DENVER — The Colorado Rockies reacquired left-hander Franklin Morales from the Boston Red Sox for versatile infielder Jonathan Herrera.

Last season Morales went 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 20 games for the Red Sox. He was with the Rockies when they made their run to the World Series in 2007, only to be swept by Boston.

Colorado also picked up minor league reliever Chris Martin in the deal.

Herrera, 29, hit .292 with one homer and 16 RBI in 195 at-bats for Colorado this year. He played second base, third, shortstop and two games in left field. 

PADRES-ASTROS: San Diego acquired infielder Ryan Jackson from Houston for infielder-outfielder Jesus Guzman.

The Astros acquired Jackson off outright waivers Nov. 20 from St. Louis. He played mostly shortstop, and hit .278 with three home runs and 34 RBI in 121 games for Triple-A Memphis in 2013. 

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INDIANS-ROCKIES: Cleveland acquired left-hander Josh Outman from Colorado for outfielder Drew Stubbs.

Outman, 29, spent most of last season with the Rockies, going 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA in 61 relief appearances. Outman limited left-handed hitters to a .198 average and had a 3.41 ERA in hitter-friendly Coors Field. 

THE AVERAGE salary in the major leagues rose 5.4 percent to a record $3.39 million this year, its steepest increase since 2006.

The New York Yankees had the highest average for the 15th consecutive season at a record $8.17 million, breaking the mark of $7.66 million when they won the World Series in 2009. The Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $7.82 million, according to the annual report released by the Major League Baseball Players Association. 

BRAVES-TWINS: Looking for catching depth after losing Brian McCann to free agency, Atlanta acquired Ryan Doumit from Minnesota for left-hander Sean Gilmartin.

Doumit, 32, could share time with Evan Gattis, a rookie last season who is McCann’s projected replacement as Atlanta’s primary starter. 

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MARLINS: Third baseman Casey McGehee agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

McGehee, 31, hit .289 with 27 homers in Japan last year. Marlins third basemen totaled three homers and 44 RBI in 2013, worst in the majors in both categories. 

PADRES: San Diego agreed with a former Detroit closer, Joaquin Benoit, on a $15.5 million, two-year contract.

In his first season as the Tigers’ closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances. But in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, he allowed a tying grand slam by David Ortiz of Boston that was a turning point in the series. 

DIAMONDBACKS: Third baseman Eric Chavez, 36, reached an agreement to re-sign with Arizona.

Chavez reportedly had been courted by several other teams but decided to return to Arizona on a one-year deal. Chavez has had his home in nearby Scottsdale, Ariz., for several years. 

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PIRATES: First baseman Travis Ishikawa and left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth agreed to minor league contracts. 

PHILLIES: Pitcher Roberto Hernandez, 33, agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract.

RANGERS: Right-hander Justin Germano agreed to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training. 

MARINERS: Seattle re-signed oft-injured outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, adding needed depth to its outfield. 

ORIOLES-ROYALS: Baltimore obtained outfielder David Lough from Kansas City for infielder Danny Valencia. 

RAYS: Infielder Tim Beckham is expected to be sidelined 6 to 8 months after surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.


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