Brewers Sign Eric Thames, Designate Chris Carter  —  The Brewers have announced a three-year deal with free-agent first baseman Eric Thames, who will reportedly receive a $16MM guarantee.  His contract also comes with a $7.5MM option for the 2020 campaign.  —  Thames will receive $4MM …

Heyman: Mets could see JD Martinez as Cespedes fall-back  —  Yoenis Cespedes remains by far and away the Mets' main outfield target, but sources say the team has some interest in Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez as a fall-back option should things not work out for Martinez.

Marlins To Sign Edinson Volquez  —  The Marlins have reportedly struck a two-year deal with free agent righty Edinson Volquez.  Volquez will receive a $22MM guarantee — $9MM in 2017 and $13MM in 2018 — assuming he passes his physical.  —  Volquez hit the open market when he declined his end of a $10MM mutual option with the Royals.

Can the Pirates find a trade partner for Josh Harrison?  —  Plus, what should the Diamondbacks do with Zack Greinke and more in the latest notes.  —  One rival general manager described the Pirates on Thursday as a club that “generally” listens to trade offers for players under long-term control.

Rich Hill has four teams that are all  —  Read more on ESPN

Yanks cut Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Rumbelow, Joe Mantiply  —  NEW YORK — Injured pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has been released by the New York Yankees along with right-hander Nick Rumbelow and lefty Joe Mantiply.  —  The trio had been designated for assignment on Nov. 18, and the Yankees announced their release Monday.

Pirates Designate Jeff Locke For Assignment, Sign Lisalverto Bonilla  —  8:26pm: Bonilla received a $575K guarantee on his deal, tweets MLB.com's Adam Berry.  Considering the right-hander's lack of big league experience, the minimal guarantee isn't much of a surprise.

MLB Roundup: Could Billy Hamilton be on the move from Cincy?  —  The Reds are listening to offers on all of their players, including — sources say — center fielder Billy Hamilton, an elite defender who seemed to turn a corner in his development as a hitter last summer before suffering …

Heyman: Blue Jays interested in Dexter Fowler, Jay Bruce  —  The Toronto Blue Jays, knowing they may end up losing right fielder Jose Bautista this winter, are showing a strong interest in free agent center fielder Dexter Fowler, sources tell FanRag Sports.  —  Fowler became a free agent …

Cubs Sign Jon Jay  —  The Cubs are in agreement with free-agent outfielder Jon Jay on a one-year, $8MM contract, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).  The team has now announced the signing as well.  Jay, 32 next March, is a client of CAA Sports.

Yadier Molina will represent Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic  —  Yadier Molina announced on Monday that he will represent Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.  —  The St. Louis Cardinals catcher has played in all three previous World Baseball Classic events and is the first player …

Braves Acquire Alex Jackson  —  The Braves have struck a deal to acquire outfield prospect Alex Jackson from the Mariners, per club announcements.  Righties Rob Whalen and Max Povse are headed to Seattle in the deal, in which Atlanta will also pick up a player to be named later.