The Detroit Tigers and ace supreme Justin Verlander have agreed to a 5-year/$80 million deal that avoids arbitration and prevents the all-star pitcher from becoming a free agent in two years. The Tigers are wise to make this move now, because Verlander would without a doubt earn at least $100 million if he wasn’t locked up within the next two years. This is one heck of a contract extension.

For Verlander, this deal allows him to not have to worry about trade rumors and free agency for at least four years. He gets to settle in Detroit, a place where he has already played in a World Series, won the rookie of the year award, made all-star teams, and pitched a no-hitter.

There have been some other small moves in the last few days in the free agency pool. Here are a few that have caught my eye:

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed reliever Kevin Gregg to a $2.75 million deal for one year, which has options for two years more that could make it worth $11.5 million! My question to the Blue Jays is: what are you thinking?? Last season with the Cubs, Gregg was 5-6 with 23 saves and a 4.72 ERA, and he spent a large chunk of the year in Lou Pinella’s doghouse. Even before he closed for the Cubs, he was a hapless closer for the Marlins. Now, Gregg may not close for the Jays, but will be competing with Scott Downs and Jason Frasor for the job. If I was a fan of a team in the AL East, I’d be praying that Gregg wins that job, because he is due for blown saves on a regular basis. Grade for Jays: C.

Yorvit Torrealba has a new home, in San Diego? Yes, the best remaining catcher on the market has signed with the Padres for $1.25 million over one year. He hit .291 with two homers and 31 RBIs last season for the Rockies. He turned down a 2-year/$4.5 million deal earlier this offseason from the Rockies and has been targeted by the Mets for over a month. Well, let’s just say the market took a turn, to southern Califiornia. Grade for Padres: A-.

The Washington Nationals and 2B Adam Kennedy have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million, with an option for 2011. Kennedy is a washed up player who has not lived to the inevitable potential that he was billed with after leading the Angels to a 2002 World Series title. The Nationals are certainly settling here because they missed out on Orlando Hudson to the Twins. Kennedy hit .289 with 11 HRs and 63 RBIs for the Athletics. I expect a big dip in those stats this year, and possibly a demotion. Grade for Nationals: C.

And now to my favorite move – The San Francisco Giants and former D’Backs closer Byung-Hyun Kim have reached a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Yes, this is the same pitcher that gave up monster late-inning homers to Tino Martinez, Derek Jeter, and Scott Brosius in the 2001 World Series. He tried to make it back to the majors in 2008 with the Pirates, but he was forced to retire and has missed the last two seasons. Apparently the funky side-armer used the rest to his advantage and is looking to make a comeback for the ages. Kim has a 54-60 record with a 4.42 ERA and 86 saves in his career.

Lucky for Kim, he won’t be in the World Series this year, so he will have to result to giving up late-inning homers from April to September. Grade for Giants: N/A. I couldn’t possibly give a grade for this one.

-Chris