MLB free agency: Corbin Burnes agrees to massive deal with Diamondbacks, Teoscar Hernández rejoining the Dodgers

by 0 Comments

MLB

Products You May Like

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

MLB free agency is cruising right along, with many of the big names, including Juan Soto, off the board. But some impact players are still available, and the trade market has been active.

Teoscar Hernández is staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a few more years.

The outfielder and 2024 World Series champion agreed to a three-year, $66 million deal with Los Angeles on Friday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal reportedly includes a fourth-year option for $15 million, a $23 million signing bonus and, as is common for the Dodgers now, around $23 million in deferred money.

The player provided confirmation on his Instagram story.

Hernández had one of the best year-to-year turnarounds in 2024, following a disappointing 2023 with the Seattle Mariners with a stellar performance as a Dodger. Hernández was brought to L.A. to help boost the Shohei Ohtani-led Dodgers into a championship-caliber team, a mission that was certainly successful.

Corbin Burnes is headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it wasn’t cheap.

The 2021 Cy Young Award winner reportedly agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks early Saturday morning. Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported the agreement, which includes an opt-out for Burnes after two seasons.

Because Burnes, Yahoo Sports’ No. 3-ranked free agent, turned down a qualifying offer from Baltimore, the Orioles will receive draft pick compensation from his new team.

The contract is the largest in Diamondbacks history. Burnes, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, will now pitch for the local team after reportedly turning down offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.

Gleyber Torres has agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. The 28-year-old second baseman has spent his entire seven-year career with the New York Yankees. Last season, he hit .257 with 15 home runs, 63 RBI and 80 runs scored in 154 games.

At first glance, this deal seems awfully low for a player of Torres’ track record and especially at his age, even if the sense in the industry was that the market could be on the cold side for the second baseman following his unremarkable final season with the Yankees. But Tigers GM Scott Harris acknowledged Friday that Torres had larger offers available and instead chose the one-year pact with Detroit in hopes of reestablishing his value and hitting free agency again next winter. If Torres benefits from the change of scenery after seven years in New York and shows meaningful strides on both sides of the ball, he should be in position to secure a more significant multi-year deal a year from now, when he’ll still be one of the younger free agents available at 29.

The market for free-agent first basemen was noticeably slow until the week before Christmas.

The Houston Astros struck first with a reported three-year, $60 million deal to acquire free-agent Christian Walker, previously a standout bat for the Arizona Diamondbacks. That triggered a chain of moves, as the D-backs opted to replace Walker by trading for Cleveland Guardians All-Star Josh Naylor last weekend, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Minutes later, the Guardians reportedly signed old friend Carlos Santana for his third stint with the team. Santana spent last season with the Minnesota Twins, so we’ll see if they do anything to respond. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees picked up former MVP Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year, $12.5 million deal.

The first-base market still isn’t close to finished, as Pete Alonso and others remain available.

Required reading:

Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:

Live88 updates

  • Nationals re-signing RHP Trevor Williams on 2-year, $14M deal

    Right-handed starter Trevor Williams is returning to the Nationals, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic. Williams, 32, is a nine-year MLB veteran who has spent the last two seasons with the Nats. In 2023 he had a 5.55 ERA over 30 starts and 144 1/3 innings, but 2024 saw him make vast improvements. Williams had a 2.22 ERA through 11 starts last season, but he went on the injured list in early June with a right elbow flexor strain and didn’t come off until the season had nearly ended.

    Williams get the chance to start 2025 fully healthy after allowing just one earned run over his two post-injured list starts in September.

  • Cubs pick up Vidal Bruján in trade with Marlins

    The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins made a trade on Sunday to swap a pair of infielders, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. In the trade, Cubs pick up utility second baseman/right fielder Vidal Bruján, sending first baseman Matt Mervis to Miami in return. Both players are 26, and will get a fresh start to try for more major-league playing time.

  • What does the Burnes deal mean for team and player?

    This huge commitment to Burnes also represents an anticipatory move of sorts, with both Gallen and Kelly slated to hit free agency next winter. The D-backs have some decent pitching depth in the upper levels of their farm system, but nothing resembling a future ace who could step in if/when Gallen and Kelly depart. Burnes now fills that potential void in a big way — at least for 2026 (don’t forget the opt-out!).

    After an awfully quiet first month of the offseason, Arizona has burst onto the scene over the past few weeks with two aggressive moves to reassert their relevance in the National League hierarchy, first acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from Cleveland to replace Christian Walker and now this gigantic agreement with one of the best starting pitchers on the market. With key offensive contributors Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk no longer in tow, some questions remain about the depth of the lineup, and the bullpen — a clear weakness — has holes as well.

    But Burnes was one of the few players left on the market who can meaningfully raise the floor and ceiling of a roster, even if he doesn’t appear to address an obvious need in Arizona. This is a huge win for the D-backs as they look to keep their contention window open and a huge blow to the runners-up for Burnes’ services — San Francisco and Toronto — who again came up short in their pursuit of a superstar.

    Read more here.

  • Why are the Diamondback signing Corbin Burnes?

    Corbin Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Saturday. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
    Corbin Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Saturday. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

    While the six-year, $210 deal for Corbin Burnes makes sense from a commute perspective, it’s a surprise from Arizona.

    A year after reaching their first World Series since 2001, the 89-win D-backs narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2024 and remain mired in the NL West, arguably the most competitive division in baseball. The team is still set up to win, though, so it spent big for a new weapon after similarly big moves by the Los Angeles Dodgers (signing Blake Snell, re-signing Teoscar Hernández) and Giants (signing Willy Adames), with the San Diego Padres also lurking.

    However, the rotation already appeared to be a strength for the D-backs, at least relatively, given their high number of position-player free agents and a bullpen that ranked 25th in ERA last season. Even so, they decided to spend big to add another headliner alongside Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt. Jordan Montgomery is also still under contract after a disastrous 2024 — so bad D-backs owner Ken Kendrick called the contract a “horrible decision” — but he is now a clear trade candidate if a team wants to try buying low.

    It’s also encouraging that the D-backs are spending despite being one of the teams to have their RSN implode with the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy. Local cable revenue is a foundational component of the finances for teams such as Arizona, but the D-backs are still going for it.

    Beating the Giants’ bid for Burnes is noteworthy, considering how competitive some teams in the NL West have been in free agency. Arizona did benefit from a more favorable income tax situation compared to Burnes’ more significant suitors, though.

    Read more here.

  • Teoscar Hernández reportedly rejoining Dodgers

    Teoscar Hernández is staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a few more years.

    The outfielder and 2024 World Series champion agreed to a three-year, $66 million deal with Los Angeles on Friday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal reportedly includes a fourth-year option for $15 million, a $23 million signing bonus and, as is common for the Dodgers now, around $23 million in deferred money.

    Hernández had one of the best year-to-year turnarounds in 2024, following a disappointing 2023 with the Seattle Mariners with a stellar performance as a Dodger. Hernández was brought to L.A. to help boost the Shohei Ohtani-led Dodgers into a championship-caliber team, a mission that was certainly successful.

    Read more here.

  • What to make of Torres’ deal with the Tigers?

    Before contemplating Torres’ fit on Detroit’s roster, let’s first consider the contract: one year, $15 million. At first glance, this seems awfully low for a player of Torres’ track record and especially at his age, even if the sense in the industry was that the market could be on the cold side for the second baseman following his unremarkable final season with the Yankees. But Tigers GM Scott Harris acknowledged Friday that Torres had larger offers available and instead chose the one-year pact with Detroit in hopes of reestablishing his value and hitting free agency again next winter. If Torres benefits from the change of scenery after seven years in New York and shows meaningful strides on both sides of the ball, he should be in position to secure a more significant multi-year deal a year from now, when he’ll still be one of the younger free agents available at 29.

    Harris also shed some light on the likely infield alignment after initial reports of Torres’ signing sparked questions about what the move means for the bevy of young infielders already on Detroit’s roster. Harris said Torres will be Detroit’s every-day second basemen, with Colt Keith — who signed a six-year extension before he made his MLB debut in 2024 — sliding to first base after spending the bulk of his rookie season at second. That would seemingly indicate a diminished role for former No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson, but Harris said there are at-bats available if he’s producing.

    In Harris’ view, adding Torres makes the Tigers a better ballclub right now and will spark healthy competition for playing time elsewhere in the infield — a common dynamic for good teams. If that means making it more difficult to give playing time to the likes of Torkelson, Justyn-Henry Malloy or Jace Jung, so be it. On a team that considers itself a playoff contender, as Detroit does after its surprise run to the postseason in 2024, these players need to earn their playing time.

    On a related note, the other big question that looms over Detroit’s offseason is whether they remain in play for free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman would obviously represent a substantial upgrade over any of Detroit’s internal options at third, and his experience having played under manager AJ Hinch in Houston helped build buzz for Detroit as a potential landing spot, particularly as other suitors have fallen out of the race.

    More important than any positional fit or prior relationships, though, is what it would take financially to get such a deal done. Unlike with Torres, who was comfortable agreeing to a shorter-term deal, Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, are surely still seeking a massive, long-term contract, meaning Detroit would likely need to outbid several other Bregman suitors that have already demonstrated a willingness to spend big this winter. That still seems rather implausible at this stage, based on the Tigers’ more recent track record of relative frugality, but as long as Bregman remains available, the rumors will continue to swirl.

  • Gleyber Torres signs 1-year, $15 million deal with Tigers

    The 28-year-old second baseman has spent his entire seven-year career with the New York Yankees. Last season, he hit .257 with 15 home runs, 63 RBI and 80 runs scored in 154 games.

  • With the addition of Walker Buehler, the Boston Red Sox are starting to look like 2025 contenders

    NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after the final out in the ninth inning during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
    Walker Buehler signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox for 2025. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

    Coming into this winter, it was imperative for the Boston Red Sox to make multiple impactful moves following a disappointing finish to the 2024 season. And in light of the Yankees making several key pivots following Juan Soto’s departure, inactivity from Boston through another offseason wasn’t an acceptable option.

    Well, slowly but surely the Red Sox are putting together a solid offseason and starting to look like a team that is serious about getting back to the postseason in 2025.

    The Red Sox’s biggest changes have been in their rotation, where they’ve had a serious overhaul. Adding starting pitching was the top priority for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and the Red Sox added arguably the best starter on the trade market in Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. But it takes more than one starter to get through the 162-game grind of the regular season.

    The Red Sox then added left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, and they solidified their veteran presence on Monday by adding right-hander Walker Buehler on a one-year, $21.05 million deal. Buehler, who was No. 23 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 50 free agents, brings to Boston’s rotation a veteran arm who has pitched on baseball’s biggest stages and experienced plenty of success. His 18 postseason starts are the most on Boston’s roster by far.

    Read the full story here.

  • Astros GM: Talks with Alex Bregman ‘stalled’ ahead of Christian Walker deal

    Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters Monday that talks with longtime third baseman Alex Bregman stalled before Houston reached a deal with Christian Walker, effectively ending Bregman’s time with the team.

    “I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back,” Brown said on the day the Astros officially introduced Walker. “But we had to pursue other options.

    “We couldn’t just sit there. We locked in [Isaac] Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first, and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up, we just jumped on it.”

    Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, offered a retort to The Athletic:

    “Over time, teams learn if you’re running from leadership and talent, you’re running from the ultimate goal,” Boras said.

  • Eloy Jiménez signs minor-league deal with Rays

    Eloy Jiménez and the Rays have agreed to a minor-league deal, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports. Jiménez, 28, batted .238 with a .626 OPS, 14 doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI last season for the White Sox and Orioles. An adductor strain and hamstring injury limited him to 98 games.

    Since he hit 31 homers during his rookie season, injuries have been a consistent obstacle for Jiménez. Among the many issues he has dealt with have been a sprained ankle and right ulnar nerve contusion in 2019, a torn left pectoral tendon in 2021, a torn right hamstring tendon in 2022 and an appendectomy in 2023.

    However, Jiménez did hit 18 home runs, the second-highest total of his career, while playing 120 games in 2023.

  • Joc Pederson signs 2-year deal with Rangers

    Outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson has signed with the Texas Rangers. Pederson agreed to a two-year, $37 million deal, according to The Athletic. The contract includes an opt-out after the first year.

    Last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pederson hit .275 with a .908 OPS (both career bests), 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 64 RBI. He played exclusively as a DH but has played the outfield throughout his 11-year career, mostly in left and center field.

    Pederson, 32, will replace Nathaniel Lowe in the Rangers’ lineup. Lowe was traded to the Washington Nationals over the weekend for reliever Robert Garcia.

  • Red Sox, RHP Walker Buehler agree to 1-year, $21.05 million deal: Sources

    The Boston Red Sox have landed a major piece in their quest to remake their starting rotation. According to Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey, the Red Sox and right-hander Walker Buehler are in agreement on a one-year, $21.05 million deal. The deal includes incentives and is pending a physical.

    Buehler, 30, is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is the only team he’s played for in his seven-year career.

    Read more here.

  • Andrew McCutchen re-ups with Pirates

    The 38-year-old outfielder played 120 games last season with the Pirates, hitting .232 with 20 home runs, 50 RBI and a .739 OPS.

    According to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf, it’s a one-year, $5 million deal.

  • Mets reportedly reunite with Sean Manaea on 3-year, $75 million deal following career year

    The New York Mets have made a move to solidify their starting rotation. In the wee hours of Monday morning, they reportedly agreed to reunite with left-hander Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million deal.

    Manaea, who will be 33 in February, had a career year with the Mets in 2024. He had a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts over 32 starts and 181 2/3 innings. That’s the lowest ERA of his career, maintained over the most innings he has ever pitched and anchored by the second-most strikeouts he has ever thrown. Before the 2024 season, his best numbers came with the Athletics in 2018, when he had a 3.59 ERA over 160 1/3 innings.

    Read the full story here.

  • Nathaniel Lowe to the Nationals

    The Nationals and Rangers struck a deal to swap Nathaniel Lowe and left-handed reliever Robert Garcia on Sunday night. Lowe won his first Gold Glove award and helped lead the Rangers to a World Series win in 2023.

  • A’s sign free-agent third baseman Gio Urshela to a one-year deal

    Urshela signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers in February but was released by the team in August. Urshela then signed with the Atlanta Braves and played in 36 games for the team, finishing with a .265 batting average.

  • Phillies pick up lefty starter Jesús Luzardo in trade with Marlins

    The Philadelphia Phillies have added another weapon to their starting rotation, picking up pitcher Jesús Luzardo in a trade with the Miami Marlins, the team announced Sunday.

    The Philles also received minor-league catcher Paul McIntosh in the trade, while Miami got prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd in return.

    Luzardo is coming off an injury-filled 2024 but will be a big boost to the Phillies’ rotation if he can stay healthy.

    Read more about the trade here.

    MIAMI, FL - MARCH 28: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Miami Marlins pitches in the first inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
    (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

  • Guardians replace Josh Naylor with signing of Carlos Santana

    Just a few minutes after news of the Josh Naylor trade hit, the Cleveland Guardians found their own first-base replacement by bringing back veteran Carlos Santana, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

    It will be Santana’s third stint in Cleveland, where he is second on the franchise’s all-time walks list and sixth in home runs.

  • D-Backs replace Christian Walker with trade for Guardians’ Josh Naylor

    A day after Christian Walker agreed to a deal with the Houston Astros, the Arizona Diamondbacks found his replacement by swinging a trade for Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

    Going back to Cleveland will be pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B draft pick. Naylor is coming off his first career All-Star selection and hit .243/.320/.456 with 31 homers for a team that emerged on top in the AL Central.

  • 1B Paul Goldschmidt signs 1-year deal with Yankees

    The deal is worth a reported $12.5 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

    Last season with the Cardinals, the 37-year-old Goldschmidt batted .245 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI.

    Read more about the deal here.

  • Yankees acquire RP Fernando Cruz from Reds for C Jose Trevino

    The New York Yankees added a strikeout reliever to their bullpen, acquiring Fernando Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino on Friday.

    Cruz, 34, struck out 109 batters in 66 2/3 innings with a 4.86 ERA in 69 appearances. His strikeout total ranked fourth among MLB relievers last season. Trevino, 31, appeared in 73 games for the Yankees as the backup to Austin Wells. He batted .215 with a .642 OPS, eight home runs and 28 RBI.

  • Christian Walker reportedly agrees to deal with Astros

    According to multiple reports, first baseman Christian Walker has agreed to a deal with the Astros. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the deal is for three years and $60 million.

    Read more here.

  • Astros, Christian Walker in ‘serious talks’: Report

    Christian Walker spent the past eight seasons in Arizona and posted a .251/.335/.468 slash line in 2024.

  • LHP Patrick Sandoval joins Red Sox on 2-year, $18.25M deal

    Sandoval made 16 starts last season with the Los Angeles Angels — a season that ended in June after he underwent Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old is expected back at some point during the second half of the 2025 season.

  • Max Kepler leaves Twins for Phillies

    After 10 seasons with the Twins ranging from acceptable to good, Max Kepler is headed to the Phillies.

  • RHP Mike Soroka reportedly signs with Nationals

    The 27-year-old Soroka went 0-10 last season with the Chicago White Sox, recording a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 25 appearances.

  • Could the bullpen market pick up soon?

  • The Mets pick up another starting pitcher

    With Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana all free agents after throwing at least 170 innings for the Mets in 2024, New York entered this offseason with some major work to do, even in the non-Juan Soto department.

    They’ve responded with an “Island of Misfit Toys” approach to the rotation. They signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal after a down season with the Reds and Brewers and agreed with former Yankees closer Clay Holmes on a three-year, $38 million deal, with the plan to convert him from reliever to starter.

    Their latest addition: Angels starter Griffin Canning, a former top prospect, on a one-year, $4.25 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Canning holds a 4.78 career ERA and should slide into the back of the rotation.

  • Cody Bellinger could play multiple positions with Yankees

    There were reports after the New York Yankees’ trade for Cody Bellinger that the former MVP was told he would play center field on his new team, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone poured cold water on that idea Wednesday.

    Center field, left field and first base are all in play for Bellinger, who is a solid defender at each position. That makes sense for the Yankees, who have spots open in both outfield corners and at first. Aaron Judge played center field in 2024 but would likely move to right if Bellinger is available to take center.

  • Nolan Arenado reportedly spikes trade to Astros

    Nolan Arenado is one of the biggest names on the trade market, though not necessarily the most valuable, and we now know he probably won’t be going to the Houston Astros. The St. Louis Cardinals third baseman has informed his club he will not waive his no-trade clause for a move to Houston, according to MLB.com.

    The Cardinals were reportedly willing to spend $15-20 million to the Astros to cover the $64 million in salary that Houston would have to take on (the Colorado Rockies are already on the hook for $10 million of the $74 million remaining on Arenado’s deal), but they also needed Arenado’s approval.

    A player invoking his no-trade clause doesn’t always mean a trade is dead — often, the move is a ploy to shake some extra dollars out of his new team — but the Astros are reportedly not hopeful about a change. The team also already has a likely starting third baseman in Isaac Paredes, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade.

  • New York Yankees trade for Cubs OF Cody Bellinger as former MVP’s career takes another turn

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts to his two run home run, to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
    Cody Bellinger is on his way to New York. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    The New York Yankees have their Juan Soto replacement — or at least a guy who can take Juan Soto’s place on the field.

    The team swung a trade with the Chicago Cubs for former MVP Cody Bellinger on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, betting on a talented player to bounce back from a rough couple of years. The Cubs are also sending cash to the Yankees and will receive right-handed reliever Cody Poteet in return.

    Soto’s record-setting pact with the New York Mets left the Yankees in dire need of a corner outfielder with enough pop to slide into the middle of the order. Bellinger could fit that bill and was available via trade due to his contract with the Cubs, which gives him player options for 2025 and 2026 that pay him a total of $52.5 million.

    It was clear a trade was coming after the Cubs acquired Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster move, but there were rumors of the team shopping Bellinger even before they succeeded in acquiring Tucker.

    Read the full story here.

  • Yankees, Cubs stalled on Cody Bellinger trade talks

  • Max Fried is officially a Yankee

  • Orioles land Sugano

    The Baltimore Orioles have struck a one-year, $13 million deal with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. The 35-year-old had a 1.67 ERA and 111 strikeouts in Japan this past season.

  • What are the Astros trying to accomplish by trading Kyle Tucker?

  • Will Jesús Luzardo be a Cub?

    After trading for Kyle Tucker late last week, the Cubs could be putting together another deal this week, per 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine. The Cubs and Marlins have reportedly been discussing a trade involving lefty Jesús Luzardo.

  • A look at the reliever market

  • Cubs and Marlins talking Jesús Luzardo

    Jesús Luzardo had a 2024 to forget with a 5.00 ERA and a season-ending back injury, but he could still attract a high price for the Marlins.

    One of the top arms on the trade market, Luzardo is reportedly seeing interest from the Chicago Cubs. With Luzardo under team control for two more seasons, the Marlins will want a significant return for a talented arm who was great in 2023 but has struggled with injuries.

  • Astros a ‘serious suitor’ for Nolan Arenado trade

    The Houston Astros have already acquired one third baseman with Isaac Paredes via the return of the Kyle Tucker, but they might not stop there. Per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Houston has emerged as a serious suitor in a trade for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

    Arenado is one of the biggest names on the market but not necessarily one of the most valuable players. He is still owed $74 million across the next three seasons, $10 million to be paid by the Colorado Rockies, and any team that takes him is going to want the Cardinals to take another bite out of that if they expect any sort of meaningful prospect return.

    Acquiring both Parades and Arenado would likely mean a move to first base or a utility role for Paredes, given Arenado’s Gold Glove defense. And it almost certainly means Alex Bregman will be playing in a new uniform next season.

  • A’s continue being active with acquisition of LHP Jeffrey Springs from Rays

    The Rays are sending Jeffrey Springs to the A’s in exchange for RHP’s Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, as well as OF Will Simpson. A compensatory draft pick will also be heading Tampa’s way, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

    The 32-year-old Springs appeared in only 10 games over the past two seasons as he dealt with ulnar neuritis, as well as Tommy John surgery. He is owed $10.5 million each of the next two seasons, and his contract features a club option worth $15 million for 2027.

  • Yankees remain interested in Alex Bregman

  • Cubs pick up catcher Carson Kelly in second acquisition of the day

    Hours after acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade, the Chicago Cubs made another acquisition. The team signed catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year, $11.5 million contract, per multiple reports.

    Kelly, who was a free agent, spent the second half of last season with the Texas Rangers after being traded from the Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old catcher had a .235 batting average in 102 at-bats in 2024.

  • Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman reacts to Cubs winning Kyle Tucker trade sweepstakes

  • Astros trade All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to Cubs in three-for-one exchange

    HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park on September 21, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images)
    Kyle Tucker is reportedly on his way to Chicago. (Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images)

    The Chicago Cubs are bringing in a new offensive weapon, acquiring All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, per multiple reports.

    In return, the Astros will reportedly receive three players: infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third-base prospect Cam Smith.

    Tucker has played his entire career with the Astros, starting in 2018. He won a World Series with the team in 2022 and has picked up a number of awards the past few seasons, including three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove (2022) and a Silver Slugger (2023). Tucker missed time this season due to a right shin injury but still received his third consecutive All-Star selection.

    Read the full story here.

  • Juan Soto changed his cell phone number during free agency

    On Thursday during his introductory news conference with the Mets, Juan Soto revealed that he hadn’t talked to any of his Yankees teammates throughout the free agency process.

    “I haven’t talked to any of those guys,” he said. “We talked to them through the playoffs, at the end of the playoffs. But after that, through this process, I haven’t talked to any of those guys.”

    Some interpreted this as a slight against the team or evidence that his relationships with the Yankees clubhouse had broken down. But the real reason might be a little more mundane, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

    Nightengale reported Friday that Soto changed his cell phone number during free agency, as he had been receiving a lot of outside calls and wanted some privacy.

    Now that the dust has settled, Soto is reportedly reaching out to his former Yankees teammates.

  • Brewers sending RP Devin Williams to Yankees for SP Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin

    The New York Yankees have reportedly acquired reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr., second-base prospect Caleb Durbin and some cash are heading to Milwaukee.

    The 30-year-old Williams recorded 14 saves in 22 appearances last season with the Brewers. He missed the first three months of the season due to a stress fracture in his back. When he returned, Williams allowed only three earned runs over 21 2/1 innings in the regular season.

    The addition of Williams, plus the return of Jonathan Loáisiga, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen. The question remains whether manager Aaron Boone will use Williams or Luke Weaver as the team’s closer in 2025.

    Cortes has turned himself into a reliable starter since seeing an increased workload beginning in 2021. He made 84 starts over the past four seasons and ate innings for the Yankees (173 1/3 in 2024), but with the addition of Max Fried, it was clear someone in the New York rotation needed to be moved.

    Read more here.

    Devin Williams is headed to the Bronx. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
    Devin Williams is headed to the Bronx. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

  • The latest on Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki

    The baseball world is captivated by Roki Sasaki and where he’ll play in 2024. But Sasaki, it seems, is just as unsure as everyone else.

    Until Sasaki’s official posting on Tuesday, very little information had emerged about the talented youngster, his preferences, his thought process and his path forward. But at the winter meetings, atop a makeshift podium in a comically enormous ballroom at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, offered the public a cornucopia of clarity.

    The impromptu Q&A session was a sight to behold, as chaotic an information gathering as you’ll see. Reporters sardined themselves together in a crescent eight rows deep, their recording devices extended toward the soft-spoken agent. Wolfe swayed uncomfortably in the center of the madness, towering over the media in a navy jacket, charcoal slacks and a pair of Nike Dunks. He spoke slowly, with an almost solemn seriousness. Over the course of 20 minutes, Wolfe fielded a barrage of inquiries about his client.

    The biggest takeaway? Even Wolfe isn’t sure yet what Sasaki wants.

    Asked what’s important to Sasaki in selecting a team, Wolfe was either purposefully vague or refreshingly honest. “I’m not entirely sure yet,” he said. “I’ve known Roki for a little over two years now, and as I’ve gotten to know him, it’s been a little bit difficult to really ascertain what his decision-making process would be for choosing a team because his focus has predominantly been on whether or not he’s going to be able to post.”

    Here’s what else we learned from Wolfe about this winter’s most sought-after pitcher.

  • Juan Soto says he ‘didn’t talk’ to Yankees players during free agency process

    Juan Soto was officially introduced as a member of the New York Mets with a news conference Thursday at Citi Field after he signed a record-shattering, 15-year, $765 million free-agent contract.

    Many New York Yankees fans are still stunned that Soto didn’t re-sign with the team after winning 94 games alongside talent including Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. However, relationships and communications became all business after the conclusion of the season, according to Soto.

    Asked if he talked to his now-former Yankees teammates during the free-agent process and what might have been said during the competition for his services, Soto said there was no correspondence.

    “I haven’t talked to any of those guys,” he said. “We talked to them through the playoffs, at the end of the playoffs. But after that, through this process, I haven’t talked to any of those guys.”

    Read the full story here.

  • Where will SP Corbin Burnes end up?

  • These might be a little popular …

This article was originally published by Yahoo.com. Read the original article here.
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

Products You May Like