a lot of games every year, almost winning the…
	Pays to play: Average MLB salary $3.2 million Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Baseball's average salary increased 3.8 percent this year to a record $3.2 million.
	Blue Jays to recognize Delgado for 'excellence' Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com The Blue Jays plan to honor former slugger Carlos Delgado next year by adding his name to the club's Level of Excellence.
	Rangers poised to own the offseason Dec 7, 2012 MLB.com Zack Greinke? Still seems likely. Josh Hamilton? Yep, there's a good chance he's back in Arlington. Justin Upton? Stay tuned.
	Jay Jaffe: Winners and losers from the Winter Meetings Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com While there were no blockbuster trades or nine-figure deals handed out at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, there were several clear winners and losers this week, explains Jay Jaffe.
	Gardner avoids arbitration with one-year deal Dec 7, 2012 Bryan Hoch, MLB.com The Yankees announced on Friday that they have agreed with outfielder Brett Gardner on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
	Pro leagues, NCAA file brief against N.J. betting Dec 7, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA have filed legal papers calling New Jersey's effort to allow sports gambling an "unlawful scheme" and a "blatant violation" of federal law.
	Tampa to honor Price with key to city Dec 7, 2012 Bill Chastain, MLB.com David Price has an American League Cy Young Award under his belt, and on Tuesday, he'll be presented the key to the city.
	Ironically, 1988 Tribe squad was a skipper factory Dec 7, 2012 Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com What do Terry Francona, Ron Washington, John Farrell, Bud Black and Charlie Manuel have in common? The managers were part of the 1988 Tribe squad.
	Stewart confirms he's planning on return to Cubs Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com CHICAGO (AP) Third baseman Ian Stewart says he is re-signing with the Chicago Cubs.
	Big free agents still unsigned as meetings end Dec 7, 2012 CNNSI.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) As baseball's new Mr. Moneybags, Ned Colletti gets mentioned when almost any free agent is discussed this offseason.
	Yankees 'budgetary constraints' surprise YES Network, as Bob Klapisch says: 'George [Steinbrenner] would have bought his way out Dec 7, 2012 nydailynews.com Even on the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network, they were scratching their heads. The other night on YES’ hot stove show, the subject was what politely is called “budgetary constraints.”