MLB 2014-15 Off-Season News

[HavanaMatt]

Tell us any news that breaks

Some recent happenings ..........

Mariners sign OF Nelson Cruz to a 4-yr $58 mil deal, also acquire P J.A. Happ from TOR for OF Michael Saunders

Twins bring back OF Torii Hunter with a 1-yr, $10 mil deal

Braves sign OF Nick Markakis to a 4-yr $44 mil deal, also sign P Jim Johnson to a 1-yr deal

Padres sign INF Clint Barmes to a 1-yr deal

Dodgers acquire OF Chris Heisey from Reds for P Matt Magill, also acquire P Joel Peralta from Rays

Red Sox sign 3B Pablo Sandoval & INF Hanley Ramirez to big contracts

A's sign DH Billy Butler

White Sox sign 1B Adam LaRoche & P Zach Duke

Marlins acquire P Aaron Crow from Royals for 2 pitchers

[Air M'Ville Cap'n]

The St. Louis Cardinals added some depth to their bullpen on Tuesday, signing righthanded reliever Matt Belisle to a one-year, $3.5 million-dollar deal that could include up to $500,000 in appearance incentives.

The addition of the 34-year-old Belisle probably eliminates any chance of 2014 All-Star Pat Neshek returning to St. Louis in 2015. The Cardinals seem to be set for the time being in the ‘pen, with Trevor Rosenthal, Jordan Walden, Seth Maness, and Belisle set to occupy roles, and guys like Carlos Martinez, Marco Gonzales, Jaime Garcia, Kevin Siegrist, Sam Freeman, and Randy Choate all potential candidates depending on varying circumstances.

http://archauthority.com/2014/12/02/st- ... -contract/

[HavanaMatt]

Dice-K returns to Japan

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league have signed
Daisuke Matsuzaka, tweets Chris Cotillo of SB Nation. Terms of the agreement are not known.

The return to Japan could mark the end of Matsuzaka’s major league career. The 34-yr-old was originally
signed by the Red Sox in 2007 for a total price of $103.11MM. That included a then-record $51.11MM posting
fee and 6-yr, $52MM contract.

His performance over 8 major league seasons was a disappointment given the hype surrounding him.
Over 790 and one-third innings, he posted a 4.45 ERA, 8.22 K/9, and 3.82 BB/9. He experienced a modest
resurgence as a swingman with the Mets,

[HavanaMatt]

Yankees sign P Andrew Miller, also acquire SS Didi Gregorius in 3-team trade

The Yanks announced the signing of free agent Andrew Miller to a 4-yr contract. Miller will reportedly
receive a $36MM guarantee, but the contract does not include a no-trade clause.

Also, the Yankees, D-backs and Tigers have officially announced a 3-team trade sending SS Didi Gregorius from
the D-Backs to the Yankees, RHP Shane Greene from the Yankees to the Tigers, and LHP Robbie Ray and infield
prospect Domingo Leyba to the D-backs.

[HavanaMatt]

Winter meetings this week (12/8-12/11), news from it ..........

Cubs bring back P Jason Hammel

Hammel has struck a 2-yr, $20MM to return to the Cubs, according to reports. The deal includes a
$10MM club option for a 3rd season, with a $2MM buyout included as part of the aforementioned
guarantee.

Hammel signed a 1-yr deal with the Cubs last February, then enjoyed a strong half-season in Chicago
before heading to Oakland in the Jeff Samardzija deal.
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Indians acquire 1B Brandon Moss from A's

In a widely anticipated swap, the Athletics have officially agreed to ship OF/1B/DH Brandon Moss to
the Tribe in exchange for minor league 2B Joe Wendle.

[HavanaMatt]

Hot Stove is burning at the Winter Meetings ....

White Sox sign P David Robertson (formerly of NYY) to a 4-yr, $46 mil deal. Chi Sox also acquire
P Jeff Samardzija from the A's for 4 players.

Pirates re-sign P Francisco Liriano to a 3-yr, $39 mil

Braves agree to a deal with INF Alberto Callaspo pending a physical

Angels acquire C Drew Butera from the Dodgers

Cubs acquire C Miguel Montero from D-backs for 2 lower level prospects

[HavanaMatt]

Winter Meetings Day 3

Cubs to sign P Jon Lester to a 6-yr, $155 mil deal

Astros sign pitchers Luke Gregorson & Pat Neshek

Pirates acquire P Antonio Bastardo from the Phillies for minor league P Joely Rodriguez

Dodgers to acquire SS Jimmy Rollins from Philly for 2 minor league pitchers

[God's Own Mailman]

Winter Meetings Day 3

Astros sign pitchers Luke Gregorson & Pat Neshek

Neshek said he was literally seconds from signing a two year deal with the Pirates when Houston called with a deal for more money.

[Coolbreeze2444]

The Cubs signing Lester is a big deal. And they hired Joe Maddon to manage. They signed a catcher. They're doing a HUGE remodel/rebuilding of the stadium. We may have to take the Cubs seriously in 2015.

[JeffASaul]

The Cubs signing Lester is a big deal. And they hired Joe Maddon to manage. They signed a catcher. They're doing a HUGE remodel/rebuilding of the stadium. We may have to take the Cubs seriously in 2015.

Well it was confirmed by Marty McFly that the Cubs would win the WS this coming year... even though it said they would beat Miami.