Freddy Sanchez has signed a two-year contract extension with the Giants, according to an Associated Press report. Terms of the deal were not announced Friday but the Giants held an $8.1M option for 2010 for the three-time All-Star second baseman. Sanchez was acquired from Pirates on July 29 in exchange for a minor league pitcher.

Kenji Johjima has agreed to join the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League. Johjima held talks with his former team, the Softbank Hawks of the Pacific League, but has opted instead to join the Tigers, getting a four-year deal worth $21 million. "Hanshin was the first team to set up talks with me," Johjima said. "I'll do everything I can do to help the team win." Johjima opted out of the final two seasons and $15.8 million of his contract with the Mariners, allowing him to finish his career in Japan.

Outfielder Gabe Kapler has re-signed with the Rays. Tampa Bay announced the one-year deal on Tuesday. Kapler, 34, played in 99 games for the team in 2009. He hit .239 with eight homers and 32 RBIs.

Brad Mills is the new manager of the Astros, according to an ESPN.com report on Tuesday. The 52-year-old Mills has been Terry Francona's bench coach with the Red Sox for the past six seasons. He'll manage in the majors for the first time, though he's managed a total of 11 seasons in the minors, with affiliates for the Cubs (1987-92), Rockies (1993-96) and Dodgers (2002).

The Indians hired Manny Acta to be their manager, giving him the job about three months after he was fired by the Nationals, as reported by ESPN.com. Acta signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2013, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said Sunday. Additional terms were not disclosed.

The Brewers have hired Rick Peterson as pitching coach, hoping he can straighten out one of the worst staffs in the NL, according to an ESPN.com report on Tuesday. Peterson spent a year out of baseball, but was most recently pitching coach of the Mets.

Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean each received two-year contract extensions from the Giants with a club option after meeting with managing general partner Bill Neukom on Tuesday. Both men expected to return, but Neukom had said he would wait until the end of the season to make a decision. The Giants missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, but made a 16-game improvement.