Quick news roundup people:

• Russ Ortiz is a San Francisco Giant.  Russ was flushed out of the Diamondback and Oriole rotations last season, and is looking for(and may already have) the 5th starter slot for the Giants.  Grant at McCovey Chronicles(one of my favorite non-Sox blogs) gives his take...more or less.  They're paying him absolutely nothing, especially compared to some other pitchers they've signed this off-season.
  
• The Blue Jays signed a couple pitchers.  Thomson could be a good acquisition (others say it better than I do).  Thomson does not like Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca.  Very interesting.  He also seems to believe Cliff Floyd has a contract with the Mets(he doesn't).  Also, Jason Frasor re-signs.  He can be an up and down reliever, but he's been solid most of his career overall.  He also no longer has the pressure of being a potential closer-in-waiting.
  
• Good friend Javy Lopez signs with the Rockies.  Pay attention to this sentence in particular: But the former All-Star was insistent on catching, and the Colorado Rockies think he still can.  Hate to burst your bubble Rockies and Rockies fans.  He certainly didn't make any of us forget Varitek or Mirabelli behind the plate.
  
• Remember when I said Scott Schoeneweis deserved a look?  Well, we can all be wrong sometimes.  If those 'sources' are correct, this could be a bad deal for the Mets(though certainly not crippling).
  
• Another guy who was only an enemy on the field.  Good news that they got the tumor out, though it being malignant means Murcer will have to be vigilant.  Keep the good vibes going out to him and his family.