NEWS
Major League Baseball announced that “Major League” status has been officially conferred upon the Negro Leagues. As per the league’s press release….
“During this year’s centennial celebration of the founding of the Negro Leagues, MLB is proud to highlight the contributions of the pioneers who played in these seven distinct leagues from 1920-1948. With this action, MLB seeks to ensure that future generations will remember the approximately 3,400 players of the Negro Leagues during this time period as Major League-caliber ballplayers. Accordingly, the statistics and records of these players will become a part of Major League Baseball’s history.”
The Braves DH Marcell Ozuna is the first NL winner of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.
The Mets have announced they will hire Jared Porter as their GM and he will receive a 4-year deal. Porter was the assistant GM for the Diamondbacks.
The Cleveland Indians have decided to change their team name, though the team might retain the name throughout the 2021 season and then officially adopt a new nickname for 2022.
MLB is hoping to push the start of the 2021 season into May. This would mean a delayed start to Spring Training and a shorter season than the normal 162-game schedule.
The Tigers announced that RHP prospect Alex Faedo will undergo Tommy John surgery this month. Faedo is the Tigers #10 prospect and was their first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft.
TRANSACTIONS
The Rockies re-signed RHP Chi Chi Rodriguez to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Rangers signed RHP Edubray Ramos to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Rangers have signed OF David Dahl to a 1 year/$3 million contract.
The Dodgers signed RHP Brandon Morrow to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Morrow played with the Dodgers in 2017.
The Mets signed LHP Jerry Blevins to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Blevins played with the Mets in 2015-18.
The Mets have signed C James McCann to a 4 year/$40.6 million contract.
The Royals re-signed OF Bubba Starling to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Starling was the 5th overall pick of the Royals in the 2011 MLB Draft.
The Red Sox have signed OF Hunter Renfroe to a 1 year/$3.1 million contract plus incentives.
The Royals have re-signed RHP Greg Holland to a 1 year/$2.75 million contract plus performance bonuses.
The Nationals signed LHP Luis Avilan to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Mariners have acquired RHP Rafael Montero from the Rangers. The Rangers will receive RHP prospect Jose Corniell (Mariners #24 prospect) and a PTBNL.
The Orioles signed LHP Fernando Abad to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Angels have signed LHP Alex Claudio to a 1 year/$1.125 million contract.
The Mariners have signed RHP Keynan Middleton to a 1 year/$800K contract plus incentives.
The Rays have re-signed C Mike Zunino to a 1 year/$3 million contract with a club option for 2022.
The Reds have acquired OF Scott Heineman from the Rangers. The Rangers will receive INF prospect Jose Acosta.
The Giants have signed RHP Anthony DeSclafani to a 1 year/$6 million contract.
The Phillies signed RHP Neftali Feliz to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Feliz was the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year and was an All-Star with the Rangers in 2010.
The Rays have signed RHP Michael Wacha to a 1 year/$3 million contract.
RUMORS
The Red Sox are interested in LHP Rich Hill and LHP Jake Odorizzi.
3B Justin Turner is seeking a 3-year deal.
The Rays have discussed the possibility of a reunion with RHP Chris Archer.
The Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez has been drawing trade interest.
RHP Corey Kluber is expected to throw in front of teams this month.
The Angels are interested in C Kurt Suzuki.
The Dodgers and Astros are among the teams pursuing RHP Liam Hendriks.
RHP Liam Hendriks is looking for a 4-year deal.
OF Jackie Bradley Jr. is drawing interest from the Phillies, Cubs and Blue Jays.
The Yankees and Dodgers have expressed interest in RHP Ryne Stanek.
The Nationals are a possibility for C Yadier Molina.
The Blue Jays have been in touch with KBO star SS Ha-Seong Kim.
The Rockies would like to engage the Mets on a 3B Nolan Arenado trade.
The Nationals have talked to the Reds about 3B Eugenio Suarez.
The Padres are among the teams interested in the Reds RHP Sonny Gray.
The Nationals have interest in C J.T. Realmuto.
The Reds are discussing RHP Luis Castillo in trade talks with other teams.