‘It hurts to win:’ How the unbreakable Mark Stone has led Vegas to within a game of the Stanley Cup
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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Vegas Golden Knights have been spotted wearing T-shirts during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs with the phrase “It Hurts To Win” printed on them.
“Whatever we’ve got to do at this time of year, we’ve got to do it,” forward Nicolas Roy said. “If we’ve got to take a hit. If we’ve got to block a shot.”
Seated next to Roy was Mark Stone, the Golden Knights’ captain.
He has hurt. And they have won.
Like in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, when an overly amped up Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars cross-checked Stone in the jaw while he was flat on the ice, earning Benn a game misconduct and a two-game suspension.
“It didn’t feel good,” Stone said. “I think I was more a little bit surprised. It was my first shift of the game. I didn’t expect to get stomped on like that.”
0:44
Jamie Benn ejected after 5-minute major penalty
Jamie Benn is ejected early in Game 3 after a five-minute major for cross-checking.
Vegas would score three times in the first period of that game to chase goalie Jake Oettinger, taking a 3-0 series lead and eventually winning the series in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Prior to that, multiple Edmonton Oilers played amateur chiropractor on Stone’s surgically repaired back during the second round, hitting him with their bodies and their sticks at every opportunity.
“I mean, what do you expect, right?” Stone said. “I mean it’s pretty obvious that I had another back surgery. But I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing if I was putting myself at risk. If they want to do that, they can do that. It’s fine. It is what it is.”
It hurt. The Golden Knights won.
“He’s kind of the heart of the team,” Vegas winger Jonathan Marchessault said. “He’s such a calm presence out on the ice and he makes everyone look better out there. When he talks, everybody listens. I think he gained that respect from all of us.”
The Golden Knights are now one win over the Florida Panthers away from commissioner Gary Bettman calling Stone over to raise the Stanley Cup. Which is a welcome change from a few months ago, when he couldn’t really lift anything following back surgery.
His second back surgery. In less than nine months.
“I was going to do whatever it took to get back for the playoffs,” Stone said. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to be in Game 1 or Game 5 or Game 10. I was going to do whatever it took to get back.”
Stone knew there was something special about this group. He could sense it on the ice as much as he could glimpse it in the standings.
“We were in first place when I got hurt,” he said. “I knew we had a good team and I wanted to be part of it. Especially when the team kept winning. I wanted to be back there with the guys. Long, hard days. But you just put your head down and you get going.”
STONE’S BACK ISSUES were there in the 2021 playoffs and the offseason. They limited him to 37 games in the 2021-22 season. He went out of the lineup Feb. 9, and then returned April 12 in a desperate effort to get Vegas to the playoffs. But he only managed a goal and an assist in nine games. He was clearly laboring.
In May 2022, Stone underwent a lumbar discectomy.
He was back for the start of the 2022-23 season and played until Jan. 12 when he suffered a back injury against the Panthers. He hoped to avoid surgery and rehab back to health. But he suffered a setback. The decision became clear: Any chance of playing in the postseason would rest on undergoing another surgery as soon as possible.
On Jan. 31, 2023, Stone underwent successful back surgery performed by Dr. Chad Prusmack in Denver. Prusmack previously performed Vegas center Jack Eichel‘s artificial disc replacement surgery.
Then the work began.
“I went to the gym the day after the surgery with the surgeon. Basically got going right away,” Stone said. “I tried to cut out the [rehabilitation] clock where I was basically sitting around, doing nothing. I got going right away.”
Stone did a lot of walking. He was able to do core exercises. He said his goal at that point was to “strengthen the little muscles, I guess.”
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy would see Stone plenty during his injury rehab. The Golden Knights coaches would hit the gym at their practice facility early in the morning. Often times, Stone would already be there.
“What I saw every day was a captain that was still in the room and talking to players and giving feedback,” Cassidy said. “It’s just good to have a guy around like that because when you have surgery like that and you don’t see him, it’s like out of sight, out of mind, right?”
Knights defenseman Alec Martinez said it was still hard on Stone. Being around the team wasn’t the same as being on the ice.
“When you’re not in the lineup and you’re hurt, you don’t feel like you’re part of the team,” he said. “You’ve got a different schedule. You kind of just see guys passing, just like ships in the night. You just feel disconnected. You’re out on inside jokes in the room. The fun part of it. So yeah, it’s a tough spot to be in.”
Especially when you’re the captain.
“He’s the biggest leader in this room,” Martinez said. “Being out for an extended period of time really takes a toll on you mentally.”
0:38
Mark Stone’s power-play goal ties it up for Vegas
Mark Stone scores on the power play as the Golden Knights tie it up 1-1 vs. the Panthers.
TWO BACK SURGERIES less than nine months apart sparked speculation in NHL circles about Stone’s future. Armchair physicians saw a second surgery as a harbinger of something more chronic.
Could he be the same player that he was? Could he continue to play?
“These are not life-threatening injuries. But they can be career-ending and they can frequently be quite painful and debilitating,” Dr. Caleb Pinegar of Crovetti Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine told Ken Boehlke of SinBin.net, a Golden Knights blog. “When does that point come? The big question I have now is if he tweaks his back again, do they encourage him to hang it up? Because you don’t want to put a young guy through three back surgeries.”
Those were the whispers. But was Stone ever worried about his career?
“No,” he said.
Was that just Stone the competitor talking louder than Stone the realist?
“No, I mean, I’ve seen plenty of doctors in the last three years,” Stone said. “I guess I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dr. Prusmack, with seeing what Jack went through and the success that he’s had with that surgeon. That maybe gave me a little bit of confidence. But no, I never was worried.”
He said people were misreading the necessity for multiple back surgeries.
“You talk to a lot of guys, they don’t usually just get one back surgery,” he said. “They usually get two, because as much as you think you know the problem, sometimes you don’t. And unfortunately it didn’t work the first time, but saw a different surgeon, couple other of minor things done. And I feel great.”
How much better does Stone feel now?
“The crazy thing is that I felt pretty good during the season,” he said with a laugh. “It was an unfortunate incident. Pretty minimal play that took me out for the remainder of the season. But I was feeling good most of the season and I feel good now.”
When, exactly, Stone felt good again has been a contentious point for opposing teams’ fans.
Stone makes $9.5 million against the salary cap. That money was moved to long-term injured reserve when he had his back surgery. The open cap space helped the Knights add forwards Ivan Barbashev and Teddy Blueger as well as goalie Jonathan Quick at the trade deadline.
Stone was activated from injured reserve in time for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets on April 18 — five days after he missed the finale of their regular season, a.k.a. the last game in which they had to worry about being cap-compliant.
But the captain was back. And the Golden Knights became a much tougher team to play against.
0:43
Mark Stone’s goal doubles the Golden Knights’ lead
Mark Stone finds the back of net as the Golden Knights extend their lead to 2-0.
STONE HAS PLAYED 584 games with the Golden Knights and the Ottawa Senators, who traded him to Vegas in 2019. He has 514 points in those games, including 196 goals.
He has 31 goals and 71 points in 94 career playoff games, including eight goals and 13 assists through 21 games in the 2023 postseason.
But it’s his defensive prowess that distinguishes him as an NHL star, having twice been nominated for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward. That’s remarkable for a winger — only centers have won the award since 2003.
Cassidy coached one of those centers with the Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron, who has won the Selke a record five times.
“I see Stoney’s stick and ability to read plays and be a step ahead, and that’s where he’s most like Bergeron,” the coach said. “He knows where the puck’s going. He seems to have that sense to put out fires because of that.”
Cassidy noted another similarity between Bergeron and Stone: The limitations in their abilities. “They’re not the fastest guys on the ice,” he said. “I think they’ve played this way their whole life and that’s why it’s second nature.”
Marchessault agreed.
“He’s not an outrageous skater or our shooter or a great passer, but it’s his thinking of the game that’s better than everybody else,” he said. “He’s consistent, and that’s probably one of the best of the most positive things to have as a hockey player.”
Eichel has been praised as a 200-foot player in the 2023 playoffs, after years of being seen as one-dimensional. He said he’s taken some inspiration from watching Stone, and facing him in scrimmages.
“When you play against him in training camp, he’s always getting his stick on the puck and pickpocketing you and s—,” he said. “So I imagine for the opposing team, it’s a pain.”
Eichel said it’s difficult to emulate what Stone does defensively, because it comes so naturally to him. Instead, it’s been Stone’s relentless competitiveness that’s been imprinted on him since he arrived in Vegas.
“He’s not really a preacher of any sorts, but you can learn a lot from him and his mindset every day,” Eichel said. “He’s a great leader. He’s a guy that other people gravitate towards. Just being around him for a short amount of time, you realize right away why he’s the captain here.”
Stone has endured, through the surgeries and the rehabs and the sticks to the back and the neck. With just one more win, it’ll all have been worth it.
He hurt. They win.
Just like that, the 2024-25 MLB hot stove has kicked off! We had a trade just one day after the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisted the World Series championship trophy.
All eyes this winter were on the top free agent, young slugger Juan Soto, who left the New York Yankees for a record contract with the New York Mets. But he’s not the only one who will make a splash in the market.
Which teams will go all-in to contend for a 2025 World Series title? Where will other top free agents such as Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman land? And who will make the trades and deals that have everyone buzzing?
Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.
Free agency, trade grades | Top 50 free agents | Fantasy spin
Notable MLB offseason transactions
Jan. 30
Blue Jays land Scherzer on one-year deal
Right-hander Max Scherzer and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, $15.5 million contract, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 29
Reds trade for late-inning arm
The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a trade to acquire left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Rays land infielder Kim
Infielder Ha-Seong Kim and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year, $29 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Tigers further fortify bullpen with Kahnle
Right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $7.75 million contract, pending physical, sources told ESPN. Story »
Mets add hard-throwing Stanek to pen
Right-hander Ryne Stanek and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year deal, a source told ESPN. Story »
Jan. 28
Dodgers sign All-Star reliever Yates
Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Can get up to $14M with 55 games pitched. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 26
Cubs trade for veteran reliever Pressly
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 23
Braves land All-Star outfielder in Profar
Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves are finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract, sources tell ESPN.
Jan. 20
Blue Jays add Santander to outfield
The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, giving the team one of the best hitters available this offseason after failed attempts to land a marquee free agent in recent years. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 19
Dodgers nab Scott for bullpen
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added left-hander Tanner Scott, arguably the best relief pitcher on the free agent market, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $72 million contract, sources told ESPN on Sunday. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 17
Japanese ace Sasaki picks Dodgers
Roki Sasaki, the prized Japanese pitching prospect who has had scouts drooling over his potential since high school, has chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his major league team, he announced on Instagram on Friday. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 16
Winker returns to Mets on one-year deal
Outfielder Jesse Winker and the New York Mets have agreed on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports Thursday. Story »
Jan. 10
Blue Jays sign top reliever Hoffman
The Toronto Blue Jays announced they have signed right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 7
Giants add Verlander on one-year deal
Right-hander Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a one-year, $15 million contract, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, continuing the future Hall of Famer’s career at age 42 in one of the pitcher-friendliest stadiums in baseball. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 6
Reds acquire Lux in trade with Dodgers
The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a draft pick and an outfield prospect, the teams announced Monday, adding another prime-age hitter to a team that hopes to ascend in the National League Central this season. Story » | Grades »
Royals bring back pitcher Lorenzen
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Jan. 3
Dodgers land star KBO infielder
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on a 3-year, $12.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 30
Nats sign Bell to one-year deal
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Bell on a one-year contract worth $6 million, according to multiple reports. Story »
Dec. 29
Cubs and Marlins swap infielders
The Chicago Cubs acquired utility man Vidal Bruján on Sunday, sending first baseman Matt Mervis to the Miami Marlins in a swap of former top-100 prospects. Story »
Dec. 28
Burnes joins D-backs on $210 million deal
Right-hander Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a six-year, $210 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 27
Dodgers bring back All-Star outfielder Hernandez
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a three-year, $66 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Tigers add Torres to infield on one-year deal
Infielder Gleyber Torres and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $15 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 23
McCutchen returns to the Pirates
Veteran slugger Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced on social media. Story »
Buehler, Red Sox agree to 1-year deal
Right-hander Walker Buehler and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $21.05 million contract, sources told ESPN, sending the pitcher who secured the final out of the World Series this year to a team loading up on starting pitching as it pivots toward contention. Story » | Grade »
Rangers add veteran bat Pederson
Outfielder Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a contract pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Manaea returns to Mets on three-year deal
Left-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 22
Phillies bolster rotation with trade for Luzardo
The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for two prospects, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN. Story » | Grades »
Nationals land 1B Lowe in trade with Rangers
The Washington Nationals on Sunday acquired first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers in exchange for lefty reliever Robert Garcia. Story » | Grades »
Dec. 21
Guardians trade Naylor to D-backs, sign Santana
The Cleveland Guardians traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday and quickly replaced him, with sources telling ESPN that they agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with free agent Carlos Santana, bringing him back for his third stint with the team. Story » | Grades »
Goldschmidt, Yankees agree on 1-year deal
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year, $12.5 million contract, sources told ESPN, pairing the former National League MVP and seven-time All-Star with the American League champion in the midst of a significant overhaul. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 20
Astros bring Walker to Houston
The Houston Astros and free-agent first baseman Christian Walker have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports. Story » | Grade »
Yanks ship Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson
The New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, the teams announced Friday. Story »
Red Sox add rotation arm
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $18.25 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »
A’s land veteran infielder
Gio Urshela is in agreement with the Athletics on a major league contract, sources confirm to ESPN. Story »
Dec. 19
Phillies bolster outfield with Kepler
Outfielder Max Kepler and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a one-year, $10 million contract, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Dec. 17
Yankees land Bellinger in trade with Cubs
OF/1B Cody Bellinger has been traded from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for right-handed reliever Cody Poteet, sources tell ESPN. (New York will also receive cash considerations.) Story » | Grades »
Dec. 16
O’s, Sugano agree on 1-year, $13M deal
Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a contract, the team announced Monday night, uniting one of the most successful Japanese pitchers of his generation with a team in need of rotation help. The deal is for one year and $13 million, sources told ESPN. Story »
Dec. 14
A’s acquire lefty Springs from Rays
The Athletics are acquiring left-hander Jeffrey Springs in a six-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Saturday, continuing their push toward contention with a significant increase in their payroll as they head into their first season in Sacramento. Story » | Grades »
Dec. 13
Cubs land three-time All-Star Tucker in deal with Astros
The Chicago Cubs are acquiring Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grades »
Yankees get All-Star closer Williams from Milwaukee
The New York Yankees are acquiring closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story » | Grades »
Dec. 11
Loáisiga returns to Yankees
Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for 2026, a source tells ESPN. Story »
Red Sox trading for Crochet
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring left-hander Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox for four highly-regarded prospects, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story »
Dec. 10
Marlins, Rangers agree to trade for Jake Burger
The Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade for power-hitting corner infielder Jake Burger, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. In exchange, the Miami Marlins will receive two shortstop prospects, Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and a young left-handed starting pitcher in Brayan Mendoza. Story » | Grades »
Eovaldi returning to the Rangers
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Guardians and Blue Jays complete trade
The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andres Gimenez from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grades »
Yankees land Fried on $218 million contract
Left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher. Story » | Grade »
Blue Jays sign pitcher Garcia
The Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Yimi Garcia are in agreement on a two-year, $15 million contract, a source told ESPN on Tuesday. Story »
Dec. 9
Phillies add Romano to bullpen
Closer Jordan Romano and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a free agent contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Romano was nontendered by Toronto earlier this offseason. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 8
Mets sign Soto for MLB record $765 million
Superstar outfielder Juan Soto and the New York Mets are in agreement on a 15-year, $765 million contract, sources tell ESPN. It is the largest deal in professional sports history. Story » | Grade »
Conforto joins Dodgers on $17 million deal
Outfielder Michael Conforto joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 7
Giants, Adames agree on 7 years, $182M
Shortstop Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a seven-year, $182 million contract, the largest outlay in franchise history, sources told ESPN on Saturday. Story » | Grade »
O’s land O’Neill
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a three-year, $49.5 million contract, a source told ESPN, filling a void created by the free agency of slugging outfielder Anthony Santander. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 6
Mets sign Holmes … as a starter
Right-hander Clay Holmes and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $38 million contract with an opt-out after the second year, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Friday night. Story » | Grade »
Rays add catcher Jansen
Catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for a second season, sources tell ESPN.
Dec. 5
A’s sign Severino to franchise-record contract
Right-hander Luis Severino and the Athletics are in agreement on a three-year, $67 million free agent contract that is the largest guarantee in the franchise’s history, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 3
Red Sox add Chapman to bullpen
Left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10.75 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Dec. 2
Cubs sign pitcher Boyd to two-year deal
The Chicago Cubs have added Matthew Boyd to their rotation in their first big offseason move, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with the veteran left-hander, sources confirmed to ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Mets add to rotation with Montas signing
Right-hander Frankie Montas and the New York Mets are in agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract, sources told ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 26
Dodgers make splash with Snell signing
Left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a five-year, $182 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 25
Angels add to rotation in yet another move
Left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi is in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a three-year, $63 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 22
Royals trade for position players
The Kansas City Royals traded right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds for infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer, the teams announced on Friday. Story » | Grades »
Nov. 20
Cubs add reliever in deal with Guardians
The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-handed reliever Eli Morgan in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN.
Nov. 19
Mets get outfield help in deal with Rays
The New York Mets have acquired outfielder Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Eric Orze. Story »
Nov. 18
Martinez accepts qualifying offer to stay with Reds
Right-hander Nick Martinez accepted the Cincinnati Reds‘ $21.05 million qualifying offer, multiple outlets reported Monday. Story »
Nov. 14
Angels sign infielder Newman to one-year deal
The Los Angeles Angels and infielder Kevin Newman agreed to a one-year $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2026, the team announced . Story »
Red Sox add reliever Wilson
Left-hander Justin Wilson and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract, according to multiple reports. Story »
Nov. 12
Angels sign d’Arnaud to two-year deal
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 6
Hedges returns to Guardians on one-year deal
Catcher Austin Hedges and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN. Story »
Angels add veteran arm to rotation
Kyle Hendricks is in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Nov. 3
Royals re-sign Wacha to 3-year deal
Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a three-year, $51 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a club option and can max out at four years, $72 million. Story » | Grade »
Oct. 31
Braves make first splash of offseason
The Atlanta Braves are trading outfielder Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels and will receive right-hander Griffin Canning, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Key MLB offseason dates
Dec. 9-12: Winter meetings in Dallas, Texas
Dec. 11: Rule 5 draft
Jan. 9: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures
End of January: Arbitration hearings begin
Feb. 22: Spring training games begin
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