NEWS
The Cardinals announced they hired former Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom as an advisor to president of baseball operations John Mozelkiak.
The Marlins have hired Rachel Balkovec to be their director of player development. She has previously been managing for the Single-A Tampa in the Yankees organization.
The Braves have signed president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos to a contract extension through the 2031 season.
TRANSACTIONS
The Cubs have signed LHP Shoto Imanaga to a 4 year/$53 million contract with a team option for a 5th year.
The Cubs acquired 3B/1B prospect Michael Busch (Dodgers #2 prospect, MLB’s #44 prospect) and RHP Yency Almonte from the Dodgers. The Dodgers will receive LHP prospect Jackson Ferris (Cubs #8 prospect) and OF prospect Zyhir Hope.
The Yankees have signed RHP Luke Weaver to a 1 year/$2 million contract with a club option for 2025.
The Mariners signed INF Michael Chavis to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Reds have signed LHP Brent Suter to a 1 year/$3 million contract with a club option for 2025.
The Yankees have signed RHP Marcus Stroman to a 2 year/$37 million contract with a vesting option for a 3rd year.
The White Sox signed OF Rafael Ortega to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Giants have signed RHP Jordan Hicks to a 4 year/$44 million contract.
The Rangers have signed C Andrew Knizner to a 1 year/$1.825 million contract.
RUMORS
The Mariners are still exploring the infield and bullpen markets.
The Rays are shopping DH/OF Harold Ramirez.
The Rays are one of the teams looking at OF Yasiel Puig.
1B Joey Votto has at least 3 teams interested in him.
The Orioles have shown interest in LHP James Paxton.
The Rangers and Yankees are frontrunners for RHP Hector Neris.
The Angels have some interest in UT Kiki Hernandez.
The Blue Jays are “monitoring” the LHP Blake Snell market.