Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $10.7 million 2016 salary, the largest one-year contract for a second-time arbitration eligible pitcher last Feb. 5, as reported by the Associated Press. Arrieta made only $3.63 million last season with the Cubs offering $7.6 million this year before agreeing to the new deal.
All Major League Baseball teams have handed out contracts to free agents this offseason with the exception of the New York Yankees, per MLBTR. The 27-time World Series champions who are worth billions did not spend a single dollar to free agents this season fueled rumors of the team preparing for one big name in 2018.
The New York Yankees received some bad news earlier this week when first baseman Greg Bird suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder. His surgery was a success last Tuesday but could be out for the entire 2016 MLB season.
t's less than a month away before players report to Spring Training and get ready for the 2016 MLB season so teams are stacking up their roster. The latest rumors include the New York Yankees still looking for an additional starting pitcher and the Kansas City Royals wanting to add another outfielder.
The Washington Nationals and New York Mets are in a bidding war for the services of free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The Nationals have offered Cespedes a five-year deal while the Mets are not willing to give him a contract longer than three years.
Defending World Series champions Kansas City Royals are having a good offseason despite losing some key players like Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist in free agency. The Royals have successfully signed Alex Gordon to a new contract, but the team is still looking to bolster their starting rotation with either Yovani Gallardo or Ian Kennedy.
The New York Yankees have bolstered their already formidable bullpen when they acquired left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. Chapman is a four-time All-Star with the Reds and the hardest thrower in the MLB as he clocks in at above 100 mph when he pitches his fastball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to increase their pitching depth after the departure of Zack Greinke via free agency to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Free agent Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda emerges as a possible target because of reports saying that he visited Dodger Stadium on Christmas Eve.
The MLB free agent market is still full of big and talented names even though the winter meetings are over and the offseason is halfway finished. According to several reports, the market seems to be slowly developing because of several factors that leave Yoenis Cespedes, Chris Davis, Alex Gordon and other big-named free agents unsigned.
Carlos Gonzalez has two years and $37 million left on his contract and the Colorado Rockies are looking to trade the outfielder this offseason. He comes cheap for a player of his quality, so three teams are reportedly interested in acquiring him -- the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals.
The 2015 MLB Winter Meetings have started and one the biggest names being talked about is the Miami Marlins' 23-year-old starting ace, Jose Fernandez. According to several reports, the Marlins are discussing possible trades for the right-hander with teams that includes the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Left-handed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen is one of the prized pitchers in the free agent market this offseason. According to a report, Chen is looking for a big contract worth $85 million for five years.
The Atlanta Braves started their rebuilding process last week by trading shortstop Andrelton Simmons to Los Angeles Angels. This week, first baseman Freddie Freeman was involved in trade talks. Now, starting pitcher Shelby Miller is the latest Braves player to have his name in the rumor mill.
The Chicago Cubs front office has expressed the desire to sign starting pitchers in free agency to help bolster their rotation that already features Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. According to reports, the Cubs are interested in bringing back Jeff Samardzija in the North Side of Chicago.
The Boston Red Sox are scrambling to look for outfielders after Jacoby Ellsbury agreed to a monstrous seven year deal with the team's arch rival, the New York Yankees
Robinson Cano has paved the way for MLB offseason news as the free-agent star second baseman looks for a team that is willing to invest nine years and more than $250 million in him at 31 years of age
It might not be baseball season but it sure seems like it for general managers who are looking to patch up their teams ahead of the upcoming winter meetings
