Yasmani Grandal Signs With White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal. Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting the deal is worth $73 million over four years. This marks the biggest contract in franchise history. Grandal,31, is coming off of a nice season with the Brewers and hit .246 with 28 home runs and […]

Yankees Release Jacoby Ellsbury, DFA Greg Bird

The New York Yankees released outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and designated Greg Bird for assignment on Wednesday. Ellsbury, who hasn't played since 2017 due to various injuries, was let go with more than $26 million left on his $153 million, seven-year deal. The 36-year-old hit .264 with 39 homers, 198 RBI and 102 stolen bases in […]

Robinson Chirinos Has Active Market

In addition to the Mets, the Astros, Reds and Rangers are among the teams showing interest in catcher Robinson Chirinos, according to sources. The 35-year-old (36 in June of 2020) has hit 52 home runs in 315 games since the start of the 2017 season, so he has some ability with the bat and is […]

Gerardo Parra Heading To Japan

Former Washington Nationals outfielder Gerardo Parra has agreed to a contract with the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants in Japan. The 32-year-old, a two-time Gold Glove winner, hit .276 with 88 home runs and 522 RBI in 11 major league seasons. He served as a backup outfielder for the World Series champion Nationals last year. […]

Mets Interested In Robinson Chirinos

The New York Mets have shown interest in catcher Robinson Chirinos, according to an industry source. Chirinos will turn 36 next June and hit .238/.347/.443 while starting 106 games behind the plate for the Astros and playing strong defense in 2019. If the Mets keep Wilson Ramos, Chirinos could easily secure a better opportunity elsewhere […]

Felipe Vazquez Facing New Sex-Related Charges

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is facing 21 new charges after investigators found evidence of child pornography on devices they say he owned. The charges include 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single charge of corruption of minors. The left-hander was already charged with having sexual […]

Stephen Strasburg Could Re-Sign Before Winter Meetings

The Washington Nationals could re-sign starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg before the winter meetings begin on Dec. 8 in San Diego. Strasburg opted out of the four years and $100 million remaining on his deal after winning World Series MVP, but the Nationals have expressed interest in bringing him back and haven't hesitated to start negotiating […]

Yoenis Cespedes Taking BP

New York Mets hitting instructor Endy Chavez posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday of outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heels) taking batting practice. Cespedes hasn't played since July of 2018 due to multiple heel surgeries, and he's due $29.5 million. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said that he does "not have enough information to predict when […]

Cubs Unsure If Nico Hoerner Will Open In Big Leagues

The Chicago Cubs are still unsure if shortstop prospect Nico Hoerner will open the 2020 season in the big leagues. Executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer both stressed at the general manager meetings last week that they are open-minded about the No. 24 overall pick in the 2018 draft. "We haven't figured that out yet," […]

Carter Kieboom Could Replace Anthony Rendon

Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Carter Kieboom, who is the team's top prospect and No. 20 overall in baseball, could be the natural replacement at the hot corner if Anthony Rendon departs in free agency this winter. Kieboom played shortstop, second base and third base with Triple-A Fresno last year, although he's a natural shortstop and […]

Steven Souza Jr. Running At 100 Percent

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. (knee) posted a video on his Twitter account on Monday and said that he's running at 100 percent in Arizona. Souza suffered a devastating knee injury in spring training when he tore the ACL, LCL and PCL in his left knee, which caused him to miss the entire 2019 […]

Astros Sign Yuli Gurriel To One-Year Deal

The Houston Astros signed first baseman Yuli Gurriel to a one-year, $8.3 million deal on Monday. The deal will contain $250,000 in award bonuses for 2020, and he'll have the right to declare free agency at the end of the year. The 35-year-old Cuban had by far his best season in the big leagues in […]

Brent Honeywell Expected To Throw In January

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Brent Honeywell (elbow), who hasn't pitched in a game in two full seasons, is expected to start throwing in January. Honeywell would've been a key piece in the 2019 rotation, but a setback during his recovery from Tommy John surgery ended his season in June. The Rays are optimistic that […]

Yankees Won't Pursue Didi Gregorius Aggressively

The New York Yankees didn't extend a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer to shortstop Didi Gregorius and aren't expected to aggressively pursue re-signing him. The Yankees are comfortable with Gleyber Torres at shortstop and DJ LeMahieu at the keystone, but there's still the possibility that Gregorius returns at a discount price. Gregorius proved his health […]

Kenta Maeda Wants To Remain In Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda would like to remain in the team's starting rotation for an entire season. Maeda, who often starts the year in the rotation before moving to a relief role late in the season and postseason, has told the team that he's unhappy with his role as a swing man […]

Phillies Working On Extension With J.T. Realmuto

The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to hammer out a contract extension for catcher J.T. Realmuto this offseason, according to multiple sources. However, an extension with the All-Star backstop might not come before the new year, and it might not even come before the start of spring training. Realmuto won both a Gold Glove and Silver […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. To Resume Baseball Activities Next Month

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) appears to be on track in his rehab and is scheduled to resume baseball activities in December. Tatis' rookie season came to an end in the middle of August when he suffered a stress reaction in his back. The talented youngster also missed time earlier in the […]

Javier Baez, Cubs Discussing Contract Extension

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez has already started negotiations on a potential long-term contract extension with the team, according to sources. The two-time All-Star and MVP runner-up in 2018 is more likely to reach an extension with the team than third baseman Kris Bryant. While he wasn't quite as good as he was in 2018, […]

Cody Bellinger Named NL MVP

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the National League MVP for the 2019 season on Thursday night. He beat out Christian Yelich, the NL MVP in 2018. The 24-year-old Bellinger hit .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs and 15 stolen bases in his breakout season, and he became the first Dodgers position player […]

Edinson Volquez Wants To Keep Playing

The Texas Rangers and pitcher Edinson Volquez are working on a deal now that Volquez has changed his mind on retiring. Volquez made 11 appearances (four starts) for Texas last year and was not effective, posting a 6.75 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 5.6 K/9 in his 16 innings. It's unlikely that he's making starts in […]

Padres Have Interest In Jon Gray

The San Diego Padres have interest in Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray, who is among a select group of controllable starters who could be traded this offseason. The 28-year-old went 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 25 starts for the Rockies last season. A broken foot cost him the final month […]

Braves Still Planning To Use Mark Melancon As Closer

The Atlanta Braves are still planning on using relief pitcher Mark Melancon as the closer to start next season, even after signing Will Smith on Thursday. Melancon, who also pitched for the Giants last year before coming over to Atlanta, had a 3.86 ERA and 11 saves in his 23 appearances for the Braves. He […]

Mike Trout Wins MVP, Foot Back To 100 Percent

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (foot), who won the American League MVP for the third time in his career on Thursday night, said his foot is back to 100 percent after his September surgery. He will start baseball activities soon and should be ready to go for spring training in plenty of time. You […]

Jake Odorizzi Staying With Twins

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted the team's one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer on Thursday, according to sources. Barring a contract extension, the right-hander will be a free agent after the 2020 season. Odorizzi had one of his best seasons in the bigs last year, going 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and […]

Jose Abreu Accepts Qualifying Offer

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu accepted the one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer on Thursday, according to sources. Barring an extension, Abreu will be a free agent after the 2020 season. The 32-year-old Cuban quietly led baseball with 123 RBI in 2019 and also slugged 33 home runs, hit .284 and scored 85 runs […]

Braves Sign Will Smith

The Atlanta Braves have signed left-handed relief pitcher Will Smith, formerly of the San Francisco Giants, to a three-year contract worth $39 million. The deal includes a club option for 2023 worth $13 million. Smith recorded 34 saves for the Giants last season along with a 2.76 ERA and 96:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 65 1/3 […]

Gerrit Cole Not Short On Suitors

The Yankees, Angels, Rangers and Phillies are among the teams that have already shown interest in starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. The Nationals could be interested in him if they can't re-sign Stephen Strasburg, while the Astros haven't given up either. Cole is certain to set a record for a starter in free agency after leading […]

Yankees Eyeing Starting Pitching

The New York Yankees have "checked in" with starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler so far this offseason, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Madison Bumgarner is another starter the Yanks have kicked the tires on. Cole and Strasburg are the top two free-agent hurlers on the market this season. Cole led […]

Blue Jays Have Met With Yasmani Grandal

The Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams that have met with catcher Yasmani Grandal. Grandal bet successfully on himself in 2019 by signing a one-year deal in Milwaukee, and he's now the most coveted free-agent catcher on the market after slugging 28 home runs for the Brew Crew. His left-handed bat would fit really […]

Phillies Looking At Mike Moustakas

The Philadelphia Phillies have third baseman Mike Moustakas on their radar, according to multiple sources. The Phillies have a good history with Scott Boras, the agent for Moustakas, and they could look to add a third baseman this winter to allow top prospect Alec Bohm more development in the minors. Moose has done well the […]