SAN DIEGO (AP) — Gerrit Cole and agent Scott Boras are ready for baseball's version of "Can you top this?"A day after completing a $245 million, seven-year contract for Stephen Strasburg with Washington that set a record for pitchers, Boras said Cole will command even more.Strasburg set a record for total dollars and average salary for pitchers. Citing that Cole is two years younger than the 31-year-old Strasburg and has been more durable, Boras said seeking a higher amount "would be a logical path to take.""There have been numerous offers made by clubs, and so we're actively in the middle of it," Boras said Tuesday, surrounded by a swarm of media in the hotel lobby at the winter meetings. "Normally when you have this many people involved and you're that far along, it's probable something can be done in a very short term."The New York Yankees are trying to land Cole to join a young core group that includes Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Gary Sánchez. The Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Gerrit Cole and agent Scott Boras are ready for baseball's version of "Can you top this?"A day after completing a $245 million, seven-year contract for Stephen Strasburg with Washington that set a record for pitchers, Boras said Cole will command even more.Strasburg set a record for total dollars and average salary for pitchers. Citing that Cole is two years younger than the 31-year-old Strasburg and has been more durable, Boras said seeking a higher amount "would be a logical path to take.""There have been numerous offers made by clubs, and so we're actively in the middle of it," Boras said Tuesday, surrounded by a swarm of media in the hotel lobby at the winter meetings. "Normally when you have this many people involved and you're that far along, it's probable something can be done in a very short term."The New York Yankees are trying to land Cole to join a young core group that includes Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Gary Sánchez. The Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Minnesota Twins finalized a $20 million, two-year contract with suspended pitcher Michael Pineda on Tuesday and a $4.25 million, one-year deal with catcher Alex Avila.Pineda went 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 146 innings over 26 starts for the Twins in 2019, his first season with the team. He was suspended for 60 games by Major League Baseball on Sept. 7 following a positive test for the banned diurectic hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It is banned because it can mask the presence of steroids.A right-hander who tuns 31 next month, Pineda missed the Division Series loss to the New York Yankees and will have to finish serving the suspension before he can take the mound for the Twins in mid-May.Pineda, who is 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, missed half of the 2017 season with the Yankees and the entire 2018 season after signing with the Twins following Tommy John surgery. He said he took an over-the-counter medication given to him by an acquaintance, not realizing the pills contained the banned substance. He apologized then to the organization, his teammates, his family and Twins fans for his error in judgment and said he did not intend to cheat.Avila, 32, spent the past two seasons with Arizona and hit .207 with nine homers and 24 RBIs in 164 at-bats this year.———More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Free agent catcher Alex Avila and the Minnesota Twins have reached agreement on a one-year contract for $4.25 million.A person with direct knowledge of the deal, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized, confirmed the details on Friday.Avila hit .207 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 63 games for Arizona last season. He also pitched in two games.Avila turns 33 in January. He's batted .235 with 103 homers in an 11-season career with Detroit, the White Sox, the Cubs and Arizona.The AL Central champion Twins had been looking for a reliable backup this offseason. Jason Castro became a free agent, so Minnesota was in the market for a veteran complement to Mitch Garver after his breakout season. Garver hit 31 home runs in 93 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — Catcher Stephen Vogt and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees $3 million, a deal that includes a 2021 option and could be worth $8 million over two seasons if he plays regularly.Vogt gets a $2.5 million salary next year as part of the deal announced Tuesday, and Arizona has a $3 million option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.The option price would increase to $3.5 million and become guaranteed if he has 45 starts and 75 games played next season. In addition, the option price would increase by $500,000 each for 70 starts or 100 games, and for 85 starts or 120 games.Vogt can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on plate appearances, $100,000 each 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450.The 35-year-old was a two-time All-Star with the Oakland Athletics in 2015 and 2016. He played last season for San Francisco, hitting .263 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 99 games.Vogt likely will be the primary backup for starting catcher Carson Kelly, who had a breakout season last year after hitting .245 with 18 homers and 47 RBIs. Arizona’s backup last season, Alex Avila, became a free agent.Vogt has also played first base and outfield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed catcher Stephen Vogt to a one-year contract with a club option and vesting options for 2021.The team announced the deal on Tuesday. Terms weren’t immediately disclosed.The 35-year-old Vogt is a two-time All-Star with the Oakland A’s in 2015 and 2016. He played last season with San Francisco, hitting .263 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 99 games.Vogt will likely be the primary backup for starting catcher Carson Kelly, who had a breakout season last year after hitting .245 with 18 homers and 47 RBIs. Arizona’s backup last season, Alex Avila, is a free agent.Vogt has also played first base and outfield. Arizona’s 40-man roster is now at 40 players.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker homers to left field. Jake Lamb walks. Adam Jones reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Jake Lamb out at second. Nick Ahmed grounds out to second base. Adam Jones out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Padres 0.Padres third. Wil Myers walks. Eric Hosmer strikes out swinging. Wil Myers steals second. Manny Machado homers to left field. Wil Myers scores. Hunter Renfroe flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Ty France lines out to left field to Josh Rojas.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 2, Diamondbacks 1.Padres fourth. Luis Urias homers to left field. Austin Hedges strikes out swinging. Garrett Richards grounds out to shallow infield, Robbie Ray to Christian Walker. Manuel Margot singles to shallow infield.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 3, Diamondbacks 1.Padres sixth. Hunter Renfroe called out on strikes. Ty France doubles to deep left field. Luis Urias singles to center field. Ty France scores.... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Abraham Almonte homers to center field. Josh Rojas strikes out swinging. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker. Christian Walker grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Jorge Alfaro flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Isan Diaz triples to deep center field. Harold Ramirez singles to right field. Isan Diaz scores. Austin Dean flies out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Harold Ramirez to second. Sandy Alcantara strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks second. Jake Lamb walks. Domingo Leyba triples to deep right field. Jake Lamb scores. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson singles to right center field. Domingo Leyba scores. Mike Leake out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Neil Walker. Jarrod Dyson to second. Abraham... [More]

Diamondbacks third. Nick Ahmed grounds out to second base, Josh VanMeter to Trevor Bauer. Alex Avila walks. Zac Gallen out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Brian O'Grady to Josh VanMeter. Alex Avila to second. Wilmer Flores singles to right center field. Alex Avila scores. Ketel Marte singles to right field. Wilmer Flores out at third.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Reds 0.Reds fourth. Josh VanMeter homers to right field. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino flies out to right field to Adam Jones. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Michael Lorenzen grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Reds sixth. Josh VanMeter pops out to shallow center field to Nick Ahmed. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino singles to shortstop. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Michael Lorenzen walks. Alex Blandino pinch-hitting for Brian O'Grady. Alex Blandino walks. Jose Peraza pops out to shallow left field to Nick Ahmed.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Reds 3, Diamondbacks 1.

Reds third. Brian O'Grady strikes out swinging. Luis Castillo pops out to shallow infield to Nick Ahmed. Josh VanMeter walks. Joey Votto homers to center field. Josh VanMeter scores. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks fourth. Josh Rojas grounds out to first base, Joey Votto to Luis Castillo. Eduardo Escobar pops out to shallow center field to Jose Iglesias. Christian Walker singles to center field. Wilmer Flores singles to left field. Christian Walker to second. Adam Jones singles to center field. Wilmer Flores to third. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed flies out to deep center field to Brian O'Grady.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Reds fifth. Jose Iglesias grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker. Brian O'Grady reaches on error. Throwing error by Wilmer Flores. Luis Castillo strikes out on a foul bunt. Josh VanMeter homers... [More]

Mets second. Todd Frazier homers to center field. Juan Lagares flies out to right field to Jarrod Dyson. Tomas Nido called out on strikes. Marcus Stroman lines out to third base to Jake Lamb.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Diamondbacks 0.Mets third. Amed Rosario strikes out on a foul tip. Pete Alonso reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Nick Ahmed. Robinson Cano grounds out to second base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Pete Alonso to third. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Pete Alonso scores. Michael Conforto singles to center field. J.D. Davis to third. Todd Frazier walks. Michael Conforto to second. Juan Lagares homers to center field. Todd Frazier scores. Michael Conforto scores. J.D. Davis scores. Tomas Nido pops out to shallow center field to Nick Ahmed.5 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Mets 6, Diamondbacks 0.Mets fifth. Robinson Cano homers to center field. J.D. Davis flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Michael Conforto walks.... [More]

Diamondbacks second. Eduardo Escobar walks. Jake Lamb reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Eduardo Escobar to second. Fielding error by Eugenio Suarez. Abraham Almonte pops out to shallow infield to Eugenio Suarez. Nick Ahmed singles to left field. Jake Lamb to second. Eduardo Escobar scores. Alex Avila called out on strikes. Mike Leake reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Jake Lamb out at third.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Reds 0.Reds third. Josh VanMeter called out on strikes. Joey Votto singles to shallow left field. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Joey Votto scores. Tucker Barnhart pops out to Eduardo Escobar. Freddy Galvis strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks fifth. Tim Locastro hit by pitch. Josh Rojas flies out to deep center field to Brian O'Grady. Tim Locastro to second. Ketel Marte homers to center field. Tim Locastro scores. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Brian... [More]

Dodgers first. A.J. Pollock flies out to right field to Tim Locastro. David Freese homers to center field. Justin Turner grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Jake Lamb. Cody Bellinger flies out to deep right field to Tim Locastro.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 1, Diamondbacks 0.Dodgers third. Russell Martin homers to center field. Ross Stripling strikes out swinging. A.J. Pollock doubles to deep left field. David Freese strikes out swinging. Justin Turner flies out to right field to Tim Locastro.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks fourth. Jarrod Dyson called out on strikes. Tim Locastro singles to second base. Ketel Marte singles to left field. Tim Locastro to second. Eduardo Escobar singles to left field. Ketel Marte to second. Tim Locastro to third. Jake Lamb singles to shallow left field. Eduardo Escobar to second. Ketel Marte scores. Tim Locastro scores. Josh Rojas singles to center field. Jake Lamb to second. Eduardo Escobar scores.... [More]

Dodgers second. Cody Bellinger lines out to left field to Josh Rojas. Corey Seager doubles to left field. Chris Taylor grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Kike Hernandez doubles to deep left field. Corey Seager scores. Russell Martin singles to shallow infield. Kike Hernandez to third. Tony Gonsolin singles to shallow right field. Russell Martin to second. Kike Hernandez scores. Joc Pederson strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Dodgers third. Matt Beaty grounds out to second base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Justin Turner walks. Cody Bellinger triples to right field. Justin Turner scores. Corey Seager strikes out swinging. Chris Taylor grounds out to first base to Christian Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks sixth. Josh Rojas walks. Eduardo Escobar homers to center field. Josh Rojas scores. Christian Walker strikes out swinging. Jake Lamb triples to deep center field.... [More]

Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to second base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Brandon Belt singles to left field. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging. Brandon Belt steals second, advances to third. Throwing error by Alex Avila. Alex Dickerson hit by pitch. Stephen Vogt singles to left field. Alex Dickerson to second. Brandon Belt scores. Kevin Pillar pops out to shallow infield to Eduardo Escobar.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Giants 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks fifth. Mike Leake strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson lines out to center field to Kevin Pillar. Ketel Marte homers to center field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Kevin Pillar.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 1.Diamondbacks sixth. Christian Walker singles to center field. Jake Lamb singles to left field. Christian Walker to second. Adam Jones singles to center field. Jake Lamb to third. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed strikes out swinging. Alex Avila grounds... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Ketel Marte singles to third base. Tim Locastro reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Ketel Marte out at second. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Lorenzo Cain. Tim Locastro to third. Christian Walker homers to center field. Tim Locastro scores. Jake Lamb flies out to left field to Ryan Braun.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Brewers 0.Diamondbacks fourth. Eduardo Escobar homers to center field. Christian Walker doubles to deep left field. Jake Lamb walks. Josh Rojas reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Jake Lamb out at second. Christian Walker to third. Nick Ahmed reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Josh Rojas to second. Christian Walker scores. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Robbie Ray flies out to left center field to Lorenzo Cain.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 4, Brewers 0.Diamondbacks fifth. Ketel Marte doubles to deep left center field. Tim Locastro singles to second base. Ketel Marte... [More]

Rockies first. Raimel Tapia singles to center field. Trevor Story singles to left field. Raimel Tapia to second. Charlie Blackmon singles to center field. Trevor Story to third. Raimel Tapia scores. Ryan McMahon reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Charlie Blackmon out at second. Trevor Story scores. Yonder Alonso grounds out to second base. Ryan McMahon out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Diamondbacks 0.Rockies fourth. Ryan McMahon grounds out to shallow center field, Ketel Marte to Jake Lamb. Yonder Alonso hit by pitch. Garrett Hampson singles to center field. Yonder Alonso to second. Yonathan Daza singles to left field. Garrett Hampson to second. Yonder Alonso to third. Dom Nunez out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Yonder Alonso scores. Tim Melville singles to center field. Yonathan Daza to second. Garrett Hampson scores. Raimel Tapia singles to left field. Tim Melville to second. Yonathan Daza scores. Trevor Story flies out to right... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Jarrod Dyson singles to center field. Wilmer Flores doubles to deep left center field. Jarrod Dyson scores. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to first base to Brandon Belt. Wilmer Flores to third. David Peralta strikes out swinging. Adam Jones reaches on error. Wilmer Flores scores. Throwing error by Evan Longoria. Jake Lamb grounds out to first base to Brandon Belt.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Giants 0.Giants second. Alex Dickerson walks. Scooter Gennett reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Alex Dickerson to second. Throwing error by Wilmer Flores. Kevin Pillar singles to shallow right field. Scooter Gennett to second. Alex Dickerson to third. Brandon Belt homers to right field. Kevin Pillar scores. Scooter Gennett scores. Alex Dickerson scores. Brandon Crawford singles to second base. Logan Webb pops out to Jake Lamb. Mike Yastrzemski singles to left field. Brandon Crawford to second. Stephen Vogt singles to right field. Mike Yastrzemski to... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Ketel Marte homers to right field. David Peralta singles to left field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep left center field to Kevin Pillar. Christian Walker singles to center field. David Peralta to second. Jake Lamb reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Christian Walker out at second. David Peralta to third. Josh Rojas pops out to shallow center field to Brandon Crawford.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 0.Giants third. Brandon Belt homers to center field. Brandon Crawford pops out to shallow right field to Eduardo Escobar. Jeff Samardzija grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Leake to Christian Walker. Mike Yastrzemski homers to right field. Buster Posey singles to right field. Alex Dickerson flies out to David Peralta.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 1.Giants fourth. Evan Longoria flies out to deep center field to Ketel Marte. Scooter Gennett singles to left center field. Kevin Pillar homers to left field.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but he's struggled badly this season and had lost 13 straight decisions to lead the majors with 14 losses. Three days after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old right-hander teamed with Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski to shut down Seattle.It was the second time in less than a month the last-place Mariners were no-hit by multiple pitchers. The Los Angeles Angels used two pitchers in a combined no-hitter July 12 against Seattle on a night when they honored late left-hander Tyler Skaggs by all wearing his No. 45 in their first home game since his death.Sanchez (4-14) struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in his first victory since April 27 for Toronto.Seattle's... [More]