The Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks completed a trade Friday that sent outfielder Daulton Varsho to Toronto for top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr..
May 2022 - Toronto Blue Jays Wiretap
Ross Stripling, Giants Agree To Two-Year, $25M Deal
Right-hander Ross Stripling and San Francisco on Tuesday agreed to a two-year, $25 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, enriching a Giants rotation with another free agent acquisition.
On the heels of signing left-hander Sean Manaea to the same deal, the Giants locked up Stripling, a 33-year-old coming off a career-best season in Toronto. Working mostly as a starter, Stripling (10-4) put up a 3.01 ERA over 134⅓ innings, striking out 111 and walking just 20.
Stripling, who is getting a $5 million signing bonus, will earn $7.5 million in 2023 and $12.5 million in 2024.
Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays Agree To Three-Year, $63M Deal
Right-hander Chris Bassitt and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a three-year, $63 million contract pending a physical, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN, fortifying a deep rotation with one of the most consistent starters in the game over the last half-decade.
Bassitt, who will turn 34 in February, was among the most sought-after starters on the market and will receive the third highest per-year salary among free agent pitchers, behind Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander.
Kevin Kiermaier Agrees To Deal With Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have reached an agreement with Kevin Kiermaier to add the longtime Rays cornerstone to their new-look outfield, sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and Juan Toribio on Saturday.
Kiermaier’s deal, first reported by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, is pending a physical and has not yet been made official by the club.
Fred McGriff Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame
Former slugger Fred McGriff was selected as the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling denied once again.
McGriff was a unanimous choice among the 16 members of the inaugural contemporary baseball era committee, which considered a ballot of eight candidates whose primary contributions to the game took place after 1980. A player needs 75% of the vote to be elected.
McGriff, 59, starred for six different clubs during a 19-year career that ended in 2004. The five-time All-Star clubbed 493 homers and collected 2,493 hits while finishing in the top 10 of MVP balloting in six different seasons.