Top News:
ESPN:
Sources: Anthony Rendon agrees to 7-year, $245M deal with Angels — MLB, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals — Third baseman Anthony Rendon has agreed to a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels, Anthony Rendon In “Active Talks”; Rangers Out — 9:00pm: The Rangers are out of the race, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. They never wanted to go more than five years for Rendon, who has sought seven, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweets.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish, Bleacher Nation, Lone Star Ball and Halos Heaven
Elizabeth Swinton / Sports Illustrated:
Report: Anthony Rendon Agrees to Seven-Year, $245 Million Deal with Angels — Anthony Rendon led MLB in doubles and RBI in 2019. — Free agent Anthony Rendon has agreed to a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, FanGraphs Baseball, Federal Baseball and MLB Baseball News …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks discussed significant offer with free-agent Madison Bumgarner — SAN DIEGO — The Diamondbacks floated the idea of a contract in the range of $70 million for starter Madison Bumgarner, sources said, though it seems likely that will fall well short of what it will take to land the free-agent left-hander.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Gerrit Cole agrees to record nine-year, $324 million deal with Yankees
Gerrit Cole agrees to record nine-year, $324 million deal with Yankees
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Chicago Sun-Times
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
From Catfish Hunter to Gerrit Cole: The history of MLB's highest-paid pitcher — Stephen Strasburg, exit stage left, your run as MLB's highest-paid pitcher with your $245 million contract was short-lived. Step on up, Gerrit Cole, owner of a new, nine-year, $324 million contract, courtesy of the New York Yankees.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Dodgers News …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Agree To Sign Michael Wacha — 3:23pm: There's a deal in place pending a physical, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). It guarantees $3MM, per Sherman (via Twitter), with up to $7MM in possible incentives. — 3:09pm: The Mets are “working hard to finalize” …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and Amazin' Avenue
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Carlos Beltran mum on Astros' scandal
Carlos Beltran mum on Astros' scandal
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays To Sign Tanner Roark — The Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with free-agent right-hander Tanner Roark, Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet report. It's a two-year, $24MM accord, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Roark is a client of Matt Colleran.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News …, Bluebird Banter and Sportsnet.ca
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Agent: Cubs aren't working on Anthony Rizzo extension — SAN DIEGO — Though the Chicago Cubs' front office indicated it would be attempting to complete extensions this offseason for several of its players with two years of club control remaining, that apparently doesn't apply to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Cubs Insider, Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Trade Rumors
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Josh Lindblom — The Brewers have reached an agreement with free-agent right-hander Josh Lindblom, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports, adding that he'll earn $9.125MM over three years. The deal can max out at $18MM with performance bonuses, per Passan.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish, Bleacher Nation and Al's Ramblings
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers To Sign Blake Treinen — The Dodgers will sign free-agent reliever Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10MM contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. They were one of “multiple” clubs that made offers in that vicinity to the right-hander, according to Passan. Treinen's represented by Adam Karon of Apex Baseball.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Athletics Nation, True Blue LA, Bleacher Nation and MLB Baseball News …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays' Stuart Sternberg: Aim is Montreal split plan for 2028 — Principal owner says staying full time in Tampa Bay remains unlikely, so the focus remains on sharing games with Montreal. — Published Earlier today Updated Earlier today — SAN DIEGO — Splitting future seasons …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, The Athletic and Ballpark Digest
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Kole Calhoun Market Taking Shape — We've yet to hear much of anything this winter regarding Kole Calhoun — a reflection both of the primacy of starting pitching on the market and the devaluation of the long ball around the league. The veteran corner outfielder has waited his turn as teams chase higher-priority targets.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Vinnie Duber / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Mercy! Hawk Harrelson wins Ford Frick Award and joins the Hall of Fame — SAN DIEGO — The Hawk is in the Hall. — Legendary — White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson was announced as the winner of the Ford Frick Award on Wednesday, sending one of the most colorful characters in baseball history to Cooperstown forever.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and South Side Sox