In need of some insurance in the infield, the Phillies have reached an agreement on a contract with veteran Kevin Frandsen. He was recently released by the Padres.

The Dodgers have reached a preliminary agreement on a three-year contract extension with right-hander Chad Billingsley, according to a source. The deal includes an option for a fourth year and is worth approximately $35 million. The contract would lock up Billingsley for two years after he would be eligible for free agency. He is earning $6.275 million this year. "This is the organization I came up with and the one I'd like to be with," Billingsley said Monday.

Pitcher Oliver Perez and the Nationals have reached agreement on a minor league contract, according to an Associated Press report. Agent Scott Boras confirms Wednesday’s deal. It comes two days after the Mets released the left-hander despite owing him $12M. If Perez makes the Nationals, they will be responsible for only $414,000.

The White Sox and reliever Matt Thornton have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. The two-year addition is worth $12 million and includes a club option for 2014. "It was an easy choice with an organization like this with what they've done the last five months or so, maintaining the core guys, adding the pieces and expecting to win," Thornton said. "That's my goal, is to win at least one World Series." Thornton is among the candidates to become Chicago's primary closer.

The Brewers and Casey McGehee have been unable to come to terms on a long-term agreement. The third baseman insisted Wednesday that there were no hard feelings. "Both sides have to agree on what makes sense for them," said McGehee. "If now is not the right time (for a multi-year deal), that's fine. I'm happy to have this over with. "The bottom line is I want to be a Milwaukee Brewer as long as I can. I love it here; I got my chance here. I want my focus to be on what's going on the field, especially with the type of team we've got."

The Dodgers have agreed to a one-year, $500,000 deal with left-hander Clayton Kershaw. He could be baseball's lowest-paid Opening Day starter in the majors. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly announced last month that Kershaw, who will turn 23 on March 19, will get the ball for the club's March 31 opener against San Francisco. Kershaw made $440,000 last year and posted his best season statistically, going 13-10 with a 2.91 ERA and topping the 200 mark in both innings and strikeouts.