LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent reliever Jeurys Familia is set to rejoin the New York Mets after being traded away last summer.Familia has agreed to a $30 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night at the winter meetings because the team had not yet announced the move. Familia likely must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.The right-hander will join a Mets bullpen that recently added major league saves leader Edwin Diaz in a trade with Seattle that also netted longtime All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, a move made by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.The 29-year-old Familia had spent his entire career with the Mets before being traded to Oakland last July. This move likely means Familia can slide back into a setup role, where he flourished early in his career with New York.Familia was a combined 8-6 with 18 saves in 24 chances and a 3.13 ERA for the Mets and A's last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — As Brian Cashman tried to close a deal to keep left-hander J.A. Happ, the New York Yankees general manager made clear Wednesday he could shift his focus from pitching to high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado at any moment."We are prepared to pivot and react at any moment if things change," Cashman said. "You know where my current focuses are, but at the same time we're a fully operational Death Star."Cashman has said all offseason he has more than enough outfielders. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said earlier in the day the Yankees had not told him they were uninterested in his top free agent of the offseason. Employing yet another of his increasingly flamboyant metaphors, Boras said the amount of teams currently seeking Harper is not nearly as noteworthy as those bidding at negotiations' end.Happ is a more imminent target for a rotation projected to include Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and James Paxton, acquired from Seattle in a trade. A... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Justin Bour is set to bring the Los Angeles Angels key depth they need until stars Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani are fully recovered from surgery.The Angels and the free agent first baseman have reached a deal, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.Bour's contract is pending a physical, the person said on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized.The 30-year-old Bour hit 20 homers and drove in 59 runs with the Marlins and Phillies last season. He played 112 of his 141 games with Miami before an August trade to Philadelphia.Bour didn't find a regular spot for Philadelphia down the stretch. The Phillies wouldn't have a spot for him this year, either, after moving Rhys Hoskins back to first base and signing corner outfielder Andrew McCutchen to $50 million, three-year contract during the winter meetings.Bour batted .227 combined, missing time late with an oblique strain. He's hit 83 home runs over the last... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent first baseman Justin Bour has reached a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.The deal is pending a physical said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity Wednesday because nothing had been finalized.The 30-year-old Bour hit 20 homers and drove in 59 runs with the Marlins and Phillies last season. He batted .227 combined over 141 games, missing time with an oblique strain.Bour will provide depth while stars Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani work their way back from season-ending surgeries last year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized a back-loaded $50 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that includes a team option for 2022.McCutchen gets $10 million next season, $17 million in 2020 and $20 million in 2021. The Phillies have a $15 million option for 2022 with a $3 million buyout.The 32-year-old was an All-Star each season from 2011-15, topping .300 in batting average from 2012-14. He was the NL MVP in 2013.McCutchen spent nine years with Pittsburgh before he was traded to San Francisco last winter. He was dealt to the New York Yankees on Aug. 31 and hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 155 games overall this year.McCutchen has 223 homers, a .287 average and 790 RBIs in 10 major league seasons.He would get a $100,000 bonus for winning another MVP, $50,000 for finishing second in the voting and $25,000 for third. He would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, and $50,000 each for League Championship Series MVP, Gold... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):6:10p.m.A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent first baseman Justin Bour has reached agreement with the Los Angeles Angels.The deal is pending a physical said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized.The 30-year-old Bour hit 20 homers and drove in 59 runs with the Marlins and Phillies last season. He batted .227 combined over 141 games, missing time with an oblique strain.— AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley reporting.___4:27 p.m.The Nationals and Reds have swapped right-handed pitchers named Tanner. Washington sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey.Roark has pitched six seasons in the majors, all for the Nationals. He went 9-15 last season with a 4.34 ERA.Rainey spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville, going 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA and three saves in 44 appearances. He didn't have a decision... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — An All-Star starter to the relief-reliant Rays, a Tanner-for-Tanner trade and a Scott Boras sighting. Intrigue at the winter meetings, but not much impact.Not yet, anyway.Charlie Morton was the top name to switch teams Wednesday, joining Tampa Bay for a $30 million, two-year deal after going 15-3 with Houston last season.And in the majors' first swap of players with the first name of Tanner, the Washington Nationals sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey in a trade of right-handers.Roark led the National League with 15 losses, but expected he would be part of a prime rotation that recently added All-Star Patrick Corbin to stars Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg."I felt like we would have a pretty good staff over there in D.C. but they thought otherwise and I don't know what their plans are," Roark said on a conference call.Fans all over, meanwhile, waited to hear where the likes of free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado and trade targets Corey Kluber and... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The New York Yankees are trying to close a deal to keep left-hander J.A. Happ and keeping the door open when it comes to signing Bryce Harper.While New York isn't currently interested in the slugging Harper, general manager Brian Cashman says "we're a fully operational Death Star."Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said earlier Wednesday the Yankees had not told him they had ruled out talks for the outfielder.Happ was acquired from Toronto in July, and the 36-year-old impressed the Yankees.Cashman says: "A real pro. Had a veteran presence within that clubhouse, knew exactly what was necessary and brought it every five days in the most competitive division in all of baseball."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the Philadelphia Phillies have finalized to a $50 million, three-year contract, a deal that includes a team option for 2022.The 32-year-old was an All-Star each season from 2011-15, topping .300 in batting average from 2012-14. He was the NL MVP in 2013.McCutchen spent nine years with Pittsburgh before he was traded to San Francisco last winter. He was dealt to the New York Yankees on Aug. 31 and hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 155 games overall this year.McCutchen has 223 homers, a .287 average and 790 RBIs in 10 major league seasons.Philadelphia remains interested in Bryce Harper, the top free agent on the market, but has a surplus of outfielders, including Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr and Roman Quinn.Rhys Hoskins is moving from left field to first base after the team traded Carlos Santana to Seattle for infielder Jean Segura last week.Herrera, a former All-Star, is a trade candidate. He struggled in the second half last season and finished with career lows in batting average (.255) and on-base percentage (.310).Philadelphia pursued Patrick Corbin and is still seeking a left-handed starter.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tanner Roark figured he would be pitching in Washington's star-studded rotation next year alongside Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and newcomer Patrick Corbin.Instead, he found himself part of the majors' first Tanner-for-Tanner trade, headed to the rebuilding Reds. Cincinnati acquired him for fellow right-hander Tanner Rainey on Wednesday during the winter meetings."I felt like we would have a pretty good staff over there in D.C. but they thought otherwise and I don't know what their plans are," Roark said in a conference call. "I'm just grateful to be a National. It was good times over there."As of now, Roark could lead a young Reds rotation — though president of baseball operations Dick Williams made it clear his last-place club is hardly done dealing. Righty starter Matt Harvey came to Cincinnati from the Mets last May.There have been only a handful of big league players over the years with the first name of Tanner, and this was the first time two of them were traded... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire plans to check in regularly with Cabrera to determine his availability when Grapefruit League exhibition games begin in February. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base."He's going to play one day a week, two days," Gardenhire said Wednesday at the winter meetings. "We're just going to let it all play out and see how he feels when he gets there and see how healthy he is. He's doing good right now, which is a good sign for us."Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon in mid-June. Gardenhire has no plans of rushing back Cabrera, even if the rebuilding Tigers could use his powerful bat in the middle of the order.The plan as of now? There isn't one — just constant communication between Gardenhire, Cabrera and certainly the medical staff to evaluate what... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:27 p.m.The Nationals and Reds have swapped right-handed pitchers named Tanner. Washington sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey.Roark has pitched six seasons in the majors, all for the Nationals. He went 9-15 last season with a 4.34 ERA.Rainey spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville, going 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA and three saves in 44 appearances. He didn't have a decision and posted a 24.43 ERA in eight outings for the Reds.Roark made $6,475,000 last year and is eligible for arbitration. He can be a free agent after next season. The Nationals signed free All-Star Patrick Corbin to a $140 million, six-year deal last week.___3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are perfectly comfortable putting relief pitchers on the mound to begin games. But the chance to add an All-Star to their patchwork rotation, that was too good to pass up.Coming off a career-high 30 starts, Charlie Morton reached a $30 million, two-year contract with the Rays, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for Houston.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief."He's a good pitcher," Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. "You never like to have good pitching come into the division, prefer they... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base."We'll figure it out as we go along," Gardenhire said.Cabrera turns 36 in April. He hit three home runs in 38 games and didn't play after June 12 because of the problem in his left biceps.___2:02 p.m.All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton has reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the contract is for two years and $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are perfectly comfortable putting relief pitchers on the mound to begin games. But the chance to add an All-Star to their patchwork rotation, that was too good to pass up.Coming off a career-high 30 starts, Charlie Morton reached a $30 million, two-year contract with the Rays, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for Houston.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.Morton's success with the Astros came after a career that had been beset by injuries and inconsistency. He'd undergone Tommy John surgery and was just 46-71 with... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press that All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton and the Tampa Bay Rays have reached a $30 million, two-year deal.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston. He had a 3.13 ERA in a career-high 30 starts.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.The right-hander joins a Rays staff led by AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Tampa Bay rotation was beset by injuries this year, and the team often used relief pitchers as starters in their "opener" strategy on the way to 90 wins.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):2:02 p.m.All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton has reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the contract is for two years and $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston. He had a 3.13 ERA in a career-high 30 starts.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.The right-hander joins a Rays staff led by AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Tampa Bay rotation was beset by injuries this year, and the team often used relief pitchers as starters in their "opener" strategy on their way to 90 wins.___1:34... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):1:34 p.m.Agent Scott Boras says there are teams ready to move right now on Bryce Harper.But still no word on where the free agent slugger might end up — or when.Boras was at the winter meetings before noon, holding court for the media in what's become an annual tradition at this gathering.Harper was the prime topic. Boras represents the star, who lives here in Las Vegas."Bryce is open to a lot of different venues, so it's really about what a lot of owners have said to him about their commitments and what they want to do long term," Boras said.And it could be a swift process, although not all Boras clients wind up signing quickly."So, we're really at a point where you could be meetings away from a deal," Boras said. "And then again, you could be in the situation where it's just further meetings and conversation."The 26-year-old Harper had a career-high 100 RBIs while hitting 34 home runs and batting... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Free agent outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and the Boston Red Sox have reached agreement on a minor league contract.The deal Wednesday includes a spring training invite to big league camp with the World Series champions.The 31-year-old Hernandez hit 15 home runs last season while batting .234 with 40 RBIs in 142 games for San Francisco. In 2017, he didn't hit a homer in 310 at-bats.The Giants recently opted not to offer Hernandez a contract for 2019. New Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said earlier this week at the winter meetings that his club was looking for an improved combination of on-base percentage and power in the outfield positions.Hernandez has previously played for Pittsburgh and Miami.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:51 p.m.The Boston Red Sox have reached agreement with free agent outfielder Gorkys Hernandez on a minor league deal.The 31-year-old Hernandez hit 15 home runs while batting .234 with 40 RBIs in 142 games for San Francisco last season. In 2017, he didn't hit a home run in 310 at-bats.The Giants recently opted not to offer Hernandez a contract for next year. He got a spring training invite to big league camp with the World Series champion Red Sox.___12:20 p.m.A person familiar with the negotiations says shortstop Jordy Mercer and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $5.25 million, one-year contract.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Mercer had spent his entire seven-season big league career with Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old hit .251 with six homers and 39 RBIs, down from 14 homers and 58 RBIs in 2017.His agreement was first reported by Fancred.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports