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.
It's less than two weeks away before pitchers and players report for Spring Training and get ready for the upcoming 2016 MLB season. The latest rumors include the continuous pursuit of the Baltimore Orioles for a starting pitcher and the Houston Astros adding another piece for their bullpen.
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.
The Baltimore Orioles have been spenders this offseason as they re-signed catcher Matt Wieters to a qualifying offer as well as first baseman Chris Davis and reliever Darren O'Day to multimillion deals. However, the Orioles are still in need of an additional starter to replace Wei-Yin Chen, who left via free agency and signed an $80 million contract with the Miami Marlins, per ESPN.
New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is going to miss the entire 2016 MLB season with a shoulder injury, per MLB Network Insider Joel Sherman. Bird is set to undergo surgery on Feb. 2 to repair a torn labrum that has been bothering him this offseason.
The market for free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler is starting to take shape with two Chicago teams interested in signing him. According to CBS Chicago, both the Cubs and White Sox are monitoring the development of Fowler's market value as he is one of the remaining quality outfielders left unsigned.
The Colorado Rockies have a glut of outfielders in their roster since signing Gerardo Parra to three-year, $27.5 million deal earlier in January, per ESPN. Parra joins Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson in the Colorado outfield with one of them possibly being possibly dealt in the coming days.
Dexter Fowler is the next best available outfielder on the free agent market as Yoenis Cespedes already signed a three-year deal to return to the New York Mets while Yovani Gallardo is one of the remaining starters without a team. Let's take a look at the latest rumors on the market for both Fowler and Gallardo.
Tim Lincecum, Dexter Fowler & Ian Desmond Still MLB Free Agents; Where Will They Sign? The vast majority of high quality free agent players have already been signed, but a few notable players are still available on the free agent market.
Free agent pitcher Tim Lincecum is currently recovering from season-ending hip surgery last September is currently scheduled to have a showcase for MLB teams on February. According to his agent, Rick Thurman, at least 20 teams have made an inquiry about Lincecum and requested his medical results.
Josh Reddick of the Oakland Athletics is set to become a free agent after the 2016 MLB season, but the 28-year-old outfielder is open to negotiating a contract extension. John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group tweeted on Sunday that Reddick wants a multiyear deal and is willing to listen to the Athletics.
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.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy expressed his desire to play in a contending team in a telephone interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday. Lucroy is open to being traded to a playoff team, insisting that it is the best for him and the Brewers organization.
The market for free agent Yoenis Cespedes is starting to heat up as he is the only remaining big-name outfielder left after the Detroit Tigers signed Justin Upton on Monday to a six-year, $132 million contract. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are interested in signing the hard-hitting Cespedes.
Pete Rose Inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Pete Rose is finally in the Hall of Fame, sort of. The Cincinnati Reds inducted "Charlie Hustle" into their franchise Hall of Fame this week.
Cliff Lee has not pitched in an MLB game since August 2014 due to a flexor tendon tear in his left elbow. After months of rehabilitation, the 37-year-old wants to play for a contender. Reports say that he is a "good gamble," signing for teams like the New York Yankees.
The Chicago Cubs have already made a big splash this offseason by signing big name free agents and trading All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro. According to several reports, the Cubs are not done dealing as they are interested in a pair of Tampa Bay Rays starters, Jake Odorizzi and Alex Cobb.
The Astros and Padres will play two games in Mexico City Major League Baseball is returning to Mexico City for Spring Training this year for the first time since 2004.
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking for pitching depth after the departure of left-handed ace David Price to the Boston Red Sox via free agency. They've acquired two additional starting pitchers this offseason, but the Blue Jays are still looking for another one and it's Yovani Gallardo.
ESPN announced the new duo that will serve as analysts for Sunday Night Baseball in 2016. Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone will join play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman and reporter Buster Olney to provide analysis and commentary on Major League Baseball.
