Hot Stove!

The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to sign RHP Luis Ayala to a 1-year, $925,000 contract with a $1,000,000 option for 2013 ($100,000 buyout). Ayala went 2-2 with an outstanding 2.09 ERA in 2011. His sidearm delivery made him both vulnerable and at times untouchable. This move can be a grand slam for the O's. I wish him well in Baltimore.

The Orioles will also sign former Yankees first baseman and designated hitter Nick Johnson. The oft-injured Yankee played last in 2010 and hit .201 in 225 plate appearances in the minors last season.

Johnson winces in pain after fouling a ball off of his leg. (He was probably later placed on the disabled list...

And fianlly, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington will decide on the futures of P Tim Wakefield and Captain/catcher Jason Varitek sometime next week. They are the longest-tenured Red Sox in team history. It is widely accepted that both will retire, however, nothing is definite.