Rangers signed free-agent pitcher Chan Ho Park to a 5 year contract.

Hideo Nomo, who led the AL in strikeouts last season, is going back to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers announced Thursday that the right-handed free-agent signed a $13 million, two-year contract.

Johnny Damon signed a 4 year contract with Boston,

David Wells neared a deal with Arizona.

On a busy day as teams prepared for their year-end break, Texas cut loose former 20-game winner Rick Helling on Thursday, clearing the way for the Rangers to pursue free-agent pitcher Chan Ho Park.

Atlanta added a possible fifth starter, agreeing to a $4 million, one-year contract with right-hander Albie Lopez, who went 9-19 with Tampa Bay and Arizona last season

Boston also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with first baseman Tony Clark, who was eligible for arbitration. ESPN is reporting that Clark will receive $5 million.

Pokey Reese, who fell out of favor in Cincinnati, finally may have found a home. Just over 24 hours after they acquired him from the Reds, the Colorado Rockies dealt the talented but underachieving second baseman to the defense-desperate Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for catcher Scott Hatteberg.

The San Diego Padres needed Kevin Jarvis to work with them. He did that, and then some. Jarvis and the Padres on Wednesday agreed on a three-year contract with a club option for 2005, allowing San Diego to retain one of the key components of its rotation.

Alou signs 3 years with Cubs - When Sosa heard the Cubs were trying to get free-agent outfielder Moises Alou, he called his old friend right away. Then he called Alou again. And again. And again. And again.

With Barry Bonds back at Pacific Bell Park next spring, the waters of McCovey Cove will remain dangerous for unwary boaters for at least another year. Baseball's new home run king surveyed the free-agent market and decided to stay with the San Francisco Giants, accepting the team's offer of salary arbitration Wednesday -- several hours before a midnight deadline.

Jay Buhner, one of the most popular players in Seattle Mariners' history and one of just 92 players to reach the 300-homer plateau, announced his retirement Wednesday.

Dennis Cook, a reliever who split last season between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, agreed with the Anaheim Angels on a $1.25 million, one-year contract Wednesday.

In an effort to free up more money to sign Moises Alou, the Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Michael Tucker to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. In return, the Cubs get a player to be named.

The Texas Rangers, desperate to improve a pitching staff that was the worst in baseball last season, signed free agent Dave Burba to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Free agent second baseman Bret Boone apparently will spend at least one more year with the Seattle Mariners. ESPN is reporting that Boone, who enjoyed his best season in the major leagues in 2001, has accepted an arbitration offer from the Mariners.

Former New York Mets outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo is gradually getting used to the idea he will be playing for the San Francisco Giants next season.

In his first public appearance since being traded Sunday to the Giants along with infielder Desi Relaford for left-handed starter Shawn Estes, Shinjo told a news conference he was shocked when he heard the news.

Tino Martinez signed a $21 million, three-year contract with St. Louis on Tuesday, giving the Cardinals a power-hitting replacement for Mark McGwire at first base.

In a deal designed to cut salary, the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday traded second baseman Pokey Reese and lefthander Dennys Reyes to the Colorado Rockies for lefthander Gabe White and minor league pitcher Luke Hudson.

Infielder Bill Selby, who spent last season with Cincinnati after three years in Cleveland, signed a minor league contract with the Indians on Tuesday. Rocker's tumultuous six-month stay with the Cleveland Indians ended Tuesday when the Texas Rangers acquired the controversial lefthanded reliever for minor league pitcher David Elder.

The club also announced it had signed pitchers Heath Murray, Dave Maurer and J.D. Brammer to minor league deals with invitations to major league spring training.

Seeking a leadoff hitter, the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday dipped into the free agent market, signing outfielder Chuck Knoblauch.

The Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Raul Ibanez and free-agent left-hander Darrell May to one-year contracts Monday.

Ricky Gutierrez signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on Monday and will replace Roberto Alomar at second base.

The New York Yankees continue to add parts in their attempt to stay atop the American League. The defending AL champions on Monday signed free agent outfielder Rondell White to a two-year contract.

Shawn Estes is heading to New York. The way the Mets are moving, more players might follow. Extremely busy since the season ended, the Mets made another deal Sunday, trading outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo and infielder Desi Relaford to the San Francisco Giants for Estes.

The St. Louis Cardinals traded righthander Dustin Hermanson to the Boston Red Sox for three prospects on Saturday, looking to clear salary space for a slugger.

The Seattle Mariners completed their trade for third baseman Jeff Cirillo early Saturday, getting him from the Colorado Rockies for reliever Jose Paniagua and two pitching prospects.

Seeking to replace Jason Giambi's left-handed power, the Oakland Athletics Friday acquired designated hitter-outfielder David Justice from the New York Mets. Oakland received $1.2 million in the deal to somewhat lighten Justice's $7 million price tag for the 2002 season and sent the Mets lefthanded reliever Mark Guthrie and minor league pitcher Tyler Yates.

The Blue Jays sent reliever Paul Quantrill and infielder Cesar Izturis to Los Angeles for right-handers Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts.

The Mets added speed to their lineup and bolstered their bullpen Thursday, signing outfielder Roger Cedeno to an $18 million, four-year contract and reliever David Weathers to a $9.4 million, three-year deal.

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent utility player Craig Paquette to a two-year contract Thursday.

Oakland designated hitter Jeremy Giambi was cited at McCarran International Airport after security officers found about a half-ounce of marijuana in his bag.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded right-hander Chris Brock to Baltimore for righty John Wasdin on Thursday.

The Toronto Blue Jays released infielder Luis Lopez and catcher Alberto Castillo on Thursday to make room for righthander Corey Thurman, who was selected in the Rule 5 Draft.

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder John Vander Wal from the San Francisco Giants on Thursday for right-hander Jay Witasick.

Pittsburgh Pirates righthander Todd Ritchie, who enjoyed a remarkable turnaround during the 2001 season, has been traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitchers Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg.

 Carl Everett's tumultuous tenure with the Boston Red Sox is over. The Red Sox gave up on the talented but volatile outfielder late Wednesday night, trading him to the Texas Rangers for lefthanded starter Darren Oliver.

Roberto Alomar was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets on Tuesday as part of an eight-player deal. New York sent Cleveland outfielder Matt Lawton, outfield prospect Alex Escobar, pitcher Jerrod Riggan and two players to be named for Alomar, pitcher Mike Bacsik and outfielder-first baseman Danny Peoples.

Dmitri Young was sent to the Tigers for outfielder Juan Encarnacion and reliever Luis Pineda in a deal that was announced at baseball's winter meetings. Young became the first player traded away as the Reds try to keep their payroll near the $45 million they spent last year, when they lost 96 games -- a franchise-record 54 of them at home.

Newly named Texas Rangers general manager John Hart on Tuesday continued to address the club's biggest need, signing righthanded reliever Jay Powell to a three-year contract.

The Seattle Mariners, looking to fine tune a team that won an American League-record 116 games last season, Tuesday acquired catcher Ben Davis from the San Diego Padres in a six-player deal. Seattle sends pitcher Brett Tomko, backup catcher Tom Lampkin and promising 25-year-old shortstop Ramon Vazquez to the Padres for Davis, backup infielder Alex Arias and righthanded pitcher Wascar Serrano.

Less than 24 hours after a report said contraction would not take place until 2003 at the earliest, the Marlins sent lefthander Jesus Sanchez to the Chicago Cubs for minor league lefthander Nate Teut.

The Chicago Cubs chose to trade for Alex Gonzalez rather than try to re-sign Ricky Gutierrez. In the first trade of the winter meetings, the Cubs acquired Gonzalez from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for left-hander Felix Heredia and a player to be named.

In Case You Missed it: Jason Giambi has just about finalized a seven-year contract with the New York Yankees that approaches $120 million.

Jason Isringhausen signed a $27 million, four-year contract Monday with St. Louis, opting to play for a winner close to home rather than the biggest contract.

The Atlanta Braves on Saturday signed free agent third baseman Vinny Castilla, a move that will force All-Star Chipper Jones to the outfield.

Free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun and the Houston Astros agreed Saturday to a $2.35 million, two-year contract. Zaun, 30, spent much of last season on the disabled list after tearing a muscle in his left calf during spring training with the Kansas City Royals. He played 39 games and batted .320 with 6 homers and 18 RBIs.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Pitcher Satoru Komiyama, a seven-time All-Star in Japan, signed a one-year contract Saturday with the New York Mets, reuniting with manager Bobby Valentine. The 36-year-old right-hander has an option for 2003. He will receive a $300,000 signing bonus and a salary of $200,000 for 2002. General manager Steve Phillips said he thinks Komiyama can start or work out of the bullpen. ``Over there he is known as the 'Japanese Greg Maddux,''' Phillips said. ``He has tremendous control and works both sides of the plate. He rarely falls behind in the count.''

MIAMI -- Jose Canseco was released from jail early Wednesday after being charged in a nightclub fight that left one man with a broken nose and another needing 20 stitches in his lip. The baseball star was charged with two counts of aggravated battery in the Halloween night scuffle. His twin brother, Ozzie, was charged with one count and also was released from Miami-Dade County Jail.

Just 17 homers shy of 600, Mark McGwire is calling it quits. The 38-year-old Cardinals slugger, who has been frustrated by injuries the past two seasons, told ESPN he was retiring from baseball Sunday. McGwire, 38, hinted at stepping aside throughout a tumultuous season.