CHICAGO, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- New Chicago White Sox shortstop Omar Vizquel will wear the formerly retired number 11 of Sox great Luis Aparicio, Vizquel says.

DETROIT, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander, one of baseball's top right-handers, signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension Thursday, the Detroit Tigers announced.

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Twins had no comment Monday on a report that Joe Mauer, their American League MVP catcher, has been given a 10-year contract extension.

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Oakland Athletics have signed free agent right hander Ben Sheets to a three-year, $10 million contract.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran slugger Jim Thome to a one-year contract, sources said Tuesday.

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Right-handed starting pitcher Ben Sheets, who missed the 2009 season after elbow surgery, has signed a one-year contract with Oakland, the team said Tuesday.

BALTIMORE, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Veteran infielder Miguel Tejada, a free agent, rejoined the Baltimore Orioles Saturday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Royals signed free agent outfielder Rick Ankiel Friday to a one-year contract.

SEATTLE, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Seattle Mariners starter Felix Hernandez has agreed to a five-year, $78-million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Free agent right-hander Joel Piniero has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim worth $16 million.

BOSTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox have signed premier closer Jonathan Papelbon to a one-year, $9.35 million contract, thus avoiding arbitration.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday signed one-year deals with shortstop Jason Bartlett and pitchers Matt Garza and J.P. Howell, team officials said.

SEATTLE, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Seattle Mariners signed pitchers David Aardsma and Mark Lowe to one-year contracts Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration for each, team officials said.

ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Veteran slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who was not offered a contract by the Los Angeles Angels, has signed a free-agent deal with the Texas Rangers.

BOSTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman Thursday in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for infielder/outfielder Bill Hall.

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees Tuesday acquired veteran pitcher Javier Vazquez, a former all-star, from the Atlanta Braves.

SEATTLE, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A three-team deal completed Wednesday will send Philadelphia southpaw Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners.

ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A group led by team president Nolan Ryan has purchased baseball's Texas Rangers, club owner Tom Hicks said in a statement.

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Outfielder/designated hitter Hideko Matsui agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, the American League team said Wednesday.

CHICAGO, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Outfielder Juan Pierre was traded Tuesday to the Chicago White Sox by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will receive two yet-to-be-determined players.

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- World Series hero Hideki Matsui is joining the Los Angeles Angels, The New York Times reported Monday.

ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Free agent right-hander Rich Harden passed a physical Thursday then signed with the Texas Rangers.