We're nine days into February and after the Mariners' signing of Joe Saunders earlier this week, only three of Tim Dierkes' Top 50 Free Agents – Michael Bourn (No. 3), Kyle Lohse (No. 10), and Jose Valverde (No. 44) - remain on the open market. As we keep an eye on that trio, what else can we expect to go down this month? With help from the MLBTR Transactions Tracker, here's a look back at the notable moves of February 2012..
- Trades: Jeremy Guthrie for Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom (MLBTR post), A.J. Burnett for Exicardo Cayones and Diego Moreno (MLBTR post), Chris Carpenter + PTBNL for Theo Epstein + PTBNL (MLBTR post).
- Signings: Micah Owings (Padres), Edwin Jackson (Nationals), Casey Kotchman (Indians), Todd Coffey (Dodgers), Shawn Camp (Mariners), Hong-Chih Kuo (Mariners), Luis Ayala (Orioles), Kosuke Fukudome (White Sox), Raul Ibanez (Yankees), Eric Chavez (Yankees), David Aardsma (Yankees).
- Extensions: Elvis Andrus (three years, $14.4MM), Clayton Kershaw (two years, $19MM), Nelson Cruz (two years, $16MM), Casey Janssen (two years, $5.9MM), Kyle Kendrick (two years, $7.5MM), Ryan Zimmerman (six years, $100MM), Salvador Perez (five years, $7MM), Sean Marshall (three years, $16.5MM).
- Waiver Claims: Adrian Cardenas (Cubs from A's), Darin Mastroianni (Twins from Blue Jays), Matt Angle (Dodgers from Orioles).
- Minor League Contracts: Dan Johnson (White Sox), Juan Cruz (Pirates), Chad Durbin (Nationals), Carlos Guillen (Mariners), Ryan Rowland-Smith (Cubs), Rick Ankiel (Nationals), Justin Ruggiano (Astros), Joe Beimel (Rangers), Mark Teahen (Nationals), Rick VandenHurk (Blue Jays), Alex Cora (Cardinals), Jamey Wright (Dodgers), Bill Hall (Yankees), Jeff Suppan (Padres), Nick Johnson (Orioles), Scott Linebrink (Cardinals), Mauro Gomez (Red Sox), Travis Blackley (Giants), Chris Gimenez (Rays), Ross Ohlendorf (Red Sox), Brett Tomko (Reds), Clay Rapada (Yankees), Manny Ramirez (A's), Brent Leach (Dodgers), Jason Isringhausen (Angels), Jay Gibbons (Brewers), Juan Rincon (Angels).
- Released: Rick VandenHurk (Orioles), Clay Rapada (Orioles).
