MLB Off Season Trade News, Rumors and Signings

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CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Nationals and free agent right-hander Max Scherzer have agreed to a seven-year contract.

Cubs acquired OF Dexter Fowler from the Astros for LHP Dan Straily and INF Luis Valbuena.

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USA Today's John Perrotto said that he's hearing that Stephen Strasburg is "very much available" following the Nationals' reported deal with Max Scherzer.
According to Perrotto's sources, both Strasburg and the Nationals think that it might be "time to move on." While Scherzer's signing probably requires a secondary rotation trade by the Nationals, the idea of them trading away one of the faces of the franchise is surprising to say the least.

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CBS Sports' Jon Heyman hears that the Astros and free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus have agreed to a contract.

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Re: MLB Off Season Trade News, Rumors and Signings

ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that the "last remaining obstacle" to a trade sending Jonathan Papelbon to the Brewers is deciding how much money the Phillies would pick up should the reliever's 2016 option vest.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal indicated earlier Friday that a deal wasn't close, but based on Stark's report it appears it could be coming together quickly. Papelbon would need to waive his no-trade clause in order to be shipped to Milwaukee, but Stark says that won't be an issue.

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SiriusXM's Craig Mish reports that the Marlins have agreed to a contract with Ichiro Suzuki.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says it's a one-year deal for around $1 million, which are the terms Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported on Wednesday. Ichiro, who will serve as the club's No. 4 outfielder, batted .284/.324/.340 with one homer and 15 steals last season for the Yankees

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Ryan Vogelsong has agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants, pending a physical.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says it's worth $4 million plus performance incentives.

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Victor Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his left knee last week during an offseason workout and is scheduled to undergo surgery on February 10.
Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure. It's not all that serious as far as knee injuries go, but the timing is obviously quite poor with major league camps due to open in two weeks. V-Mart has to be considered questionable for the start of the 2015 regular season and the Tigers might no longer risk trying the 36-year-old slugger at positions other than DH.

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USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Padres "have to be considered favorites" to sign James Shields.
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman has also said the Padres "appear to be among the favorites" for the right-hander. It doesn't come as a surprise, as they've been mentioned as a possible landing spot and Shields makes his home in San Diego.

The typical recovery timetable for the type of procedure Victor Martinez likely needs on his left knee is 4-6 weeks.
That's assuming he needs a partial meniscectomy rather than a reattachment. Given Martinez's age and previous knee issues, specialist Dr. Victor Khabie told Jason Beck of MLB.com that he thinks the rehab could be closer to 6-8 weeks

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According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, the Padres have signed James Shields to a four-year deal.
The writing has been on the wall for several days, and now the contract is only pending a physical. Cotillo says the total guaranteed value of the four-year agreement will be in the $72-78 million range, and there's also an option for 2019. It's another big offseason splash for the Padres, who have been incredibly active under new general manager A.J. Preller.

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According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Mariners plan to use Rickie Weeks in the outfield "a lot."
Weeks refused to try left field last season in Milwaukee, which surely hurt his free agent market this winter. He settled on a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mariners late Wednesday night and is apparently now open to trying a position other than second base after waiting so long to sign.

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CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Orioles have completed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with Everth Cabrera.

Tigers re-signed RHP Joba Chamberlain to a one-year, $1 million contract.

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A major league executive told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that Josh Hamilton's coming disciplinary action is not for performance-enhancing drugs.
The executive said it's "worse" than that. Hamilton was summoned to New York City on Wednesday for a hearing with MLB officials and the Angels are said to be bracing for a serious penalty. It's silly to speculate before more information is revealed, but we must note that Hamilton has a well-chronicled history of drug and alcohol addiction. This is trending in a very concerning direction

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A source tells Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that Josh Hamilton relapsed a few months back involving "at least cocaine."
Heyman says Hamilton turned himself in and that, if true, he would be put in a drug program as a first-time offender. Without a positive test, it's unclear how MLB could suspend Hamilton for the incident. Reports were that the 33-year-old had a meeting with MLB Wednesday to discuss what happened

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CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Brewers have re-signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2017 season.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says the deal is worth $13 million guaranteed.

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The White Sox announced Saturday that Chris Sale suffered an avulsion fracture on his right foot in an accident at his home on Friday.
The early diagnosis is that he's expected to miss three weeks. While it sounds that he avoided a significant injury, it could put his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy.

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Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday that he's expecting Garrett Richards (knee) to rejoin the rotation 2-3 weeks into the season.
The club had previously not dismissed the possibility of Richards being ready by Opening Day, but they've now conceded that he'll begin the season on the disabled list.