Outfield prospect Luis Lara and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a seven-year, $31 million contract extension that includes three club options, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday.
The deal for the 21-year-old Lara, who has dominated at Triple-A Nashville this season, maxes out at $79 million, sources told ESPN.
The New York Mets and catcher Luis Torrens are in agreement on a two-year, $11.5 million contract extension through the 2028 season, sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
The deal includes $2 million in possible incentives, $1 million each in 2027 and 2028. It does not include any options.
He was set to become a free agent after this season.
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension, a rare deal that carries no club option and allows him to reach free agency before his age-31 season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan Tuesday.
The extension begins in 2027, covering four arbitration years and two free-agent-eligible seasons.
Crow-Armstrong, who turns 24 on Wednesday, established himself as baseball's premier defensive center fielder last season while delivering strong offensive production in his first full major league campaign.
"Young, very talented players, you want them to be in your franchise for a long time," Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday. "I think that's every franchise's goal."
Crow-Armstrong posted a .265/.302/.544 slash line with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases in the first half of last season, earning an NL All-Star selection. His second-half production declined sharply, with just six home runs, eight steals, and a .216/.262/.372 line, but Chicago viewed the stretch as an outlier rather than a true measure of his ability.
The absence of a club option is highly uncommon for a player with five years of remaining control. The Cubs were willing to accept that structure, viewing Crow-Armstrong as a high-floor talent with superstar potential worth securing on a long-term commitment.
Relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract, according to multiple reports.
Kahnle would get a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn $250,000 in performance bonuses.
The Texas Rangers and veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
McCutchen, 39, would make $1.5 million this season while playing in the major leagues if he's added to the 40-man roster, according to reports.
The New York Yankees have invited veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to major league spring training.
The 34-year-old Grichuk has agreed to a minor league contract. He hit .228 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs last year for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. Grichuk hit fewer than 12 home runs for the first time since his debut season of 2014.
Free agent outfielder Michael Conforto has agreed to a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday.
Conforto, 32, hit just .199 for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and will have to prove himself with the Cubs during spring training in order to make the team.
The Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a minor league deal with first baseman Rhys Hoskins.
The deal is pending Hoskins passing a physical, but he was with the team Sunday. Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters he is excited to have Hoskins added as a right-handed hitter who can compete for time at first base and designated hitter.
Hoskins, 32, will compete with two left-handed hitters, Kyle Manzardo and CJ Kayfus, at first base.
The Mariners and catcher Mitch Garver have reached agreement on a minor league contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday.
Garver, 35, is expected to compete with Andrew Knizner and Jhonny Pereda to back up Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, the runner-up for AL MVP last year. Garver spent the last two seasons as Raleigh's backup, though he signed with the Mariners initially to serve as their primary designated hitter.
The San Diego Padres have extended general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller on a multiyear deal, the club announced Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed. The agreement resolves mounting questions about Preller's future following a turbulent offseason.
Preller and Padres chairman John Seidler reached common ground after months of intermittent discussions. The extension comes amid a potential franchise sale, a managerial change, and Preller entering the final year of his previous contract.
The front office shake-up began after San Diego's elimination in the National League Wild Card Series. Manager Mike Shildt resigned and was replaced by former reliever Craig Stammen, a first-time manager with no prior professional coaching experience.
On the field, Preller's recent track record is difficult to dispute. The Padres posted back-to-back 90-win seasons for the first time in franchise history, going 93-69 in 2024 before winning 90 games in 2025. Since 2020, San Diego has reached the postseason four times in six years.
Significant roster challenges remain, however. Club sources indicate Preller has limited financial flexibility to address clear needs at starting pitcher and power hitter. FanGraphs projects the team's 2026 payroll at $201 million, with several large contracts restricting roster construction. The farm system is also considered heavily depleted.
Despite those obstacles, the Padres have built genuine relevance for a smaller-market franchise. Petco Park has ranked among the top five in MLB attendance each season since 2021.
With a potential sale still looming, long-term leadership in San Diego remains fluid. Preller's extension, for now, increases the likelihood that any incoming ownership group will inherit him as the organization's top baseball executive.
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