Here's what's going on where it's warm

Moves and lack of same:

Free-agent LF Johnny Damon apparently held out long enough to get $8 million on a one-year contract from the Tigers. ESPN reported today that the deal was done. He and agent Scott Boras had sought a two-year deal, but Detroit reportedly added a million to its offer, and that was enough. Damon is hardly a beggar, but it seemed hard to believe that he would be such a chooser.

The Indians have agreed to terms with 1B Russell Branyan, a lefthanded batter who is expected to be in at least a platoon role with 1B/OF Matt LaPorta. After 1B Ryan Garko went to the Giants last year, Cleveland's most frequent firstbaseman was fraudulent 1B/3B Andy Marte. LaPorta is recovering from surgery on both his left hip and left bit toe, so Branyan could see lots of action with his past and present team.

The last viable free-agent catchers apparently have signed. Jose Molina is going to Toronto, where he'd replace C Rod Barajas, another free agent. Barajas reportedly has signed with the Mets, whose offer of a major league contract was enough to tip the balance in their favor instead of toward the Rangers.

RHP Chien-Ming Wang and the Nationals made his deal with them official. To make room, Washington put oft-injured RHP Jordan Zimmermann on the 60-day disabled list. The Blue Jays made a similar move with RHP Jesse Litsch.

Speaking of injuries:

The MRI exam on Cubs LHP Ted Lilly's right knee showed no structural damage, but it's still not clear that he'll be ready in April while he's recovering from shoulder surgery. Given the Cubs' track record on under-reporting or underestimating injuries (see Exhibits A and B, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood), I'd be skeptical of anything the team says that sounds positive.

Rangers LHP Derek Holland injured his right knee during agility drills in this morning's workout, and will undergo an MRI exam Monday. According to Jamey Newberg's "Newberg Report," the injury is not considered serious.

Speaking of the Cubs:

Their shortstop, Ryan Theriot, is the last player going through salary arbitration this year. A victory for management could clinch a victory in this year's series with the players.

In the first seven hearings, the owners won four times -- against Nationals LHP Sean Burnett, who still got $775,000, and RHP Brian Bruney, who also shouldn't complain about $15. million; Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez, whose $5-million award was almost twice what he made in 2009, and Rays CF B.J. Upton, $3 million (for what?).

The three winning players were Angels C Jeff Mathis ($1.3 million); Brewers RF Corey Hart ($4.8 million -- Really? Bud Selig will have to jack up the price on those clunkers he sells), and Marlins OF Cody Ross ($4.45 million, because chicks dig the long ball and Florida must have low-balled him).

Working it out:

The teams that worked out today for the first time were the Red Sox, Braves, Marlins, Astros and Mets in Florida, and the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Reporting today, and holding their first workouts Sunday, will be the Nationals in Florida and the White Sox, Athletics and Dodgers in Arizona.

Weight watchers:

Adding ammunition for those who insist that players today don't go to spring training to lose weight are two pitchers. Rangers LHP Matt Harrison, a pudgeball last season, has dropped 30 pounds, to 205, and Rockies RHP Aaron Cook is 20 pounds lighter than in 2009, weighing in at 200.