Sports
MLB free agency tracker: Dodgers get Ohtani, Yankees land Juan Soto
The 2023-24 MLB hot stove is upon us. All eyes are on the top free agent, two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who became the first $700 million player 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. 30
Braves acquire Sale in trade with Red Sox
The Atlanta Braves acquired left-hander Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox for infielder Vaughn Grissom on Saturday. Story » | Grades »
Dec. 29
Giolito, Red Sox reach 2-year, $38.5 million deal
Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $38.5 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 21
Dodgers keep rolling, add Yamamoto
Star Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto has agreed to terms to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to ESPN sources and multiple reports, ending a frenzied free agency with the largest guarantee to a pitcher in baseball history: $325 million for 12 years. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 20
Mets add starting pitcher in deal with Brewers
The New York Mets acquired right-handed pitcher Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday for minor league pitcher Coleman Crow. Story »
Dec. 19
Cutch back with Bucs
Andrew McCutchen, who needs just one home run to reach 300 for his career, will return to the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year contract. The deal is worth $5 million deal, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. Story »
Dec. 17
D-backs bring back Gurriel
The Arizona Diamondbacks and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. have agreed on a three-year, $42 million contract with a club option for a fourth season, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel on Sunday. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 15
Royals continue spending spree
Right-handed starter Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a two-year, $32 million contract that has an op-out after the first season, a source tells ESPN. The Royals also agreed to terms with outfielder Hunter Renfroe on a two-year, $13 million deal that has an opt-out after 2024, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
L.A. finalizing extension with Glasnow
Right-hander Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a five-year, $135 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Once the deal is complete, the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays will be official. Glasnow’s deal will start this season, and the total deal could get to $145 million if the Dodgers exercise a $30 million club option in the fifth year. If not, Glasnow has a $20 million player option. Story »
Dec. 14
Dodgers get rotation help, trade for Glasnow
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a trade to send RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot to the Dodgers for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca — contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with L.A., which is expected, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Tigers add Flaherty to starting staff
Right-hander Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grade »
Mahle heads to Texas on two-year deal
Right-handed starter Tyler Mahle and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a two-year, $22 million contract, sources told ESPN. Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery in May and should return this season, and he can earn another $5 million in performance bonuses based on IP in 2025. Story » | Grade »
Brewers acquire reliever from Royals
The Milwaukee Brewers have received right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke from the Kansas City Royals for right-handed reliever Ryan Brady and infielder Cam Devanney, a source tells ESPN.
Dec. 12
Tellez lands with Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez. Story » | Grade »
Giants land big-time free agent
The San Francisco Giants have landed KBO outfielder Jung Hoo Lee on a six-year, $113 million deal that has an opt-out after four seasons, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Royals bolster rotation with Lugo
Right-hander Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract, a source tells ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 10
Royals add to pen
Left-handed reliever Will Smith and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a one-year, $5 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 9
Dodgers add Ohtani — for $700 million
Shohei Ohtani signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, posting on Instagram that he would play for his former team’s crosstown rival starting next season after spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 8
Boston nabs O’Neill for outfield
The Boston Red Sox secure outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals for right-handed reliever Nick Robertson and right-handed starter Victor Santos. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 7
Mets bolster bullpen
Right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »
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. Story » | Grade »
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 » | Grade »
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 » | Grade »
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