MLB Off-Season: The Hot Stove

A report from Nikkan Sports in Japan has the three-year deal between the Dodgers and Hisashi Iwakuma at around $45 million.

The average annual value of $15 million per season seems like a bargain for the 34-year-old right-hander, though tacking on a third year to the deal partially negates that. Even with this signing, it sounds as though the Dodgers are still in the market for further upgrades to their rotation.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Reds for two prospects.

The two sides were said to be close to a deal on Sunday night, and they finally put the right puzzle pieces together on Monday morning – the first day of the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville. Chapman is presumably going to take over the ninth inning in Los Angeles, with Kenley Jansen moving to a setup role. The 27-year-old Cuban flamethrower owns an outstanding 2.17 ERA and 546 strikeouts in 319 career major league innings.

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon says the trade sending Aroldis Chapman to the Dodgers has not been completed and other teams could still be in the mix for the star closer.

OK then. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Monday morning that Chapman had been dealt to Los Angeles, but there's been no word on the return package in the hours since and the Reds are apparently still accepting offers from clubs for their fireballing Cuban closer. Stay tuned.

the Mariners acquired left-hander Wade Miley and right-handed reliever Jonathan Aro from the Red Sox in exchange for lefty Roenis Elias and right-handed reliever Carson Smith.

Cubs signed INF/OF Ben Zobrist to a four-year, $56 million contract.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says Zobrist has a no-trade clause for the first three years of his deal. He also got the fourth year he wanted and gets to play for a familiar manager in Joe Maddon. From the Cubs' perspective, giving four years to a soon-to-be 35-year-old is risky, but $14 million per season isn't a bad AAV. Zobrist was rumored to be going to either the Mets or Nationals for a while, but the Cubs stepped in at the end and now he gets to play for Joe Maddon again. Maddon obviously knows how to take advantage of Zobrist's versatility, but the veteran is in line to see most of his starts at second base. Zobrist should be a nice complement to the Cubs' young core.

Cubs acquired RHP Adam Warren and a player to be named later from the Yankees in exchange for INF Starlin Castro.

The player to be named is rumored to be Brendan Ryan. Warren has been a valuable swingman for the Yankees over the last four seasons, posting a 3.39 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 147 appearances – 20 starts. At the moment he looks to be in line for a relief role in Chicago. The Yankees have a new second baseman in Castro, who thrived at the position after a move off of shortstop last season, hitting .353/.374/.594 in 44 games while playing better defense. He should like batting at Yankee Stadium.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks have acquired Shelby Miller from the Braves, pending a review of medical records.

The D'Backs will also get Gabe Speier, and the Braves will receive Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and Dansby Swanson in return, which is a heck of a haul. Miller got a bit lucky with the home run ball in 2015, helping him to a career-low 3.02 ERA, but he also induced more grounders and upped his strikeout rate a bit after it dragged in 2014. He should fit in well in a revamped Arizona rotation.

By blackace Go To Postwell what's the next move for the Mets?

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets and Pirates have agreed to a trade involving Neil Walker and Jon Niese, pending a medical review.

It's believed to be a simple one-for-one swap. The Mets lost out on Ben Zobrist, but they quickly moved on to their next target at second base. Walker only requires a one-year commitment and should provide similar production as Daniel Murphy. As for Niese, he has seen his strikeout rate decline over time while dealing with some shoulder issues, but Pittsburgh pitching coach Ray Searage will try to get him back on track

Walker will likely earn $10.7 million in 2016, after which he is eligible to be a free agent, according to a projection from MLB Trade Rumors.

Meanwhile, Niese will earn $9 million in 2015, after which he has consecutive team options that can be bought out for $500,000.

In 151 games at second base for the Pirates last season, Walker, 30, hit .269 with a .328 OBP, 16 HR, 32 doubles, four stolen bases and a .427 slugging percentage.

The Baltimore Orioles have offered slugger Chris Davis a seven-year deal worth about $150 million, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Mariners and Brewers have announced a trade sending first baseman Adam Lind to Seattle in exchange for minor league right-handers Carlos Herrera, Freddy Peralta and Daniel Missaki.

According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, the Braves have signed INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio to a one-year major league contract, pending a physical.

Bonifacio recorded just 13 hits in 78 at-bats with the White Sox in 2015, slashing an uninspiring .167/.198/.192 with four RBI. He was released in mid-August before signing a minor league deal with the Cubs a week later, but he didn't see major league time with Joe Maddon's crew in the final month of the season. He figures to serve as a bench utility piece for the Braves.

According to FOX Sports' Jennifer Hammond, the Tigers and Yankees have agreed to a deal that would move Yankee reliever Justin Wilson to Detroit.

It's an interesting move on the Yankees' part, given that Wilson's a hard-throwing left-hander who's still just 28 years old. For their part, the Yankees would reportedly receive a pair of right-handed pitching prospects (Luis Cessa and Chad Green) in return. Wilson, 28, throws in the mid-90's and works a hard sinker. He held a 3.10 ERA and 66/20 K/BB ratio across 61 innings in 2015. In that same span, he allowed 49 hits. He figures to slot into a seventh or eighth inning role in the Tiger bullpen once the trade's official. Cessa moved to the Tigers as part of the Yoenis Cespedes trade in late July. He spent the 2015 campaign splitting time between Double and Triple-A. In 139 1/3 last season, he pitched to a 4.52 ERA with a 119/36 K/BB ratio across 139 1/3 innings. Green was drafted by the Tigers in the 11th round of the 2013 amateur draft. The 24-year-old right-hander spent his 2015 season pitching at Double-A Erie, where he held a 3.93 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 137/43 K/BB ratio across 148 2/3 innings. Given that Double-A's the highest level he's reached in the minors to date, it's unlikely he'll be donning the pinstripes in the near future unless the Yankees run into a rash of injuries.

Fox 26's Mark Berman reports that, pending physicals, the Astros have acquired Phillies closer Ken Giles in exchange for Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer and Derek Fisher.

The up-and-coming Astros have possibly found their closer for the future. Assuming all the physicals shake out, the reported deal would see Houston part with three players in exchange for the hard-throwing 25-year-old right-hander. Giles will be under team control through the 2017 season. He's fresh off of a 2015 campaign that saw him pitch to a 1.80 ERA with a 87/25 K/BB ratio across 70 innings.

White Sox acquired 3B Brett Lawrie from the Athletics for RHP J.B. Wendelken and LHP Zack Erwin.

In 562 at-bats with the A's in 2015, Lawrie hit .260/.299/.407 with a career-high 16 homers and 60 RBI. The 562 AB's were the most the 25-year-old infielder has received in his five years as a major league player. The A's had a need to move Lawrie after they acquired Jed Lowrie in November. And the White Sox had a big hole at third base. The Red Sox drafted Wendelken in the 13th round of the 2012 amateur draft. He was subsequently moved to the A's. Splitting time between Double and Triple-A last season, the 22-year-old right-hander held a 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 69/16 K/BB ratio across 59 innings. Erwin barely had time to get to know the White Sox minor league system, as he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 amateur draft and is already on the move. Pitching between Rookie and A-Ball last season, he held his own well enough, pitching to a shiny 1.34 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 30/7 K/BB ratio over 40 1/3 innings.

By Enron Go To Post18.5 million for Assdrubal? hahahahahahahha. What a great signing!(for the rest of the division!)

By The Frankman Go To PostSolidifies the position, and his peripheral stats the 2nd half of the year were fine. Also last time I checked, the Division still belongs to the Mets unless someone unlocked the algorithm to beat Harvey/deGrom/Syndegaard/Matz yet. Oh yeah did I mention Zack Wheeler will be 100% by June/July? The bigger issue is the Mets picked up two solid every-day middle infielders that can hit for roughly $12 million on next year's payroll. They got better at 2B and SS, which helps the offense get better.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers have moved on from Aroldis Chapman.

Los Angeles was close to a trade for the fireballing Cuban closer on Monday when a police report from October came to light that detailed an alleged domestic assault involving strangulation of a woman and the firing of eight gunshots. No charges have been filed against Chapman, but Major League Baseball is currently investigating the incident under its new domestic abuse policy. Chapman is highly doubtful to be traded at any point in the near future. Heyman says the Dodgers could try for Yankees closer Andrew Miller or shift their focus to offensive upgrades.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros have re-signed left-hander Tony Sipp.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says it's a three-year, $18 million deal. Sipp drew interest from multiple teams on the free agent market, but the 'Stros stepped up in the end to bring him back. He'll return to a lefty specialist role, where he's registered a 2.66 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 105 innings over the last two seasons. Houston is putting together an impressive bullpen mix for 2016, having acquired young closer Ken Giles from the Phillies on Wednesday.

Rockies signed 1B Mark Reynolds to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

The deal also includes performance-based incentives. Reynolds was a disappointment with the Cardinals in 2015, batting just .230/.315/.398 in 432 plate appearances, but he still swings a big power bat and that should play well at Coors Field. The 32-year-old first baseman will carry some fantasy value in deeper leagues that allow for daily lineup changes.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that infielder Yunel Escobar has been traded to the Angels.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi was first to mention that the two teams were talking. Escobar can either fill the Angels' hole at second base or third base. He posted a cool .314/.375/.415 batting line with nine home runs and 56 RBI in 139 games this past season for the Nationals and is owed just $7 million in 2016. Washington will get hard-throwing right-handed reliever Trevor Gott in return. Gott, a hard-throwing right-handed reliever, posted a 3.02 ERA over his first 47 2/3 major league innings this past season for Anaheim. The 23-year-old will be a nice long-term addition to the Nationals' reworked bullpen. He can't become a free agent until 2022.

Jonathan Broxton has re-upped with the Cardinals on a two-year deal, per Tom Ackerman of KMOX.

St. Louis declined a $9 million club option on Broxton at the conclusion of the 2015 season, but he'll be headed back to the Cardinals' bullpen for 2016 and 2017. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says the new two-year contract is worth $7.5 million and carries full no-trade protection. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a promising 2.66 ERA in 23 2/3 innings down the stretch this summer with the Cardinals after struggling mightily with the Brewers. He figures to return to a middle relief role.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports the Nationals and free agent reliever Shawn Kelley have agreed to a three-year deal worth $15-16 million.

The "saga," as Crasnick called it, originally had Kelley going to the Nats on a one-year pact, a surprisingly short-term deal in a market where a number of lesser relievers were getting longer guarantees. This sounds more like it. Kelley earned it, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 63/15 K/BB ratio over 51 1/3 innings for the Padres in 2015.

By blackace Go To Postthe Ms are loaded for one more big move this off-season. It might be a free agent or taking a bigger contract

By Enron Go To Postgo go go Chris Davis

Royals signed Joakim Soria to a three-year, $25 million contract.

Soria is officially back with the Royals, where he spent the first five seasons of his major league career. The new deal includes a $10 million mutual option for 2019, with a $1 million buyout. Interestingly, Soria can earn up to $4 million with incentives each season based on both games finished and games started. As of now, he figures to serve as a set-up man for Wade Davis.

By The Frankman Go To PostDude could be a closer anywhere, guess he wanted to go back to the Royals.

By Fenderputty Go To PostSure would be nice if the dodgers could do more than just lose an ace this winter.

By blackace Go To Postyou got Kuma

Padres acquired C Christian Bethancourt from the Braves for RHP Casey Kelly and C Ricardo Rodriguez.

Bethancourt was once viewed as the catcher of the future for the Braves, but his hitting woes kept him from ever taking that role and, now, led to his exit from town. Kelly, like Bethancourt, was once a top prospect in his respective system. Bethancourt, 24, joins a crowded catcher group in San Diego. A trade of Derek Norris or Austin Hedges may follow.

Kelly was a regular on prospect lists for years prior to Tommy John surgery in 2013, and he's struggled to live up to the expectations since the procedure. Last season, the 26-year-old had a 7.94 ERA in 11 1/3 innings with the Padres, only posting a moderately better 5.16 ERA in the minors. The Braves are throwing a dart with this one, but in a loaded system the pressure on Kelly to succeed is low.

Rodriguez, 17, batted .270/.339/.380 in the Dominican Summer League in 2015. He's got a long way to go before he ever sees the majors, but the Braves hope he'll have more success than the departed Bethancourt.

Nationals signed LHP Oliver Perez to a two-year, $7 million contract.

The deal was reported a week ago and is now official after Perez passed a physical. Perez held a 4.14 ERA and 51/15 K/BB ratio over 41 innings in 2015, limiting left-handed batters to a .185/.235/.283 batting line. He should form a nice one-two punch with Felipe Rivero from the left side in the Nats' bullpen.

Astros re-signed LHP Tony Sipp to a three-year, $18 million contract.

It's been a healthy market for relievers, but Sipp is worth the $6 million per season he's going to get. The left-hander has posted a 2.66 ERA with 125 strikeouts over 105 innings across the last two seasons for the Astros. He's not just a lefty specialist, either, having had plenty of success versus right-handed batters.

Athletics signed RHP Ryan Madson to a three-year, $22 million contract.

The deal became official after he passed a physical, which couldn't have been viewed as a certainty given his medical history. It's that lengthy injury history which makes a three-year pact for Madson very risky, but there's no deny he was excellent in 2015, holding a 2.13 ERA and 58/14 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings. He'll likely set up in Oakland but could see some save chances.

Athletics signed RHP John Axford to a two-year, $10 million contract.
The contract includes $4 million based on incentives for games finished. Axford figures to work in a setup role initially but has a shot to close some games should others falter. He put up a 4.20 ERA with 25 saves and a 63/32 K/BB ratio over 55 2/3 innings this past season for the Rockies.

By Enron Go To PostCardinals out on Heyward, Nats "pessimistic'. Guess that means he's going to be a Cub.

:(

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward on an 8-year, $184 million deal, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and multiple reports.

Heyward's deal has two opt-outs: One is after three years, the second after an unknown time frame, according to ESPN and multiple reports.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports that the Mariners have agreed to a two-year deal, $10 million contract with closer Steve Cishek.

Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. New general manager Jerry Dipoto has been incredibly active this offseason remaking the Mariners roster, and now he has a terrific one-two punch at the back of the bullpen with Cishek and Joaquin Benoit. The 29-year-old right-hander has racked up 95 saves in his career while posting a 2.82 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 332/119 K/BB ratio over 313 big league innings.

Phillies acquired RHP Charlie Morton from the Pirates for RHP David Whitehead.

Moving the 32-year-old clears around $8 million from the Pirates budget, which could be used to go after a free agent starting pitcher. He registered a 4.81 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 96/41 K/BB ratio over 129 innings in 23 starts with the Pirates in 2015. Given the state of the Phillies rotation, Morton should be locked into a spot near the front of the rotation. Whitehead is a 23-year-old right-hander who spent the entire 2015 campaign at High-A Clearwater, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 94/51 K/BB ratio over 135 2/3 innings in 25 starts.

Astros acquired RHP Ken Giles and INF Jonathan Arauz from the Astros for RHPs Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Thomas Eshelman, Harold Arauz and LHP Brett Oberholtzer.

The deal varies from what was initially reported as Derek Fisher is no longer included, and in his place the Phillies will receive Mark Appel and Harold Arauz. The hard-throwing 25-year-old will immediately step in as the Astros closer and provide a shutdown option in the ninth inning for a club with visions of competing for a World Series title. He posted a ridiculous 1.80 ERA and 87/25 K/BB ratio over 70 innings with the Phillies in 2015. Harold Arajuz is a 20-year-old hurler who spent the entire 2015 campaign at Low-A Tri-City where he compiled a 5.75 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 52/18 K/BB ratio in 51 2/3 innings across 10 starts and five relief appearances. He's much more of a project than he is a finished product at this point. Appel was the top overall selection from the 2013 draft, but has disappointed in his minor league career to date. He compiled a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 110/51 K/BB ratio over 131 2/3 innings between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno in 2015. Still just 24-years-old, he remains incredibly talented and has a high ceiling, though he'll need to improve his command and consistency. He's a solid bet to debut with the Phillies at some point during the upcoming season.

The Orioles' offer to Chris Davis was for seven years and $154 million, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Of course, that offer has since been pulled. Though there haven't been any indications that Davis has a higher offer on the table, agent Scott Boras is still holding out hope for a $200 million payday. Davis led the majors in both home runs and strikeouts last season. He's a risky bet for a long-term deal though his ability to play both corner infield and outfield spots gives him some added value.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Steve Cishek will be the team's closer.

That comes as a mild surprise given Cishek's underwhelming 2015 and the November addition of Joaquin Benoit. Cishek did pitch better in the second half, after moving from Miami to St. Louis, and Dipoto and Co. apparently saw enough during that two-month stretch to believe he can fit back into a ninth-inning role. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a cool 2.82 ERA and 332 strikeouts in 313 career major league frames and he earned 94 saves in five-plus seasons with the Marlins. He got a two-year, $10 million free agent contract from Seattle over the weekend.

Nationals signed RHP Yusmeiro Petit to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2017.

The option is for $3 million and contains a $500,000 buyout. Petit was non-tendered by the Giants earlier this month despite being quite valuable for them over the last three seasons as a swingman, having posted a 3.66 ERA and 239/48 K/BB ratio over 241 innings. He should be set for a long relief role initially with the Nats, but it's a good bet that he'll wind up making some start

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Johnny Cueto has agreed to a contract with the Giants, pending a physical.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says the deal is for six years and $130 million and contains an opt-out clause after the 2017 season. The Giants also have a club option for a seventh year. Cueto was inconsistent down the stretch with the Royals, but he boasts a 2.71 ERA over 134 starts across the last five seasons. The Giants have added two big arms to their rotation this winter in Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Pirates have re-signed infielder Sean Rodriguez.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the deal is worth $2.5 million plus incentives, pending a physical. Rodriguez batted just .246/.281/.362 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 240 plate appearances this past season, but the Pirates value his versatility. He'll be back in a utility role in 2016.

Jeff Francis has decided to retire from baseball.

Francis, who turns 35 in January, has decided to hang it up after 11 seasons in the majors. The southpaw is best remembered for his time with the Rockies and looks back on his experience in Denver fondly. "It's a special place," said Francis. "I spent the bulk of my time there. It was at times an up-and-down career, but to have the time in Denver playing in the World Series, and playing for a team that grew up together, that's pretty satisfying." Francis walks away from the game with a 72-82 record and a 4.97 career ERA

Matt Yallof of MLB Network reports that that Mets have re-signed reliever Jerry Blevins to a one-year, $4 million contract.

He could make up to $1 million more with incentives. Blevins got off to a great start this past season before suffering a fracture in his arm on a comebacker in April and then reinjured the arm during a freak accident in August. If healthy, he'll be the primary left-handed specialist in New York's bullpen in 2016. $4 million seems like a lot for a pitcher was limited to seven appearances this past season due to injury, but Tony Sipp just landed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Astros and Antonio Bastardo figures to get something similar. As always in this game, it pays to be left-handed.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Reds will acquire infielders Jose Peraza and Brandon Dixon and outfielder Scott Schebler from the Dodgers, the Dodgers will acquire right-hander Frankie Montas, outfielder Trayce Thompson and infielder Micah Johnson from the White Sox, and the White Sox acquired 3B Todd Frazier in a three-team trade with the Reds and Dodgers.


It feels like an underwhelming return for two years of Frazier. There was some debate about which direction the White Sox would go after a disappointing 2015 season, but it's safe to say they are all in. The price tag was reasonable, as Frazier batted .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI this past season and should keep the power going at The Cell. He'll make only $7.5 million in 2016 and will have another year of arbitration-eligibility in 2017.

This will be the third organization for Peraza in the past year, as he was traded from the Braves to the Dodgers back in July. The 22-year-old has plus-speed and batted .293/.316/.378 with four home runs, 42 RBI, and 33 steals over 118 games in Triple-A this past season. He's an underwhelming centerpiece in the deal, but assuming the Reds trade Brandon Phillips should be in for a big bump in playing time. With him and Eugenio Suarez both in the fold, this could be an indication that the Reds are finally close (Reports of a possible deal with the Nationals have surfaced).

Brandon Dixon turns 24 in January and batted .263/.303/.443 with 19 home runs, 68 RBI, and 26 stolen bases over 128 games this past season between High-A and Double-A. He mostly played second base, but also has experience in the outfield. The power/speed numbers are gaudy, but he has poor plate discipline and isn't considered a top prospect.

After back-to-back big seasons, Scott Schebler batted just .241 with 13 home runs and a .731 OPS this past season in Triple-A. He made his major league debut with the Dodgers in June and hit .250 (9-for-36) with three homers over 19 games. The 25-year-old offers some power and speed, but his production suffered against advanced competition. Still, the Reds apparently looked at him as a buy-low opportunity.

Frankie Montas is a high-upside arm, even as a possible reliever. Known for his electric fastball, Montas made two starts and five relief appearances with the White Sox down the stretch this past season and posted a 2.97 ERA and 108/48 K/BB ratio over 112 innings in Double-A. He could still make it as a starter, but many see him as a late-inning arm in the long run and turns 23 in March.

The brother of NBA star Klay Thompson, Trayce was a nice surprise for the White Sox this past season, batting .295/.363/.533 over 44 games. He never produced quite like that in the minors, but he's an excellent athlete with pop and can play all over the outfield. He turns 25 in March.

Micah Johnson essentially replaces Jose Peraza on the Dodgers' depth chart, though he may have less upside. The 24-year-old hit .230 with a .576 OPS over 114 plate appearances with the White Sox this past season, but he has always hit in the minors and possesses excellent speed. He could be a potential platoon-mate at second base depending on how things shake out with the Dodgers this winter.

Braves signed C Tyler Flowers to a two-year, $5.3 million contract with a club option for 2018.

The deal was reported during the Winter Meetings last week and it's now official. Flowers was non-tendered by the White Sox earlier this month, but he'll now share the catcher position with veteran A.J. Pierzynski. The 29-year-old batted .236/.292/.356 with nine homers and 39 RBI this past season

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to a one-year, $7.25 million contract pending a physical.

Initial reports of the signing came from the Dominican Republic. Colon turns 43 in May, so a one-year contract was always the most logical deal he was going to draw in free agency. The veteran right-hander made 31 starts for the Mets in 2015, pitching to a 4.16 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 136/24 K/BB ratio across 194 2/3 innings. Despite Colon's advanced age, he's been as durable as they come over the last three seasons, having pitched 587 1/3 innings in that space.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles and Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim have agreed on a two-year, $7 million contract pending a physical.

The A's were also rumored to be in the mix for the services of the 27-year-old outfielder, but per Connolly, Kim's traveling from South Korea to Baltimore on Wednesday with a physical to follow on Thursday or Friday. While playing for the Doosan Bears in the KBO, Kim hit .326/.438/.541 with 28 homers and 121 RBI last season. If he does, indeed, sign for the rumored amount with Baltimore, it's a nice low-risk pick-up by the Orioles.

By blackace Go To PostI didn't know Klay's brother played baseball!

By Fenderputty Go To PostHopefully he does t fall apart half way through the season. Lol

According to Jiji Press in Japan, the Dodgers have backed away from their agreement with Hisashi Iwakuma following the right-hander's pre-signing physical.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweeted 11 days ago that Iwakuma and the Dodgers had linked up on a three-year, $45 million free agent deal, but there had been silence from all of the involved parties ever since that initial report. Now we know why. Iwakuma missed all of May and June with a strained lat, but he seemed to be well past the issue in the second half. There should be more information to come. The 34-year-old right-hander is again a free agent.

Indians signed OF Rajai Davis to a one-year, $5.25 million contract.

The agreement was reported on Wednesday evening and then officially announced Thursday after Davis passed his pre-signing physical. The veteran speedster will give the Indians some much-needed outfield depth with Michael Brantley due to miss at least one month following major offseason shoulder surgery. Davis had a cool .746 OPS with eight home runs and 18 stolen bases in 112 games this past summer for Detroit.

The Seattle Mariners re-signed Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma after the starter’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell apart.

Team GM Jerry Dipoto announced the news at the club’s holiday party Thursday night:

Iwakuma initially turned down a qualifying offer with Seattle and agreed to a three-year deal with the Dodgers at the Winter Meetings pending a physical. The deal was never officially announced, and that’s because Iwakuma failed his physical, Jiji Press reported Thursday.


After the deal with the Dodgers fell apart, the Mariners got back involved in discussions. They guaranteed Iwakuma a one-year deal with vesting options for 2017 and 2018.

Iwakuma missed the early part of the season due to a strained lat, but he still went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA last season, including a no-hitter. He will be welcomed back by Mariners fans

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Rockies and Adam Ottavino have agreed to a three-year $10.4 million contract extension.

The deal buys out the right-hander's last to years of arbitration and his first year of free agency. Ottavino is in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to be ready to rejoin the Rockies' bullpen until midway through the 2016 season. The 30-year-old hurler owns a career 3.88 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 254/92 K/BB ratio over 255 innings.

Athletics and RHP Jarrod Parker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

Of the $850,000, $425,000 is guaranteed. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched since the 2013 season due to multiple surgeries on his pitching elbow, but he's expected to be fully healthy and ready to go for spring training. Parker owns a 3.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 275/127 K/BB ratio over 384 big league innings.

By blackace Go To Postwho are the big impact players left?

Upton and ?