The Rays have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with veteran left-hander Brian Shouse. The deal is pending a physical exam, which he is expected to take towards the end of next week. Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games for the Brewers last season.

The Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal worth $725,000 with free-agent catcher Paul Bako. Bako played for the Cubs back 2003-04, but spent last season with the Reds. He could earn $300,000 in performance bonuses based on games started.

John Maine avoided salary arbitration with the Mets on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million contract. The number is the midpoint of what Maine wanted, $3 million, and what New York was willing to give, $2.2 million. Maine was 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 25 starts and 140 innings last year, missing the final five weeks of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Pitcher Paul Maholm agreed to a $14.5 million, three-year contract with the Pirates on Friday. Maholm's agreement locks him up through his remaining arbitration years and includes a club option for the 2012 season. He was 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 31 starts last season. He'll receive $3.5 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011.

The Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to two sources. Boston has a club option for $5 million in 2010. If they decline, there is a player option for $3 million.

The New York Yankees announced today they have agreed to a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Brian Bruney, avoiding arbitration. Bruney, 26, was 3-0 with one save and a 1.83 ERA in 32 appearances (one start) with the Yankees in 2008, missing over three months (April 25-August 1) with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. He held opponents to a .153 (18-for-118) batting average, ranking fifth in the Majors among pitchers with at least 30.0IP, and kept the opposition scoreless in 27 of his 32 appearances. Originally selected by Arizona in the 12th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, Bruney was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on July 1, 2006.

The Mariners have signed five-time All-Star Mike Sweeney to a minor league contract, and he will compete to be the team's designated hitter this season. Sweeney has a .299 career average with 199 home runs and 849 RBIs in 14 seasons.

The Pirates and pitcher Paul Maholm have agreed to a multi-year deal that gives the Pirates the ability to secure Maholm through the 2012 season. The agreement is still pending a physical, which is expected to take place on Thursday or Friday. As first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the two sides came to the agreement on Thursday morning. No official announcement has been made by the team, though that is expected to come on Friday. The agreement buys out all three of Maholm's years of arbitration eligibility and includes a club option for a fourth year, which would be Maholm's first year as a free agent. The value of the contract is not yet known. RealGM Note: Maholm was ranked 92nd in season FIC during the 2008 season and he 'deserved' to make $9.5M, giving him a Reina Value of +2,138%.

The Rockies have agreed to terms with pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on a four-year contract with club options for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Jimenez went 12-12 with a 3.99 ERA last year, his first full season in the majors.

The Athletics have reportedly reached an agreement with pitcher Justin Duchscherer on a one-year contract that could be worth up to $4.05 million. Duchscherer, 31, who was eligible for salary arbitration, will receive a guaranteed $3.9 million. He submitted a $4.6 million salary-arbitration figure last week, while the A's countered with $3 million.