St. Louis Gets Closer Back Home

Jason Isringhausen signed a four-year, $27-million contract Monday with St. Louis, choosing to play for a winner close to home rather than the biggest contract.

Isringhausen turned down an offer from the Texas Rangers for nearly $30 million over four years.

Isringhausen, who grew up a half-hour from St. Louis in Brighton, Ill., will play for the team he grew up cheering for and in front of his family.

Isringhausen, 29, was 4-3 with 34 saves in 43 chances and 2.65 earned-run average last season.

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The Chicago Cubs acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the Toronto Blue Jays for left-handed reliever Felix Heredia and a player to be named.

The 28-year-old Gonzalez, who signed a four-year, $20-million contract during last year’s winter meetings, batted .253 with career highs of 17 homers, 76 runs batted in and 79 runs last season.

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The New York Yankees just about finalized their deal with Jason Giambi, a seven-year contract approaching $120 million.

The team and player began making arrangements for the first baseman to take a physical, a baseball official and a lawyer familiar with the talks said on the condition they not be identified.

When a player takes a physical, it’s usually a sign that a deal is imminent.