NEWS
The Kansas City Royals have extended their manager Ned Yost through the 2016 season.
Johan Santana is working on making a MLB comeback. He is currently pitching in Venezuelan Winter League.
Jamey Carroll has joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Special Assistant to the Baseball Operations staff. He had a 12 year MLB career with 6 different teams.
The Seattle Mariners have announced Jamie Moyer will be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame this summer. He will be the 9th member.
MLB announces the San Diego Padres and Petco Park will host the 2016 MLB All-Star game.
The Chicago White Sox will retire Paul Konerko’s #14 this season on May 23.
TRANSACTIONS
The Pirates and SS Jung-Ho Kang have agreed to terms on a 4 year/$16 million contract with a 5th year option.
The White Sox and OF Dayan Viciedo have agreed on a 1 year/$ 4.4 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The D-Backs have agreed to terms with Cuban RHP Yoan Lopez.
The Astros have acquired C/OF Evan Gattis and minor league RHP James Hoyt from the Braves. The Braves will receive 3 prospects; RHP Mike Foltynewicz, 3B Rio Ruiz and RHP Andrew Thurman.
The Rockies and OF Drew Stubbs have agreed on a 1 year/$5.825 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Nationals acquired SS Yunel Escobar from the A’s. The A’s will receive RHP Tyler Clippard.
The Astros and OF Chris Carter have agreed to a 1 year/$4.175 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Cardinals and RHP Lance Lynn have agreed to a 3 year/$22 million deal to buy out all his arbitration years.
The Rangers and RHP Neftali Feliz have agreed to a 1 year/$4.125 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Giants and RHP Yusmeiro Petit have agreed to a 1 year/$2.1 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Nationals and RHP Stephen Strasburg agreed to a 1 year/$7.4 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Giants signed free agent OF Nori Aoki to a 1 year/$4 million contract with performance bonuses.
The Tigers and LHP David Price agreed to a 1 year/$19.75 million deal to avoid arbitration, which is an arbitration record.
The A’s and OF Josh Reddick agreed to a 1 year/$4.1 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Phillies claimed OF Jordan Danks off of waivers from the White Sox.
The Nationals and RHP Doug Fister agreed to a 1 year/$11.4 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Blue Jays resigned INF Munenori Kawasaki to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Pirates and 3B Josh Harrison agreed to a 1 year/$2.8 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Dodgers signed LHP Erik Bedard to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
RUMORS
Several teams have interest in Mets SP Dillon Gee.
The D-Backs are in the mix for RHP James Shields but not at $100 million.
The Padres are still in play for LHP Cole Hamels.
The Rangers have interest in catchers Carlos Corporan and Geovany Soto.
The Braves say they WILL NOT trade RHP Craig Kimbrel.
The Tigers are now showing some interest in RHP James Shields.
The Rockies are discussing trading OF Charlie Blackmon with multiple teams. Rockies are looking for pitching in return
The Nationals are the leaders in the RHP Max Scherzer sweepstakes.
The Nationals are prepared to trade a SP if they land Scherzer. Most likely it would be Zimmerman but will listen to offers on Strasburg.
The Brewers are close to trading RHP Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers.