The Cubs have signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a three-year, $15 million deal. Chicago hopes that Byrd can be their everyday center fielder. Byrd is a disciple of hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. Both were with the Rangers last season. "[Jaramillo] was a big part of [signing in Chicago]," Byrd said. "I really enjoyed my last three years with Rudy. I'm very comfortable with him. He is the best in the business. We are especially close. It's going to be nice working with him the next three years."

Left-handed reliever Jack Taschner has signed a minor league contract with the Pirates and will be invited to spring training, as reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Royals announced today that the club has signed outfielder Brian Anderson to a one-year contract for the 2010 season. Consistent with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 27-year old Anderson, who bats and throws right handed, split his 2009 season between the White Sox and Red Sox. The centerfielder was traded to the Red Sox on July 28 and proceeded to hit .294 with two home runs in limited duty down the stretch for the A.L. Wild Card winners. The former first-round selection of the White Sox (15th overall) is a career .227 Major League hitter with 22 home runs in 335 games since making his debut for Chicago in 2005.

The Tigers have signed catcher Andy Bouchie and pitcher Phil Dumatrait. Bouchie spent three years in Milwaukee's organization before being released last year. Dumatrait became a free agent last week when the Pittsburgh Pirates decided not to offer him a contract.

The Pirates have signed left-hander Javier Lopez to a one-year contract. "Javier has proven to be a capable major league reliever who has the ability to attack both left- and right-handed hitters," general manager Neal Huntington said. "He will provide a solid relief option for manager John Russell in 2010."

The Toronto Blue Jays finalized their signing of catcher John Buck to a $2 million, one-year contract on Wednesday, and also inked right-hander Lance Broadway to a minor-league deal. Buck, 29, hit .247 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 59 games as a backup with the Kansas City Royals last season.

Garrett Atkins has signed a one-year, $4-million deal with the Baltimore Orioles that includes an $8.5 club option with a $500,000 buyout. Atkins can make an additional $500,000 in plate appearance bonuses. Atkins struggled with the Rockies last season, losing his starting job to Ian Stewart in the first week of June.

The Dodgers have agreed to a two-year deal with Jamey Carroll, according to a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. Carroll, who turns 36 in February, batted .276 with two home runs and 26 runs batted in in 93 games for the Cleveland Indians last season. The Dodgers also reached an agreement today with right-handed reliever Luis Ayala on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Astros re-signed outfielder Jason Michaels on Monday. "He was in the minor leagues when I was in Philadelphia, and he was highly thought of," Houston manager Brad Mills said of Michaels. "His reputation in baseball is very solid as being a very solid clubhouse presence and a solid player." Michaels hit .308 with a .400 on-base percentage in his final 51 games to finish with a .237 average, four home runs and 16 RBIs for the 2009 season. "He is a solid guy," general manager Ed Wade said. "We've lost some guys through free agency, and the leadership element is important."

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig reportedly plans to establish a study group to examine on-field issues such as replay, umpires and pace of game. Selig scheduled a telephone news conference for Tuesday for an announcement involving on-field matters.