A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Melvin (11th season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Hohokam Stadium. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP Nik Turley, INF Jed Lowrie. He’s Outta Here: SS Marcus Semien, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Khris Davis, 2B Tommy La Stella, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP T.J. McFarland, 3B Jake Lamb, LHP Mike Minor. Going campin’: After winning their first division title in seven years, the A’s took some serious hits this offseason with Semien leaving to sign a one-year deal in Toronto after not getting a qualifying offer from Oakland and star closer Hendriks signing with the White Sox. The A’s acquired Andrus to replace... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a $17.5 million, two-year contract that plugs one of their biggest offensive holes while providing some clubhouse leadership for a rebuilding club. The 34-year-old Santana was an All-Star two years ago in Cleveland, when he hit a career-best .281 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs. But he slid to .199 with eight homers and 30 RBIs while playing 60 games during the shortened 2020 season, resulting in the Indians declining his $17.5 million option for the upcoming season. He gets $7 million next season and $10.5 million in 2022, and his salary would escalate by $250,000 each time he becomes an All-Star or wins a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger. Santana could earn $250,000 in performance bonuses next year: $25,000 for 300 plate appearances and each additional 25 through 525. He could earn $750,000 in performance bonuses for 2022: $75,000 for 300 plate appearances and each additional 25 through 525. The Royals... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and veteran first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract that plugs one of their biggest offensive holes while providing some clubhouse leadership for a rebuilding club. The 34-year-old Santana was an All-Star two years ago in Cleveland, when he hit a career-best .281 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs. But he slid to .199 with eight homers and 30 RBIs while playing 60 games during the shortened 2020 season, resulting in the Indians declining his $17.5 million option for the upcoming season. The Royals were in the middle with a .244 team average last season, but they hit just 68 home runs and were tied with — coincidentally — the Indians for the sixth-worst scoring offense in the majors. “One of our objectives this offseason was to add a middle-of-the-order bat, someone that would blend in well with our current group, make us a lot better,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “Carlos certainly does that.” Santana... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and veteran first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract that plugs one of their biggest offensive holes while providing some clubhouse leadership for a rebuilding club. MLB Network was first to report that the sides had reached an agreement Tuesday. The 34-year-old Santana was an All-Star two years ago in Cleveland, when he hit a career-best .281 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs. But he slid to .199 with eight homers and 30 RBIs while playing 60 games during the shortened 2020 season, resulting in the Indians declining his $17.5 million option for the upcoming season. The Royals were middle-of-the-road with a .244 team average last season, but they hit just 68 home runs and were tied with — coincidentally — the Indians for the sixth-worst scoring offense in the majors. “As we continue to evaluate and hopefully accomplish our offseason objectives, we wanted to improve and get more depth in center field, we wanted to... [More]

The Chicago White Sox acquired a big workhorse for their starting rotation. Lance Lynn was traded from the Texas Rangers to the White Sox on Tuesday for right-hander Dane Dunning and lefty Avery Weems. The deal was agreed to at the end of the first day of Major League Baseball’s virtual winter meetings. Lynn was be reunited in Chicago with new manager Tony La Russa. Lynn was a rookie pitcher for the 2011 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, who beat the Rangers in seven games in the last season La Russa managed in the big leagues before returning to the White Sox this offseason. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Lynn was 22-14 in 46 starts the past two seasons for the Rangers, with 335 strikeouts over 292 1/3 innings. The right-hander has an $8 million salary in 2021, the final season of a $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Texas two winters ago. The on-the-rise White Sox are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2008, going 35-25 and finishing tied for second in the... [More]

The Chicago White Sox are set to acquire a big workhorse for their starting rotation. Lance Lynn is being traded from the Texas Rangers to the White Sox, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press late Monday night, at the end of the first day of Major League Baseball’s virtual winter meeting, because there was no announcement from either team. Lynn would be reunited in Chicago with new manager Tony La Russa. Lynn was a rookie pitcher for the 2011 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, who beat the Rangers in seven games in the last season La Russa managed in the big leagues before returning to the White Sox this offseason. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Lynn was 22-14 in 46 starts the past two seasons for the Rangers, with 335 strikeouts over 292 1/3 innings. The right-hander has an $8 million salary in 2021, the final season of a $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Texas two winters ago. The on-the-rise... [More]

The free agent market received a small boost this week, although it remains to be seen whether teams will be eager to take advantage. A record 59 players became free agents when their teams declined to offer them contracts by Wednesday night's tender deadline. That group included a few well-known names like Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins — but these additions to the free agent class did little to change the sense the market could be slow this offseason. Teams may be looking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, and so far there have been only a few short deals, such as Charlie Morton going to Atlanta on a one-year, $15 million contract and Mike Minor signing with Kansas City for two years and $18 million. As we enter the heart of the offseason calendar, here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. The biggest names on the market are players who were already free agents well before the new group of non-tenders... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander Mike Minor and the Kansas City Royals have finalized an $18 million, two-year deal, reuniting the 32-year-old starter with the club that helped him revive his career. Kansas City announced the signing Monday, bringing in the 2019 All-Star to boost a rotation that leaned largely on unproven youngsters in 2020. The contract includes salaries of $7 million in 2021 and $10 million in 2022 plus a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. If traded, the option becomes mutual with the buyout owed if either side declines. He would earn bonuses of $50,000 each for 180 and 200 innings during the first two seasons. “We know we needed to add a starter to our young rotation,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We feel like Mikey gives us a lot of stability, a lot of focus. Somebody who has been successful, can provide us innings, and so it’s just a really, really good fit for us, and we’re grateful that he’s once again going to be a Kansas... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander Mike Minor and the Kansas City Royals have finalized an $18 million, two-year deal, reuniting the 32-year-old starter with the club that helped him revive his career. Kansas City announced the signing Monday, bringing in the 2019 All-Star to boost a rotation that leaned largely on unproven youngsters in 2020. The contract includes a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. “We know we needed to add a starter to our young rotation,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We feel like Mikey gives us a lot of stability, a lot of focus. Somebody who has been successful, can provide us innings, and so it’s just a really, really good fit for us, and we’re grateful that he’s once again going to be a Kansas City Royal.” The 32-year-old Minor split 2020 between the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics, going 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA and diminished velocity after posting the best numbers of his career a year earlier. In 2019, he was 14-10 with a... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals agreed to a two-year deal with pitcher Mike Minor and finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract with outfielder Michael Taylor as they work to piece together a roster. The deal with the 32-year-old Minor was reached late Sunday and requires him to pass a physical before it can be completed. Taylor's deal, announced Monday, includes up to $1 million in incentives. The Royals have not had a winning season since 2015, when they reached the second of back-to-back World Series and won their first championship in 30 years. The core from that season became free agents and general manager Dayton Moore began to rebuild through the draft, and after a couple of seasons near .500 came back-to-back 100-loss campaigns. But there were signs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season that the rebuild was on track. Young pitchers such as Brady Singer and Kris Bubic got their first taste of the big leagbues, veterans Danny Duffy and Brad Keller anchored a vastly improved... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers on Friday declined the $18 million contract option on right-hander Corey Kluber, who lasted just one inning in his only start before a shoulder injury ended his season. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. The Rangers acquired the two-time Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland last offseason in a trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians. Clase was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. Kluber threw 18 pitches in his only inning for the Rangers, leaving with shoulder tightness in a 5-2 loss to Colorado in the third game of the season. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with a small tear in his shoulder muscle the next day. It was Kluber's first appearance with a team other than Cleveland, and his first start in almost 15 months after his right forearm was broken by a line drive in what ended up being... [More]

Ray Davis and the Texas Rangers ownership group will host the 2020 World Series, just as they had hoped when they broke ground on a new stadium three years ago . Just not with the team they expected. Instead of a splashy debut year in the the $1.2 billion ballpark with a retractable roof, the Rangers finished an American League-worst 22-38 in the pandemic-shortened season in front of no fans. “All I can say for this year is I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed for our team. I am embarrassed for our fans and I wish it had turned out a lot differently,” Davis said Wednesday. “The fact is we have to correct what we didn’t do this year and make it better." Globe Life Field will have a national showcase when it hosts the first neutral site World Series. The ballpark also will host a National League Division Series and the NL Championship Series, with a limited number of fans allowed for the final two rounds. While disappointed about his team's record, Davis said he feels good about a youth movement... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Playoff games and the World Series will be played this October in the new Texas Rangers ballpark. The home team is far from being part of the postseason festivities. In this most unusual of seasons, delayed and abbreviated by the pandemic and now with most of the MLB playoffs at neutral sites, the Rangers got to play only 30 home games, and without fans, in the debut season of the $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof that was constructed over 2 1/2 years. They are now early in the process of another major rebuilding project. This one will be much more cost conscious and has no certain timeline. On the final day of a 22-38 season, the Rangers had three 22-year-old rookies in the starting lineup — center fielder Leody Taveras, shortstop Anderson Tejeda and catcher Sam Huff. Shin-Soo Choo, in a farewell appearance at the end of a $130 million, seven-year contract, was the only player over 26. “I think it’s the start of something. It’s a beginning,” second-year... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres are returning to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years after beating the Seattle Mariners 7-4 Sunday with a three-run rally in the 11th inning that included a go-ahead double by newcomer Mitch Moreland. The clincher came in the finale of a series that was moved from Seattle because of poor air quality due to wildfires, so the Mariners were considered the home team and batted last. After closer Trevor Rosenthal (1-0), another newcomer, struck out Phillip Ervin for the final out, the Padres had a brief but joyous celebration in the infield. Then they gathered near the dugouts to get playoff caps and T-shirts. Although Petco Park was devoid of spectators, a handful of fans watched from a rooftop bar just beyond left-center field and several others watched from balconies on an office building high above right field. Casey Sadler (1-1) took the loss. RED SOX 10, YANKEES 2 BOSTON (AP) — Tanner Houck took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his second... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Dinelson Lamet outpitched Clayton Kershaw, and rookie Jorge Oña hit a go-ahead double in a five-run seventh inning to lead the San Diego Padres to their eighth straight win, 7-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in the opener of a series between the NL’s top teams.The Padres cut the Dodgers’ lead in the NL West to 1½ games. Trent Grisham added some spice to the rivalry when he hit a tying home run off Kershaw in the sixth and said something to the Dodgers’ dugout as he headed for home. The Padres have won 12 of 14.Lamet (3-1) got the victory thanks to a seventh-inning outburst that chased Kershaw (5-2). Lamet matched his season high with 11 strikeouts while holding the Dodgers to one run and three hits.WHITE SOX 3, TWINS 1CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Engel delivered a tiebreaking pinch-hit single in the eighth inning, and the White Sox increased their lead in the AL Central.Chicago opened its pivotal four-game set against Minnesota with its ninth win in 10 games. The... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Minor tossed a two-hitter, Jake Lamb doubled and homered in his first game after signing with Oakland, and the Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 9-0 for a doubleheader split on Monday. Seattle won the opener 6-5, rallying from a 5-0 deficit and scoring twice in the sixth inning with two outs to stay on the heels of Houston in the AL West. Seattle is 1½ games behind the Astros for second. The games were played with a haze of smoke hovering above the field at T-Mobile Park, even with the retractable roof of the stadium closed. Wildfires on the West Coast have suffocated much of the Pacific Northwest with unhealthy air conditions that brought into question whether the games would even be played. Minor (1-5) picked up his first victory of the season in his third start since being acquired by the A’s from Texas. Jimmy Yacabonis (0-1) was charged with the loss.Kyle Lewis had a big day for Seattle. The rookie outfielder hit a two-run homer and reached on a bases-loaded walk... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics right-hander Daniel Mengden has tested positive for the coronavirus and is quarantined at home in Houston, where he received the result that forced Oakland and Major League Baseball to postpone four games this week.A's general manager David Forst said Thursday that Mengden is asymptomatic and was placed on the 10-day injured list. The A's added new left-hander Mike Minor to the 40-man roster after acquiring him Monday in a trade with the Rangers.“He continues to be asymptomatic and feels good,” Forst said while discussing Mengden on a conference call. The team had its three-game series at Seattle this week postponed as well as last Sunday's scheduled series finale at Houston, where the A's learned late Saturday of the one positive test. Forst said the A's left Houston in two groups, the second being those who had close contact — up to 15 minutes — with Mengden in the 48-hour window during which he tested positive.“Without a doubt, these guys are serious... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___FACES IN NEW PLACESMike Clevinger, Starling Marte and Archie Bradley are among the notable players headed to new teams after a flurry of deals before Monday's trade deadline. The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. It was San Diego's fifth big trade since Saturday, and the cost was a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges. The surprising Marlins reeled in Marte for their outfield, and the Reds boosted their bullpen by acquiring Bradley from Arizona. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. “I’d say the volume of consummated transactions probably surprised me a little bit,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said.BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___FACES IN NEW PLACESMike Clevinger, Starling Marte and Archie Bradley are among the notable players headed to new teams after a flurry of deals before Monday's trade deadline. The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. It was San Diego's fifth big trade since Saturday, and the cost was a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges. The surprising Marlins reeled in Marte for their outfield, and the Reds boosted their bullpen by acquiring Bradley from Arizona. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. “I’d say the volume of consummated transactions probably surprised me a little bit,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said.BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted... [More]