MLB Hot Stove News: Ramirez Signs with Brewers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The NL Central champion Brewers have finalized a $36 million, three-year contract with free agent Aramis Ramirez.

The 33-year-old third baseman played the past eight-plus seasons with the division-rival Cubs. He batted .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs over 149 games last season.

Ramirez's power should help the Brewers make up for the anticipated loss of first baseman Prince Fielder through free agency. Milwaukee also may be without NL MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games of next season if he loses his appeal for testing positive for a banned substance.

The Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $3.35 million, one-year contract with arbitration-eligible pitcher Dallas Braden.

The 28-year-old left-hander made three starts last season before being sidelined by a shoulder injury. He was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA before going on the disabled list April 18. He had surgery to a repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder a month later.

Braden is 26-36 with a 4.16 ERA in 94 career appearances during five seasons with Oakland. He pitched a perfect game against Tampa Bay in 2010.

Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo (al-bah-lah-DAY'-hoh) has agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth in the half-million dollar range.

The 29-year-old right-hander pitched in Japan last season after appearing in 10 games for the New York Yankees in 2010.

He is 6-3 with a 4.15 ERA in four major league seasons with the Yankees and Washington Nationals.

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The Boston Red Sox have acquired closer Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland The deal on Wednesday brings the Red Sox a potential replacement for closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Melancon is a 26-year-old righty who had 20 saves last season with an 8-4 record and 2.78 ERA in 71 relief outings.

Lowrie, 27, played all four infield positions for Boston last year and hit .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs. Weiland, 25, was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games, including five starts, last year for Boston.

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a one-year, $1.75 million contract with 41-year-old right-hander Takashi Saito (tah-KAH'-shee SY'-toh).The former All-Star went 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers last season. Saito is 21-15 with 84 saves and a 2.18 ERA over parts of six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston, Atlanta and Milwaukee.