If the deal is finalized, it would leave Detroit's Justin Verlander and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw as the most attractive pitchers eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.
Court OKs Bonds taping
A federal appeals court will allow video cameras into a hearing next week in San Francisco for Barry Bonds' appeal of his felony obstruction of justice conviction.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday granted permission to Fox News and local television station KRON-4 to videotape the proceedings.
Both outfits said the would not air next Wednesday's proceedings live.
Bonds, baseball's career home run leader, is appealing his 2011 conviction. A jury found then that Bonds gave an evasive answer to a grand jury questioning him about alleged steroid use. Bonds had been asked whether his personal trainer ever gave him "anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with."
Romo deal can escalate
Sergio Romo's new contract with the San Francisco Giants can increase from $9 million to $10.2 million if he closes regularly.
Romo's two-year deal, announced Wednesday, calls for salaries of $3.5 million this season and $5.5 million in 2014.
He can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses this year: $50,000 each for 35, 40, 45, and 50 games finished.
His 2014 salary would escalate based on games finished this year, to $5.6 million for 30, $5.7 million for 32, $5.85 million for 37, $6 million for 42, $6.15 million for 47, $6.3 million for 52, and $6.5 million for 55.
Indians sign Aviles
The Cleveland Indians have signed infielder Mike Aviles to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2015 season. Financial terms were not immediately available.
Aviles, who was acquired in a trade from Toronto in November, gives the Indians depth at second base and shortstop. He spent last season as Boston's primary shortstop, batting .250 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs in 136 games.
The 31-year-old was eligible for salary arbitration before agreeing to the deal. The Indians have not gone to an arbitration hearing with a player since 1991.
Baseball Notes: Highly Paid Hurlers
Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners reportedly have come to an agreement that would make Hernandez the highest-paid pitcher in history. Here are the top 10 active pitcher contracts, ranked by annual average value.
Pitcher, team Years Amt.* Avg.*
Felix Hernandez, Mariners 7 $175 $25
Zack Greinke, Dodgers 6 $147 $24.5
CC Sabathia, Yankees 5 $122 $24.4
Cole Hamels, Phillies 6 $144 $24
Cliff Lee, Phillies 5 $120 $24
Johan Santana, Mets 6 $137.5 $22.9
Matt Cain, Giants 6 $127.5 $21.2
Tim Lincecum, Giants 2 $40.5 $20.2
Roy Halladay, Phillies 3 $60 $20
Barry Zito, Giants 7 $126 $18
* – in millions Source: Cot's Baseball Contracts
