The Atlanata Braves have reportedly reached a deal with free agent shortstop, Rafael Furcal, to return to Atlanta. Financial details of the deal haven’t been released yet but it is rumored to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports calls the signing a “major offseason upset” as the Oakland A’s had been considered the major favorites to land Furcal, having extended a guaranteed 4th year in their $40 millon offer.

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The Milwaukee Brewers talks with the Yankees about outfielder Mike Cameron are reportedly back on and quite close. The New York Post is reporting that the deal would send Kei Igawa and Melky Cabrera to the Brewers in exchange for Cameron. The only issue left, according to the Post, is how much (if any) of the remaining $12 million due Igawa over the next three years the Yankees will pick up. The Brewers are looking to shift Cameron’s salary towards their rotation but $4 million a year for a pitcher with a 13.50 ERA and only one start last year isn’t what they had in mind.

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I’m a bit behind on the rumor and trade news so I’ll try to catch you up today.

The Mets, Mariners, and Indians got together on a three team deal that sent a total of 12 players to new teams.

The Mets acquired former All-Star closer JJ Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed, and reliever Sean Green while giving up Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Joe Smith, and three minor leaguers. Putz figures to slide into the setup role for newly signed closer Francisco Rodriguez. With two top flight closers finishing out games, the Mets hope to avoid the late inning collapses that plagued them last year.

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The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to trade Ryan Freel and two prospects to the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Ramon Hernandez and cash. The O’s are expected to be paying a significant portion of the backstop’s $8 million salary and the deal is awaiting approval from the commissioner’s office since more than $1 million is changing hands.

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The Dayton Daily News has been told by a “source” that the Cincinnati Reds have traded pitcher Homer Baily to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for slugger Jermaine Dye.

A major-league source close to the situation told The Dayton Daily News on Sunday, Dec. 7, “The deal is done and will be announced this week.”

Update:Just as I suspected, Walt Jocketty, the Reds GM has denied making a deal with the Sox and in fact said that he hasn’t had any discussions with the AL Chicago team since before Thanksgiving.

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The Minnesota Twins are in need of a third baseman. Until recently it looked like the Dodgers free agent, Casey Blake would be their man. However Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times is reporting that talks have broken down between the free agent and the Twinkies and that the Twins are looking elsewhere to fill their need at the hot corner. Now, you might be wondering why a writer from Seattle is interested in the Twins negotiations with Blake. Well, it just so happens that the Seattle Mariners have a thirdbaseman, Adrian Beltre, that they’ve been trying to trade for a few years now.

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The Detroit Tigers can check “catcher” off their offseason shopping list after they, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthall, acquired Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right handed pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso as well as a 17 year old pitching prospect.

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The San Diego Padres are reportedly close to completing a deal that would send shortstop Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for two young relief pitchers.

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The San Francisco Giants have reportedly inked reliever Bob Howry to a one year deal worth $2.75 million. The 35 year old righty had put up 4 solid years of sub 3.4 ERA relief before last year’s 5.35 effort for the Chicago Cubs. I’m guessing Howry is hoping to re-establish himself and ink a multi-year deal next winter, and the Giants for their part could be getting a very good reliever at a bargain price if Howry can regain is previous form.

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Numerous reports out of Baltimore are claiming that the Orioles might be the 3rd team that helps Padres GM Kevin Towers complete his trade of ace Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs.

Towers has been seeking to trade his soon to be free agent ace and the Cubs were reportedly the leading candidate. Unfortunately for the Padres, the Cubs don’t have the major league ready talent that they are seeking in return for the 2007 Cy Young award winner.

That, though is where Baltimore enters the picture.

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