Sports
MLB free agency tracker: Yankees land Juan Soto, D-backs sign Eduardo Rodriguez
The 2023-24 MLB hot stove is upon us. All eyes are on the top free agent, two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who many predict will become the first $500 million player in North American professional sports history.
Which teams will go all-in to contend for a 2024 World Series title? Where will other top free agents, such as Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell, land? Who will make the trades that has everyone buzzing?
Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.
Notable MLB offseason transactions
Dec. 6
Reds continue winter spree, add Candelario
Infielder Jeimer Candelario and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Candelario, 30, joins a young Reds team that has spent $87 million on free agents this winter.
Yankees secure Soto in blockbuster trade
The New York Yankees have acquired superstar outfielder Juan Soto, along with outfielder Trent Grisham, in a trade with the San Diego Padres for RHPs Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and C Kyle Higashioka, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
D-backs add to rotation with Rodriguez
Left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a four-year contract for around $20 million a year, pending physical, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN. Story »
O’s bolster bullpen
Right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Dec. 5
A rare Red Sox-Yankees trade sends Verdugo to N.Y.
The New York Yankees are acquiring outfielder Alex Verdugo in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for right-handeres Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Story »
Fedde chooses White Sox
Right-hander Erick Fedde and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $15 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Fedde, 30, went 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA for the NC Dinos in the KBO, where he was named MVP this year.
Devenski returns to Rays
Right-handed reliever Chris Devenski and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year contract with a club option, sources tell ESPN.
Dec. 3
Braves get Kelenic in deal with Mariners
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-hander Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White from the Seattle Mariners for right-handers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 30
Reds bolster rotation with Martinez deal
Right-hander Nick Martinez and the Cincinnati Reds agreed on a two-year, $26 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources told ESPN. Story »
Nov. 29
Severino joins Mets on one-year deal
Right-hander Luis Severino and the New York Mets on Wednesday agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract, sources told ESPN, sending the longtime Yankee to a Mets team that plans to spend its winter upgrading a depleted rotation. Story » | Grade »
Royals add utilityman Hampson
Speedy utilityman Garrett Hampson and the Kansas City Royals agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract, the team announced. Story »
Nov. 27
Cards add Gray to reshuffled rotation
The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a deal with free agent pitcher Sonny Gray, according to ESPN and multiple reports. Gray, 34, joins a revamped Cardinals rotation that also includes recent free-agent additions Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. Story » | Grade »
Heyward remains with Dodgers
Outfielder Jason Heyward is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year deal for $9 million, sources told ESPN. Story »
Nov. 26
Tigers sign Maeda to two-year deal
Right-hander Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a two-year, $24 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Detroit has been all over mid-tier pitching, and the 35-year-old Maeda stays in the American League Central. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 22
Mariners trade 3B to D-backs
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquire third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Seattle Mariners, with the latter getting reliever Carlos Vargas and catcher Seby Zavala, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 21
Gibson headed to St. Louis
Kyle Gibson is in agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals on a one year, $12 million deal with a team option, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Nov. 20
Cards reunite with Lynn
Right-hander Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed on a one-year contract with a club option that guarantees $10 million and reunites the 36-year-old with the team that drafted him a decade and a half ago, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Braves land Lopez
The Atlanta Braves added another reliever to their bullpen by agreeing to $30 million, three-year contract with right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 19
Phillies re-sign Nola
Right-hander Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed on a seven-year, $172 million contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN on Sunday. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 17
Brewers acquire OF from Yankees
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired outfielder Jake Bauers from the New York Yankees for minor league outfielders Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez, Jeff Passan reports. Story »
Negotiating window for Yamamoto to begin soon
Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to be posted Monday, a source tells ESPN’s Buster Olney. That means the 45-day negotiating window for MLB teams will start Tuesday. Story »
Nov. 16
Braves, White Sox make pitcher swap
The Atlanta Braves receive left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer, under club control through 2026, while the Chicago White Sox get right-handed starter Mike Soroka, left-handed starter Jared Shuster, shortstop Braden Shewmake, infielder Nicky Lopez and right-handed starter Riley Gowens. Story »
Nov. 6
Braves bring back RHP Charlie Morton
Atlanta is exercising its $20 million option on the right-handed starter, sources tell ESPN, despite significant discussion within the organization about declining it. Story »
Key MLB offseason dates
Dec. 4-7: Winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee
Dec. 6: Rule 5 draft
Jan. 12: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures
Jan. 29: Arbitration hearings begin
Feb. 22: 2024 spring training games begin