MLB

8:11 PM ET Associated Press SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners signed infielder Tommy La Stella to a one-year contract on Thursday, adding another versatile veteran to their roster. La Stella spent the past two seasons with San Francisco, but was designated for assignment by the Giants in late December. La Stella signed a three-year, $18.75

5:11 PM ET Left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman has reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Kansas City Royals. A seven-time All-Star, Chapman struggled mightily last season with the New York Yankees. He posted a 4-4 record with 9 saves, a 4.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 43 relief appearances.

7:00 AM ET We’re about halfway through winter and the top free agents have signed, meaning it’s time to look ahead toward the start of the 2023 season. Where does every team stand heading into spring training? Despite not being at the center of this year’s free agency, are the reigning World Series champions atop

6:21 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers were hit with a $32 million luxury tax for the second straight season, among six teams paying a penalty as baseball payrolls rebounded after the lockout to a record $4.56 billion. The New York Mets set a luxury tax payroll record at $299.8

4:47 PM ET The 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame vote is just around the corner. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America will announce the results of this year’s election live from Cooperstown on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network. Of the 14 former players who will be returning to the ballot

7:00 AM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Spring training starts in less than a month. Every major free agent is signed. Almost all of the second- and third-tier ones have jobs, too. It’s almost like Major League Baseball free

3:40 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Having failed to land Carlos Correa, Mets general manager Billy Eppler says he is satisfied with New York’s offense heading into spring training. “We have a strong and deep lineup,” Eppler said Tuesday during a news conference to introduce catcher Omar Narváez and reintroduce reliever Adam Ottavino.

5:49 PM ET ESPN News Services OAKLAND, Calif. — Right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami formally introduced himself Tuesday, then asked that everyone simply call him “Fuji.” “Like Mt. Fuji,” he explained. And, nope, he has never been. In Japan, he is more formal, going by Shintaro, but he figures this will make it easy on everybody

7:02 AM ET The rate of spending this offseason has been both frantic and jarring, with more than $2 billion lavished on the 10 most expensive free agents in a span of less than 10 weeks. But the most intriguing free agent in baseball history still looms. In 10 months, barring a last-minute extension with

9:36 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Frank Thomas, a three-time All-Star with his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates who later became the top hitter on the expansion New York Mets, died Monday. He was 93. Both teams announced Thomas’ death. The Mets said he died Monday morning in Pittsburgh. No cause was given. Thomas played

6:18 PM ET Associated Press CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox agreed to contracts with seven international free agents on Monday, including pitching prospect Luis Reyes and infielder Juan Uribe Jr. The 6-foot-2 Reyes, the top prospect in the bunch, is due $700,000. The 17-year-old right-hander from Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, is rated by MLB

Jan 14, 2023 Associated Press ST. LOUIS — The resignation of Matt Holliday as the St. Louis Cardinals bench coach caught team president of baseball operations John Mozeliak by surprise, but he’s happy with the hiring of Joe McEwing. Mozeliak addressed the media Saturday morning at Busch Stadium during the Cardinals Winter Up weekend. He

2:42 PM ET Associated Press TORONTO — The Blue Jays are searching for a new bullpen coach. The team announced Sunday that Matt Buschmann has opted to leave the organization to pursue other opportunities. Toronto also said it would announce its complete coaching staff in the coming weeks. The 38-year-old Buschmann joined the Blue Jays

5:25 PM ET ESPN News Services SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres signed 16-year-old catcher Ethan Salas of Caracas, Venezuela, to a $5.6 million bonus on Sunday, the first day of the international signing period. Salas is the consensus top overall prospect in this year’s class. The left-handed hitter is the younger brother of

9:53 PM ET Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso returned to his old high school Saturday for a charity event being held just a long home run away from the residence of late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. It was only natural that a question would come up referencing

10:39 PM ET CHICAGO — Free agent first baseman Trey Mancini is in agreement with the Chicago Cubs on a two-year deal which includes an opt out clause after the first season, sources told ESPN on Saturday night. Mancini, 30, spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles before being traded last summer to the

2:58 PM ET CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg will be immortalized outside of Wrigley Field in the summer of 2024 when the team unveils a statue of his likeness, the organization announced on Saturday at its annual fan convention. Sandberg’s statue will join those of Hall of Fame players

2:35 PM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Outfielder Juan Soto and the San Diego Padres agreed Friday on a one-year, $23 million contract to avoid arbitration, sources told ESPN, the richest deal on a day when nearly 200 players