MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical exam.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, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the Division Series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have 39 games left on the suspension... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical exam.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, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the division series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have 39 games left on the suspension... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Mike Moustakas watched the Reds from the visiting dugout and saw a team on the rise. He decided to become a key part in the franchise's attempt to become a winner again.The All-Star infielder completed a $64 million, four-year contract with Cincinnati on Thursday, the biggest free agent deal in franchise history.They agreed to the deal earlier in the week. Moustakas was in town to sign it and get introduced at the team's annual fan festival this weekend.“Being on the other side, playing in Milwaukee, I was able to see what these guys had and what they were bringing to the table," Moustakas said after pulling on a No. 9 Reds uniform. “I want to make this team a little better and get to the postseason. The most addictive thing is postseason baseball."Moustakas becomes the second-highest paid player on the roster behind Joey Votto, who makes $25 million each of the next four seasons. Moustakas gets $12 million next year, $14 million in 2021, $16 million in 2022 and $18 million... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal, pending completion of a physical exam, had not been finalized.Pineda went 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 26 starts for the Twins in 2019, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the division series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have a significant chunk of the suspension left to serve before he can take the mound for the Twins.Pineda was one of four starters in Minnesota's rotation who became free agents this fall. The Twins re-signed Jake Odorizzi to supplement fellow All-Star Jose Berrios, but there is still a spot or two to likely be filled on the market this winter.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB

CLEVELAND (AP) — Right-hander James Hoyt has a salary of $608,500 in the major leagues as part of his contract with the Cleveland Indians and $156,000 while in the minors.Hoyt agreed to the deal Wednesday, two days after he was removed from the 40-man roster when Cleveland failed to offer a 2020 contract by the tender deadline.The 33-year-old had a 2.16 ERA in eight September appearances with the Indians, striking out 10 and walking two in 8 1/3 innings. He was 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA in 40 games at Triple-A Columbus, striking out 48 in 42 innings.Hoyt had 65 appearances for Houston in 2016-17, then pitched in one game for Houston in 2018.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Mike Moustakas watched the Reds from the visiting dugout and saw a team on the rise. He decided to become a key part in the franchise's attempt to become a winner again.The All-Star infielder completed a $64 million, four-year contract with Cincinnati on Thursday, the biggest free agent deal in franchise history.They agreed to the deal earlier in the week. Moustakas was in town to sign it and get introduced at the team's annual fan festival this weekend.“Being on the other side, playing in Milwaukee, I was able to see what these guys had and what they were bringing to the table," Moustakas said after pulling on a No. 9 Reds uniform. “I want to make this team a little better and get to the postseason. The most addictive thing is postseason baseball."Moustakas becomes the second-highest paid player on the roster behind Joey Votto, who makes $25 million each of the next four seasons. Moustakas gets $12 million next year, $14 million in 2021, $16 million in 2022 and $18 million... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Left-hander Josh Osich will have an $850,000 salary while in the major leagues as part of his 2020 contract with the Boston Red Sox, and infielder Marco Hernández will have a $650,000 salary while with the big league club.Each would have a $225,000 salary if sent down to the minor leagues.Both became free agents when Boston failed to offer contracts by Monday's deadline, then agreed to deals that were announced Wednesday.Osich had a $568,000 salary while in the major leagues this year and Hernández $564,000.The 27-year-old Hernández played in 61 games with the Red Sox last year after missing most of the previous two seasons recovering from left shoulder surgery. He batted .250 with two homers and 11 RBIs. In parts of three major league seasons, he has batted .265 with three homers and 18 RBIs.The 31-year-old Osich pitched four years for the Giants before making 57 appearances for the White Sox last season, setting career highs with 67 2/3 innings and 61 strikeouts. In five seasons, he is 10-5 with a 4.88 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Left-hander Tyler Anderson has a $1,775,000 salary as part of his contract with the San Francisco Giants and would earn $2,625,000 if he is healthy for most of the season and pitches 130 or more innings.Anderson’s deal, announced Tuesday, includes $500,000 in roster bonuses and $350,000 in performance bonuses.He would get $125,000 each for 60, 90, 120 and 150 days on the active roster, $75,000 each for 85 and 100 innings, and $100,000 apiece for 115 and 130 innings.Anderson, who turns 30 on Dec. 30, was claimed off waivers from NL West-rival Colorado on Oct. 30 and is recovering from surgery on his left knee that derailed his 2019 season. He went 0-3 with an 11.76 ERA in five starts spanning 20 2/3 innings after making 32 starts in 2018.Once healthy, Anderson is expected to compete for a rotation spot. The former first-round pick hopes to be ready by spring training. He has planned to rehab in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the Giants have their spring training complex.San Francisco could lose 2014 World Series MVP and longtime lefty ace Madison Bumgarner in free agency this offseason.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays head into the upcoming winter meetings in the listening phase about ways to improve a roster that came within one win of reaching the American League Championship Series last season."Do we have to do a lot of things? No," Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Thursday. "This offseason is a little bit different in terms of, like the needs of this club are not nearly as clear-cut and defined as they've been in years past."The franchise with baseball's smallest payroll at just over $66 million looks to build on an outstanding 2019 in which the Rays took Houston to a deciding fifth game in the AL Division Series in their first postseason trip since 2013."There's a lot of time between now and opening day," Neander said. "I anticipate some twists and turns in terms of what our team will look like by the end of March. We're going to be open-minded, we're going to try to be opportunistic."Tampa Bay is looking for catching depth... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Jake Marisnick was acquired by the New York Mets from the Houston Astros on Thursday for two prospects -- left-hander Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona.Marisnick is an excellent defender with speed but hasn't hit well in the majors. He could play center field and allow the Mets to use Brandon Nimmo primarily in left.Michael Conforto figures to get most of the starts in right. Former Gold Glover Juan Lagares played 125 games in center for New York last season and became a free agent.The 28-year-old Marisnick hit .233 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 10 steals last season. In advanced metrics, he ranks seventh among outfielders with 64 defensive runs saved since 2004.In parts of seven years with the Astros and Marlins, he's hit .227 in 685 games. He hit 16 home runs in helping Houston reach the World Series in 2017.Last year, Marisnick often was a backup in an Astros outfield that included George Springer, Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick. Marisnick went 3 for... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — All-Star infielder Mike Moustakas completed a $64 million, four-year contract Thursday with the Cincinnati Reds, the biggest free agent deal in franchise history.They agreed to the deal earlier in the week. Moustakas was in town to sign it Thursday and get introduced at the team's annual fan festival.He gets $12 million next year, $14 million in 2021, $16 million in 2022 and $18 million in 2023. Cincinnati has a $20 million option for 2024 with a $4 million buyout.Moustakas has a $250,000 bonus for winning an MVP award, $200,000 for finishing second and $150,000 for third. He would receive $100,000 for winning a Gold Glove, and $75,000 apiece for becoming an All-Star or winning a Silver Slugger. He will donate 1% of his base salary to the Reds' charity. The Reds have become active in free agency the last two years, trying to escape a rut of six straight losing seasons. They signed Moustakas from the NL Central-rival Brewers. The 31-year-old infielder will plug the Reds'... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — All-Star infielder Mike Moustakas completed a $64 million, four-year contract Thursday with the Cincinnati Reds, the biggest free agent deal in franchise history.They agreed to the deal earlier in the week. Moustakas was in town to sign it Thursday and get introduced at the team's annual fan festival.The Reds have become active in free agency the last two years, trying to escape a rut of six straight losing seasons. They signed Moustakas from the NL Central-rival Brewers. The 31-year-old infielder will plug the Reds' hole at second base, which opened when Scooter Gennett got hurt and then was traded at midseason.Cincinnati scored the fourth-fewest runs in the NL last season despite one of the league’s most hitter-friendly ballparks. Bulking up on offense is their top priority in the offseason.“Mike is a proven performer on winning teams, and we are excited to add his power and experience to our roster," Reds owner Bob Castellini said.Moustakas hit .254 with 35 homers and... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Omar Narváez from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday for minor league pitcher Adam Hill and a compensation round pick in next June's amateur draft. Narváez becomes Milwaukee’s replacement for Yasmani Grandal, who signed a $73 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Narváez, 28, was excellent at the plate in his one season with the Mariners, hitting 278 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs in 132 games. Narváez led American League catchers in on-base percentage (.373), slugging percentage (.516) and OPS (.889), and was second among catchers in those categories. “Omar has established himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the game,” Milwaukee general manager David Stearns said. “We believe his bat will give us an impactful left-handed presence in our lineup.”The issue for Narváez has been his defense, although he improved last season with Seattle. He had just three passed balls after being charged with 12 in 2018 with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Jake Marisnick has been acquired by the New York Mets from the Houston Astros for two prospects -- left-hander Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona. Marisnick is an excellent defender with speed but a weak hitter. He could play center field and allow the Mets to use Brandon Nimmo primarily in left. Michael Conforto figures to get most of the starts in right. Juan Lagares played 125 games in center for New York last season and became a free agent. The 28-year-old Marisnick hit .233 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 10 steals last season.Marisnick is an excellent defender with speed but a weak hitter. He could play center field and allow the Mets to use Brandon Nimmo primarily in left. Michael Conforto figures to get most of the starts in right.Juan Lagares, who played 125 games in center for New York last season, became a free agent.The 28-year-old Marisnick hit .233 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 10 steals last season but is seventh among outfielders with 64 defensive... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Omar Narváez from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday for minor league pitcher Adam Hill and a compensation round pick in next June's amateur draft. Narváez becomes Milwaukee’s replacement for Yasmani Grandal, who signed a $73 million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Narváez was excellent at the plate in his one season with the Mariners, hitting 278 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs in 132 games. Narváez led American League catchers in on-base percentage (.373), slugging percentage (.516) and OPS (.889), and was second among catchers in those categories. He was expendable because of the depth Seattle has at the position. Tom Murphy emerged as a solid backup and contributor last season and will likely be backed up by Aaron Nola going into the season. Seattle also has top catching prospect Cal Raleigh. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Jake Marisnickhas been acquired by the New York Mets from the Houston Astros for two prospects -- left-hander Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona. Marisnick is an excellent defender with speed but a weak hitter. He could play center field and allow the Mets to use Brandon Nimmo primarily in left. Michael Conforto figures to get most of the starts in right. Juan Lagares played 125 games in center for New York last season and became a free agent. The 28-year-old Marisnick hit .233 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 10 steals last season.NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Jake Marisnick was acquired by the New York Mets from the Houston Astros on Thursday for two prospects -- left-hander Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona.Marisnick is an excellent defender with speed but a weak hitter. He could play center field and allow the Mets to use Brandon Nimmo primarily in left. Michael Conforto figures to get most of the starts in right.Juan Lagares, who played 125 games in... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The dimensions at the new Texas Rangers' ballpark will be similar to their old stadium, with slightly altered distances designed to honor the team's retired jersey numbers. The left field pole will be 329 feet from home plate, the 29 a reference to former third baseman Adrian Beltre's jersey. It will be 407 feet to straightaway center field, honoring Hall of Fame catcher Ivan “Pudge" Rodriguez, and 410 at the deepest points to mark Michael Young's No. 10.Former manager Johnny Oates' No. 26 will be marked by the 326 feet to the right field pole at Globe Life Field.Rangers officials unveiled the dimensions Wednesday. The first game in the new stadium will be an exhibition against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 23, and the first regular-season game will be March 31 against the Los Angeles Angels.At the team's home stadium the past 26 seasons, the dimensions were 332 feet to left field, 400 in straight away center with 407 to the deepest points, and 325 to right.There will be a marker at 334 feet on the eight-foot wall in left field noting the No. 34 worn by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. A 42 for Jackie Robinson will mark the distance from home plate to the backstop.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Dylan Bundy from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday in a trade for four minor league pitchers.The 27-year-old Bundy has been a durable starter with a nasty slider for the past four seasons with the Orioles, who chose him with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft. The Angels got him for four prospects, none ranked among their top 20 by most estimates.Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said his latest trade "represents a big step toward our stated goals to accumulate and develop as much young talent as possible.""It's a bittersweet thing, parting with Dylan," Elias added. "He has done a lot for the Orioles. He has laid it on the line at all times for the Orioles and always taken the ball, and this dates well back beyond my short time here. We're going to miss him, and we have a hole in our rotation to fill."Bundy's durability and consistency are extremely enticing to the Angels, whose starters last season had... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies filled their biggest need quickly.Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old Wheeler stays in the NL East after spending his first seven seasons with the New York Mets. He was 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA last season after going 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 2018. Wheeler missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.He will join a rotation led by Aaron Nola that also includes Jake Arrieta. The Phillies may pursue another front-line starter — Stephen Strasburg, perhaps — to join a staff that has Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta. “He knows all of us hitters very well,” Mets role player J.D. Davis said earlier in the day. “He's a great pitcher, great stuff.... [More]