Mark Ellis has signed a two-year deal for $6 million. There's a club option for $5 million, with a cheap $250k buyout. I'd guess, considering that Ellis is already 28, that Oakland won't be picking up that option after 2007. So call this a two-year, $6.25M deal.

There's not really a lot to say about it, though. Ellis had a remarkable 861 OPS last year and was, by VORP, the 6th-best second baseman in the major leagues last year. I expect that'll turn out to have been his career year, especially since his .316 batting average looks a little fluky. I'd bet on a .280/.350/.430 line next year. That's not bad, and since his fielding skills are apparently pretty good (11 FRAR last year - that's a whole win right there), I'd be happy to be paying him ~$3M per year for two years.