NEWS
Michael Cuddyer of the Mets has decided to retire. He has a 1 year/$12.5 million left on his contract. It is unknown if he’s walking away from the money or if he will receive some kind of buyout. Cuddyer had a 15 year career with 3 teams. He was a 2 time All-Star and finished his career with 1,522 hits, 197 HR’s and 794 RBI’s.
Yadier Molina of the Cardinals underwent a 2nd operation on his ailing left thumb. The 1st surgery didn’t take. Molina will miss most of Spring Training.
The Braves announced that future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones has joined the front office as a special assistant to the GM.
TRANSACTIONS
The Cubs have signed OF Jason Heyward to an 8 year/$184 million contract with 2 opt out clauses, after the 3rd year or 4th year if he meets certain plate appearances.
Update to Phillies/Astros trade: The Astros acquired RHP Ken Giles and 17 year old SS Jonathan Arauz from the Phillies. The Phillies will receive RHP Vincent Velaaquez, LHP Brett Oberholtzer, 2013 #1 pick RHP Mark Appel, minor league RHP Thomas Eshelman and minor league RHP Harold Arauz.
The Mariners have signed RHP Steve Cishek to a 2 year/$10 million contract plus incentives.
The Phillies have acquired RHP Charlie Morton from the Pirates. The Pirates will receive minor league RHP David Whitehead.
The Padres have signed RHP Phillip Humber to a minor league deal. In 2015 he pitched in the KBO.
The Giants have signed RHP Johnny Cueto to a 6 year/$130 million contract and an opt out clause after 2 seasons.
The Braves have signed RHP Jhoulys Chacin to a minor league deal.
The Royals have signed RHP Dillon Gee to a minor league deal.
The Brewers have signed 3B Will Middlebrooks to a minor league deal.
The White Sox have acquired 3B Todd Frazier from the Reds in a 3 team trade. The Reds will receive 3 prospects; INF Jose Peraza, INF Brandon Dixon and OF Scott Schebler. The Dodgers will also receive 3 prospects; RHP Frankie Montas, 2B Micah Johnson and OF Trayce Thompson.
The Indians signed 1B/DH Mike Napoli to a 1 year/$7 million contract.
The Mets have resigned RHP Bartolo Colon to a 1 year/$7.25 million contract.
The Indians have signed OF Rajai Davis to a 1 year/$5.26 million contract plus incentives.
The Angels have signed OF Daniel Nava to a 1 year/$1.375 million contract.
The Orioles have signed Korean OF Hyun-soo Kim to a 2 year/$7 million contract.
The Phillies have signed RHP Andrew Bailey to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Bailey was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the A’s.
The Mariners have resigned RHP Hisashi Iwakuma to a 1 year/$12 million contract plus incentives and vesting options for 2016 and 2017.
The Rangers have resigned RHP Colby Lewis to a 1 year/$6 million contract.
The White Sox and RHP Nate Jones have agreed to a 3 year/$8 million extension.
The A’s have signed RHP Henderson Alvarez to a 1 year/$4.25 million contract plus incentives.
The Pirates have signed RHP Ryan Vogelsong to a 1 year/$2 million contract plus incentives.
The Rockies and RHP Adam Ottavino have agreed to a 3 year/$10.4 million extension.
RUMORS
The Rays trade conversations on RHP Jake McGee have intensified.
The Cardinals are expected to pursue OF Alex Gordon after losing out on Heyward.
The Nationals are in on Rockies outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon.
The Brewers are looking everywhere are a first baseman.
The Royals are among many teams interested in LHP Scott Kazmir.
Angels owner Arte Moreno said Angels are unlikely to sign any big free agents this offseason.
The Nationals are showing interest in 2B Daniel Murphy.
The Dodgers are backing out on RHP Hisashi Iwakuma due to a failed physical.
The Rays and Rockies have discussed a SP for OF trade.
LHP Wei-Yin Chen is seeking a 5 year/$100 million deal.
The Royals are still trying to bring OF Alex Gordon to KC but doesn’t seem likely.
The Marlins have offered 2B Dee Gordon a 5 year extension contract.
The Mets will meet with OF Denard Span in January.
The Nationals are moving on from trying to acquire 2B Brandon Phillips. Phillips wanted an extension to waive his no trade rights.
RHP Bronson Arroyo has drawn interest from multiple teams.
The A’s are still among the contenders to sign LHP Scott Kazmir.
The Orioles have engaged in talks with OF Yoenis Cespedes.
The Rangers have received a ton of trade interest in INF Jurickson Profar.
[…] Nine Inning Know It All recaps last week’s developments on the Hot Stove front. […]