Seattle Mariners Sign Rickie Weeks - This signing actually does make some sense to me. As MLBTradeRumors.com already said, he's backup for Robinson Cano and also potentially a right-handed platoon partner for Dustin Ackley in left field. He also gives the lefty-heavy Mariners lineup a righty pinch-hitting option. Not a bad way for Weeks to potentially restore some value with some definite upside for both team and player. It's also $2 million, which is always nice to have.
Oakland A's and Tyler Clippard Agree to One-Year Deal - $8.3 million is a lot of money for a set-up man, but Clippard really is a closer-quality reliever. This one should work out far better for the A's than Jim Johnson did, plus they already have Sean Doolittle. However, Doolittle is dealing with some shoulder problems, so this is excellent insurance.
Also, my somewhat belated thoughts on the Padres signing James Shields:
Shields couldn't have picked a better new home ballpark to pitch at, plus San Diego is his home already. The money wasn't what he might have expected going into the offseason. He gets "only" $10 million this year, with $21 million due in each of 2016, 2017, and 2018. He also has a $16 million option for 2019 with a $2 million buyout. All told it could be $91 million over 5 years, which is certainly a lot for a small market team like the Padres. But of all the crazy things the Pads have done this off-season, this one is actually one of the better ones I think, especially if he stays healthy for the majority of the contract.
I also highly recommend reading this piece by Dave Cameron of FanGraphs: Why You Should Ignore Off-Season Winner/Loser Recaps. It may be my favorite thing I've ever read on that site.
Spring Training can't begin soon enough!