NEWS
MLB’s announced penalties for Astros and they include:
• One-year suspensions for GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch. Both were then fired by Astros owner Jim Crane.
• Losses of 1st and 2nd round draft picks in both 2020 and ‘21.
• A fine of $5M.
The Red Sox announced that manager Alex Cora will not return as their manager in 2020.
The Mets announced that manager Carlos Beltran has stepped down as the manager of the Mets.
The Yankees have hired CC Sabathia as a special advisor to the GM.
The Rockies have announced they will retire number 33 in honor of OF Larry Walker on April 19.
TRANSACTIONS
The Rangers have signed 3B Todd Frazier to a 1 year/$5 million contract with a club option for 2021.
The Dodgers have signed LHP Alex Wood to a 1 year/$4 million contract plus incentives.
The A’s acquired OF Tony Kemp from the Cubs. The Cubs will receive minor league INF Alfonso Rivas.
The Tigers have signed RHP Ivan Nova to a 1 year/$1.5 million contract plus incentives.
The Angels acquired RHP Matt Andriese from the D-Backs. The D-Backs will receive minor league RHP Jeremy Beasley.
The Twins have signed 3B Josh Donaldson to a 4 year/$92 million contract with a 5th year option.
The Reds signed RHP Nate Jones to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Padres signed RHP Jerad Eickhoff to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Rangers acquired 1B/OF Same Travis from the Red Sox. The Red Sox will receive minor league LHP Jeffrey Springs.
The Giants have signed LHP Drew Smyly to a 1 year/$4 million contract plus incentives.
The Braves have signed SS Adeiny Hechavarria to a 1 year/$1 million contract.
The Blue Jays signed 2B Joe Panik to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Panik was an All-Star in 2015 with the Giants and also won a World Series with them in 2014.
The Cardinals have re-signed C Matt Wieters to a 1 year/$2 million contract plus incentives.
The Braves signed RHP Felix Hernandez to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Hernandez was a 6-time All-Star with the Mariners and won a Cy Young in 2010.
RUMORS
The Cardinals and Rockies have had preliminary trade talks on 3B Nolan Arenado.
The Royals and OF Alex Gordon are discussing a new deal.
The Rockies have interest in C Jonathan Lucroy.
The Reds are among the teams interested in UT Brock Holt.
The Cubs have considered OF Jacoby Ellsbury as a leadoff hitter.
The Mets and Pirates have reportedly re-opened trade talks about OF Starling Marte.