MLB Hot Stove

Mood Music - As Tears Go By by Vitamin String Quartet

Howie Kendrick Signs Four Year Extension with the Los Angeles Angels
Coming off a career high 5.8 fWAR season, the Angels have locked up Kendrick for the final year of team control and three years beyond. While Kendrick is likely to regress back to the ~3 win level, the deal is still likely to be friendly for the Angels.

The Market for Manny Ramirez
Two teams have reportedly sent scouts to watch Manny work out, the Orioles and the Blue Jays. While the list of available suitors for him is shortened by 1) being 40 2) not being able to play any defensive position even semi-competently 3) missing all of 2011 and 4) being Manny Ramirez, I'd still be surprised if no AL team bites the bullet and gives him a shot at some point in 2012.

Texas Rangers Negotiating with Yu Darvish
The Rangers have until January 18th to reach an accord with Darvish with a deal not likely to come before the eleventh hour. The baseline for negotiations seems, unsurprisingly, to be the contract that Daisuke Matsuzaka signed with the Boston Red Sox.