Top News:
ESPN:
Source: Mookie Betts, Red Sox agree to record $27M deal — Outfielder Mookie Betts is getting a one-year, $27 million deal from the Boston Red Sox in a record agreement to avoid arbitration, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday. — The amount breaks the arbitration record of $26 million …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Over the Monster, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB.com and USA Today
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Connor Grott / UPI:
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox avoid arbitration with record $27M deal — The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with star outfielder Mookie Betts after both sides agreed on a record-setting deal, the team announced Friday. — League sources told ESPN and MLB Media that Betts signed a one-year, $27 million agreement with the Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Announce Brett Gardner Signing, DFA Stephen Tarpley — The Yankees officially announced the signing of Brett Gardner to a one-year contract with a club option for 2021. Left-handed pitcher Stephen Tarpley was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
SNY and Pinstripe Alley
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte looking likely to return to center field in 2020 — With spring training about a month away, Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen sounded more resigned to the fact that he again might not be able to land the center fielder he has wanted.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Trade Rumors
George Miller / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers To Sign Todd Frazier — The Rangers have reached an agreement with free-agent third baseman Todd Frazier, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that it's a one-year, $5MM guarantee that includes a club option for a second year.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Amed Rosario hopes new offseason regimen will put defensive struggles in the past — Ain't no rest for the wicked and for Amed Rosario, the grind only intensified this offseason. — The Mets shortstop is spending his time away from the field, well, on the field.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals trade Jose Martinez, Arozarena to Rays for standout lefty prospect, and leave open other options — Matthew Liberatore, a 6-foot-6 lefthander, delivers a pitch for the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods of the Class A Midwest League during the 2019 season. (Photo by Austin Anthony/Bowling Green Daily News)
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Jose Martinez part of Cardinals' package for Rays lefty prospect Matt Liberatore
Jose Martinez part of Cardinals' package for Rays lefty prospect Matt Liberatore
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Let's Go Tribe
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Only two months until Globe Life Field opens. How much work is left on new Rangers home? — The first event at Globe Life Field is scheduled for March 14, when the Chris Stapleton All-American Road Show comes to Arlington. — That's in 62 days. The ballpark, as of Thursday, was 90% complete.
ESPN:
2020 MLB arbitration tracker: Follow along at Jan. 10 deadline — Friday was the deadline for 155 arbitration-eligible players and their MLB teams to agree on salaries or exchange desired numbers for 2020. This year, big names including Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Aaron Judge …
ESPN:
Source: Twins, Miguel Sano agree to three-year extension — Third baseman Miguel Sano is in agreement with the Minnesota Twins on a three-year contract extension, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — Sources confirmed to ESPN that the extension …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Avoid Arbitration With Trevor Bauer — The Reds have worked out a deal with right-hander Trevor Bauer, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). He'll pitch for $17.5MM in 2020 rather than going to a third-straight hearing. — The MLBTR/Matt Swartz model projected …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Red Reporter
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels, Max Stassi Avoid Arbitration
Angels, Max Stassi Avoid Arbitration
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
2019 Dominican Summer League Top 20 Prospects — For most Latin American signings, their first official games on their way up the minor leagues come in the Dominican Summer League. — It's also a level that continues to become more heavily scouted, with clubs hoping to pick the pocket …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Kris Bryant, Javier Baez — 3:07pm: The Cubs will pay Javier Baez an even $10MM, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). That's $700K north of his projected earning point. The sides are said to be interested in hammering out a longer-term contract …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, MLB Baseball News …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Boston Red Sox News …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks To Extend David Peralta — The Diamondbacks and outfielder David Peralta are in agreement on a three-year extension that'll guarantee the Onyx Sports Management client a total of $22MM, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale (Twitter links). He can earn another $1.25MM annually via incentives.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Baseball News …