MLB free agency is cruising right along, with many of the big names, including Juan Soto, off the board. But some impact players are still available, and the trade market has been active.
Here’s a quick look at where things stand so far this offseason:
Roki Sasaki announces he’s signing with Dodgers
Roki Sasaki, the No. 2 player on Yahoo Sports’ Top 50 free-agent rankings, is headed to Los Angeles. He announced his decision on his Instagram on Friday. His signing bonus is reportedly $6.5 million, per The Athletic.
Sasaki’s other finalists were the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. According to The Athletic, the Blue Jays hosted Sasaki for a visit last week, and the Dodgers hosted him for another visit that included star players. Apparently, the latter meeting was more successful.
The international signing period opened Wednesday, and Sasaki had until Jan. 23 to make his decision.
Dodgers bolster their bullpen with Tanner Scott
Tanner Scott, the top reliever on the MLB free-agent market, got paid like it.
The former San Diego Padres southpaw has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports. Scott joins an increasingly deep Dodgers bullpen and gets paid well to do it.
Scott, who was traded from the Marlins to the Padres at last summer’s deadline, posted a 2.73 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings with San Diego in the second half.
The deal is among the largest ever given to a reliever, with Edwin Díaz’s five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets still representing the high-water mark.
Yahoo Sports ranked the 30-year-old Scott as the No. 22 free agent on the market this offseason and the highest among the available relievers.
Corbin Burnes signing with Diamondbacks
Corbin Burnes is headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it wasn’t cheap.
The 2021 Cy Young Award winner agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks, which includes an opt-out for Burnes after two seasons.
Because Burnes, Yahoo Sports’ No. 3-ranked free agent, turned down a qualifying offer from Baltimore, the Orioles will receive draft pick compensation from his new team.
The contract is the largest in Diamondbacks history. Burnes, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, will pitch for the local team after reportedly turning down offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.
Required reading:
Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:
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Dodgers add this winter’s top reliever, too
Tanner Scott, the top reliever on the MLB free-agent market, got paid like it.
The former San Diego Padres southpaw has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports. Scott joins an increasingly deep Dodgers bullpen and gets paid well to do it.
Scott, who was traded from the Marlins to the Padres at last summer’s deadline, posted a 2.73 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings with San Diego in the second half.
The deal is among the largest ever given to a reliever, with Edwin Díaz’s five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets still representing the high-water mark.
Yahoo Sports ranked the 30-year-old Scott as the No. 22 free agent on the market this offseason and the highest among the available relievers.
Read more here.
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Mets agree to 2-year, $22 million contract with lefty reliever A.J. Minter
The New York Mets keep growing their bullpen, adding left-handed reliever A.J. Minter on Friday, per multiple reports. Minter and the Mets agreed on a two-year, $22 million deal that includes an opt-out in the first season.
Minter, who spent the first eight seasons of his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, threw 35 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings for the Braves last season, recording a 2.62 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
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Mets re-sign outfielder Jesse Winker to one-year deal reportedly worth up to $9 million
The New York Mets are bringing back Jesse Winker for another year, signing the 31-year-old outfielder to a one-year deal that is reportedly worth up to $9 million. Winker joined the team in July 2024 via trade from the Washington Nationals and was a key part of the team’s postseason run.
The move also hints at the Mets’ tactics on first baseman Pete Alonso, who is one of the top free agents this offseason. With talks to bring back Alonso stalled, and with the first baseman reportedly receiving significant interest from other teams, re-signing Winker might be a signal that the Mets are not expecting Alonso to return and are starting to look at other options.
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Sasaki meeting with Dodgers again
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are down to just three teams: the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays. According to The Athletic, the Dodgers are getting one more meeting with Sasaki on Tuesday, which will reportedly involve “several of their star” players.
The international signing period opens on Wednesday, at which point Sasaki will have eight days to sign with a team.
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No Sasaki for Cubs
Source says Cubs have been informed they are out on Roki Sasaki
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) January 13, 2025
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