BREAKING: Manny Machado has agreed to terms on a deal with the Padres. According to a league source, it’s for 10 years and $300 million - the biggest free-agent contract in the history of American sports.
The Los Angeles Angels are releasing future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols today, per sources. Pujols is in the final year of his 10-year, $253 million contract.
Eric Hosmer rejected the trade to Washington and will not be part of the Soto deal, per source. Now the Padres have less than five hours to figure out what to do with Hosmer, who is owed $39 million from 2023-25.
Since the Mets had a 10.5-game lead on June 1, they're 63-44. That's a 95-win pace over a 162-game season.
They didn't choke away the NL East. The Braves went crazy - 76-32, which is a 114-win pace - and took it away.
If the Mets win 2 of 3 vs. the Nats, they'll have 100 wins.
Wednesday might be the most insane day of postseason baseball ever. Different games will start at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 7pm and 10pm. Eight postseason games in one day. Whoa.
MLB announced that Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Tatis' suspension is effective immediately.
BREAKING: Charlie Morton has agreed to terms on a one-year, $15 million deal with the Braves. The deal was negotiated by Andrew Lowenthal and BB Abbott of Jet Sports. It’s the largest free agent contract so far this offseason.
Trevor Bauer gets $102M for 3 years from Dodgers, per source. He has opt outs after each of the first two years; $40M in 2021, $45M in 2022. He'll be the highest-paid player in MLB history in '21, then again in '22. Good job by
@AgentRachelLuba
& Jon Fetterolf of
@zssports_law
.
BREAKING: David Robertson has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies that guarantees him at least $23 million. He’ll earn $10M in 2019, $11M in 2020, with a $12M club option ($2M buyout) for 2021. He’s passed a physical and the deal is complete.
Every time D.J. LeMahieu does something good, I think back to a text I received from a rival executive the day the Yankees signed him: "I hate that the Yankees are so smart. That's going to be one of the best signings of the winter."
LeMahieu's three-run double makes it 10-4.
The fact that the Yankees are acquiring Joey Gallo - who is under control for 2022 - without giving up any of their top 10-12 prospects tells you a lot about the solid depth of their system.
The Yankees have interest in C Martin Maldonado, per source. Interesting stats to consider: Maldonado caught Gerrit Cole 10 times in 2019 - and Cole had a 1.57 ERA and .471 opponent OPS in those starts, his lowest numbers with any of Houston's catchers last season.
BREAKING: The Angels are acquiring OF Randal Grichuk and 1B C.J. Cron from the Rockies, per source. Colorado gets back RHP Jake Madden and LHP Mason Albright.
According to a source, Carlos Beltran is expected to join the Yankees as a special advisor to GM Brian Cashman. Beltran was repped by Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group, who also reps Manny Machado. Will be interesting to see if Beltran is part of the Machado recruiting process.
A second source believes the Yankees are going to land Dallas Keuchel, and that they are emerging as the true favorites for the former Cy Young winner.
According to a source, the Braves have emerged as frontrunners to sign Dallas Keuchel. Yankees remain in the mix, but Atlanta appears to be making a push.
D.J. LeMahieu will not accept the Yankees’ $18.9 million qualifying offer by Wednesday’s deadline, per source. Not a surprising development, as LeMahieu has put together two stellar seasons in New York and is considered to be one of the top free agents on the market.
According to a source, the Yankees and Braves are the favorites to sign Dallas Keuchel. Both teams are believed to be in the same area with their offers at the moment.
The Cubs are indeed planning on being sellers this month, according to sources. Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel appear to be the most likely trade candidates, though others (Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez) could also be available.
@Ken_Rosenthal
and
@PJ_Mooney
were all over it.
Can't say enough about the job Deivi Garcia did for the Yankees tonight. All the pressure in the world on the kid with the losing streak, facing a sweep, etc, and he goes out and throws seven innings of two-run ball in his third MLB start. Retired 15 of the last 16 he faced.
Per source, the Yankees are in talks with the Pirates on Jameson Taillon. Nothing is done, but they appear to be emerging as the frontrunner to deal for him.
As I just reported on
@MLBNetwork
, should the CBA be agreed upon and ratified today, Opening Day would likely be April 7. Spring Training games would begin March 17 or 18, and free agency and the business of baseball would be open TONIGHT.
Source confirms CC Sabathia will hold a press conference Saturday at Steinbrenner Field to officially announce that he will retire at the end of the 2019 season.
@martinonyc
mentioned the presser first.
Update on Sean Murphy: it still appears Oakland is close to a trade, but the Braves are NOT going to be the acquiring team, per source. The Cardinals, Rays, Guardians and Red Sox are among the teams that have been connected to Murphy in recent weeks.
Two executives believe Corey Seager will sign today. Javier Baez could also get done before the end of the day. Max Scherzer’s deal is only the start of what could be a busy Monday.
The Mariners are making a push to trade for INF/OF Whit Merrifield of the Royals, sources tell me and
@DKramer_
. Merrifield is under control through 2023 at a reasonable cost (approx. $10M over 2 years incl. ‘23 option) and offers positional versatility, a good bat & great speed.
Max Scherzer will waive his no-trade clause to go to the Dodgers, per source. The blockbuster that will send Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals to the Dodgers is close to happening.
@JeffPassan
@Ken_Rosenthal
@JonHeyman
all on it.
Yankees' meeting with Stephen Strasburg said to have gone well, per source. They talked NY market, the team and its philosophy as the Yankees gave the pitcher an extensive view of the organization. Exact dollars weren't discussed, but the pitching market was certainly referenced.
Cubs-Padres deal will be Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini to SD for Zach Davies, SS Reginald Preciado, OF Owen Caissie, OF Ismael Mena and SS Yeison Santana, per source.
The ultimate sign of respect for a life-long Yankee: Brett Gardner enters the game as a defensive replacement and gets the roll-call treatment from the Bleacher Creatures.
#WildCard
Source: Yankees and J.A. Happ have agreed to the structure on a contract that would be two years plus an option for a third year based on innings pitched/starts. Deal still being finalized, plus physical.
Zach Plesac’s video was absurd on so many levels. First, don’t blame the media for this when you broke the protocols. This is on you and nobody else. Second, don’t record a video while you drive. It’s very unsafe for you and anyone driving near you. Third, wear a seatbelt.
Per source, the Mets’ top offer to George Springer came in around six years, $120-125 million. The Blue Jays took it to the next level and get their man at six years, $150 million. Huge acquisition for Toronto.
Yasiel Puig is drawing interest from multiple teams, per sources. Red Sox, Yankees, Astros, Marlins and Orioles appear to have varying levels of interest.
According to sources, the Yankees are getting interest in Joey Gallo. It would be something of a surprise if he wasn’t traded by Tuesday’s 6:00 pm ET deadline.
Team USA has announced manager Mark DeRosa‘s coaching staff for the WBC: bench coach Jerry Manuel, pitching coach Andy Pettitte, hitting coach Ken Griffey Jr., first base coach Lou Collier, third base coach Dino Ebel, and bullpen coach Dave Righetti.
The Cubs' interest in the free-agent shortstop market has been no secret, but according to a source, there is a scenario in which Chicago could sign two of the three remaining star shortstops, likely Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson.
The Mets will receive OF Drew Gilbert from the Astros in the deal for Verlander, per source, plus at least one other propsect. It's not known how much money the Mets will send to Houston.
In a surprising development, Aaron Judge and the Yankees agreed to a $19 million deal (plus incentives) for 2022 to avoid arbitration, per source.
@JonHeyman
was first to report a deal had been made.