Transactions Report - 2/12/09

Colorado Rockies: Signed pitcher Randy Flores to a minor league contract. The lefty was 1-0 with a 5.26 ERA in 43 games for the Cards in '08.

Houston Astros: Agreed to terms with pitcher Chris Sampson, infielder Drew Sutton and catcher J.R. Towles on one-year contracts. Sampson pitched in 54 games for the Astros in '08 with a 4.22 ERA.

Los Angeles Angels: Agreed to terms with outfielder Bobby Abreu on a one-year contract.

Milwaukee Brewers: Claimed pitcher Nick Green off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels; designated pitcher Luis Pena and catcher Vinny Rottino for assignment; signed pitcher Braden Looper to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2010. Green is the player the Angels waived to make room for Abreu.

Minnesota Twins: Agreed to terms with outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year contract.

St. Louis Cardinals: Agreed to terms with outfielder Rick Ankiel on a one-year contract. Split the difference of their arbitration figures at $2.8 million.

Tampa Bay Rays: Signed pitcher Brian Shouse to a one-year contract with a club option for 2010; designated pitcher Juan Salas for assignment.

Washington Nationals: Signed first baseman-outfielder Adam Dunn to a two-year contract. $8 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2010, who said he's willing to play first. Manager Manny Acta says he'd like Dunn and Nick Johnson in the lineup together, but with a glut of outfielders Dunn may take most of Johnson's ABs and sent Johnson onto the trading block.

(MLB Rumors publishes the Transactions Report every evening, a rundown of the day's official, finalized, formally announced deals. Readers are invited to share their insights on the impact - or lack of impact - of the transactions in comments.)

Angels Now Favorite for Abreu?

Earlier today we posted the New York Daily News report that the New York Mets have rekindled their interest in free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu.

Now FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Los Angeles Angels may well be Abreu's destination, according to his sources.

Rosenthal writes:

The Angels have asked outright waivers on right-hander Nick Green to create a spot on their 40-man roster, according to a major-league source.

That roster currently is full, so the Angels could be trying to create a spot for a free-agent hitter. They prefer Abreu to Adam Dunn, another source said.

In addition, one GM pursuing Abreu said Tuesday that he was told Abreu was close to signing with an Amercian League team. The Mariners, the other AL team with interest, are believed to be more focused on Ken Griffey Jr. and Garret Anderson.

Rosenthal does provide this we're-not-really-sure-what-it-all-means caveat, however: " it is not known whether the Angels and Abreu are close to a deal, or merely in the talking stages."

Update: Yahoo's Tim Brown says an agreement between Abreu and the Angels is near, and it's for one year at $5 million.