March 2016 - Baseball Wiretap

Freddie Freeman Says Wrist Is Pain-Free

Feb 1, 2016 4:58 PM

Freddie Freeman' slow-healing right wrist finally is pain-free, allowing the Braves first baseman to take swings on back-to-back days this week for the first time this offseason.

Freeman said at the Braves' FanFest on Saturday the wrist never fully recovered last season after he spent five weeks on the disabled list in June and July. He said a turning point came when he had an injection in the wrist on Dec. 20.

"It was a tough offseason, the first couple months to try to get healthy, but I am 100 percent healthy now," Freeman said.

ESPN.com

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Brewers Trade Segura To D-Backs In Five-Player Deal

Feb 1, 2016 4:57 PM

The Brewers traded shortstop Jean Segura and minor league pitcher Tyler Wagner to the Diamondbacks in a five-player deal.

Milwaukee acquired infielder Aaron Hill, right-hander Chase Anderson, shortstop Isan Diaz and cash. The money is to offset Hill's 2016 salary, which is set at $12 million, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

ESPN.com

Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Misc Rumor, Official Trade

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Source: Howie Kendrick Agrees To Two-Year, $20M Deal With Dodgers

Feb 1, 2016 4:58 PM

Second baseman Howie Kendrick is back with the Dodgers after agreeing to a two-year, $20 million deal, a source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

The deal is pending a physical exam, the source said.

ESPN.com

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Yankees Only Team Not To Sign Major League Free Agent

Feb 2, 2016 7:23 AM

Spring training will kick off in a little more than three weeks and the New York Yankees are the only team not to sign a Major League free agent this offseason.

New York's offseason has been limited mostly to trades -- landing Aroldis Chapman and Starlin Castro.

Free agency has been around since 1975, and since then the Yankees have never gone an offseason without signing a Major League free agent.

Mike Axisa/CBS Sports

Tags: New York Yankees, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Report: Dodgers Want To Re-Sign Howie Kendrick

Jan 30, 2016 1:26 AM

The Los Angeles Dodgers are "making progress" on a deal to re-sign Howie Kendrick, according to a report.

The Dodgers acquired Kendrick in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels last offseason. The infielder hit 295/.336/.409 with nine home runs and 54 RBIs in 117 games.

Kendrick had previously been linked to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rays Sign Steve Pearce

Feb 1, 2016 4:57 PM

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed Steve Pearce to a one-year deal worth a reported $4.75 million.

He can earn more through incentives totaling up to $6 million.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Tags: Tampa Bay Rays, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Rockies Could Try Carlos Gonzalez At First Base

Feb 1, 2016 12:56 AM

The Colorado Rockies don't plan to move Carlos Gonzalez from the outfield, but they may try him out at first base this spring.

"CarGo at first base is something we've talked about introducing a little bit this spring, but it's more of a potential long-term outlook," Walt Weiss said.

Thomas Harding/MLB

Tags: Colorado Rockies, Misc Rumor

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Reds 'Most Likely' Done Making Offseason Moves

Feb 1, 2016 12:56 AM

The Cincinnati Reds made an offer to Bronson Arroyo, but the veteran pitcher opted to sign with the Washington Nationals.

There is no other veteran starter on the open market that the club is interested in.

"Less likely now," Walt Jocketty said of adding a veteran arm. "We had an offer to Bronson, but it just wasn't good enough."

With February approaching, the Reds don't anticipate any more moves.

"We're still talking to clubs, but I don't see anything happening," Jocketty said. "That could change in the next phone call, though."

C. Trent Rosecrans/Cincinnati Enquirer

Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Los Angeles Wants To Name Street After Vin Scully

Feb 1, 2016 12:56 AM

The city of Los Angeles wants to honor Vin Scully by naming a street after him.

If the Los Angeles City Council has its way, Elysian Park Avenue will forever be known as Vin Scully Avenue. The decision to change the name of the one-third-mile stretch of road could come as early as Friday afternoon.

The proposal was brought forward by councilman Gil Cedillo, who will make a motion for the name change at Friday's City Council meeting.

Doug Padilla/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Misc Rumor

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Yankees Reach One-Year Deal With Ivan Nova

Feb 1, 2016 12:56 AM

The New York Yankees have avoided arbitration with Ivan Nova by agreeing to a one-year, $4.1 million deal for 2016.

The contract includes performance bonuses.

Nova had an up-and-down 2015 season, his first since undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Bryan Hoch/MLB

Tags: New York Yankees, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rays To Acquire Corey Dickerson From Rockies
The Rays will reportedly acquire Corey Dickerson from the Rockies in exchange for Jake McGee.

A.J. Cassavell/MLB

Astros Sign Doug Fister To One-Year Deal
Doug Fister will receive a guaranteed $7 million with incentives that can increase the value to $12 million.

Chris Cotillo/SB Nation

Cubs, White Sox Continue To Monitor Dexter Fowler
Dexter Fowler, who will turn 30 in March, had one of his best seasons in 2015.

Bruce Levine/CBS Chicago

Ian Desmond May Become More Realistic For Rays
The Rays and Ian Desmond may look like a good match, but a few hurdles have stood in the way.

Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times

Francisco Cervelli Open To Extension With Pirates
Francisco Cervelli is one season away from free agency where he's projected to be one of the top catchers on the market.

Travis Sawchik/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Albert Pujols Cleared To Hit Off Tee
Albert Pujols has been cleared to hit off a tee as he continues to recover from November surgery to repair the plantar plate in his right foot.

ESPN

Orioles Made Five-Year Offer To Cespedes
The Orioles were the third team in on Yoenis Cespedes last week along with the Nationals and Mets.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Ian Kennedy's Deal With Royals Is Backloaded
Ian Kennedy will earn just $7.5 million this coming season and $13.5 million in 2017.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Could Nationals Make Bryce Harper First $400M Player?
In a column highlighting players that may be in line for a contract extension, Jim Bowden of ESPN projects that Bryce Harper could receive a $400-plus million deal from the Nationals.

Jim Bowden/ESPN

Cespedes Hopes Deal With Mets Is 'Bridge To A Longer Partnership'
Yoenis Cespedes hopes his three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets is only the beginning.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Washington's $110M Offer To Cespedes Was Spread Out Over 15 Years
The reported $110 million offer the Nationals made to Yoenis Cespedes was an unorthodox one.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Boras Corporation: Jose Fernandez Could Receive $30M Annually
Jose Fernandez's representatives at the Boras Corporation believe the right-hander could receive upwards of $30 million annually when he reaches the open market after the 2018 season.

Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

Bronson Arroyo Signs Minors Deal With Nationals
Bronson Arroyo, who turns 39 next month, missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Associated Press

Angels, Calhoun Avoid Arbitration With $3.4M Deal
Kole Calhoun asked for $3.9 million when the sides exchanged proposed salaries Jan. 15, while the Angels offered $2.35 million. The agreement is $275,000 above the midpoint.

Associated Press

MLB, USADA Team Up To Investigate Al Jazeera Claims
Major League Baseball has asked the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to help its investigation into whether several players received banned drugs as reported in an Al Jazeera documentary.

T.J. Quinn/ESPN

Indians Agree To Two-Year Deal With Josh Tomlin
Josh Tomlin will receive a $5.5 million guarantee and the deal includes a team option for a third season.

Paul Hoynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Braves, Nationals, Padres Likely To Exceed International Spending Pool
The Braves, Nationals and Padres are all expected to exceed their international spending allocations for the upcoming July 2 period.

Ben Badler/Baseball America

Cubs Working To Find Right Fit For Kyle Schwarber
The Cubs aren't exactly sure where Kyle Schwarber will play this coming season, but the 2014 first-round pick is open to any position.

Carrie Muskat/MLB

Padres, Marlins Interested In Tim Lincecum
The Marlins are also looking at the right-hander, who plans to showcase for teams next month.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Royals Quietly Trying To Extend Salvador Perez's Contract
Perez can already be controlled through 2019 through a series of options for a total of just $13.75 million.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports