Major League Baseball and the MLB Players’ Association reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday afternoon. The owner-imposed lockout came to an end, some 99 days after it began. It was the second longest work stoppage in baseball history, behind only the 1994-95 players’ strike (232 days). The end of the lockout means the return of the business of baseball, and that means that trades and free-agent signings can once again be made. Yes, it is hot stove season again, and we are seeing another flurry of moves before spring training game action gets underway.
Prior to the lockout, seven of CBS Sports’ top 10 free agents had signed with teams. That leaves shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Kris Bryant, and first baseman Freddie Freeman as the top names remaining. Others worth monitoring include outfielder Seiya Suzuki (who is joining MLB from Japan’s NPB) and closer Kenley Jansen.
Those names all remain on the open market, but things started to move Friday. Here are the notable moves made since the lockout was lifted Thursday evening.
Notable post-lockout moves
- Mets sign righty reliever Adam Ottavino, per reports.
- Carlos Rodón signs two-year contract with Giants.
- Clayton Kershaw re-signs with Dodgers on one-year deal.
- Andrelton Simmons signs one-year contract with Cubs.
- Yusei Kikuchi joins Blue Jays on three-year deal.
- Rangers send Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Twins to Mitch Garver.
The next big fish to come off the board could be Freeman, who is said to be in talks with the Dodgers. To help you keep track of the latest in the world of MLB’s transactions, CBS Sports will provide live updates and analysis. Follow along below.
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Twins get Gray
In the biggest trade after the MLB lockout, the Twins have acquired Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds.
Gray has long been on the trade block, and he’ll slot in at the front of the Minnesota rotation, which was thin entering the offseason.
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Mets add to their ‘pen
Adam Ottavino, who once said he would have struck out Babe Ruth every time he faced him and has played for both the Red Sox and Yankees in the last two seasons, has another home: Queens.
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No surprise here…
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Astros sign Brinson to minors deal
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Yankees SS update
Yankees fans, I’m sure, are hoping that changing landscape includes either Carlos Correa or Trevor Story.
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Phillies seek outfield help
The Phillies have at least checked in on Nick Castellanos (per Jon Morosi) and have kept in contact with Odubel Herrera (according to Jim Salisbury) as they continue to look for additional outfield help.
Castellanos is the more notable of those revelations. Dave Dombrowski undoubtedly knows him well from their shared time together in Detroit, and he’s one of the best bats remaining on the market. Here’s why CBS Sports ranked him as the 14th best free agent entering the winter:
Castellanos is a well-above-average hitter who has pole-to-pole power, an optimized launch angle, and a preference for hitting the ball back up the middle. For better and worse, that’s the extent of his game. He isn’t a good defender; he doesn’t walk a ton; and he isn’t a stolen-base threat. Castellanos can hit, though, and he’s going to get a lucrative contract because of it.
As it stands, the Phillies outfield would consist of Bryce Harper and then some combination of Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak, and Matt Vierling.
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