NEWS
Cuban SS Yoan Moncada is close to being declared a free agent and could be cleared to sign with a Major League club as soon as two weeks from now.
The D-Backs have hired Joe Carter to be a Special Assistant to GM Dave Stewart. Carter was a 5 time All-Star and is mostly know for hitting the HR in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series that ended the series.
MLB.com announced their 2015 Top 100 prospects. Here’s the Top 10: 10) Noah Syndergaard, RHP (Mets) 9) Joey Gallo, 3B (Rangers) 8) Julio Urias, LHP (Dodgers) 7) Corey Seager, SS (Dodgers) 6) Lucas Giolito, RHP (Nationals) 5) Addison Russell, SS (Cubs) 4) Francisco Lindor, SS (Indians) 3) Carlos Correa, SS (Astros) 2) Kris Bryant, 3B (Cubs) 1) Byron Buxton, OF (Twins)
TRANSACTIONS
The Reds and C Devin Mesoraco have agreed on a 4 year/$28 million contract extension.
The Orioles and RHP Bud Norris agreed to a 1 year/$8.8 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Braves signed C John Buck to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Giants and SS Brandon Crawford agreed to a 1 year/$3.175 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Royals and OF Jarrod Dyson agreed to a 1 year/$1.23 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Orioles acquired OF Travis Snider from the Pirates. The Pirates will receive minor league LHP Steven Tarpley and a PTBNL.
The Red Sox acquired LHP Robbie Ross Jr. from the Rangers. The Rangers will receive prospect RHP Anthony Ranaudo.
The Nationals have signed RHP Casey Janssen to a 1 year/$5 million contract including option buyout.
The Angels and 3B David Freese agreed to a 1 year/$6.425 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The White Sox have signed INF Gordon Beckham to a 1 year/$2 million contract.
The Mets and RHP Jenrry Mejia agreed to a 1 year/$2.6 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Blue Jays signed INF Ramon Santiago with minor league deal with Spring Training invite.
The Phillies signed RHP Chad Billingsley to a 1 year/$1.5 million contract plus performance bonuses.
The Brewers have signed LHP Neal Cotts to a 1 year/$3 million contract.
The Red Sox signed RHP Alexi Ogando to a 1 year/$1.5 million contract plus incentives.
The Orioles and 1B/OF Steve Pearce agreed to a 1 year/$3.7 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Rays signed RHP Ronald Belisario to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Angels and RHP Garrett Richards to a 1 year/$3.2 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Orioles signed LHP Mark Hendrickson to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Reds have signed LHP Paul Maholm to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
RUMORS
The Brewers are talking with RHP Francisco Rodriguez.
The Rockies are saying it is, “highly, highly unlikely” that either Tulowitzki or Gonzalez will be traded before Opening Day.
The Astros are now showing some interest in RHP Kevin Correia.
Joba Chamberlain has reportedly turned down multiple offers.
The Padres have discussed a trade with the Brewers involving SS Luis Sardinas. Sardinas just came to the Brewers via trade from the Rangers.
Andruw Jones’s agent Scott Boras says there are at least two teams interested in bringing him into Spring Training.