 Angels To Sign Anthony Rendon
The Angels have reached a seven-year, $245MM agreement with free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. More to come.
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Pitcher Rumors: Cole, LA, Porcello, Roark, Reds, Brewers, Jays, Fish
The latest on several pitchers… The Yankees won the bidding for right-handed ace Gerrit Cole on Tuesday, when the two sides agreed to a history-making deal worth $324MM over nine years. But the runners-up, the Angels and Dodgers, made mighty competitive offers in their own right. Both clubs were willing to go to eight years,…
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Angels, Anthony Rendon In “Active Talks”; Rangers Out
9:00pm: The Rangers are out of the race, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. They never wanted to go more than five years for Rendon, who has sought seven, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweets. They’ve now turned their attention to the No. 2 third baseman on the market, Josh Donaldson, per Sullivan.…
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Angels Have Shown Interest In Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco
The Angels lost the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes to the Yankees, but now the rotation-needy club could be zeroing in on a different high-profile starter. They’ve shown interest in Indians right-hander Corey Kluber, per reports from Joel Sherman of the New York Post and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Angels have also looked at fellow…
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Athletics Interested In Jed Lowrie
Second baseman Jed Lowrie is only a year removed from leaving the Athletics for the Mets in free agency, but the A’s are now interested in bringing him back via trade, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. However, for that to happen, the Mets would have eat the majority of Lowrie’s $10MM salary…
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NL West Rumors: Padres, Marte, D-backs, MadBum, Rox, Marquez
Continuing an active winter in the San Diego outfield, the Padres have joined the race to acquire Pirates center fielder Starling Marte, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The Padres have already shuffled around their outfield quite a bit this offseason, having added two players (Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham) and subtracted another (Hunter Renfroe).…
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Dodgers To Sign Blake Treinen
The Dodgers will sign free-agent reliever Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10MM contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. They were one of “multiple” clubs that made offers in that vicinity to the right-hander, according to Passan. Treinen’s represented by Adam Karon of Apex Baseball. Judging by the contract he’ll receive and the multi-team interest he…
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Brewers To Sign Josh Lindblom
The Brewers have reached an agreement with free-agent right-hander Josh Lindblom, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports, adding that he’ll earn $9.125MM over three years. The deal can max out at $18MM with performance bonuses, per Passan. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported the Brewers were working to sign Lindblom, a GSI client. MLBTR predicted he’d…
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Blue Jays To Sign Tanner Roark
The Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with free-agent right-hander Tanner Roark, Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet report. It’s a two-year, $24MM accord, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Roark is a client of Matt Colleran. This is a better payday than expected for Roark, who MLBTR predicted Toronto would sign to…
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Rockies Extend Scott Oberg
The Rockies have reached a contract extension with reliever Scott Oberg, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. It’s a three-year, $13MM deal with an $8MM club option for 2023. However, the pact contains escalators that could push the value to $15MM over three years and $26MM for four, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Oberg…
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Mets Agree To Sign Michael Wacha
3:23pm: There’s a deal in place pending a physical, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). It guarantees $3MM, per Sherman (via Twitter), with up to $7MM in possible incentives. 3:09pm: The Mets are “working hard to finalize” a contract with righty Michael Wacha, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). If completed,…
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Dodgers “Pessimistic” On Rendon, Still Talking Lindor With Indians
2:31pm: While the likelihood of an arrangement isn’t known, the Dodgers are engaged in “serious” and ongoing talks with the Indians regarding star shortstop Francisco Lindor, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). The report suggests that the Cleveland organization wants a prospect package that includes top talents Gavin Lux and Dustin May, each of…
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Kole Calhoun Market Taking Shape
We’ve yet to hear much of anything this winter regarding Kole Calhoun — a reflection both of the primacy of starting pitching on the market and the devaluation of the long ball around the league. The veteran corner outfielder has waited his turn as teams chase higher-priority targets. Now, it seems some attention is beginning…
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Twins Looking At Top Free Agent Relievers
Even as they continue to press for rotation improvements, the Twins are exploring options at the top of the market for relief pitching. It seems the team is casting an exceptionally wide net, per reports from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) and Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). To…
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Rockies “Willing To Listen” On Nolan Arenado
The Rockies are “willing to listen” to trade proposals regarding third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). But Colorado fans probably shouldn’t chuck their #28 threads just yet. In their public statements, at least, the Rockies’ top decisionmakers have been steadfast in saying they intend to press for contention…
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Brandon Nimmo, Eddie Rosario Reportedly Being Discussed In Trade Talks
While it was overshadowed entirely by a much bigger move, last night’s swap of Nomar Mazara from the Rangers to the White Sox also represented a notable bit of action in the outfield market. The landscape hasn’t changed much since the start of the offseason but could begin to come into focus now that the…
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Latest On Rangers' Third Base, Catching Targets
The Rangers cleared a bit of payroll yesterday that could further their campaign to host Anthony Rendon’s Texas homecoming. But that pursuit is hardly certain to be a successful one. The organization needs to consider backup plans at the hot corner while also chasing down other desired upgrades. While Rendon’s Lone Star roots surely don’t hurt,…
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Cubs Will Not Explore Anthony Rizzo Extension This Offseason
The Cubs have decided against pursuing an extension with first baseman Anthony Rizzo this offseason, agent Marc Pollack tells Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. Whether future contract talks will take place is an open question. Rizzo is entering his second-to-last season of team control under his original extension. That deal has worked out swimmingly for the…
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Royals Notes: Perez, First Base, Holland, Trades
After missing all of 2019, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez will see extended stretches of time at first base in 2020, per The Athletic’s Alec Lewis (via Twitter). Perez underwent Tommy John surgery, and the Royals are willing to be cautious with their catcher as they ease him back in behind the plate. New…
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AL East Notes: Yankees, Gardner, Red Sox, Luxury Tax, Rays, Relocation
Now that the ink on Gerrit Cole’s contract is dry, Brett Gardner may be next on the docket, per the SNY Network’s Andy Martino. Though there’s no explicit mention of the Yankees, it’s easy to presume Gardner will return to the Bronx for a thirteenth season. At 35-years-old, Gardner had perhaps the best season of…
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Chad Pinder Attracting “Significant Interest”
Oakland Athletics utility man Chad Pinder is drawing trade interest around the league, per MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman. Pinder, 28 in March, was a second round draft choice of the A’s in 2013 out of Virginia Tech. He’s been a role player for Bob Melvin’s A’s in each of the last three seasons, though…
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KBO Notes: Kelly, Wilson, Raley
Though it seemed for awhile like Casey Kelly was drawing enough interest to warrant a return to the states, the right-hander has instead re-upped for another season in the KBO. Kelly signed back with the LG Twins for $1.5MM, which includes $300K in incentives, per Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net. Kelly is most famous for his…
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Marlins Notes: Rotation, Smith
The Miami Marlins haven’t had a lot to feel good about in recent seasons, but the rebuild is beginning to bear fruit. The Marlins rotation has been a talking point since around the All-Star break of 2019, and though they’re not yet a fearsome unit, they’re worth keeping an eye on. They finished the year…
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Minor MLB Transactions: 12/11/19
There’s been no shortage of front page news this evening, but with the winter meetings not yet halfway through, there’s plenty more to come. For now, let’s take a look at some of the smaller moves that may have snuck beneath the radar… The Pirates signed reliever Hector Noesi to a minor-league contract, per The…
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FA Rumors: Reds, Ozuna, Giants, Didi, Brewers, Thames, Rox, Chirinos
The Reds continue to show interest in free-agent corner outfielder Marcell Ozuna, Jon Morosi of MLB.com and Jon Heyman of MLB Network relay. In fact, the Reds and Ozuna’s camp have been in contact in the past 24 hours, Morosi adds. However, Ozuna is not expected to sign during this week’s Winter Meetings, according to…
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White Sox Acquire Nomar Mazara
12:15am: Both teams have announced the trade. It is official, per MLB.com’s Scott Merkin (via Twitter). 11:05 pm: The Rangers and White Sox have agreed on a trade that will send outfielder Nomar Mazara to Chicago, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Outfielder Steele Walker is going to Texas in return, per MLB.com’s…
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Yankees To Sign Gerrit Cole
The Gerrit Cole sweepstakes has reached an end just over a month after the start of free agency. The Yankees have agreed to sign the ace right-hander to a nine-year, $324MM contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. It includes a full no-trade clause and an opt-out clause after the fifth year, per Jeff Passan…
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Dodgers Expected To Pursue Madison Bumgarner
After missing on top pitching target Gerrit Cole, the Dodgers will pursue southpaw Madison Bumgarner, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). Whether or not a deal gets done, this represents quite the turn of events for the long-time Giants ace. MadBum is permanently etched into the history of the San Francisco organization…
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Latest On Mets, Starling Marte
The Mets somewhat addressed their need in center field last week when they acquired Jake Marisnick from the Astros, but they may not be done yet. New York remains in the mix to swing a trade for Pirates center fielder Starling Marte, per reports from Andy Martino of SNY and Jon Heyman of MLB Network.…
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Adam Jones Signs With Japan's Orix Buffaloes
Longtime major league outfielder Adam Jones’ time in the bigs may have just drawn to a close. Jones announced on Twitter that he’s signing with Japan’s Orix Buffaloes. He inked a two-year, $8MM contract with a club option for 2022, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The deal could max out at $15.5MM if Jones’…
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West Rumors: Castellanos, Rangers, MadBum, D-backs, Angels, Astros, Giants
Outfielder Nicholas Castellanos has another suitor, as Texas has “checked in on” the slugging outfielder, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets. While upgrading at third base has been a focus for the Rangers, general manager Jon Daniels indicated they could make a splash elsewhere, per Grant. Signing Castellanos, who’s in line for a…
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Astros Have Reportedly Considered Carlos Correa Trade
Speaking with Brian McTaggart of MLB.com and other reporters Tuesday, Astros president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow painted a somewhat bleak picture in regards to the team’s payroll. In Luhnow’s estimation, the Astros are going to have to clear out money if they want to acquire a top-end starting pitcher this offseason. With that in…
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FA Rumors: Ozuna, Braves, J. Castro, Stammen, Peraza, Grandy
The Braves are interested in free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna, Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweets. This isn’t the first connection between the sides, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last month that the Braves were one of the clubs in on Ozuna. Now, though, it seems the Braves are willing to aggressively pursue…
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David Price Drawing Trade Interest
Even though he’s coming off an injury-laden season and is still owed a significant amount of money, Red Sox left-hander David Price has garnered trade interest from “multiple teams,” Jeff Passan of ESPN tweets. This isn’t the first time the 34-year-old Price has been in the news this week. His seven-year, $217MM contract, once a…
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Angels Have Shown Interest In Josh Donaldson
Continuing their desire to land at least one of the premier free agents on the board, the Angels have shown interest in third baseman Josh Donaldson. They’ve “checked in on” the 34-year-old star, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. It’s now known that the Angels have thrown their hat in the ring on the two…
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Padres Rumors: Merrifield, Hedges, Mejia
The Padres traded second baseman Luis Urias to the Brewers a couple weeks ago, and now they’re attempting to replace him. To that end, they’ve “been trying to” swing a deal for Royals second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The soon-to-be 31-year-old Merrifield has been the subject of trade rumors for a…
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Giants Sign Kevin Gausman
The Giants have signed right-hander Kevin Gausman, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic was among those to report. It’s a one-year, $9MM contract with up to $1MM in performance bonuses, the team announced. Gausman is a client of Tidal Sports Group. If he maxes out his bonuses, Gausman will end up with almost the same payday…
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Phillies To Sign Didi Gregorius
The Phillies have reached an agreement with free-agent shortstop Didi Gregorius, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Gregorius, a client of Excel Sports Management, will get a one-year deal, per Sweeny Murti of WFAN. The pact’s worth $14MM, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. This is the latest noteworthy free-agent strike…
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Giants Acquire Zack Cozart
The Giants have acquired infielder Zack Cozart and shortstop prospect Will Wilson from the Angels for cash considerations, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports. San Francisco will pay all of Cozart’s $12.167MM salary for 2020, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Cozart joined the Angels as a high-priced free-agent signing two…
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Nationals Announce Howie Kendrick, Yan Gomes Deals
The Nationals’ previously reported deals with infielder Howie Kendrick and catcher Yan Gomes are now official, the team announced. Kendrick will earn $4MM in 2020 with a mutual option for $6.5MM or a $2.25MM buyout for 2021, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. At the moment, the 36-year-old is penciled in as Washington’s starting first…
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Rangers Exploring Outfield Trades, Pursuing Chirinos Reunion
The Rangers have remained busy on the market, with MLB.com’s TR Sullivan reporting that the club is active on multiple fronts (Twitter links). While it stands to reason that the team is still considering moves in the rotation, the attention now is on the position player side after several notable pitching additions. It has long…
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Gerrit Cole Rumors: 12/10/19
Where’s Gerrit Cole going to land? That’s what everyone wants to know. We’ve got a poll going this morning, but otherwise we’re eagerly awaiting the day’s news on the top free agent. We’ll track the chatter here … Cole’s major pursuers are known (Angels, Yankees, Dodgers), along with a few lurkers (Rangers, Phillies). But there’s…
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Anthopoulos: Braves Seek Middle-Of-The-Order Hitter
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos said yesterday that he’s interested in acquiring a middle-of-the-order bat, as David O’Brien of The Athletic reports (subscription link). That could be a third baseman or outfielder, per the club’s top baseball operations decisionmaker. The top preference for the Atlanta organization would surely still be a new deal with third baseman…
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Angels Showing Interest In Anthony Rendon
The Angels have joined the mix for star free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Just how involved the club isn’t known, but Heyman says the Halos have at least “expressed interest.” Yesterday’s blockbuster Stephen Strasburg deal may have shaken things up for his former teammate. That deal…
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Poll: Which Team Will Sign Gerrit Cole?
High-level meetings are taking place. Offers are coming in. All indications are that the Gerrit Cole bidding is at a full sprint, spurred in part by the stunningly lucrative deal reached between the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg. That record-setting $245MM contract ups the ante for teams interested in the younger and higher-octane Cole. The $300MM threshold once…
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Twins Still Searching For Major Rotation Addition
We’re closing in on the one-year anniversary of these memorable words from Twins GM Thad Levine: "The best moves are made not when you're trying to open the window to contend, but when the window is wide open. We're very eagerly waiting for this window to be opened, and when it is, we plan on striking."…
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Latest On Kris Bryant
The Cubs have reportedly been in fervent pursuit of trade possibilities, exploring deals involving much of their roster — including Kris Bryant. There are some wrinkles to structuring a deal for the superstar third baseman, as well as some new market developments of note. In particular, the Nationals have approached the Cubs to discuss Bryant, according to Jon Morosi…
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NL East Rumblings: Rendon, Nats, Martinez, Cespedes, Mets, Hatcher
Now that Stephen Strasburg has been re-signed to an expectations-shattering $245MM contract, it doesn’t seem like the Nationals could manage another mega-deal to bring back Anthony Rendon…or could they? Both Nats GM Mike Rizzo and agent Scott Boras (who represents both Rendon and Strasburg) told MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman and other reporters that the third baseman…
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Blue Jays Looking At Encarnacion, Smoak, Tsutsugo
The Blue Jays are weighing a pair of familiar names for their first base/DH vacancy, as Sportsnet.ca’s Ben Nicholson-Smith (Twitter link) reports that Edwin Encarnacion and Justin Smoak are “getting consideration” from the club. The Jays also continue to be “intrigued” by Japanese free agent Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, though it “certainly doesn’t seem like they’re close…
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NL Central Notes: Bryant, Stearns, Hader, Pirates, Reds
The service time grievance filed by Kris Bryant and his representatives was addressed in a hearing in late October, though neither Bryant or the Cubs have yet to receive a ruling from Major League Baseball. Speaking to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and other reporters at the Winter Meetings, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein…
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Cardinals Looking For Outfielders, Left-Handed Hitting
The Cardinals weren’t one of the league’s better-hitting teams in general last season, and in particular struggled against right-handed pitching. For that reason, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters (including MLB.com’s Anne Rogers and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold) that “if we could find a way to get a little more lefthanded,…
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Diamondbacks Notes: Haniger, Mazara, Akiyama, Bullpen
“The Diamondbacks are said to have interest in both” Mitch Haniger and Nomar Mazara, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes. Either player would address Arizona’s need for a right fielder, and though the D’Backs would be taking something of a risk either both are coming off disappointing 2019 seasons. Haniger didn’t play after June…
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Didi Gregorius Considering One-Year Contracts
As the top shortstop on the free agent market, Didi Gregorius had been widely tabbed as a candidate for a multi-year deal, even in the wake of his injury-shortened 2019 season. While multiple teams have indeed shown interest in Gregorius this offseason, he and his agents are also considering the possibility of accepting a one-year…
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Blue Jays Notes: Ryu, Roark, Gibson, Gausman
Free agent left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu “is emerging as one of the Blue Jays' prime targets” in the team’s wide-ranging search for pitching, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes. With other major pitchers like Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler already off the board, however, the Jays will face a lot of competition to land Ryu, particularly from teams…
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Minor MLB Transactions: 12/9/19
The Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization have inked right-hander Drew Gagnon to a $650K contract with a $200K signing bonus, Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net reports. The Tigers also re-signed outfielder Preston Tucker on a $550K salary with a $300K bonus. The Mets released the 29-year-old Gagnon in late November, which came after a…
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Nationals Re-Sign Javy Guerra To Minors Deal
The Nationals have re-signed right-hander reliever Javy Guerra to a minor league contract, Evan Drellich of The Athletic tweets. If Guerra makes it to the majors, he’ll earn a $1MM salary with a chance at $500K in performance bonuses. The 34-year-old Guerra first joined the Nationals off waivers from the Blue Jays in May. At…
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Trade/FA Chatter: Padres, Myers, Angels, Rox, Zobrist, Marlins
As expected, the Padres are hoping to trade pricey and underperforming outfielder/first baseman Wil Myers, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. The Padres appear highly motivated to part with Myers, according to Stark, who adds that there’s even a willingness on the team’s part to attach prospects from its loaded farm system if it would…
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Tigers Rumors: Castro, Goodrum, Boyd, Tsutsugo
Finding a catcher is the Tigers’ No. 1 priority this offseason, according to general manager Al Avila, who also named first base, corner outfield, the rotation and perhaps the middle infield as other areas of interest for the rebuilding club (via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News). Behind the plate, the belief is that Jason…
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Report: Yankees “Actively” Trying To Trade J.A. Happ
Twelve months ago, the Yankees made veteran left-hander J.A. Happ one of their key offseason signings. After a solid 2018 divided between the Blue Jays and Yankees, New York re-upped Happ to a two-year, $34MM contract. Now, the club is “actively” seeking a taker on the trade market for the 37-year-old Happ, Joel Sherman of…
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Rangers To Sign Joely Rodriguez
The Rangers have agreed to a two-year, $5.5MM contract with left-hander Joely Rodriguez, pending a physical, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports. The pact comes with an option for a third year, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Rodriguez spent most of the previous two years, including all of last season, in Japan as a member of…
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West News & Rumors: Pham, Padres, Dodgers, Giants
The Padres and Rays already announced last week’s trade, one that saw outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Tommy Pham switch homes, but some complications have arisen since then. Specifically, even though 31-year-old Pham “effectively passed a series of physicals this weekend,” per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, there are concerns over his right elbow.…
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Red Sox Notes & Rumors: JBJ, Mookie, Porcello, Holt, Front Office
The Red Sox are “actively” attempting to trade center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe tweets. The Mets had been among the teams in on Bradley, per Abraham, but they addressed their need in center field last week with the addition of Jake Marisnick from the Astros. Bradley’s a fine player…
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Brewers Reportedly Interested In Didi Gregorius
Even after acquiring middle infielder Luis Urias last month, the Brewers are showing interest in the top free-agent shortstop on the market, Didi Gregorius, Robert Murray was among those to report. The Reds and Phillies also appear to be in the hunt for the soon-to-be 30-year-old. Last season was rough for Gregorius, who missed the…
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Central Rumors: Royals, Pirates, Frazier, Indians, Ramirez
Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Monday that they have held “international discussions” in regards to an extension for slugging outfielder Jorge Soler, Alec Lewis of The Athletic tweets. To this point, though, the Royals have not talked with Soler’s representation about a possible extension, but as Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports, they are keeping…
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Winter Meetings Chatter: Phillies, Braves, Duffy, Kelly, Nava, Coke
The Phillies’ “main focus” at this week’s Winter Meetings in San Diego is to find infield help, general manager Matt Klentak said Monday (via Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, on Twitter). Klentak added that the club expects high-end third base prospect Alec Bohm to arrive in the majors sometime next year. That could affect…
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NPB Notes: Akiyama, Tsutsugo, Rays, A. Sanchez
A couple notes related to Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball… The Rays have “expressed interest” in free-agent outfielders Shogo Akiyama and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Unlike Akiyama, the 28-year-old Tsutsugo was posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, so any major league team that signs him…
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AL Rumors: Yanks, Gardner, Dellin, Rays, A's, Hill, Shaw, Jays, BoSox
Multiple teams are showing interest in free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner on a multiyear contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. However, Gardner continues to prefer re-signing with the Yankees, according to Heyman, who adds that the two sides are “still talking.” Indeed, as of a few days, Gardner and the Yankees were continuing to negotiate…
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Nationals Agree To Re-Sign Stephen Strasburg
4:02pm: The Nationals have announced the agreement. 1:48pm: The defending World Series champs and the game’s biggest agent have kicked off the Winter Meetings with a bang. The Nationals have reached agreement on a new contract with star righty Stephen Strasburg, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. It’s a stunning seven-year deal that guarantees the Scott…
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Rangers Hire Bobby Wilson As Double-A Manager
Former catcher Bobby Wilson signed on with the Rangers organization to manage their Double-A affiliate, per a club announcement. That also indicates that his playing career is coming to a close. Wilson, 36, appeared in parts of ten MLB seasons but just passed the threshold of one thousand career plate appearances. He was only a…
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Reds Outright R.J. Alaniz
The Reds have outrighted right-hander R.J. Alaniz after he cleared waivers, per a club announcement. That leaves a pair of 40-man openings to work with during this week’s Winter Meetings, Alaniz, claimed off waivers in May, made his first dozen MLB appearances in 2019. He gave up more earned runs (16) than innings pitched (15…
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Nationals “Making Progress” In Talks With Stephen Strasburg
The Nationals are “making progress” in their contract negotiations with star righty Stephen Strasburg, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). We’ve heard persistent indication that the team anticipates bringing back the veteran righty, who opted out of his contract at the outset of the offseason. Whether and when a deal will get…
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Brewers Re-Sign Alex Claudio
The Brewers announced today that they have re-signed lefty Alex Claudio to a one-year deal. Salary terms are not yet known. More to come …
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Adam Jones Weighing Move To Japan
Veteran outfielder Adam Jones may be headed for a late-career stint in Japan. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, via Twitter, Jones is in talks with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Orix Buffaloes on a contract. Notably, the concept under consideration is a multi-year arrangement. That’s a rarity for players contemplating a westward crossing of the…
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Latest On Gerrit Cole
Free agent ace Gerrit Cole continues to be the center of attention as the game of baseball gathers up in San Diego for the Winter Meetings. We’ve yet to seen any seismic news with respect to his market situation, but there’s good reason to believe we’ll see significant developments in the coming days. Cole’s agent,…
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Indians Disinclined To Deal Francisco Lindor
The Indians “prefer not to deal” star shortstop Francisco Lindor this winter, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Though his name his been through several rounds of the rumor mill, it seems the 26-year-old will remain in Cleveland — at least for the time being. This report matches up with other recent…
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Madison Bumgarner Reportedly Asking For Nine-Figure Contract
Representatives of southpaw Madison Bumgarner have informed interested organizations that he’s looking to top nine figures over five years with his first free agent contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports on Twitter. Whether he’ll get there remains to be seen. Zack Wheeler just blew past the $100M mark, but MLBTR predicted he’d substantially out-earn…
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Market Chatter: Dodgers, Castellanos, Didi
With the Winter Meetings upon us, let’s round up the latest chatter on the market to start the morning … The Dodgers could play a fascinating role in the proceedings. As the L.A. front office works on major potential free agent moves, it’s also dabbling in the trade market involving some existing pieces. Bob Nightengale of USA…
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Steve Pearce “Unofficially Retired”
Hard-hitting utilityman Steve Pearce appears to be putting the wraps on his playing days. He tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he’s “unofficially retired” from baseball. Pearce surpassed ten years of MLB service last year, as Bradford notes. That entitles him to a full pension, an achievement that once seemed exceptionally unlikely. An eighth-round pick…
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Orioles Notes: Cashner, Gausman, Joseph
The Baltimore Orioles are looking for a slew of rotation candidates to push the holdovers in competition for their two to three open slots this winter. John Means and Alex Cobb appear locked into their turns, and Asher Wojciechowski has a spot to lose. MASN’s Roch Kubatko quoted GM Mike Elias recently, on Wojiechowski: “…if…
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Padres Not Playing At Top Of Free Agent Market
The Padres, along with the Braves, have thus far born the brunt of the burden in stoking the hot stove fire, but San Diego doesn’t anticipate being players at the top of the free agent market, per The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee. Given the enormity of the task ahead of them – dethroning the Dodgers…
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Winter Meetings Preview: Nationals' Trade Chips
The World Champion Washington Nationals are waiting with the rest of us for the major free agent dominoes to fall, but in the meantime, there’s work to do. One such task might be finding trade partners for any number of current Nationals who are out of minor league options. Michael A. Taylor, Wilmer Difo, Adrian…
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Quick Hits: Souza Jr., Ha-seong, Giants Coaching Staff
After missing much of 2018 and all of 2019, outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will be looking for a place to reboot his career in 2020. Souza was recently non-tendered by the Diamondbacks, but he insists he is finally healthy and cleared for game action. One club he wouldn’t mind spending the 2020 season with is…
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Winter Meetings Preview: The Dodgers' Infield
The Los Angeles Dodgers have unsurprisingly been asked about the availability of Gavin Lux, the Dodgers’ minor league player of the year for 2019. Thus far, understandably, suitors have been turned away, per MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman. Granted, this isn’t shocking news in and of itself, but it is telling of the Dodgers’ mindset on…
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Cubs Have Had Discussions With Josh Lindblom
The Chicago Cubs have been in contact with free agent right-hander Josh Lindblom, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (via twitter). The possibility of a signing seems far fetched, however, as Morosi notes that other teams are further along in their discussions with Lindblom at this point. Not to mention, of course, the Cubs are notably…
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Minor MLB Transactions: 12/8/19
The latest minor moves from around the baseball world… The Kiwoom Heroes of South Korea’s KBO League announced that righty Jake Brigham has been re-signed to a new contract (hat tip to Jee-Ho Yoo of Yonhap News). Brigham, who turns 32 in February, will earn $950K in guaranteed salary in the one-year deal, with more…
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Dodgers Interested In Re-Signing Hyun-Jin Ryu
Hyun-Jin Ryu has drawn looks from multiple teams this offseason, though the Dodgers have also considered a reunion and are “in” on the southpaw, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman writes (via Twitter). The Blue Jays and Twins are among the other clubs known to have some degree of interest in Ryu, who has pitched only for…
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MLBTR Live Chat
Click here to join tonight’s live baseball chat, moderated by MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk
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Ted Simmons, Marvin Miller Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame
Longtime Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons and MLB Players Association executive director Marvin Miller were elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame, as announced tonight on MLB Network. Simmons and Miller were inducted via the “Modern Era” veterans committee, a 16-person panel focusing on people whose largest contributions to the sport fell between 1970 and 1987.…
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Mets Add Hensley Meulens, Tony DeFrancesco To Coaching Staff
The Mets officially announced their coaching staff for the upcoming season, which included a few new faces in the mix. Hensley Meulens will be the bench coach, confirming previous reports that Meulens was the favorite for the job. Jeremy Hefner’s role as the new pitching coach was made official after news broke of his hiring…
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Yankees Have Reportedly Made $245MM Offer To Gerrit Cole
The Yankees have reportedly offered a record-setting seven-year, $245MM contract to free-agent right-hander Gerrit Cole, according to Bob Klapisch of the New York Times. If signed, the contract would establish a new benchmark for free-agent pitchers, both in terms of overall value and average annual value; Cole’s $245MM over seven years—a $35MM AAV—would surpass David…
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Diamondbacks Sign Junior Guerra
The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with right-hander Junior Guerra on a one-year deal that includes a club option for a second year, first reported by Kyle Lesniewski of Brew Crew Ball and confirmed by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The value of the contract is unknown. Guerra, who had been arbitration-eligible for the first time,…
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Cubs Reportedly Signaling Need To Clear Payroll
President Theo Epstein and his cohort have been decidedly mum on the Cubs’ payroll outlook this offseason, with the trade market looking like the club’s likeliest route toward improving a roster that went 84-78 last season. Now, a report is indicating the Cubs are rebuking even “low-budget” free agents due to payroll concerns, with Ken…
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Red Sox Interested In Rick Porcello
With the free agent pitching ranks quickly thinning out, it seems veteran starter Rick Porcello is beginning to garner widespread interest. After yesterday brought word of the Mets’ pursuit of the right-hander, it now appears that the Red Sox are kicking the tires on the soon-to-be 31-year-old, according to reporting from Jason Mastrodonato of The…
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Indians, Beau Taylor Agree To Minor League Deal
The Indians and catcher Beau Taylor are in agreement on a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training, according to a team announcement from Friday. Taylor has spent the majority of his career in the Athletics’ organization, although a late-season designation saw him latch on with the Blue Jays for a spell…
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Brewers, Keon Broxton Agree To Minor League Deal
The Brewers have signed outfielder Keon Broxton to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training camp, per a team announcement. The Brewers were down a man in their outfield after exchanging Trent Grisham in a pre-Thanksgiving swap with the Padres. For Broxton, this signing will represent a welcome homecoming after a…
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Nationals To Sign Kyle Finnegan
The Nationals have agreed to terms on an MLB deal with reliever Kyle Finnegan, per a team announcement. The right-handed Finnegan has spent the entirety of his professional career as an Athletics farmhand. In 2019 he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 14 saves while splitting time between Triple-A Las Vegas and Double-A Midland. The 28-year-old showed a…
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Winter Meetings Previews: Rays, Spending
In advance of Monday’s Winter Meetings kickoff, let's take a moment for a few anticipatory notes… The Rays, as Juan Toribio of MLB.com rightly notes, will head into San Diego’s Manchester Hyatt hotel with a laundry list of roster items in need of attention. GM Erik Neander may be looking for a backup catcher, while…
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MLBTR Poll: Grading The Rays/Padres Trade
While Thursday’s Rays/Padres deal headlined by Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe likely won’t go down as this winter’s most shocking, the trade had something to say about the respective offseason strategies of both clubs. Tampa Bay, for their part, cut salary, increased controllability, and added yet another prized infield prospect to an already enviable collection.…
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Agency Changes: Ramirez, Langeliers
We’ll wrap up this Saturday night with a couple agency changes around baseball. For a full listing of player/agent pairings, be sure to check out MLBTR's Agency Database. Angels’ right-hander Noe Ramirez has hired Steve Rath and Jeff Borris of Ballengee Group, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Ramirez, 29, is eligible for arbitration as a…
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