MLB Trades And Free Agent News / Rumors

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FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Marlins and Dee Gordon have agreed in principle to a five-year, $50 million contract extension.
Per Rosenthal, the deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a possible sixth year.

Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune hears from sources that Ian Desmond and Alexei Ramirez can be considered the front-runners to fill the Padres' vacancy at shortstop.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that the Orioles, Cardinals, White Sox, and Angels are among the teams who have inquired on Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez this winter.

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Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Orioles and Chris Davis have agreed to a seven-year, $161 million contract.
Just a few days ago the Orioles sounded frustrated with how the negotiations were going and had been rumored to be walking away from their prized slugger. In the end, Davis gets an extra million per season added on to the seven-year, $154 million offer that the O's had on the table since the start of the offseason.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Royals have agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with free agent right-hander Ian Kennedy.

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MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that Justin Upton is "close to a deal" with the Tigers.
There had been some speculation that Upton might have to settle for a one-year contract and then try free agency again next winter, but FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says he'll be getting a six-year, $132.75 deal that includes an opt-out after the second year. It's a reasonable commitment for the Tigers, especially considering Upton is just 28.

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Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres are monitoring the market for free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Lin was also told that a match is unlikely, but it sounds like the club would consider a short-term deal, which would put them in the same position as several other teams.

Jonathan Lucroy intimated on Tuesday that he and the Brewers would both be better off if he is traded.
The Brewers are in rebuilding mode, and Lucroy is realistic about their slim odds of being competitive. "I'm not going to sit here and say we're going to compete for the playoffs this year," Lucroy said. "If I did that, you'd call me a liar. I'd lose credibility and respect. I want to win and I don't see us winning in the foreseeable future. I want to go to a World Series. That's what all players want. Rebuilding is not a lot of fun for any veteran guy."

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According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Mets have signed left-hander Antonio Bastardo.
It's a two-year, $12 million deal, per MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Bastardo, 30, posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 64/26 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings last season for the Pirates while holding left-handed batters to a .138/.233/.215 slash line. He should fit in nicely with the Mets' current bullpen mix.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that the Padres have an agreement with free agent reliever Fernando Rodney.

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Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Mets have agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with Yoenis Cespedes.
The average annual value of $25 million ties the all-time record for an outfielder. The deal also includes an opt-out clause after the first season (where he'll earn $27.5 million), which would allow Cespedes to test the free agent waters again if he desired

SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports that, "barring the late entry of a mystery team," Yovani Gallardo will choose between the Astros, Orioles and Rockies.
The Blue Jays and Royals had also been connected to the right-hander, but they've apparently moved on.

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Astros signed RHP Doug Fister to a one-year, $7 million contract.
He's already passed his physical and will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday. His base salary is $7 million but he can earn up to $12 million through incentives.

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports the Rockies have acquired LHP Jake McGee from the Rays as part of the Corey Dickerson trade.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported earlier that Colorado was acquiring "multiple pitchers" and now we know McGee is one of them. Sherman said the trade also involves minor leaguers. The late innings were a nightmare for the Rockies last year and McGee should help in that area.

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Brewers acquired OF Rymer Liriano from the Padres for LHP Trevor Seidenberger.
Liriano has been considered a top prospect in the past, so many were caught off guard when the Padres designated him for assignment last week. The rebuilding Brewers quickly jumped at the opportunity to bring him into the fold. The 24-year-old batted .292/.383/.460 with 14 home runs and 18 stolen bases last season at the Triple-A level

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FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers and Howie Kendrick have agreed to terms on a two-year contract.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman says the deal is for $20 million, which looks like a steal for the Dodgers. L.A. had been planning to get by with some combination of Chase Utley and Kike Hernandez at second base, but as time went on and Kendrick's price appeared to drop, it made sense to bring him back

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Brewers acquired 2B Aaron Hill, RHP Chase Anderson and SS Isan Diaz from Diamondbacks for SS Jean Segura and RHP Tyler Wagner.
The D'Backs will pay at least a portion of Hill's $12 million salary. It's a smart move for the Brewers, who didn't have much use for Segura anymore with top shortstop prospect Orlando Arcia expected to arrive sometime in 2016.

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Yu Darvish (elbow) is on track to begin throwing bullpen sessions in March.
Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Darvish resumed a throwing program last August but hasn't been cleared for mound work just yet. He's currently long-tossing at 120 feet and throwing off flat ground at 60-75 feet. Darvish is aiming to rejoin the Rangers' rotation around mid-May to early-June

White Sox signed RHP Mat Latos to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Diamondbacks signed RHP Tyler Clippard to a two-year, $12.25 million contract.
The reliever will receive a $4 million signing bonus and be paid $4.1 million in 2016 and $4.15 million in 2017

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ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the potential contract being discussed between the Orioles and free agent right-hander Yovani Gallardo would be worth three years, $40-45 million.
Nothing's official yet, but there's a ton of smoke here. Multiple outlets have reported that Gallardo and the O's are closing in on a contract. The club will have to surrender the 14th overall selection in this summer's amateur draft should they sign the soon-to-be 30-year-old right-hander, but he provides an upgrade for a rotation that has needed a boost.

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Major League Baseball has issued a permanent suspension of Jenrry Mejia after a third positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
It's difficult to comprehend how Mejia let this happen. The reliever previously served an 80-game suspension and was still serving a 162-game suspension for positive tests when he got caught again with Boldenone. He's the first player ever in the majors or minors to receive a lifetime ban for performance-enhancing drugs. Mejia can apply for reinstatement in one year but his suspension must last at least two years.

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Athletics acquired OF Khris Davis from the Brewers for C Jacob Nottingham and RHP Bubba Derby.
The Brewers have been looking to deal Davis for awhile now and appear to have received a decent return. Nottingham gives them a legitimate catching prospect whose path could soon be cleared if the club is also successful in dealing Jonathan Lucroy.