Kevin Youkilis agrees to 1-year deal with Rakuten in Japan

Kevin Youkilis is leaving the major leagues after an injury plagued season and heading to Japan.

The three-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Pacific League.

"They made it very apparent right from the start they were quite interested in Kevin being there," agent Joe Bick said Friday.

A 34-year-old first baseman and third baseman, Youkilis will have a $4 million base salary and can earn $1 million bonuses — including some based on walks, a provision not allowed in major league contracts.

After nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Youkilis signed a $12 million, one-year deal with the New York Yankees. But his back started to bother him in mid-April, and an epidural injection didn't improve a lumbar spine sprain.

Sidelined from April 27 to May 31, he went back on the DL on June 13, had surgery a week later to repair a herniated disk and didn't return. Youkilis hit just .219 with two homers and eight RBIs over 28 games and 105 at-bats.

"There's no reason to believe he's anything less than 100 per cent," Bick said. "Workouts are going normally."

Youkilis has a .281 average in 10 big league seasons with 150 homers and 618 RBIs, and he earned a World Series ring with the 2007 Red Sox.

At Rakuten, Youkilis may become teammates with star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who went 24-0 last season, While Tanaka wants to join the major leagues, Rakuten is reluctant to make him available in the new posting season, and the 25-year-old right-hander can't leave as a free agent until after the 2015 season.

"We were talking with eight or nine other clubs over here," Bick said. "In the final analysis, he said the right thing for my family and me is to go do this. It will be a wonderful life experience."

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Shin-Soo Choo agrees to 7-year deal with Rangers: report

The Rangers have made another Texas-sized deal to improve their offence.

Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo agreed to a $130 million US, seven-year contract with the Rangers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the deal that is pending a physical for Choo. That person said the physical is expected to be done before Christmas, and that any formal introduction in Texas likely wouldn't come until after the holiday Wednesday.

The deal came a month after the Rangers acquired five-time All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder in a trade with Detroit for second baseman Ian Kinsler, their primary leadoff hitter.

Texas now gets the best offensive player left in free agency, with both additions to be under contract through the 2020 season.

Choo's deal, worth about $18.6 million per season, is the third-highest this off-season. Second baseman Robinson Cano got $240 million over 10 years from Seattle and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, like Choo, a client of agent Scott Boras, signed a $153 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Choo could be at the top or in the middle of the Texas lineup. He was Cincinnati's leadoff hitter for 143 games last season, when he had a .423 on-base percentage with 20 stolen bases and 21 home runs.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, with 730 runs scored their fewest in a non-strike season since 1992. Texas, which went to its only two World Series in 2010 and 2011 and lost in the AL's first wildcard game in 2012, lost at home to Tampa Bay in a wild-card tiebreaker.

Choo's deal calls for salaries of $14 million in 2014 and 2015, $21 million in 2016 and 2017, and $20 million in each of the last three years of the deal. He can earn a bonus for finishing in the top five of the AL MVP balloting — from $250,000 as the winner to $50,000 for fifth place. He would get a $150,000 bonus for being a World Series MVP, and an additional $100,000 for being an AL championship series MVP or an All-Star, or for winning a Silver Slugger or Gold Glove award.

There will also be a limited no-trade clause, with Choo able each year to submit a list of 10 teams he can't be dealt to without his consent.

Fielder, a .286 career hitter, was only two seasons into his $214 million, nine-year contract with Detroit when he was traded to Texas. That deal includes $30 million going back to the Rangers, though the first payment of $4 million won't come until 2016, followed by $6 million in 2017 and 2018, and $7 million in 2019 and 2020.

Choo has a .288 career batting average and .389 OBP with 104 home runs and 427 RBIs in 853 major league games for Seattle (2005-06), Cleveland (2006-12) and Cincinnati. The 31-year-old South Korean had at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases three times, including last season.

While Choo started 150 games for the Reds in centre field, he will likely play left field for Texas. The Rangers have Leonys Martin in centre and Alex Rios in right.

Choo's addition almost certainly closes the door on the possible return of slugger Nelson Cruz, who had 27 homers and 76 RBIs in his 109 games for Texas last season.

Cruz was suspended 50 games after Major League Baseball's investigation into a Florida clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. The 2011 AL championship series MVP finished his suspension in time to play in the tiebreaker game against Tampa Bay.

Texas will lose its first-round pick by signing Choo, but would get a first-round pick back when Cruz, presumably, signs with another team.

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Grant Balfour fails physical, Orioles veto deal

The Baltimore Orioles won't be closing a deal for All-Star closer Grant Balfour.

Days after reaching a preliminary agreement with the free agent pending a physical, the Orioles said Friday that they weren't satisfied with the results of Balfour's exam.

"This is a deal that's not going to come together," Orioles executive vice-president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said on a conference call.

Duquette declined to say what specifically concerned him about Balfour, who turns 36 later this month. Balfour had shoulder and elbow surgeries that kept him out of the majors in 2005 and 2006.

"The Orioles were disappointed we couldn't complete a contract with Grant Balfour," Duquette said.

Baltimore and Balfour agreed Tuesday to a $15 million, two-year contract that included $1 million in deferred payments, a deal dependent on the physical. Duquette said the team would not seek to restructure the agreement.

"We're going to turn our attention elsewhere for now," Duquette said.

The Orioles were hoping Balfour, who had 62 saves over the last two years for Oakland, would replace Jim Johnson. Baltimore traded Johnson, who had 101 saves in 2012 and 2013 to the Athletics on Dec. 2.

"Grant is completely healthy and that was told to us today by Dr. Koco Eaton, a well-respected club physician," said Seth Levinson, one of Balfour's agents.

Levinson said Reds team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek "reviewed the Orioles' medical report and advised that he is remarkably impressed that there has been little change in Grant's arm for almost 10 years."

"The only reasonable conclusion is that Grant is healthy and the Orioles at the last moment changed their minds," Levinson said.

Baltimore could trade for a closer, sign another free agent or use an existing player. Duquette pointed out that Johnson did not come through the minors as a closer.

"The good news is we have other options to look at," Duquette said.

Besides Balfour, there are two other prominent free agent closers still available, Chris Perez and Fernando Rodney. Perez saved 123 games over the last four seasons for Cleveland, and Rodney saved 85 in the last two years for Tampa Bay.

The Orioles have lost right-handed pitcher Scott Feldman, second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nate McLouth in free agency during the off-season.

Duquette said the team still hopes to make some moves.

"We're not done yet," he said.

Baltimore signed lefty-hitting outfielder Xavier Paul to a minor league deal. He was not offered a contract by Cincinnati earlier this month.

Paul batted .244 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 97 games with the Reds in 2013.

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Kevin Youkilis agrees to 1-year deal with Rakuten in Japan

Kevin Youkilis is leaving the major leagues after an injury plagued season and heading to Japan.

The three-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Pacific League.

"They made it very apparent right from the start they were quite interested in Kevin being there," agent Joe Bick said Friday.

A 34-year-old first baseman and third baseman, Youkilis will have a $4 million base salary and can earn $1 million bonuses — including some based on walks, a provision not allowed in major league contracts.

After nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Youkilis signed a $12 million, one-year deal with the New York Yankees. But his back started to bother him in mid-April, and an epidural injection didn't improve a lumbar spine sprain.

Sidelined from April 27 to May 31, he went back on the DL on June 13, had surgery a week later to repair a herniated disk and didn't return. Youkilis hit just .219 with two homers and eight RBIs over 28 games and 105 at-bats.

"There's no reason to believe he's anything less than 100 per cent," Bick said. "Workouts are going normally."

Youkilis has a .281 average in 10 big league seasons with 150 homers and 618 RBIs, and he earned a World Series ring with the 2007 Red Sox.

At Rakuten, Youkilis may become teammates with star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who went 24-0 last season, While Tanaka wants to join the major leagues, Rakuten is reluctant to make him available in the new posting season, and the 25-year-old right-hander can't leave as a free agent until after the 2015 season.

"We were talking with eight or nine other clubs over here," Bick said. "In the final analysis, he said the right thing for my family and me is to go do this. It will be a wonderful life experience."

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Carlos Beltran, Yankees sign off on 3-year deal

Outfielder Carlos Beltran and the New York Yankees have finalized a three-year, $45-million US contract.

The agreement, reached Dec. 6, was announced by the team Thursday. The eight-time all-star is to be introduced at a Yankee Stadium news conference Friday.

The 36-year-old played for the Mets from 2005-11, when he was dealt to San Francisco. He signed a $26 million, two-year contract with St. Louis before the 2012 season and reached the World Series for the first time this year.

Slowed by knee injuries, Beltran has retained a potent bat, especially in October. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 runs batted in for the Cardinals this year and added two homers and 15 RBIs in the post-season.

Beltran injured ribs in the World Series opener when he banged into Fenway Park's right-fight fence while robbing Boston's David Ortiz of a grand slam.

New York seems to have a logjam among outfielders on its roster, a group that includes Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki, Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells.

To open a roster spot, the Yankees designated right-hander Brett Marshall for assignment.

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John Axford finalizes 1-year deal with Indians

John Axford had other choices where he could pitch next season. The Indians closed the deal.

Axford, who had 46 saves for Milwaukee in 2011 but lost his closer's job last season and was traded to St. Louis, finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract Thursday and will close for Cleveland in 2014.

The 30-year-old Axford had other teams interested in signing him, but he decided to join the Indians because of their turnaround in 2013, a strong clubhouse and manager Terry Francona, who sold Axford with his typical straightforward approach.

"He was very, very up front with me about the team, the organization, the city," Axford said. "It just sounded to me like a situation I want to be a part of."

Axford replaces two-time All-Star closer Chris Perez, who was released in October after Cleveland made its first playoff appearance since 2007. Axford agreed to the contract with Cleveland earlier this week, and completed the deal after taking a physical on Wednesday. The right-hander can earn another $1.75 million in performance bonuses based on games finished: $250,000 for 38 and $300,000 apiece for 43, 48, 53, 58 and 63.

The Indians initially considered filling the closer's role within the organization — right-handers Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen were the top candidates — and pursued several veteran free agents before working out a deal with Axford. The Indians weren't scared off despite Axford struggles last season, when he started horribly and was demoted by the Brewers before eventually being traded to St. Louis in August.

"We thought he was the right guy to take a chance on," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We feel like we added an experienced, power arm to the back of our bullpen."

Antonetti said the team wasn't reluctant to give the job to Shaw or Allen, it's just that Axford was a better option and the club feels he can "bounce back" and be an elite stopper again.

Axford attributed some of his early problems last season to pitching in the World Baseball Classic. He was throwing hard from the get-go and went through a "dead arm" period when his velocity dropped following the WBC. But after making some adjustments, Axford settled in and posted a 2.92 ERA in his final 71 appearances with the Brewers and Cardinals.

"I don't like to make excuses," Axford said. "I really enjoyed pitching for my country, but I really don't think my arm was ever ready for the start of the regular season. I had a dead arm and my velocity was down in those first few games of the regular season. But when you give up four home runs and have an ERA of 22 after four games, you can't be surprised that you're not the closer anymore."

Axford has a 22-19 career record with a 3.29 ERA and 106 saves in 281 relief appearances. He said being a free agent "was fun, but it was difficult." Ultimately, he thought the Indians were the best fit for him because they provided a chance to close again and Cleveland is just a 4 1-2 hour drive from his home in Ontario.

It also helped the Indians are on the rise after earning a wild-card spot in 2013.

"There were certainly other teams in the mix," Axford said. "They had a great season last year. It seemed like a team I would want to pitch for."

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Average MLB salary rose to record $3.39M this season

While the New York Yankees set another salary record, the Houston Astros had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years and the attention of the players' union.

The overall big league average rose 5.4 per cent this season to a record $3.39 million US, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The increase was the steepest since 2006.

In the economy at large, civilian compensation is increasing at an annual rate of 1.9 per cent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average U.S. wage in 2012 was $42,498, according to the Social Security Administration.

The Yankees had the highest average for the 15th consecutive season at $8.17 million, breaking the mark of $7.66 million when they won the World Series in 2009. The Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $7.82 million.

Houston's average of $549,603 was the smallest since the 1999 Kansas City Royals at $534,460. The Miami Marlins were 29th at $830,069, down from $3.77 million in 2012, when they ranked 10th.

Baseball's collective bargaining agreement requires a team to use revenue-sharing money it receives "in an effort to improve its performance on the field." The Marlins had been required to raise player payroll annually from 2010-12 under an agreement between MLB and the union.

However, the issue is being dealt with under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement that gradually eliminates the 15 teams in the largest markets from receiving revenue sharing, and the Astros are 15th. Under that provision, those clubs forfeited 25 per cent of the money this year, half in 2014, 75 per cent the following year and all in 2016.

"We are watching both clubs closely, but were already aware what their 2013 spending would be and that there wasn't enough there to move beyond acknowledging as much," new union head Tony Clark said in an email to The Associated Press. "With Houston a big factor is their impending 'market disqualification.' For Miami, they actually have a long-range plan that suggests they will make the considerations necessary to be compliant.

"That said, both clubs are being monitored, and MLB recognizes that there is a potential for a dispute if the clubs do not move in the right direction."

World Series champion Boston was fourth at $5.46 million, just behind Detroit at $5.53 million. St. Louis, which won the NL pennant, was 10th at $3.75 million.

Tampa Bay had the lowest ranking among the 10 playoff teams and was 24th at $2.13 million.

Among regulars at positions, designated hitters took over from first basemen for the highest average at $10.5 million. First basemen were next at $6.5 million, followed by starting pitchers at $6.3 million, second basemen at $5.8 million, outfielders at $5.6 million, third basemen at $5.2 million, shortstops at $4.5 million, catchers at $4.4 million and relief pitchers at $2.2 million,

Figures are based on Aug. 31 rosters and disabled lists, with 940 players averaging $3,386,212. Major League Baseball, which uses slightly different methods, calculated its average at $3,320,089, an increase of 6.9 per cent.

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Reliever Joaquin Benoit, Padres strike deal: report

A person familiar with the situation says the San Diego Padres have agreed with former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit on a two-year contract worth $15.5 million US.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal is pending on Benoit passing a physical.

In his first season as Tigers closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances. But in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, he allowed a tying grand slam by Boston's David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.

Benoit, who turns 37 on July 26, is expected to replace setup man Luke Gregerson, who was traded to Oakland for outfielder Seth Smith.

He could also be insurance for closer Huston Street, who's been on the disabled list three times the last two seasons.

The Seattle Mariners have re-signed oft-injured outfielder Franklin Gutierrez for the 2014 season, adding needed depth to their outfield.

The Mariners announced the deal Wednesday following a physical. Gutierrez became a free agent on Nov. 1 when the Mariners declined his option for 2014, but chose to return to Seattle for a sixth season hoping he can finally stay healthy.

Gutierrez won a Gold Glove in 2010 but has spent most of the past three seasons on the disabled list. He missed 106 games last season with hamstring problems that led to two extended stints on the DL.

If healthy, Gutierrez could solve one of Seattle's big concerns going into season about who will play in centre field. The Mariners appear to have options at the corner outfield spots with the recent moves to acquire Logan Morrison and Corey Hart.

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Reliever Joaquin Benoit, Padres strike deal: report

A person familiar with the situation says the San Diego Padres have agreed with former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit on a two-year contract worth $15.5 million US.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal is pending on Benoit passing a physical.

In his first season as Tigers closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances. But in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, he allowed a tying grand slam by Boston's David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.

Benoit, who turns 37 on July 26, is expected to replace setup man Luke Gregerson, who was traded to Oakland for outfielder Seth Smith.

He could also be insurance for closer Huston Street, who's been on the disabled list three times the last two seasons.

The Seattle Mariners have re-signed oft-injured outfielder Franklin Gutierrez for the 2014 season, adding needed depth to their outfield.

The Mariners announced the deal Wednesday following a physical. Gutierrez became a free agent on Nov. 1 when the Mariners declined his option for 2014, but chose to return to Seattle for a sixth season hoping he can finally stay healthy.

Gutierrez won a Gold Glove in 2010 but has spent most of the past three seasons on the disabled list. He missed 106 games last season with hamstring problems that led to two extended stints on the DL.

If healthy, Gutierrez could solve one of Seattle's big concerns going into season about who will play in centre field. The Mariners appear to have options at the corner outfield spots with the recent moves to acquire Logan Morrison and Corey Hart.

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Average MLB salary rose to record $3.39M this season

While the New York Yankees set another salary record, the Houston Astros had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years and the attention of the players' union.

The overall big league average rose 5.4 per cent this season to a record $3.39 million US, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The increase was the steepest since 2006.

In the economy at large, civilian compensation is increasing at an annual rate of 1.9 per cent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average U.S. wage in 2012 was $42,498, according to the Social Security Administration.

The Yankees had the highest average for the 15th consecutive season at $8.17 million, breaking the mark of $7.66 million when they won the World Series in 2009. The Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $7.82 million.

Houston's average of $549,603 was the smallest since the 1999 Kansas City Royals at $534,460. The Miami Marlins were 29th at $830,069, down from $3.77 million in 2012, when they ranked 10th.

Baseball's collective bargaining agreement requires a team to use revenue-sharing money it receives "in an effort to improve its performance on the field." The Marlins had been required to raise player payroll annually from 2010-12 under an agreement between MLB and the union.

However, the issue is being dealt with under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement that gradually eliminates the 15 teams in the largest markets from receiving revenue sharing, and the Astros are 15th. Under that provision, those clubs forfeited 25 per cent of the money this year, half in 2014, 75 per cent the following year and all in 2016.

"We are watching both clubs closely, but were already aware what their 2013 spending would be and that there wasn't enough there to move beyond acknowledging as much," new union head Tony Clark said in an email to The Associated Press. "With Houston a big factor is their impending 'market disqualification.' For Miami, they actually have a long-range plan that suggests they will make the considerations necessary to be compliant.

"That said, both clubs are being monitored, and MLB recognizes that there is a potential for a dispute if the clubs do not move in the right direction."

World Series champion Boston was fourth at $5.46 million, just behind Detroit at $5.53 million. St. Louis, which won the NL pennant, was 10th at $3.75 million.

Tampa Bay had the lowest ranking among the 10 playoff teams and was 24th at $2.13 million.

Among regulars at positions, designated hitters took over from first basemen for the highest average at $10.5 million. First basemen were next at $6.5 million, followed by starting pitchers at $6.3 million, second basemen at $5.8 million, outfielders at $5.6 million, third basemen at $5.2 million, shortstops at $4.5 million, catchers at $4.4 million and relief pitchers at $2.2 million,

Figures are based on Aug. 31 rosters and disabled lists, with 940 players averaging $3,386,212. Major League Baseball, which uses slightly different methods, calculated its average at $3,320,089, an increase of 6.9 per cent.

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