5:19 PM ET Associated Press ATLANTA — The Braves‘ commitment to giving Vaughn Grissom a chance to win the starting job at shortstop can’t be questioned. The Braves, who must replace Dansby Swanson, first scheduled Grissom for three offseason visits with third-base coach Ron Washington for intense fielding drills, each lasting at least one week.
MLB
Jan 20, 2023 Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” The Marlins and Twins executed a long-rumored trade Friday, with American League batting champion Luis Arraez heading to Miami for right-hander Pablo Lopez and a pair of prospects, it was announced. The
12:54 AM ET Associated Press ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have added another potential contender for playing time in left field by signing Kevin Pillar to a minor-league contract. Pillar confirmed the deal Friday, tweeting that he was “beyond excited” to be joining the Braves. He would reportedly make $3 million if he cracks the
7:56 PM ET Associated Press PHOENIX — Ronnie Gajownik has been hired as manager of the Hillsboro Hops, becoming the first woman to manage a minor league Class High-A team, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced Friday. The 29-year-old Gajownik (pronounced Gah-jow-nick) served as video coordinator for the Hops in 2021. She was on the coaching staff
6:47 PM ET Associated Press PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen could have chosen to return to Pittsburgh out of sentimentality. Out of convenience. Out of sheer financial good sense. And while the outfielder can appreciate the symmetry of returning to the club he helped define during its brilliant if relatively brief return to relevance a decade
Jan 20, 2023 Associated Press NEW YORK — Mike Trout feels pain-free as the start of spring training approaches. The Los Angeles Angels‘ three-time American League MVP was sidelined between July 12 and Aug. 19 last year by an injury to his upper back and ribcage. After returning, he hit .308 with 16 homers and
7:00 AM ET Since the very first Baseball Hall of Fame vote in 1936, the results have been steeped in controversy and arguments. It has been almost 100 years, and voting mostly remains an exercise ranging from polite disagreement to contentious bickering. That felt particularly true in the past decade, as the electorate argued publicly
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
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
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.
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
6:54 PM ET Associated Press BALTIMORE — Orioles chairman John Angelos said emphatically that the team will not leave Baltimore, then reacted contentiously when a reporter asked for more clarity on the future of the team’s ownership. “Fear not, the Orioles will be here,” he said. Angelos appeared with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott at Camden