Rangers secure ALCS MVP for two more years

(Updated at 6 p.m.)

The Texas Rangers avoided arbitration with outfielder Nelson Cruz (pictured), agreeing with him on a two-year, $16 million contract Thursday, according to MLB.com.

Cruz hit .263 with 29 home runs, 87 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 124 games last season. He also hit a playoff-record six homers to go with 13 RBIs and earned MVP honors in the ALCS.

Cruz has been a fantasy monster ... when he's healthy. Unfortunately, health has been an issue with him for the past three seasons. He's landed on the disabled list six times in that span, all for muscle strains in his legs. But even with the DL stints, he's still averaged 28 homers and 80 RBIs in the past three seasons.

In other news:

* The Kansas City Royals and outfielder Alex Gordon have agreed to a one-year contract worth $4,775,000, avoiding arbitration, according to The Associated Press. Gordon hit .303 with 45 doubles, 23 homers and 87 RBIs last season.

* St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, has started to face hitters at the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He reported to the complex last month to get a head start in his return to the mound. Wainwright, who went 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA in 2010, is expected to be ready by Opening Day.

* Free-agent pitcher Rich Harden will miss the 2012 season with a torn muscle in his right shoulder, according to MLB Network's Peter Gammons. Harden went 4-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 15 starts for the Oakland A's last season.

* Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen, formally of the Norfolk Tides, lost his arbritration hearing with the Orioles on Thursday and will make $800,000 this season, according to MLB.com. The 26-year-old right-hander struggled badly last season, going 2-7 with a 5.70 ERA in 12 starts. He'll have plenty of competition in spring training. As many as 10 pitchers will battle for the five spots in the Orioles' rotation. 

* Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino will appear in Monday's episode of "Hawaii Five-0," according to The Associated Press. It's fitting since Victorino's nickname is the "Flyin' Hawaiian."

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