NEWS
Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. will be the new senior Advisor to the Commissioner Rob Manfred on Youth Programs and Outreach.
Armando Galarraga has retired from the MLB. He played 6 years with 4 different teams. He is most famous for his Imperfect Game. He is at the Winter Meetings interviewing for a Minor League pitching coach job.
The Hall of Fame committee didn’t vote in any pre-1946 candidates. Nobody reached more than 10 votes and 12 were needed.
Joe Nathan is at the Winter Meetings, taking with teams. He wants to return from 2nd TJ surgery and could be ready to pitch by mid-season.
The Reds and Dodgers trade involving Aroldis Chapman is now in the hands of the MLB, which is launching an investigation after domestic violence incident.
TRANSACTIONS
The Orioles have signed RHP Darren O’Day to a 4 year/$31 million contract.
The A’s have signed RHP Ryan Madsen to a 3 year/$23 million contract.
The Dodgers have resigned 2B Chase Utley to a 1 year/$7 million contract.
The Tigers have signed C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to 1 year deal at the league minimum. He will still earn $8 million this year from the Marlins.
The Royals have signed RHP Joakim Soria to a 3 year/$25 million contract plus performance bonuses. Soria pitched with the Royals from from 2007-2011 and was a 2 time All-Star.
The Tigers have signed RHP Mark Lowe to a 2 year/$13 million contract.
The Royals have resigned RHP Chris Young to a 2 year/$11.75 million contract.
The Dodgers have signed RHP Hisashi Iwakuma to a 3 year/$45 million contract.
The Cubs have signed LHP Trevor Cahill to a 1 year/$4.25 million contract.
The Mariners have acquired LHP Wade Miley and minor league RHP Jonathan Aro from the Red Sox. The Red Sox will receive RHP Carson Smith and LHP Roenis Elias.
RUMORS
The Angels could pursue OF Yoenis Cespedes.
LHP Scott Kazmir has about 10-12 teams interested in him.
The Mets have interest in SS Asbrubal Cabrera as a backup if they don’t land Zobrist.
The Reds are making everyone available including 3B Todd Frazier.
The Dodgers are in talks to acquire LHP Aroldis Chapman from the Reds.
The Rockies remain open minded on trading OF’ers, including Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon.
The Cubs and Rays have discussed a trade involving 2B/SS Javier Baez.
The Rangers are showing interest in RHP Joe Kelly and LHP Drew Smyly.
The Royals interested in OF Gerardo Parra as an option if they fail to resign Alex Gordon.
The Mariners are pursuing a trade for 1B Adam Lind from the Brewers.
The Rangers have discussed RHP Shawn Tolleson in trade talks.
The Marlins said to be seeking 5 or 6 good young players for Jose Fernandez before they even consider trading him.
The Brewers have been listening on C Jonathan Lucroy.
The Angels are trying to move LHP C.J. Wilson and willing to eat money.