Cubs today to announce future location for camp

MESA - The Chicago Cubs have decided where to hold spring training beyond 2010, city officials said, and the team will make an announcement this morning.

The decision is set to be announced at a news conference including Gov. Jan Brewer and top state lawmakers.

The Mesa City Council on Monday approved an agreement that would help keep the Cubs' spring training home in Arizona. It would require a change in state law and approval by Mesa voters.

Under the deal, Mesa would build an $84 million stadium and training facility for the Cubs, and the team would stay in Arizona for at least another 25 years.

The Cubs have trained in Mesa since the 1950s but city officials in Naples, Fla., are trying to lure them away.

Sheets moving to A's

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Athletics added another veteran arm to their young rotation, agreeing to terms Tuesday with free agent righty Ben Sheets on a $10 million, one-year contract.

The 31-year-old Sheets has been plagued by injuries. The four-time NL All-Star didn't pitch in the majors last season while recovering from elbow surgery but last week held a pitching session for several scouts in Louisiana.

The A's sent two representatives to watch Sheets throw, director of player personnel Billy Owens and minor-league roving pitching instructor Gil Patterson.

"They liked what they saw," assistant general manager David Forst said in a phone interview. "Enough to lead us to think that we should pursue this."

Inside pitch

• The Dodgers have re-signed infielder Ronnie Belliard and catcher Brad Ausmus to one-year contracts.

The Dodgers acquired Belliard from the Nationals on Aug. 30, and the veteran immediately assumed a key role in their infield.

• Outfielder Jeremy Hermida and the Red Sox agreed to a non-guaranteed $3.3 million, one-year contract.

• Catcher Carlos Ruiz finalized an $8.85 million, three-year contract with the Phillies.

• The Orioles reacquired infielder Miguel Tejada, signing the former AL MVP to a one-year contract after he passed a physical.

• Free agent right-hander Jon Garland and the Padres agreed to a $5.3 million, one-year contract. Garland was 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA last year with the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.