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This year’s offseason should be quite a bit more exciting for fans.
No labor discussions. No lockouts. Just trades and signings until pitchers and catchers report in February.
And this offseason has plenty of big names on the market that should make it an exciting time to be a fan. Hitting the market will be the latest member of the 60-home run club in Aaron Judge, a pair of multi-Cy Young winners in Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom, and one of the best free agent shortstop classes in years with Carlos Correa, Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts leading the market. That’s all to say nothing of the possibility of players who could be on the move in trades.
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The Sporting News will be tracking all the latest updates from the MLB 2022-23 offseason. Follow for the latest news, rumors, signings and trades from the hot stove.
MLB free agency news, update on signings and trades
(All times Eastern)
Nov. 17
6:49 p.m. — Because it wouldn’t be hot stove season without more Jerry Dipoto: The Mariners are reportedly sending outfielder Kyle Lewis (2020 AL Rookie of the Year) to the Diamondbacks for Cooper Hummel. Hummel split time between outfield and catcher in 2022, his rookie season.
Trade news: The Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a trad that will send outfielder Kyle Lewis to Arizona and outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel to Seattle, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN. A 1-for-1 exchange.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2022
Nov. 16
10:38 a.m. — A small surprise: The Blue Jays are trading All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners. In return, the Blue Jays are getting pitchers Erik Swanson and Adam Macko.
The stove is hot 🔥@TeoscarH is coming to the Emerald City! We’ve acquired the All-Star outfielder from the @BlueJays in exchange for RHP Erik Swanson and minor league LHP Adam Macko. #SeaUsRise
🔗 https://t.co/ndzl8BrCb0 pic.twitter.com/6wmFSpR7VH
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) November 16, 2022
8:35 a.m. — A week after opting out of his deal with San Diego, RHP Nick Martinez has reached an agreement to remain with the Padres on a new three-year contract, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman of the New York Post says Martinez’s deal is worth $26 million with the potential for more in incentives.
Nov. 15
8:05 p.m. — The Guardians traded infielder Nolan Jones to the Rockies for infield prospect Juan Brito. Additionally, Cleveland traded RHP Carlos Vargas to Arizona for RHP Ross Carver, according to team announcements.
6:09 p.m. — Tampa Bay makes several moves on Tuesday.
The Tampa Bay Rays made three trades today, per sources:
– IF Xavier Edwards and RHP JT Chargois to the Marlins for RHP Santiago Suárez and RHP Marcus Johnson.
– IF Brett Wisely to the Giants for OF Tristan Peters.
– OF Miles Mastrobuoni to the Cubs for RHP Alfredo Zárraga— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2022
4:40 p.m. — The Rangers announced they sent reliever Dennis Santana to the Braves for cash considerations. Santana finished the 2022 season with a 5.22 ERA in 58.2 innings, though he was electric over the first 31.1 innings, owning a 1.44 ERA with 23 strikeouts and only six walks.
4:29 p.m. — Anthony Rizzo might have turned down the Yankees’ qualifying offer, but it wasn’t long until he decided to come back. He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Yankees, earning $17 million per year that will include a $6 million buyout on an option for 2025.
Anthony Rizzo truly enjoyed being a Yankee, and getting $20 million a year to stay — $17 million each of the next two years, plus a $6 million buyout on a 2025 option — keeps him in the Bronx.
Worth noting: Rizzo has grown very close with Aaron Judge over the last two years.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2022
4:04 p.m. — Only two free agents decided to accept the qualifying offer this year: Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Rangers starter Martin Perez, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. All others extended the offer turned it down.
Joc Pederson and Martin Perez are the only two players that accepted the qualifying offer, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 15, 2022
4:04 p.m. — Tyler Anderson is staying in SoCal, but he’s changing L.A. teams. The former Dodgers’ southpaw is signing with the Angels on a three-year deal worth $39 million, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Anderson had the best season of his career, pitching to a 2.57 ERA in 178.2 innings with an fWAR of 4.0.
Tyler Anderson’s deal is for three years and expected to be in the $39 million range, sources tell ESPN.
He turned down the one-year, $19.65 million deal with the Dodgers to join Los Angeles. Angels will lose their 2nd-round pick while Dodgers get a pick after the 4th round.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2022
11:37 a.m. — The Mariners could find themselves active in the seller’s market. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Jesse Winker, who they acquired in the previous offseason from the Reds, and either starting pitchers Chris Flexen or Marco Gonzalez could also be dealt.
#Mariners have discussed trade possibilities with multiple teams in recent days. Sources say they are willing to move Jesse Winker and either Chris Flexen or Marco Gonzalez. To this point, they are not including Winker and a starter in the same trade proposal. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 15, 2022
10:14 a.m. — Blue Jays slugger Teoscar Hernandez could be on the move. A free agent after 2023, Hernandez has been one of the league’s best sluggers over the past several seasons. In 2022, he posted a .267/.316/.491 with 25 home runs and six stolen bases. He had a walk rate of 6.4 percent and a strikeout rate of 28.4 percent.
With one year of control left, zero extension talks and a desire to diversify the lineup, I’d honestly be surprised if Teo ISN’T traded this winter. https://t.co/VunFE2hTa9
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) November 15, 2022
Nov. 12
9:51 a.m. — The Astros are bringing back 2021 midseason acquisition and key reliever Rafael Montero on a three-year, $34.5 million deal, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. In 68.1 innings in 2022, he had a 2.37 ERA and 1.5 fWAR.
I have no idea if Twitter is going to be around today, tomorrow, next week, next year.
I love everyone here and want them to know that there’s a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency plan.
Rafael Montero is going back to the Astros for three years and $34.5 million, you monsters.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 12, 2022
Nov. 11
1:08 p.m. — The Dodgers and long-time ace Clayton Kershaw agreed to a second straight one-year deal, ensuring he will pitch through at least 2023.
Nov. 10
12:11 p.m. — The Rangers sent utility player Nick Solak to the Reds. Solak has a career slash line of .252/.327/.372 with 21 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 253 games, though he was limited to just 35 games in 2022.
The Rangers have traded INF/OF Nick Solak to the Reds for cash considerations.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 10, 2022
Best MLB free agents by position
Here’s a list of the top MLB free agents still available, as ranked by TSN’s Ryan Fagan.
C
- Willson Contreras
- Gary Sanchez
- Christian Vazquez
- Austin Hedges
- Omar Narvaez
1B
- Josh Bell
- Jose Abreu
- Yuli Gurriel
- Trey Mancini
- Matt Carpenter
- Brandon Belt
- Carlos Santana
2B
- Jace Peterson
- Adam Frazier
- Cesar Hernandez
- Donovan Solano
3B
- Brandon Drury
SS
- Trea Turner
- Carlos Correa
- Xander Bogaerts
- Dansby Swanson
- Elvis Andrus
- Aledmys Diaz
- Jose Iglesias
OF
- Aaron Judge
- Brandon Nimmo
- Jurickson Profar
- Andrew Benintendi
- Mitch Haniger
- Michael Conforto
- Michael Brantley
- Adam Duvall
- J.D. Martinez
- Kevin Kiermaier
- Joey Gallo
- Andrew McCutchen
- Corey Dickerson
- David Peralta
- Ben Gamel
- Robbie Grossman
- Jorge Soler
- Tyler Naquin
SP
- Jacob deGrom
- Carlos Rodon
- Justin Verlander
- Nathan Eovaldi
- Chris Bassitt
- Jameson Taillon
- Kenley Jansen
- Jose Quintana
- Taijuan Walker
- Noah Syndergaard
- Michael Wacha
- Zach Eflin
- Ross Stripling
- Zack Greinke
- Kyle Gibson
- Sean Manaea
- Andrew Heaney
- Mike Clevinger
- Corey Kluber
- Trevor Williams
- Michael Lorenzen
- Rich Hill
- Michael Pineda
RP
- Nick Martinez
- Taylor Rogers
- Craig Kimbrel
- Seth Lugo
- Adam Ottavino
- David Robertson
- Matt Strahm
- Tommy Kahnle
- Aroldis Chapman
- Michael Fulmer
- Corey Knebel
- Pierce Johnson
- Chris Martin
- Zack Britton
- Alex Colome