Royals GM Dayton Moore will have at least two more years to prove that he can get the franchise that he took over in 2006 back to the playoffs.

After leading Kansas City to its best record in more than 20 years this past season, Moore was rewarded with a two-year contract extension Friday, according to an ESPN.com report. 

The Minnesota Twins have reached a deal with Ricky Nolasco worth $49 million over four seasons.

Nolasco was one of the top starting pitchers on the free agent market.

Nolasco had a 3.70 ERA with 165 strikeouts and 46 walks in nearly 200 innings with the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nolasco's deal is the largest free agent signing in the history of the Twins.

The Cincinnati Reds have re-signed Manny Parra to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.

Parra struggled to begin the 2012 season, posting an 8.10 ERA in his first six appearances before going to the disabled list with a strained left pectoral muscle.

Parra had a 1.78 ERA over his final 45 games from June 11.

The San Francisco Giants have signed Javier Lopez to a three-year, $13 million deal.

Lopez gave serious thought signing with the Washington Nationals.

"I always wanted to play for my hometown team," Lopez said. "This was the closest I ever got, but I want to finish as a Giant and I felt this was a better place for me at this time."

The Royals have announced that the club has signed six players to minor league deals for the 2014 season.  

Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, 26, finished 2013 at Triple-A Omaha, playing in 34 games after a July 22 trade from the Marlins organization.   A .278 hitter over eight minor league seasons, Hernandez played in 70 games with Pittsburgh and Miami in 2012.

Third baseman Brandon Laird, 26, joins the Royals from the Astros.  The younger brother of catcher Gerald Laird, Brandon has had Major League stints in each of the last three seasons.   He recorded five home runs and 11 RBI in 25 games for the Astros in 2013.

Outfielder Paulo Orlando, 28, batted .276 with five home runs and 46 RBI in 92 games for Omaha in 2013.  

Outfielder Edinson Rincon, 23, played in a combined 24 games at Surprise and Northwest Arkansas in 2013 as he recovered from left knee surgery.  The native of Santo Domingo, DR, was acquired from the Padres on June 6, 2013. 

Right-handed pitcher Wilking Rodriguez, 23, joins the Royals after seven seasons in the Rays organization.  Rodriguez was limited to eight appearances in 2013 as he recovered from a shoulder injury.  

Right-handed pitcher P.J. Walters, 28, made eight starts for the Twins last season, going 2-5 with a 5.95 ERA in 39.1 innings.  Walters also compiled a 7-5 mark and a 4.18 ERA in 19 starts at Rochester (AAA).  

The Indians added depth to their bullpen, signing left-hander Mike Zagurski to a minor league deal with an invitation to training camp this spring.

Zagurski spent time with A's, Pirates and the Yankees last season, according to an Yahoo.com report.

Former Cubs infielder Bill Mueller was named the team's hitting coach Friday, while pitching coach Chris Bosio was retained as part of new manager Rick Renteria's staff, the team announced.

The Detroit Tigers have avoided arbitration with Phil Coke, agreeing to a one-year contract with the pitcher.

The 31-year-old left-hander had a 5.40 ERA in 49 games with Detroit this past season.

The Royals announced today that the club has signed minor league free agent catcher Francisco Pena and added him to the 40-man roster.  

Pena, 24, had spent six years in the Mets’ organization, splitting 89 games between Las Vegas (AAA) and Binghamton (AA) in 2013.  He hit .257 for the Las Vegas 51s with 15 doubles, nine homers and 39 RBI in 68 games last year. 

Originally signed as an international free agent by the Mets, Pena is the son of former Royals’ manager Tony Pena, while his older brother, Tony Jr., played in parts of three seasons for Kansas City (2007-09).  

The Texas Rangers have re-signed Geovany Soto to a one-year, $3.05 million contract.

Soto is currently the only catcher on the team's roster. Texas has already labeled him as their starter.

"We had a player that the more we talked about it, the more we liked what he brings to the table," Jon Daniels said. "You don't want to ignore what's under your nose or put all your eggs in one basket from someone outside that you can't control. But we haven't ruled anything out."

Soto finished the 2013 season as the primary catcher for Yu Darvish.