[riverside sluggers]

The deals for Mahay and Durbin are now official. Jenkins playing in Philly will definitely up his offensive stats.

Phillies signed outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who had been with the Brewers, to a two-year, $13 million contract with a mutual vesting option for 2010.

We just have to face it that we live in an era in which even 33-year-old platoon corner outfielders coming off back-to-back mediocre seasons get multiyear deals. It only takes one out of 30 GMs to think a player is worth it. Jenkins isn't a terrible signing. He still covers a fair amount of ground in the outfield, and he complements Jayson Werth well in a platoon situation. Plus, with where the Phillies are, the extra win he might provide over Brad Wilkerson could make all of the difference int he NL East. He just would have been a much better gamble for one year. The Phillies figure to hit him sixth, putting him right behind three guys with the potential for .400 OBPs in Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. Sure, two of them are extraordinarily slow, but that could still leave him with a mess of RBI opportunities and give him more fantasy value than he's had since 2005.

Phillies agreed to terms with RHP Chad Durbin, who had been with the Tigers, on a one-year contract.

Unless GM Pat Gillick can do better, Durbin will compete with Adam Eaton for a rotation spot in spring training. The 30-year-old right-hander is 25-37 with a 5.75 ERA in 75 starts and 39 relief appearances as a major leaguer. He's a better pitcher now than he was when he came up with the Royals, but he's hardly a strong option to fill a rotation spot.

Royals signed LHP Ron Mahay, who had been with the Braves, to a two-year, $8 million contract.

The 36-year-old Mahay will join Jimmy Gobble and perhaps John Bale as lefties in Kansas City's bullpen. Bale is expected to compete for a rotation spot, and this move would make it easier for the Royals to use him as a starter if he shows he deserves it.

The Padres have agreed to terms with outfielder Jeff DaVanon on a minor league contract, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

With Jim Edmonds set to start in center field for the Padres, DaVanon figures to be at most a bench bat and could begin the season at Triple-A.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres have agreed to terms with first baseman Robert Fick on a minor league contract.

The Nationals non-tendered Fick earlier this month after he hit .234/.309/.305 in 221 plate appearances. He'll get an invite to spring training and hope to win a spot on the Padres' bench.