Royals agree to minor league deal with Betemit

tool name

tool name

Woodn't it be loverly

Soon, the Yankees and Phillies will be packing up their balls and bats to cap another great baseball season. Thankfully, the bats they're packing are made out of wood.

Even more damaging to baseball than the designated hitter rule, metal bats are the scourge of America's game.

I've never liked the appearance, feel or acoustics of a metal bat. Aesthetics aside, I'll go to my grave believing they're dangerous, although the preponderance of scientific evidence concludes otherwise. But this is America, and legal liability, not nostalgia, could fuel a growing movement to cleanse the game of metal sticks.

Mariners sign Patterson to minor league deal

The Seattle Mariners announced Wednesday they have signed outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Patterson, 30, spent most of the 2009 season in the minor league systems of Washington and Milwaukee. He did appear in 16 total major league contests with the Nationals and Brewers, batting 3-for-29 with 13 strikeouts.

Patterson was a regular for the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, when he batted .205 with a .238 on-base percentage in 135 games.

Brewers' McGehee named NL Rookie of the Month

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Casey McGehee has been selected as the National League's top rookie for the final month of the season.

McGehee batted .337 in 27 games with five homers and 26 runs batted in. He led all rookies in RBI for the month and trailed only Philadelphia slugger Ryan Howard's top overall total of 27 for the month.

The 26-year-old McGehee added a .565 slugging percentage and a .394 on-base percentage during the month. He finished the year with a .301 batting average, 16 homers and 66 runs batted in.

Diamondbacks avoid arbitration with SS Drew

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with shortstop Stephen Drew, avoiding arbitration.

The lefty-hitting Drew batted .261 with 65 runs batted in and held down a .320 on-base percentage in 2009. He finished the year with a dozen homers and triples each while collecting 29 doubles in 135 games.

Over parts of four big league seasons, the 26-year-old has a .270 career average with 50 home runs, 215 RBI and a .326 on-base percentage in 496 games -- all with Arizona.

Padres acquire C Ryan from Tigers

The San Diego Padres on Monday acquired catcher Dusty Ryan from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The 25-year-old Ryan has played in 27 games for the Tigers since making his major league debut in 2008, batting .257 with two home runs and 11 RBI.

Ryan, a California native, has hit .240 with 48 home runs and 203 RBI over parts of six minor league seasons.