Coming off a career-best season, Marcus Semien is hoping to receive a long-term deal from the Oakland Athletics.

Semien finished third in American League MVP voting after posting career-highs in batting average (.285), on-base percentage (.369), slugging percentage (.522), OPS+ (138), doubles (43), homers (33), walks (87), total bases (343), and WAR (8.1).

The 29-year-old is projected to make roughly $14 million in arbitration next season. He can become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Semien has told the A's that he wants to long-term deal from the franchise.

The Chicago White Sox have placed Yolmer Sanchez on waivers.

The 27-year-old was a Gold Glove winner in 2019.

Signed out of Venezuela and having debuted in 2014, Sanchez's offense has dipped the past two seasons.

The Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed Mike Zunino to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Zunino had been eligible for arbitration.

The deal includes a $4.5 million club option for 2021. The option price would increase by $250,000 each for 300, 400 and 500 plate appearances in 2020, making a second year potentially worth $5.25 million.

The Chicago Cubs have shown "continued interest" in trading for Whit Merrifield.

Merrifield is entering the second season of a four-year, $16.25 million contract extension.

The Cubs are looking for an infielder to slot next to Javier Baez.

The New York Yankees have hired Rachel Balkovec as a Minor League hitting coach.

Balkovec is the first full-time female hitting coach hired by a Major League Baseball team.

She has two master's degrees in the science of human movement and experience at several minor league clubs.

Mookie Betts is heading into the final year of his contract and the Boston Red Sox are looking to cut payroll.

The Red Sox want to get under the luxury tax threshold and J.D. Martinez didn't opt out of his contract, which would have provided relief.

Betts, 27, is expected to receive a raise of his $20 million arbitration salary in 2019.

Sam Kennedy says the Red Sox hope to sign Betts to an extension, but the CEO also pointed out that the two sides haven't had serious talks.

Major League Baseball officials are questioning players associated with the Houston Astros as they investigate whether the club cheated over the past three seasons by electronically stealing signs, according to sources.

Players have been asked about "buzzing," via the use of Band-Aid-like wearable stickers; furtive earpieces; pitch-picking algorithms; and other potential methods of sign-stealing, writes ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Players who might have violated league rules have been told by MLB they can expect leniency in exchange for cooperation with the investigation.

After a tough start to his Mets career in 2019, Robinson Canó will report to Spring Training in February looking to prove that he can remain healthy and productive as New York’s starting second baseman. Next season, his playing time will be in the hands of new manager Carlos Beltrán.

Canó was traveling in Europe when Beltrán’s hiring was announced on Nov. 1. He says he reached out to congratulate Beltrán, but that there has not been much communication between them since.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a new three-year, $50 million deal with Jose Abreu.

Abreu led the American League with 123 RBIs last season while batting .284 with 33 home runs.

The slugger had signed a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer last week, choosing to forgo free agency.

Under the new deal, Abreu will receive a $5 million signing bonus, $11 million in 2020, $16 million in 2021 and $18 million in 2022, with $4 million deferred. He turns 33 in January.

The New York Yankees may not have to pay Jacoby Ellsbury the $26 million he's owed despite cutting him loose earlier this week.

According to a report, the Yankees are attempting to recoup some of the money by filing a grievance because Ellsbury used an outside facility to rehab injuries that kept him off the field for the past two seasons.

Ellsbury hasn’t played since the 2017 season due to several physical issues that included hip surgery in August 2018.

The outfielder's contract for 2020 is $21 million and there is a $5 million buyout on a $21 million option in 2021, which means he will clear waivers and become a free agent.