NEWS
Former Twins star Justin Morneau is going to join the team as a Special Assistant. Morneau played 11 years with the Twins, he was a 4-time All-Star and won the AL MVP in 2006.
Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey passed away, he was 87 years old. He is one of ten umpires ever to reach the Hall of Fame. Harvey umpired for 31 seasons and umped 4,673 games, 5th most all time. He was behind the plate for Kirk Gibson’s pinch-hit home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
TRANSACTIONS
The Brewers signed C/RHP Christian Bethancourt to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Tigers signed C Brayan Pena to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The D-Backs and RHP Randall Delgado agreed to a 1 year/$2.25 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Reds signed RHP Vance Worley to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Angels have signed C Rene Rivera to a 1 year/$2.8 million contract.
The A’s and OF Khris Davis agreed to a 1 year/$10.5 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Mets have signed OF Jay Bruce to a 3 year/$39 million contract.
The Mets and RHP Noah Syndergaard agreed to a 1 year/$2.975 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Indians and RHP Cody Allen agreed to a 1 year/$10.575 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The White Sox have signed RHP Miguel Gonzalez to a 1 year/$4.75 million contract.
The Nationals signed RHP Edwin Jackson to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The D-Backs and LHP Patrick Corbin agreed to a 1 year/$7.5 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Dodgers and LHP Alex Wood agreed to a 1 year/$6 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Reds and OF Billy Hamilton agreed to a 1 year/$4.6 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Pirates and SS Jordy Mercer agreed to a 1 year/$6.75 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Red Sox and SS Xander Bogaerts agreed to a 1 year/$7.050 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Phillies and 2B Cesar Hernandez agreed to a 1 year/$5.1 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Blue Jays and 3B Josh Donaldson agreed to a 1 year/$23 million deal to avoid arbitration. That figure will set a new record for the largest salary ever awarded to an arbitration-eligible player on a one-year contract.
The White Sox and 1B Jose Abreu agreed to a 1 year/$13 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Cubs and 3B Kris Bryant agreed to a 1 year/$10.85 million deal to avoid arbitration, a new record for a first-time arbitration-eligible player.
The Padres and LHP Brad Hand agreed to a 3 year/$19.75 contract extension.
The Twins have signed RHP Addison Reed to a 2 year/$16.75 million contract.
The Astros and RHP Lance McCullers agreed to a 1 year/$2.45 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Astros have acquired RHP Gerrit Cole from the Pirates. The Pirates will receive RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Michael Feliz and 2 prospects: 3B Colin Moran (Astros #5 prospect) and OF Jason Martin (Astros #15 prospect).
The Mets have signed 1B Adrian Gonzalez to a major league deal, pending a physical terms unknown.
Here is a list of all the arbitration numbers: MLB Arbitration Tracker
RUMORS
The Tigers SS Jose Iglesias remains on the trade market.
2B Starlin Castro wants to be traded from the Marlins.
RHP Yu Darvish has reportedly narrowed down his potential landing spot to 6 teams: Rangers, Yankees, Cubs, Astros, Twins and a mystery team.
OF J.D. Martinez may be willing to “hold out” into Spring Training to sign with a team.
The Cubs are not done and are focused on adding to the pitching staff.
The Royals are willing to hold on RHP Kelvin Herrera if they aren’t offered a “huge haul”.
The Pirates have had ongoing discussions about OF Andrew McCutchen with multiple teams, including the Giants.