 KBO's Kiwoom Heroes Expected To Sign Yasiel Puig
Free agent outfielder Yasiel Puig is in agreement with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization, reports Yonhap News (h/t to Yonhap’s Jeeho Yoo). It’ll be a one-year, $1MM contract, the maximum amount allowed under KBO rules for first-year foreign players. (Francys Romero of Las Mayores reported yesterday that Puig was nearing agreement with a KBO…
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Free Agent Danny Duffy Targeting June Return Following Flexor Surgery
Although veteran left-hander Danny Duffy was a fairly notable deadline pickup by the Dodgers back in July, the soon-to-be 33-year-old didn’t throw a pitch in Los Angeles following the trade. Acquired while on the injured list due to a forearm strain, Duffy suffered a setback while rehabbing with L.A. and never made it back to…
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2021 Minor League Rule 5 Draft Results
Although the Major League portion of the 2021 Rule 5 Draft was postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing MLB lockout, the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft carried on as planned. Fifty-one players were selected in the Triple-A phase of the event, which allows teams to select players who were not protected on…
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Phillies Notes: Schwarber, Knebel, Bullpen
The Phillies, like most teams around the league, have plenty of work to do once the lockout is resolved and a new collective bargaining agreement is in place. With that in mind, it’s worth noting that NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman writes the Phils “pursued [Kyle] Schwarber hard” prior to the lockout but weren’t able…
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Orioles Sign Jacob Nottingham To Minor League Deal
The Orioles have signed catcher Jacob Nottingham to a minor league deal, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Nottingham spent some of 2021 in the big leagues with the Brewers and Mariners but was outrighted in June, thus making him eligible to sign a minor league deal during the ongoing lockout. Although it’s a minor…
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Brooks Kriske Signs With NPB's Yokohama DeNA BayStars
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars have signed right-hander Brooks Kriske. (Hat tip to Sung Min Kim.) When Kriske was released by the Orioles last week, it was reported that he may have been pursuing an opportunity with a foreign club. It’s quite common for players on the fringes of a 40-man roster to head overseas, as such…
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Major League Rule 5 Draft Expected To Take Place After Lockout
The 2021-22 major league Rule 5 draft is expected to take place shortly after the signing of the next collective bargaining agreement, tweets JJ Cooper of Baseball America. Originally scheduled to take place this week, the major league Rule 5 draft was postponed indefinitely as part of the leaguewide transaction freeze once MLB instituted a…
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Mets To Interview Buck Showalter
The Mets are scheduled to interview Buck Showalter tomorrow as part of their managerial search, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (Twitter link). That’s hardly a surprise, as Showalter was reported to be on New York’s radar last week. Perhaps of more interest is that Heyman adds that some around the industry see Showalter…
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Tim Federowicz Retires
Former big league catcher Tim Federowicz announced this evening that he’s retiring (on Twitter) after a 14-year professional career. That included parts of eight seasons in the big leagues, as the right-handed hitting backstop logged MLB action each season from 2011-19 aside from 2015. Federowicz functioned as a second or third catcher for essentially the entirety…
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Cubs Sign Stephen Gonsalves To Minor League Deal
The Cubs recently signed Stephen Gonsalves to a minor league contract, according to the MLB.com transactions tracker. The southpaw was removed from the Red Sox’s 40-man roster in September and elected minor league free agency at the end of the season, making him eligible to sign a minors pact during the lockout. Gonsalves made three relief…
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What's Left In The Offseason Catching Market
As usual, this winter’s free agent catching market was pretty thin on viable everyday options, but there has been a fair amount of activity in general for teams looking to add new backstops. Jacob Stallings and Tucker Barnhart were two of the more prominent trade candidates available, and both have already landed elsewhere, as the…
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Mets To Interview Bob Geren
Former Athletics manager Bob Geren will interview for the Mets’ managerial vacancy this week, according to SNY’s Andy Martino (Twitter link). Geren is the sixth known candidate for the job, joining Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus, Joe Espada, Don Kelly, and Matt Quatraro as names on the Amazins’ radar. Like Showalter and Ausmus, Geren has some…
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A.J. Cole Signs With NPB's Tokyo Yakult Swallows
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows have signed right-hander A.J. Cole to a one-year contract worth roughly $800.4K. Though Cole has worked almost exclusively as a reliever in recent years, the Swallows have interest in using him as a starter, as per Yahoo Japan (Japanese language link). Cole, who turns 30 in January, signed a minor league…
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NPB/KBO Signings: 12/7/21
The latest on players inking contracts with Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korea Baseball Organization… NPB’s Hanshin Tigers announced earlier this week that right-hander Aaron Wilkerson has been signed. Wilkerson is a veteran of three Major League seasons, posting a 6.88 ERA over 35 1/3 innings with the Brewers from 2017-19. He didn’t see any…
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Jose Marmolejos Signs With Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have announced the signing of outfielder/first baseman Jose Marmolejos. According to Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto (Twitter link), “multiple Japanese teams” were scouting Marmolejos last season. Marmolejos turns 29 in January, and is coming off a season that saw him win MVP honors in Triple-A West. Over 83 games and…
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Latest On A's Manager Search
In addition to the recently-documented Matt Quatraro, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli verified five other managerial candidates for the vacant Oakland skipper position. Included in the current group of candidates are a number of names already within the Oakland organization— third base coach Mark Kotsay, assistant hitting coach Marcus Jensen, and hitting coach Darren Bush. Rounding out the…
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Offseason Notes: Free Agent Spending, Buxton, Twins
With the offseason in limbo, let’s take a look at a couple of pre- and post-lockout topics… ESPN’s MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel polled team executives and agents several weeks ago, asking industry members to predict how much activity would occur before the CBA expired. Those polled were conservative in their predictions, expecting little money to be…
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Update On Mets' Managerial Search
Not long after reports of the A’s conducting their first managerial interview surfaced, the Mets have begun an interview carousel of their own. SNY’s Andy Martino reports that the Mets conducted their first managerial interview today, and expect to keep the process going Tuesday. Among the identified managerial candidates include a trio of bench coaches—…
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Red Sox, Astros Interested In Trevor Story
The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros have expressed interest in free agent shortstop Trevor Story, reports MLB Network’s Jon Heyman in his latest insider piece for Audacy’s “Big Time Baseball” podcast. Heyman reiterates that he’s also heard Seattle convey interest in the shortstop, as MLBTR covered prior to the lockout last week. As is…
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Collective Bargaining Issues: Expanded Playoffs
Last week, we covered what figures to be one of the top priorities for the MLB Players Association during collective bargaining discussions — alterations to the service time structure. Today, we’ll look at what should be one of the most important issues for Major League Baseball: potential postseason expansion. An expanded playoff has looked to…
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Giants Sign Mauricio Llovera To Minor League Deal
The Giants have signed reliever Mauricio Llovera to a minor league contract, according to his transactions log at MLB.com. The right-hander elected minor league free agency at the end of the season after being outrighted off the Phillies’ 40-man roster in August, making him eligible to sign a minor league deal during the lockout. Llovera’s stint…
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White Sox Sign Yacksel Rios To Minor League Deal
The White Sox have signed right-handed reliever Yacksel Rios to a minor league deal, according to the transaction tracker at MLB.com. The ongoing lockout and transaction freeze doesn’t prevent teams and players from agreeing to minor league contracts. Rios was selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the of the 2011 draft and…
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MLBTR Seeking Fantasy Baseball Writer
MLB Trade Rumors is seeking a fantasy baseball writer. This is a paid part-time position that will include a weekly article and live chat running at least January through March. We’re looking for expertise in rotisserie and head-to-head fantasy baseball, but the position won’t involve daily fantasy sports writing. The ideal candidate will have experience…
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Should The Reds Let The Moose Loose?
After coming up short in this year’s Wild Card race, the Reds’ offseason has mostly continued along sour lines for the team’s fans. On the first day of the offseason, Tucker Barnhart was sent packing to Detroit. Shortly after that, GM Nick Krall said that the club “must align our payroll to our resources,” seemingly forecasting…
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Yankees Sign Jose Peraza To Minor League Deal
Catching up on a minor league signing that flew under our radar last month, the Yankees signed infielder Jose Peraza to a minor league deal, per the transaction tracker at MLB.com. Peraza was a highly-touted prospect in the early stages of his career, showing up on a few top 100 lists in 2015 and 2016,…
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Check Out Our 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
Need to catch up on the busiest November MLBTR has ever seen? Our 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker is currently available here. This mobile-friendly tracker allows you to filter by signing status, team, position, years, total contract amount, qualifying offer status, and more. You can also click on the column headers, such as the word…
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Lance McCullers Jr. “About A Month” Away From Throwing
Lance McCullers Jr. last pitched in Game 4 of the ALDS, as the Astros right-hander suffered a flexor pronator muscle strain that sidelined him for the remainder of Houston’s playoff run. Tests at the time of the injury didn’t reveal any structural damage, and McCullers continued to give positive news when speaking The Houston Chronicle’s…
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Kodai Senga Has 2023 Opt-Out In New SoftBank Hawks Contract
Right-hander Kodai Senga signed a new five-year contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, according to The Kyodo News and other outlets. Full salary details aren’t known, though Senga will receive $5.3MM in 2022. More pertinently for North American fans, the contract also contains an opt-out clause following the 2022 NPB season that would allow Senga…
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Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Buck O'Neil Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame
Six legendary names have been inducted to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame, as per the results of today’s special selection committee meetings. Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, and Buck O’Neil have all been elected to Cooperstown, and will be officially inducted on July 24 along with any players voted…
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LaMarr Hoyt Passes Away
Former AL Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt passed away last Monday at age 66. According to a statement released by the White Sox, Mathew Hoyt (LaMarr’s oldest son) said his father was suffering from cancer. Hoyt appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons from 1979-1986, with the first six of those years with the…
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Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox Reportedly Most Aggressive Suitors For Seiya Suzuki
On November 22, Seiya Suzuki was posted by the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, freeing him up to negotiate with all 30 MLB teams for 30 days. However, it was reported that the recent implementation of a lockout that has led to a transaction freeze has also frozen Suzuki’s 30-day clock. That means…
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Twins Sign Trevor Megill To Minors Deal
The Twins have brought reliever Trevor Megill back to the organization on a minor league deal, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North. Megill was claimed off waivers from the Cubs last week and then non-tendered a few hours later. The deal is a birthday present of sorts for Megill, as he is turning 28…
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Christian Colon Retires
Former major league infielder Christian Colon is set to retire from baseball, MLBTR has learned. He will hang up his spikes after playing in the big leagues for three different teams across six seasons. Colon hopes to continue his life in baseball as a coach and one day manage in the big leagues. Colon was…
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Tomoyuki Sugano Declines Opt-Out, Remains With Yomiuri Giants
Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano has decided to pass on the international opt-out clause in his contract, and will remain with the Yomiuri Giants for at least one more season. Sugano told Yahoo Japan and other media outlets that his goal was to help the Giants win a championship in 2022. Sugano was one of the more…
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Braves Considered Anthony Rizzo Last Month
The Braves “explored” the possibility of signing free agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo in November, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. This could have potentially just been standard offseason procedure on the Braves’ part, since as Rosenthal notes, the club will naturally have backup plans in mind should Freddie Freeman sign elsewhere. Along those same…
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Freddy Galvis Close To Deal With NPB's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Infielder Freddy Galvis appears to be close to a move overseas, as reports from Yahoo Japan indicate that Galvis is nearing a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. Should the move be finalized, it would count as a bit of a surprise. While there hadn’t been much buzz about Galvis’ free…
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Brewers Sign Abraham Almonte To Minor League Deal
Catching up on a minor league signing that flew under our radar back in October, the Brewers signed outfielder Abraham Almonte to a minors deal. (Hat tip to Brewerfan.net’s Jim Goulart.) Almonte will receive an invitation to the Brewers’ big league Spring Training camp. Almonte opted for free agency rather than accept an outright assignment…
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Giants Sign Jon Duplantier To Minors Deal
The Giants have signed right-handers Jon Duplantier and Gray Fenter to a minor league contracts, per MLB.com. There is, of course a transactions freeze for members of the Players’ Union, but that does not preclude clubs from offering minor league contracts. They cannot, however, incentivize those contracts with offers to spring training or give 40-man…
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The Status Of The Corner Outfield Market
Free agent outfielder Kyle Schwarber is said to be asking for a three-year, $60MM contract, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Marlins were exploring contracts with both Schwarber and Nick Castellanos before the lockout, ultimately coming to a four-year, $53MM agreement with Avisail Garcia instead. Miami also offered Starling Marte a four-year, $60MM…
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2021-22 Offseason Outlook Series
MLB Trade Rumors’ annual Offseason Outlook series is well underway. We’re breaking down what all 30 teams might have in store for their winter moves, so be sure to check in with this post to see when your favorite team’s entry is online. The completed entries thus far…. NL East Atlanta Braves Miami Marlins New…
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Brewers Invite David Dahl To Spring Training
Last August, the Brewers signed outfielder David Dahl and assigned him to Triple-A. The former Rockie had been released by the Rangers. Dahl has been brought back to the Brewers on a minor league contract and issued an invitation to Spring Training, per The Athletic’s Will Sammon (via Twitter). The invite was finalized before the…
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Coaching Notes: Giants, Nationals
Let’s kick off this Saturday morning by checking in on the latest happenings around the game… The Giants are adding Jacob Cruz to manager Gabe Kapler’s coaching staff. Cruz will be an assistant hitting coach for the 2022 season, per Robert Murray of FanSided. Cruz returns to the organization that drafted him in the first…
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KBO's SSG Landers Sign Kevin Cron
The SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization announced an agreement with former big league first baseman Kevin Cron (h/t to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO). The 28-year-old will receive $750K guaranteed with an additional $250K in possible incentives. It’s the second consecutive season Cron will spend overseas, although it’ll be his first in South Korea. The…
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Nationals' Under-The-Radar Deadline Pickup Off To Strong Start In D.C.
The Nationals had a high-profile teardown this past July. The biggest splash sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers, while other notables like Kyle Schwarber, Yan Gomes and Daniel Hudson were flipped to contenders. Almost buried amidst that flurry was a lower-profile swap announced less than an hour before the deadline: acquiring outfielder Lane Thomas from the Cardinals…
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Latest On Mets' Managerial Search
9:40 pm: Robert Murray of FanSided reports (on Twitter) that longtime big league outfielder Curtis Granderson is also under consideration for the Mets. The 40-year-old announced his retirement from playing in 2020 following a 16-year big league career that included a trio of All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger Award. Granderson currently serves as the…
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DJ Peters Reportedly Nearing Deal With KBO's Lotte Giants
Outfielder DJ Peters is nearing agreement on a contract with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, reports Daniel Kim (Twitter link). While Kim cautions the deal is not yet completed, he relays that it is “getting closer.” Peters was recently outrighted off the Rangers’ 40-man roster. He didn’t have the requisite service time to elect…
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NL Central Notes: Brewers, Grichuk, Cubs, Gausman, Matz, Pirates
The Brewers had talks with the Blue Jays about a trade that would have seen Randal Grichuk head to Milwaukee in a straight-up exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr., The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports. This was one of multiple alternate Bradley-for-outfielder deals explored by the Brewers before finally acquiring Hunter Renfroe from the Red Sox on…
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Padres To Hire Ryan Christenson As Bench Coach
One of Bob Melvin’s trusted lieutenants will be joining the manager in San Diego, as The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reports (via Twitter) that the Padres will hire Ryan Christenson as their new bench coach. Christenson worked as Melvin’s bench coach with the Athletics for the last four seasons. Christenson has longstanding ties to Oakland, working…
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Marlins Interested In Ketel Marte
The Marlins have shown interest in the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. There isn’t any indication that a deal was close prior to the lockout, and it remains to be seen if Arizona would be even open to moving Marte at all. As Rosenthal plainly puts it, the D’backs “would need…
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Yankees Add Dillon Lawson, Desi Druschel To Coaching Staff
The Yankees are making two in-house promotions to their big league coaching ranks, The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler reports. Dillon Lawson will become the team’s new hitting coach, after previously working as a minor league hitting coordinator. In addition, Desi Druschel will go from being the team’s minor league manager of pitch development to an assistant…
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Masahiro Tanaka Declines Opt-Out, Will Pitch For NPB's Golden Eagles In 2022
Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka’s two-year contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles contained an opt-out clause this winter, but the team announced that Tanaka will return to the club in 2022 (hat tip to Yahoo Japan). Tanaka’s comeback season in NPB went well, as he posted a 3.01 ERA with a 20.19% strikeout rate and a…
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Marlins Notes: Schwarber, Marte, Castellanos, Pina, Gomes, Stallings
The Marlins are known to be looking for more outfield help, with Kyle Schwarber already reported as one of the names on the team’s radar. Barry Jackson and Craig Mish of The Miami Herald shed some more light on the Marlins’ pursuit, writing that Schwarber is looking for a three-year contract worth around $60MM. Such…
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NPB's Tokyo Yakult Swallows Extend Jose Osuna
First baseman Jose Osuna has signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to Yahoo Japan. Osuna will receive $5.1MM, as per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter), with salaries of $1.4MM in 2022, $1.7MM in 2023, and $2MM in 2024. Another $900K is available in…
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Blue Jays Ready To Spend After Lockout
A recent report from Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith gives Toronto fans something to look forward to after MLB’s lockout draws to a close. In addition to having trade discussions prior to the league’s halt on transactions, the Jays reportedly also have money to spend on additional free agents. Nicholson-Smith identifies acquiring an infielder and additional pitching as…
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Dodgers Sign Daniel Hudson
DECEMBER 2: The Associated Press have reported some additional financial terms to the contract. The Dodgers hold a $6.5MM club option on Hudson for the 2023 season, with a $1MM buyout. That club option will increase by $100K increments if he finishes 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 games in 2022, for a total of $500K in…
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Latest On Carlos Correa's Market
With MLB implementing a lockout yesterday, it will likely be some time until fans learn the fate of the sport’s presently unsigned free agents. Per the parameters of the lockout, teams are unable to contact players or make any transactions during this period. Touted by many as the best player on the free agent market,…
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Padres Have Reportedly Expressed Interest In Nick Castellanos
Serving as one of the last free agent rumors of the night before yesterday’s lockout officially commenced, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Padres were “showing strong interest” in free agent Nick Castellanos. An important disclaimer here is that teams are prohibited from contacting players or making any transactions during the duration of this…
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Bloom: Red Sox Will Seek Bullpen Help, Right-Handed Bat
Teams are prohibited from contacting players or making any transactions until the lockout is lifted, but every front office still has a plan for areas to target once they’re allowed to again add to the roster. Last night, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom met with media (including Alex Speier of the Boston Globe)…
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Collective Bargaining Issues: Service Time Structure
The process for determining free agency and arbitration eligibility figures to be among the more contentious aspects of collective bargaining negotiations transpiring over the coming weeks. The MLB Players Association is expected to push for an overhaul of the existing system to get more money to players earlier in their careers; MLB, on the other…
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Rob Manfred, Tony Clark Discuss Start Of Lockout
Major League Baseball’s first work stoppage in more than a quarter-century went into effect last night, with the owners unanimously voting to lock the players out until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. Each of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association director Tony Clark met with the media this morning. Both Manfred…
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Certain Players Remain In DFA Limbo Over Course Of Lockout
With the lockout formally in place, teams are barred from making any major league transactions. That includes any move involving a player who was recently designated for assignment, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes has learned (Twitter link). This had also been the case for players DFA’d shortly before 2020’s pandemic-driven transaction freeze. Angels left-hander Sam Selman, Phillies right-hander Adonis…
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How The MLB Luxury Tax Thresholds Have Changed By Year
There was a time when the MLB players’ union felt that a luxury tax is just a salary cap in another form, with is why they rejected such proposals back in 1994. Nonetheless, in the first post-strike collective bargaining agreement, executive director Don Fehr “finally said yes to the luxury tax – the first time…
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Rangers Sign Yohel Pozo, Three Others To Minor League Deals
The Rangers have re-signed catchers Yohel Pozo and David Garcia to minor league contracts, tweets Rangers Executive VP of Communications John Blake. Additionally, Blake reports that minor league free agents Meibrys Viloria, a catcher, and right-handed pitcher Jesus Tinoco have been signed as well. All four players have received invitations to Spring Training. The deals were announced last night, before…
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Reds Sign Five Players To Minor League Deals
The Reds announced last night, before the MLB implemented a lockout, that they had signed five players to minor league deals. They are right-handed pitchers Brandon Bailey and Trey Wingenter, catcher/infielder Andrew Knapp, outfielder Trey Amburgey and infielder/outfielder Allen Cordoba. All five have received invitations to spring training. Knapp, 30, had been with the Phillies since…
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Major League Portion Of Rule 5 Draft “Postponed Indefinitely”
9:55AM: Glaser provided an update on Twitter, saying that the draft is “postponed indefinitely”. 8:49AM: The MLB instituted a lockout yesterday after the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Until a new CBA is agreed to, the lockout will remain in place with teams prohibited from making transactions during that time. This apparently will include…
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How The MLB Minimum Salary Has Changed With Each New CBA
As we enter Day 1 of the MLB lockout, one key issue in the current labor negotiations is where the players’ minimum salary will land. Given the union’s stated goal to get players paid more when they’re younger and more productive, it stands to reason that they’re seeking a more significant increase than usual. The…
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Astros' Deal With Justin Verlander Not Yet Official
As of last night, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLB and the MLBPA has expired and the league is officially in a lockout, meaning that no transactions will be permitted until a new CBA is ratified. This outcome had been widely anticipated throughout the industry, which is why there has been such a frenzy of…
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Major League Baseball Institutes Lockout
Major League Baseball has officially instituted a lockout. The 2016-21 collective bargaining agreement between MLB owners and the players’ union expired at 10:59pm central time tonight. It has long been clear that Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association would not have a new deal signed before the current contract ran its course. With…
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Orioles To Sign Jordan Lyles
The Orioles are in agreement with right-hander Jordan Lyles on a one-year, $7MM guarantee with a 2023 club option, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link). The deal is pending a physical, which is expected to take place after the work stoppage. Lyles is represented by Ballengee Group. If the Lyles deal is completed, it…
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Brewers Acquire Hunter Renfroe From Red Sox For Jackie Bradley Jr., Two Prospects
The Red Sox and Brewers announced agreement on a trade sending corner outfielder Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee. In return, the Red Sox are reacquiring longtime center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and two prospects, infielders David Hamilton and Alex Binelas. It’s an out-of-the-blue swap pulled off just minutes before the work stoppage. Renfroe, 30 next month, is coming off a…
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Cubs Sign Michael Hermosillo
The Cubs have re-signed outfielder Michael Hermosillo to a one-year Major League contract, per the team. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that the contract is worth $600k. The 26-year-old outfielder was not tendered a contract yesterday in advance of the MLB non-tender deadline. The well-rounded outfielder battled injuries last season but managed a power-happy approach in his…
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Dodgers Designate Sheldon Neuse For Assignment
The Dodgers are designating infielder Sheldon Neuse for assignment, tweets Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic. The move clears 40-man roster space for Chris Taylor, whose previously-reported four-year deal has been made official. The 26-year-old Neuse came over to the Dodgers via trade in February from the Athletics. While Neuse continued to post strong numbers in Triple-A, he…
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Phillies Sign Johan Camargo
The Phillies are signing infielder Johan Camargo, reports MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes (Twitter link). It’s a $1.4MM guarantee. Camargo was recently non-tendered by the Braves. The Phils have since announced the move, with right-hander Adonis Medina designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster space. Camargo’s swift signing was no doubt fueled by Major League Baseball’s decision to institute…
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Twins Sign Danny Coulombe, Jake Faria
The Twins have signed a pair of pitchers to minor league contracts, tweets Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. Left-hander Danny Coulombe and right-hander Jake Faria will join the Twins organization with invitations to Spring Training. Coulombe should be the more familiar name among Minnesota fans, as the 32-year-old pitched for the team in both 2020 and 2021. The…
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Dodgers To Re-Sign Chris Taylor
The Dodgers are retaining at least one of their top free agents, announcing agreement on a four-year contract with Chris Taylor. It’s reportedly a $60MM guarantee for the Meister Sports Management client that also contains a 2026 club option which could bring the value of the deal as high as $73MM. Taylor’s reported guarantee falls a…
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Padres To Sign Nick Martinez To Four-Year Deal
The Padres are signing Nick Martínez to a four-year, $20MM contract, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN (Twitter link). The right-hander has spent the past four seasons pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. His contract with the NPB’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks just expired today, but his representatives worked quickly to find him a big league landing spot…
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Guardians Sign Enyel De Los Santos
The Cleveland Guardians announced that they’ve signed free agent pitcher Enyel De Los Santos to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The right-hander appeared in 33 games last season, splitting time with both Pennsylvania teams after Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers from the Phillies. He was subsequently outrighted off the Pirates’ roster…
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Angels Designate Sam Selman For Assignment
The Angels have designated reliever Sam Selman for assignment, tweets Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Raisel Iglesias, whose four-year agreement has been made official. Selman came over from the Giants at this past summer’s trade deadline, part of a three-player package for Tony Watson. The southpaw worked 17…
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Angels Sign Raisel Iglesias To Four-Year Deal
The Angels are keeping their closer in the fold, announcing the re-signing of Raisel Iglesias on a four-year, $58MM deal. The Magnus Sports client will make $10MM in 2022, followed by successive $16MM salaries from 2023-25. Iglesias is the top free agent reliever on this winter’s market, a fact reflected in the reported four-year guarantee. Only one…
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Kris Bryant Drawing Widespread Interest
With just a few hours to go in advance of tonight’s expected CBA expiration, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that numerous teams are showing interest in free agent Kris Bryant. Heyman lists a whole host of teams who have checked in with Bryant’s camp recently, including the Mets, Angels, and Padres. These teams add to the…
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Red Sox To Sign Rich Hill
The Red Sox are signing veteran starter Rich Hill to a one-year deal, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. The agreement is pending a physical. Hill is a client of ACES. As Speier points out, this is remarkably the seventh different contract Hill has signed with the Red Sox. Between various stints, he’s suited up for…
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Padres Sign Robert Suarez
The Padres announced they’ve signed reliever Robert Suarez to a one-year, major league contract. The deal also contains a player option for the 2023 campaign. Suarez has never appeared in the big leagues. The Venezuela native has spent the past five seasons pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, emerging as a shutdown closer the last two…
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Cubs To Sign Marcus Stroman
The Cubs have agreed to terms with free agent starter Marcus Stroman, the team has now officially announced. The Tidal Sports client will receive a three-year, $71MM contract with an opt-out after the second season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan says Stroman will earn $25MM plus a potential $2MM in escalators in each of the two…
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Mariners Interested In Trevor Story
Per Robert Murray of Fansided, the Mariners have expressed interest in free agent shortstop Trevor Story. This comes in addition to earlier reports that Kris Bryant had also drawn their attention. Evidently, their recent acquisitions of second baseman Adam Frazier (from the Padres) and 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray (who they gave a…
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Royals Sign Taylor Clarke To Major League Deal
The Royals have signed right-hander Taylor Clarke to a major league contract, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (Twitter link). It’s a $975K deal, per Heyman. Clarke was non-tendered last night by the D-Backs. The 28-year-old Clarke spent the bulk of last season pitching out of the Arizona bullpen to mostly pedestrian results. Through 43…
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Twins Sign Dylan Bundy
The Twins announced they’ve signed starter Dylan Bundy to a one-year deal with a club option for 2023. The BBI Sports Group client will reportedly be guaranteed $5MM, taking the form of a $4MM salary in 2022 and at least a $1MM buyout on the $11MM option. Bundy profiles as a buy-low option for a Minnesota club…
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Padres Sign Luis Garcia
The Padres have announced agreement with free agent reliever Luis García on a two-year contract. It’s reportedly a $7MM guarantee. The multi-year deal is a nice pull for García, who entered the 2021 campaign as a non-roster invitee with the Yankees. After failing to crack New York’s season-opening roster, he spent the first couple months of the…
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Tigers Sign Jacob Barnes To Minors Contract
The Tigers have signed right-hander Jacob Barnes to a minor league deal. The club also announced that Barnes will receive an invitation to the Tigers’ big league Spring Training camp. Barnes elected free agency in October rather than accept an outright assignment to the Blue Jays’ Triple-A team. Barnes is in his second year of…
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Giants Sign Alex Wood
TODAY: The signing is official. According to multiple reporters (including John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle), Wood will get $25MM over the course of the two-year contract, with an even $12.5MM in each season. Based on games pitched, Wood can also earn up to $2.5MM in additional bonuses. NOVEMBER 22: The Giants are closing…
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Marlins Sign Avisail Garcia
TODAY: The Marlins officially announced the signing. The contract details are provided by Jon Heyman, who notes that Miami’s 2026 club option is worth $12MM, with a $5MM buyout. Garcia will earn an even $12MM in each of the 2022-25 seasons, and he will also donate $120K per year to the Marlins’ team charity. NOVEMBER…
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Latest On Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Negotiators from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association continue to meet this afternoon, though there is still an expectation that the league will commence with a lockout as soon as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at 10:59 CT tonight. Several reports have suggested that the two sides are far enough on several…
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Yankees Interested In Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andrelton Simmons
The Yankees have shown interest in a trade for Rangers infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. SNY’s Andy Martino (Twitter link) also notes the Bronx Bombers’ interest in Kiner-Falefa, and adds that free agent Andrelton Simmons continues to be on the Yankees’ radar as the team explores shortstop possibilities.…
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MLB Used Two Different Types Of Baseballs During 2021 Season
Major League Baseball used two different types of baseballs during the 2021 season, Business Insider’s Bradford William Davis reports. The league confirmed Davis’ report in a statement, noting that the reason was due to production delays related to the pandemic. “Rawlings manufactures Major League balls on a rolling basis at its factory in Costa Rica. …
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Mariners Extend Andres Munoz
TODAY: The Mariners officially announced Munoz’s extension. NOVEMBER 30: The Mariners are finalizing agreement on a four-year extension with reliever Andres Muñoz that guarantees at least $7.5MM, report Daniel Kramer and Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com (Twitter link). The deal contains three club options, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (on Twitter). Muñoz, a client of Hector Gomez, had…
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