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.
Joc Pederson and the National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $9.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Rangers add RHP Robertson to bullpen
The Texas Rangers and free agent relief pitcher David Robertson, who has 175 career saves, reached a one-year deal in the $11 million-$12 million range, sources told ESPN. Story »
Jan. 23
Hoskins, Brewers close to deal
First baseman Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a two-year, $34 million contract with an opt-out after the first season, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Angels keep filling out bullpen
The Los Angeles Angels continued their offseason-long pursuit of bullpen help Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $9 million deal to bring back veteran left-handed reliever Matt Moore, sources told ESPN.
Outfielder Joey Gallo and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a one-year, $5 million contract, sources told ESPN, filling an outfield slot with the rebuilding team as Gallo looks to regain full-time at-bats. Story »
Jan. 21
Angels nab righty Stephenson
Right-hander Robert Stephenson and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a three-year, $33 million contract that includes a conditional option that could be triggered if Stephenson misses a particular amount of time due to an elbow injury, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN on Sunday night. Story »
Jan. 19
Astros land market’s best closer
Star closer Josh Hader and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract that contains no deferrals, a source tells ESPN. Story »
Jan. 17
Jays in agreement with Yariel Rodriguez
The Toronto Blue Jays have reached a four-year, $32 million deal with Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, according to multiple reports. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 12
Giants land righty Hicks
Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 11
Yankees lengthen rotation with 2-time All-Star
Right-hander Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a two-year, $37 million contract that includes a vesting player option, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Cubs, Dodgers make 4-player trade
The Chicago Cubs are acquiring third baseman Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a pair of toolsy teenaged prospects, left-handed starter Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Jan. 10
Cubs reach deal with Shota Imanaga
The Chicago Cubs and Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga have agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal that has several provisions, including the team’s option to extend the contract after both Years 2 and 3 to $80 million over five years, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Sean Manaea and the New York Mets have agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract that includes an opt-out after the 2024 season, according to multiple reports. Story » | Grade »
Left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a five-year, $28 million contract that includes opt-outs after the third and fourth years as well as an injury clause that can convert the fifth year into a club option, sources tell 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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.
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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