Friday Night Hot Stove

On this Friday night, Chone Figgins may be licking his chops. Despite his post-season failure against the Yankees this past post-season, the free agent third baseman may be on the verge of a huge free agent contract.

The Seattle Mariners have reportedly offered Figgins a four year, $36 million deal. The eight year veteran of the LA Angels stole 42 bases last season and a posted a .395 on-base percentage. Angels' GM Tony Reagins said Figgins has an offer on the table from LA, but would not elaborate on the specifics.

Placido Polanco already got his new deal from his old team. The Gold Glove second baseman will switch to third base to return to the Philadelphia Phillies. Polanco was given a 3-yr, $18 million deal to part ways with the Detroit Tigers.

In other moves:

The Braves have added to their bullpen by signing free agents Billy Wagner (7.5 mill) and Takashi Saito (3.2 mill) to a pair of one year deals.

The Mets continued their never ending search for replacements for Mike Piazza by signing Chris Coste away from the Phillies. The Brewers meanwhile added veteran Gregg Zaun.

The A's picked up infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles from the Cubs for Matt Spencer, Jeff Gray, and Ronny Morla.

Friday Night Hot Stove

Baby Come Back
With the number of free agent pitchers dwindling, the Mets have reportedly increased their 3 year offer to Oliver Perez. Jon Heyman states that Perez is still the Mets top choice, ahead of the likes of Randy Wolf, Ben Sheets, and John Garland.

Deep in the Heart of Texas
The Rangers continue to talk with Texas native Ben Sheets, and currently have to be considered the favorites to land the free agent right-hander. Sheets met with the Rangers again this week as part of "due diligence", according to GM Jon Daniels.

We have a winner...
The Cubs have found their new owners and it's not Rod Blagojevich. Chicago investment banker Tom Ricketts has been chosen by Tribune Co. to be the new owner of the NL Central club. Ricketts and family ponied up a $900 million bid and hope to be the official owners by opening day. Time is tight though as the deal must be finalized, and approved by Major League Baseball and a bankruptcy court.

Brotherly Stab in the Back
Deadspin reported yesterday that Mark McGwire's estranged brother, Jay, is trying to find a publisher for his steroid laden tome. The younger McGwire/hopeful author claims his older brother got the idea to use steroids and HGH from watching his younger brother shoot up for body building. J Mac also claims to have injected baby bro with steroids.

"Prior to the 1998 season, [Mark] had reached a level where he did not need to get any stronger and he couldn’t afford to add any more weight. So I directed him to androstenedione testosterone booster, which is non-hormonal (which is why it can be sold legally and is not affected by the 2004 Anabolic Steroid Control Act) and works naturally with your body. “Andro” increases strength and aggression while promoting reduction of body fat and a leaner look to the physique....[U]sing andro allowed Mark to avoid all the potential adverse side effects that could occur from using anabolic steroids, such as water retention, hair loss, and liver, heart, or kidney stress. In addition, he wouldn’t have cholesterol problems or testicular atrophy. And there were no problems with the law."

Talk about sticking it to someone.