Last season with the Nationals, Flores hit .213/.248/.329 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 83 games.

Over his five year career, Flores is a .241/.289/.375 hitter with 23 home runs and 127 RBIs in five major league seasons.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Cook, who signed with Boston last January went 4-11 with a 5.65 ERA with a 1.9 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and a 58.6% ground ball rate in 94 innings.

Image taken by Ketih Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that the Dodgers have expressed interest in Rolen as a backup to Cruz. Rolen, who turns 38 in April has spent the last four years with the Reds. It was reported in early October that he was expected to retire. With that news in mind, the Reds went about their offseason making plans as if Rolen was going to retire. They anointed Todd Frazier as the starter and signed Jack Hannahan to a two-year deal.

Rolen though now appears to be mulling putting off retirement and could consider the Dodgers if an offer is made. Though he may start the season in a reserve role, he could see substantial time if Cruz falters to produce at the plate.

Last season in limited action in part because of injuries, Rolen hit .245/.318/.398 in 330 plate appearances with only 8 home runs.

For his career, Rolen has posted a .281/.364/.490 slash line in 17 seasons. He has a little bit of hardware on his mantel which includes 1997 NL Rookie of the Year, 8 Gold Gloves, 7 All Star appearances, 1 Silver Slugger and a World Series ring from 2006 with the Cardinals.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Cruz appeared in 43 games for the Pirates last season where he posted 2.78 ERA with a 8.3 K/9 but a 4.8 BB/9. Cruz’ BB rate seems high, but for him, it is right on par with his career numbers.

In 2008, Cruz had a career year where he went 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 51.2 innings while with Arizona. He posted a 12.4 K/9 and a 5.4 BB/9

Soriano was easily the biggest name on the reliever market. His market did not expand as much as it should have as he was tied to draft pick compensation, thanks to the Yankees making a qualifying offer to him, which he turned down.

As the fill in closer last season, Soriano posted a 2.26 ERA with a 9.2 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 with 42 saves.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

In eight years in the Majors, Hernandez hit .224/.283/.266 with 2 HR’s, 113 RBI’s and a .257 wOBA in 2,612 plate appearances for the Padres and Dodgers. Our thoughts and players are with his family and friends.

Image by ewen and donabel under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

Vazquez last pitched in the Majors in 2011 with the Marlins where he went 3-11 with a 3.69 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 192.2 innings pitched. He walked away from baseball to spend more time with his family. “This could be it for me. The hunger is still there. But I think God puts my priorities in order. Baseball is probably third right now.”

Recently, Vazquez began training and preparing to pitch in the World Baseball Classic in March. Part of his preparation has included a stint in winter ball in Puerto Rico where he has drawn significant praise thanks to his 92-95 MPH fastball.

The Nationals would be a perfect fit for Vazquez who prefers the East Coast as he would be closer to his family. In addition, he would join the team as the fifth stater who puts alot less pressure on him to carry the team.

Image taken by sillygwailo and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

The interest makes sense as the Mets are looking for an established closer on the cheaper side, which thanks to Tommy John surgery Wilson falls into that category.

Wilson could probably score a deal similar to Ryan Madson’s deal with the Angels which gave him a base salary of $3.5mm and an opportunity to earn an additional $3mm in reachable performance bonuses. Madson is also coming off of Tommy John surgery.

Wilson when healthy was one of the top closers in the game for the Giants. In 2011, Wilson went 6-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 36 saves and an 8.8 K/9.

In 2010, Wilson posted a career best 48 saves and has an 11.2 K/9 also a career best.

Image taken by Rob Shenk and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Lopez appeared in only 4 games for the Cubs last season going 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA and a career low 2.9 K/9. He spent most of the season at Triple-A where he went 5.28 ERA and 6.8 K/9.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Blanco who earned $1.2mm last season on a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks hit .188/.224/.281 with 1 home run in 67 plate appearances while also spending time on the DL with a sprained thumb.

Image taken by SD Dirk and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Thames last appeared in the Majors in 2011 when he signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers. He appeared in 36 games that season hitting .197/.243/.333 with only two home runs and 16 strikeouts. Thames was brought in as a power bat which obviously didn’t work out. He was released in July and quickly signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees but did not make it back to the Majors.

In his 10-year career, Thames .246/.309/.485 with 115 home runs, while spending time with the Yankees, Rangers, Tigers and Dodgers.

Image by JacobEnos Under the Creative Commons License.

Back in May, Escobar announced that he was planning to make a comeback and has been playing in the Venezuelan Winter League for the first time since 2009. In 11 innings for his team in Venezuela, the 36-year old hurler had a 1.64 ERA, 6.6 K/9, 7.4 BB/9 and 0.0 HR/9.

Image by palmspringsdude under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

– The Colorado Rockies signed right handed pitcher Manny Corpas to a Minor League deal and invited him for Spring Training writes Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Corpas spent the 2012 season with the Cubs and went 0-2 with a 5.01 ERA, 5.19 FIP, 5.4 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and 1.4 HR/9 in 46.2 innings.

Image by Evan Wohrman under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

Gomez, only 25 years old was designated for assignment last week. This past season he went 5-8 with a 5.96 ERA, 5.47 FIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and 1.5 HR/9 in 90.2 innings for the Indians.

This year, Gomez made his debut in the Venezuelan Winter League and went 0-1 with a 5.65 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and 0.6 HR/9 in 14.1 innings pitched.

Image by Erik Daniel Drost under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

The *home run king* received 36.2% of the votes which was well short of the required 75% to get in. Seven time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens who spent the last few years fighting the federal government and trying to prove he didn’t lie under oath to Congress about taking steroids received only 37.6% of the votes. Other players linked to steroids such as Sammy Sosa 12.5%, Mark McGwire 16.9% and Rafael Palmeiro 8.8% were all left on the wrong end of the voting results….the bottom. I think the writers clearly made their point. If you are in any way linked to possible steroid use, then don’t count on being in the Hall of Fame.

First time ballot member Craig Biggio received the highest percentage of votes at 68.2%. In his 20 year career, Biggio totaled over 3,000 hits, 400 stolen bases and was a five time silver slugger and four time gold glover recipient. He will  eventually make it, but I believe he was a victim of the writers as five members did not cast a ballet and players such as Aaron Sele received a vote and  Steve Finely received four votes. Really Aaron Sele? Are we talking about the same Sele who posted only one sub 3 ERA season which was his first and wasn’t a complete season?

Don’t stress out over no one being elected this year as the 2014 ballot will have first timer and ultra clean (that we know of) Greg Madux who is almost a shoe-in to be elected. The writers made their point and it was very clear. If you used or were thought to have used steroids during your playing career, don’t count on making it to the Hall. Maybe Bonds and Clemens will eventually get in but they will have an up hill journey to the Hall if they ever make it.

I am fine with this thinking, but players such as Mike Piazza who were never clearly linked to roids but have been lumped in with the group that used will also face an up hill journey to the Hall. Right or wrong, this is reality as long as the same voting system remains in place. When you leave the voting up to people who all have different values, morals and thoughts about steroids, you are going to have split decisions. There is no question the home run king deserves to be in the Hall of Fame if he didn’t use steroids. But considering the evidence, he probably did and for some, this is an automatic Hall snub.

Click here to see the complete results for the Hall of Fame.

Image taken by numb3r and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Morse is set to earn $7mm this season as he wraps up his two-year deal and heads for free agency after the season.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that the Nationals are discussing a Morse deal with at least 5-6 teams. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and XM Radio notes that the Nationals are looking for a left handed reliever and/or prospects to help replenish their system. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports notes that the Mariners, Indians, Rangers, Rays, Yankees, Phillies, Mets and Orioles all could have interest in Morse as they are looking to add a hitter.

Last season for the Nats, Morse appeared in 102 games while posting a .291/.321/.470 line with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. Morse also logged time at first base, left field and right field. He is also only a season removed from smacking 31 home runs.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Word has surfaced via Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that Liriano injured his right arm some time in December with the two-year deal now possibly in jeopardy. The two sides have continued to talk but have not been able to reach common ground.

Biertempfel adds that General Manager Neal Huntington feels comfortable with his in-house options should the deal not work. The Pirates could also revisit trade talks with the Dodgers for either Aaron Harang or Chris Capuano.

Last season, Liriano went 6-12 with a 5.34 ERA and a 9.6 K/9 (career avg 9.1). The big difference in Liriano during the last few seasons where he has struggled, he has given up about 5 walks per 9 innings.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

LaRoche became a victim of the system in some regards as he was looking for a three-year deal but was tied to a draft pick which made teams shy away from him. He always wanted to return to Washington but with the Nats standing firm on a two-year deal, LaRoche had to keep his options open.

“Got to keep things open in case Washington doesn’t work out,” LaRoche said. “I’m still hopeful that it will, but as you know it takes two sides cooperating to make that happen. I’m doing everything I can.”

The Orioles were among a handful of teams that were interested, but were scared away because of the loss of the draft pick had they signed LaRoche.

LaRoche hit .271/.343/.510 with 33 HR’s, 100 RBI’s and a .361 wOBA in 647 plate appearances.

Lopez spent most of last season with the Indians before he was released in August and joined the White Sox.  Overall for the season, he hit .246/.270/.356 with 4 HR’s, 28 RBI’s and a 75 OPS+ in 248 plate appearances.

He is a career .262/.292/.395 hitter with 92 HR’s, 480 RBI’s and a 84 OPS+ in 4,089 plate appearances with the Mariners, Rockies, Marlins, Indians and White Sox.

Keep up to date with all signings with our FREE AGENT TRACKER.

Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

“It is not 100 percent,” the 43-year old reliever said . “I would say it is 95 percent, but, by the time spring training finishes, it will be 100 percent.

“It needs more strengthening,” Rivera said. “The five percent will come quick.”

Rivera is the all-time saves leader with 608 and probably will go down as the best reliever baseball has ever seen. His career record is 76-58 with a stellar 2.21 ERA, 0.5 HR/9, 2.0 BB/9 and 8.3 SO/9 in 1,219.2 innings.

Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License Agreement.

The signing will help ease the loss of Josh Hamillton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli, but only if Berkman is healthy which is a big if with him. Towards the end of October, Berkman was unsure if he would play again.

Berkman had a rough season hitting as many homers as he had knee surgeries (2). He was coming off a ‘11 campaign where he hit .301/.412/.547 with 31 HR’s, 94 RBI’s, 90 runs and a .959 OPS. But he was bitten hard by the injury bug which caused him to contemplate retirement.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Amezaga had experimental knee surgery in 2010 but appears to have possibly turned a corner as he won the Mexican League batting title.

Amezaga spent last season with the Cubs Triple-A club where he hit .272/.336/.372 with 6 home runs and 42 RBIs in 439 plate appearances.

Amezaga is a true shortstop who can also play center field.

Willis, 30, went 0-3 with 8.53 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 5.7 K/9, 5.7 BB/9 and 0.0 HR/9 in 6.1 innings for the Orioles’ Triple-A team in 2012. He last played in the Majors in 2011 and went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 6.8 K/9, 4.4 BB/9 and 0.7 HR/9 in 75.2 innings for the Reds.

Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License Ageement.

Howell will replace Randy Choate who left to St. Louis after signing a three-year $7mm deal earlier this offseason.

Howell threw 55 innings for the Rays last season while posting a 3.04 ERA with a 7.5 K/9. Howell held left-handed hitters to a .200 avg with a 52.4% ground ball rate.

Howell will join Paco Rodriguez or Scott Elbert as the other lefty in the Dodgers deep bullpen. Rodriguez will probably be optioned back to the minors but that isn’t a foresure thing as Elbert is recovering from offseason surgery.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.

Last season for the Blue Jays, Frasor went 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA with a career best 10.9 K/9.

The Blue Jays re-acquired Frasor last January after they had traded him to the White Sox in the Edwin Jackson deal.

Frasor’s best season came in 2009 with the Blue Jays when he went 7-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 11 saves in 57.2 innings. He posted an 8.7 K/9 that season and a career low 2.5 BB/9.

In 522.1 big league innings, Frasor is 26-31 with 36 saves and a 3.77 ERA.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.