Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
CINCINNATI ó National League MVP Joey Votto has signed a three-year, $38-million deal with the Cincinnati Reds that allows both sides to avoid arbitration.
Votto was an All-Star for the first time last season, finishing second in the league with a .324 batting average and third with 37 homers and 113 RBIs. He led the league in slugging percentage and was the most consistent hitter in the NLís top offense.
BRAVES
ATLANTA ó The Atlanta Braves have agreed to one-year deals with pitcher Jair Jurrjens, Peter Moylan and Eric O’Flaherty and left fielder Martin Prado.
The deals Tuesday left the Braves with no players eligible for salary arbitration.
Jurrjens will make $3.25 million.
METS
NEW YORK ó Right-hander Chris Young has agreed to a contract with the New York Mets, pending a physical.
San Diego declined its $8.5 million option on Young, sidelined most of the season with a strained right shoulder. It was his third significant injury in as many seasons.
CUBS TRADE
CHICAGO ó The Chicago Cubs have agreed to trade pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals for prospects, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Gorzelanny needed to pass a physical.
Gorzelanny is 36-37 with a 4.68 ERA in six seasons. He was 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA last year.
ROCKIES
DENVER ó The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor league contract with Jason Giambi, who could make the club as a late-inning pinch-hitter.
The former AL MVP, who turned 40 this month, hit .244 with six homers last season.
RAYS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ó B.J. Upton and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year contract worth $4,825,000, avoiding arbitration.
Upton batted .237 with 18 homers, 38 doubles, 62 RBIs and 42 steals in 154 games with the AL East champions last season. He is the only player in the major leagues with at least 100 doubles and 100 steals over the past three seasons.
BLUE JAYS
TORONTO ó Reliever Jon Rauch and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.75 million, after going 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA for Minnesota last season.