May 2017 - Baseball Wiretap

Chris Tillman, Orioles Have Kept Extension Talks Alive
The Orioles and Chris Tillman have kept the lines of communication open on a contract extension, but talks haven't gotten serious.

Roch Kubatko/MASN Sports

Orioles Sign Chris Johnson To Minor League Deal
Chris Johnson, 32, spent last season with the Marlins.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Two Crash Victims Families Suing Jose Fernandez's Estate
The families are each seeking $2 million from the estate of former Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.

ESPN.com

Rays, Nathan Eovaldi Agree To One-Year, $2M Deal
Free-agent Nathan Eovaldi is recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to pitch this season.

ESPN.com

Noah Syndergaard Ready To Start Opening Day
The Mets are expected to start Noah Syndergaard against the Braves on Opening Day.

ESPN.com

Reds Agree To Trade Phillips To Braves
The Reds will receive pitchers Andrew McKirahan and Carlos Portuondo from the Braves in exchange for Brandon Phillips.

ESPN.com

Braves, Reds Talking Brandon Phillips Trade
The Braves are reportedly nearing a trade to acquire Brandon Phillips from the Reds.

MLB.com

C.J. Wilson Commits To Auto Racing
Former Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson is now turning his attention to auto racing, but hasn't ruled out a return to baseball.

ESPN.com

Mike Ilitch, Owner Of Tigers And Wings, Dies At Age 87
Mike Ilitch won praise for keeping professional sports teams in Detroit.

ESPN.com

Dodgers Agree To Deals With Chase Utley, Franklin Guiterrez
Veteran outfielder Franklin Gutierrez had spent the past seven seasons with the Mariners.

ESPN.com

Report: Marlins Have 'Handshake Agreement' To Sell Team
The Marlins have a "handshake agreement" in place to sell the team to a New York area real estate developer for $1.6 billion, according to a Forbes report.

Mike Ozanian/Forbes

Twins Offered Mike Napoli More Than Rangers
The Twins wanted to add to both the roster and the clubhouse by signing Mike Napoli, but the slugger ultimately decided to play for the Rangers.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Cubs Lack 'Impact Starters' At Minor League Level
The Cubs are flying high after winning the World Series, but they are well aware of potential holes in their farm system.

Bruce Levine/CBS Chicago

Pablo Sandoval Arrives Early, Draws Praise From Teammates
Pablo Sandoval was seen taking swings from both sides of the plate at JetBlue Park and looked noticeably slimmer than he has in the past.

ESPN

Indians Have Interest In Chase Utley
There are believed to be other clubs in the mix to sign Chase Utley, who doesn't have a clear path to playing time in Cleveland with Jason Kipnis the starter at second base.

Jon Heyman/FanRag Sports

Angels Sign Yusmeiro Petit To Minors Deal
The deal carries a $2.25 base salary if Petit makes the Major League roster with an additional $1.25 million that can be earned through incentives.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Brian Wilson Attempting Comeback As Knuckleballer
Brian Wilson, who reportedly threw for at least two teams recently, hasn't pitched professionally since 2014.

ESPN

Minor Leagues Will Test New Extra-Inning Rule
This summer a rule will be tested in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League that will automatically place a runner on second base at the start of extra innings.

ESPN

Red Sox To Sign Carlos Quentin
The Red Sox will sign Carlos Quentin to a Minor League deal, but he will begin the season in Triple-A without an invite to Major League camp.

Rob Bradford/WEEI

Gordon Beckham Agrees To Minor League Deal With Giants
The Giants have agreed to a Minor League deal with Gordon Beckham and extended a spring training invitation to the veteran as well.

Associated Press

Masahiro Tanaka Isn't Distracted By Opt-Out Clause
Masahiro Tanaka can opt-out of his contract with the Yankees after the 2017 season, but the right-hander says he isn't focused on the potential to do so.

Associated Press

Padres, Erick Aybar Agree To Minor League Deal
The Padres have agreed to a Minor League contract with Erick Aybar.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Mike Napoli Reaches One-Year Deal With Rangers
The deal is pending a physical and the value hasn't yet been reported.

Jim Bowden/ESPN

Diamondbacks, Daniel Descalso Agree To $1.5M Contract
The deal also carries a $2 million option for 2018 with a $150,000 buyout.

Associated Press

Yankees Sign Chris Carter To $3.5M Deal
Chris Carter will receive a $500,000 signing bonus on top of a $3 million base salary, according to reports.

ESPN

Yankees Made Starlin Castro Available In Trade Talks
The Yankees have explored trades for a number of veterans, including Starlin Castro, according to a report.

Joel Sherman/New York Post

Dodgers Checked On Chris Carter
The Dodgers checked on Chris Carter, who remains a free agent despite hitting 41 home runs with an .821 OPS last season.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Rays, Yankees Made Strong Pushes To Sign Sergio Romo
While he ultimately signed with the Dodgers, the Rays and Yankees made strong pushes to sign Sergio Romo this offseason.

Jesse Sanchez/MLB

Mark Teixeira Expected To Join ESPN As Analyst
Mark Teixeira retired after the 2016 season after 14 years in Major League Baseball.

ESPN

MLB Proposing Changes To Strike Zone, Intentional Walks
Major League Baseball has made formal proposals to the players' union to bring about changes to both the strike zone and intentional walks, according to sources.

Jayson Stark/ESPN