BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: Halladay buys newspaper ad to thank Toronto fans

TORONTO — Former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay has taken out a full-page newspaper advertisement thanking the city and the team’s fans.

Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Dec. 16 after 12 seasons with Toronto. The ad in the Toronto Sun on Tuesday said that he felt “blessed” to have been part of the organization since being drafted in 1995.

Said the right-hander: “Toronto will forever have a special place in my heart. The memories will last a lifetime and so will my gratitude.”

The 2003 Cy Young Award Winner was 148-76 with a 3.43 ERA for the Blue Jays. He was traded to the Phillies in a four-team blockbuster deal that included Cliff Lee.

Orioles acquire Atkins

BALTIMORE — The Orioles were relentless in their pursuit of Garrett Atkins because they were confident the third baseman could rebound from a surprisingly poor 2009 season. Atkins can’t wait to prove them right. “They were the first one to call, showed the most interest, were able to provide the most playing time,” Atkins said Tuesday after passing his physical and finalizing a $4.5 million, one-year contract. The 30-year-old had spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Rockies and became a free agent Dec. 13 after Colorado failed to offer a 2010 contract. Atkins lost his starting job last season, when he slumped to a .226 average with nine homers and 48 RBI after hitting .286 with 21 homers and 99 RBI in 2008. He had a career-high 29 homers and 120 RBI in 2006, when he was fourth in the NL with a .329 average. He batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBI the following year.

Oliver back with Texas

DALLAS — Reliever Darren Oliver and the Texas Rangers finalized a $3.5 million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2011. After spending the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Oliver starts his third stint with Texas. The 39-year-old left-hander began his career with the Rangers, pitching for them from 1993-98. He was back with Texas from 2000-01. Oliver was 5-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 63 games last season. His deal includes a $3 million salary next year and a $3.25 million option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout. The second year of the contract would become guaranteed if Oliver makes 59 appearances next season.

Dickey near to deal with Mets

NEW YORK — The New York Mets are nearing agreement on a minor league contract with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was not yet complete. Dickey, a 35-year-old right-hander, made 14 starts for Seattle in 2008 but was primarily a reliever for Minnesota last season, when he went 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in one start and 34 relief appearances.

Nationals add veteran starter

WASHINGTON — After a game at Nationals Park last season, Jason Marquis had a chance to talk with John Lannan, a second-year pitcher atop a rotation consisting of four rookies. “Lannan just thought there was a lot of pressure on him to lead a staff,” Marquis said, “when he was a second-year player and really didn’t know what it was about.” On Tuesday, the appropriately named veteran became the Marquis name on that very staff, signing a $15 million, two-year contract to join the Washington Nationals. He immediately jumps to the top of the rotation and adds a vocal presence to a staff that is also expected to include No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg in the near future.

Vazquez traded to Yanks

NEW YORK — Pitcher Javy Vazquez was traded back to the Yankees by the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for outfielder Melky Cabrera, a move that pushed New York’s payroll for next season over $200 million. New York also got left-hander Boone Logan as part of the deal, and the Braves obtained a pair of pitching prospects, left-hander Mike Dunn and right-hander Arodys Vizcaino, along with about $500,000.

New contract for umps

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and its umpires have completed negotiations for a new labor contract and are likely to announce an agreement today, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. The sides worked into Tuesday evening to reach the deal. Owners and umpires hope to ratify the agreement next month.