NEWS
RHP Anibal Sanchez considering return to MLB in 2022.
Francisco Liriano has announced his retirement from MLB. He had a 14-year MLB career spent mostly with the Twins and Pirates. Liriano was an All-Star with the Twins in 2006.
Former big leaguers Coco Crisp and Bill Mueller are taking on roles in the Nationals player development department. Crisp is joining the organization as an outfield/baserunning coordinator, while Mueller will serve as the club’s quality control coordinator.
The Padres hired Mike Shildt for a player development role.
The BBWAA elected one new Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (77.9). The next closest were Barry Bonds (66.0), Roger Clemens (65.2), Scott Rolen (63.2), Curt Schilling (58.6), Todd Helton (52.0), Billy Wagner (51.0), Andruw Jones (41.4), Gary Sheffield (40.6), Alex Rodriguez (34.3) and Jeff Kent (32.7).
TRANSACTIONS
The Nationals signed OF Rusney Castillo to a minor league deal.
The Royals signed RHP Colten Brewer to a minor league deal.
The Angels signed RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon to a minor league deal.
The Padres re-signed LHP Daniel Camarena to a minor league deal.
The Cubs signed RHP Eric Yardley to a minor league deal.
The A’s signed RHP Justin Grimm to a minor league deal.
The Rangers signed RHP Nick Tropeano to a minor league deal.
The Cardinals signed RHP Aaron Brooks to a minor league deal.
The Rockies signed LHP Ty Blach to a minor league deal.
RUMORS
The Cardinals didn’t actively pursue a free agent SS before the lockout.
The Giants never made RHP Kevin Gausman an offer.
The Braves and A’s discussed a 1B Matt Olson trade before the lockout.
The Mariners and Giants are viewed as favorites to land Japanese OF Seiya Suzuki.
The Marlins looked into a OF Bryan Reynolds trade with the Pirates before the lockout.