CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox finalized a $6 million, one-year contract with free agent reliever Steve Cishek on Tuesday.The 33-year-old right-hander will earn $5.25 million next season under the deal reached last week. The White Sox hold a $6.75 million option for 2021 with a $750,000 buyout.Cishek is heading to the South Side after spending the past two seasons with the crosstown Cubs. The side-armer went 4-6 with a 2.95 ERA and seven saves in 70 appearances last year.“We believe Steve is a solid addition to our bullpen,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “He complements our other relievers well, provides a different look to opposing hitters later in games, and has consistently proven to be both durable and successful throughout his career.”Cishek broke into the majors in 2010 with the Marlins. He is 32-27 with a 2.69 ERA and 132 saves in 10 years in the majors, also playing for Tampa Bay, Seattle and St. Louis.Cishek likely will be used in late-inning situations in front of Alex... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals finalized an $11 million, two-year deal with reliever Daniel Hudson on Tuesday that figures to shore up the reigning World Series champions' bullpen.Hudson will be back with Washington after a successful half season and more that ended with him striking out Houston's Michael Brantley for the final out of the Nationals' Game 7 World Series win. The right-hander went 4 for 4 in save opportunities during the postseason and allowed no runs in seven of his nine postseason appearances.The Nationals acquired Hudson, 32, from Toronto at the July 31 trade deadline. He went 3-0 with six saves and a 1.44 ERA in 24 games the rest of the regular season.Hudson's return coupled with the signing of Will Harris makes the Nationals' bullpen appear to be a strength after it was a major weakness early in 2019. Hudson, Harris and holdover lefty Sean Doolittle make up the back end of the bullpen and give manager Dave Martinez more options in the late innings.Harris, who came from the Houston Astros, agreed to a $24 million, three-year deal. The Nationals this offseason also signed infielder Starlin Castro and first baseman Eric Thames and inked World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg to a long-term contract.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs, and Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora could be next.Hinch and Luhnow were fired Monday after being suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's illicit use of electronics to steal signs during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline and strongly hinted that Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for stealing signs in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution, as punishment. The Astros will also forfeit their next two first- and second-round... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign-stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution, as punishment. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.The investigation found that the Astros used the video feed from a center field... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms Monday on a $1.5 million, one-year deal with Iván Nova, keeping the right-hander in the AL Central after he spent last season with the Chicago White Sox.Nova, who turned 33 on Sunday, went 11-12 with a 4.72 ERA last season, making a career-high 34 starts. He is 89-76 with a 4.32 ERA in 10 big league seasons with the White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees.Detroit's deal with Nova includes $500,000 in performance bonuses. In recent years, the rebuilding Tigers have typically added pitchers on short-term deals, who can then become trade candidates if they pitch well. Nova fits that trend.Earlier this offseason, the Tigers signed catcher Austin Romine, who was a teammate of Nova's with the Yankees.The Tigers also designated left-hander Matt Hall for assignment.Nova went 16-4 with the Yankees in 2011, but he has not had an ERA under 4.00 since 2013.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tony Kemp, a left-handed-hitting infielder and outfielder, was acquired by the Oakland Athletics from the Chicago Cubs on Monday for minor league infielder Alfonso Rivas.The versatile Kemp began last season with Houston, where he played from 2016-2018. On Monday, Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season. Kemp batted .212 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs over 110 games between the Astros and Cubs last year. He started 30 games at second base, nine in left field, nine in center field and three in right field. Rivas batted a combined .292 with nine homers and 60 RBIs over 122 games between Single-A Stockton — 114 games there — and Triple-A Las Vegas.Oakland's 40-man roster is full.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign-stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.The investigation found that the Astros used the video feed from the center-field camera... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's use of electronics for sign stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season.In U.S. sports' largest scandal since the New England Patriots' “Spygate,” Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign-stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when Boston won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million for sign stealing, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round draft picks.Houston was found guilty of using a television camera in center field to relay... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired Monday after the pair were suspended by Major League Baseball for the team's sign-stealing during Houston's run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season.In the sport's largest scandal since the Biogenesis drug suspensions in 2013, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora— the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face equal or more severe punishment. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. The Red Sox are under investigation for sign stealing in Cora's first season as manager in 2018, when the Red Sox won the World Series.Houston was fined $5 million for sign-stealing by the team during its run to the 2017 World Series title and during the 2018 season — the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution. The Astros will forfeit their next two first- and second-round draft picks.In addition,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees finalized his $12.5 million, one-year contract on Saturday.New York agreed to the deal Dec. 13 during the winter meetings, and the 36-year-old took a physical on Tuesday. His addition, following last month's $324 million, nine-year contract with pitcher Gerrit Cole, raised the Yankees' projected luxury tax payroll to about $248 million — the threshold where the highest luxury tax rate starts.Gardner gets a $2 million signing bonus payable Jan. 30 and an $8 million salary for next season. The Yankees have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $2.5 million buyout.New York opened a roster spot by designating left-hander Stephen Tarpley for assignment.Gardner earned $7.5 million last season plus a $2 million buyout after New York declined his $12.5 million option for 2019 under his previous contract. He hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBIs, a rare left-handed bat in a Yankees lineup dominated by right-handed hitters.Gardner is the senior member of the Yankees, having spent his entire 12-year big league career in the Bronx. He has a .260 average, 124 homers and 524 RBIs.He is expected to see time in center field during the first half of the season while Aaron Hicks recovers from offseason Tommy John surgery, then shift back to left when Hicks returns.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Veteran infielder Todd Frazier and the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $5 million, one-year contract, filling a significant need for the team. A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was pending a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Frazier will make $3.5 million in 2020, and the deal includes a 2021 club option with a $1.5 million buyout. Third base is one of the primary needs for the Rangers, who lost out in their pursuit of free agent Anthony Rendon this offseason when he signed with the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Frazier also gives the Rangers another right-handed hitter in their left-leaning lineup, and could also play first base. Frazier, a month shy of his 34th birthday, spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. He hit .251 with 21 homers and 67 RBIs in 133 games last year. He has also played for the Cincinnati Reds (2011-15), Chicago White Sox (2016-17) and Yankees (2017) in his nine big league seasons.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — With a “2019 World Series Champions” patch stitched onto the right sleeve of his white Washington Nationals jersey, and his eyes -- one brown, one blue -- open wide, Max Scherzer made it clear as clear can be Saturday that his neck is just fine and his preseason routine is same as ever.“I played catch probably two weeks after the World Series and I was playing catch OK, so I knew that there was no long-term damage. I did the whole MRI thing and that came away clean, too. Everybody wanted to dot their I's and cross their T's and everybody did,” Scherzer said with a chuckle at the club's annual fan festival at Nationals Park. “I'm good. I'm strong. I'm good,” he added, as if to emphasize the point. “I can throw a baseball. I'm good.”The three-time Cy Young Award winner, third in the 2019 NL voting after going 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 172 1/3 innings, started his preparation for spring training on Jan. 1, just like he did a year ago.So what if he basically... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees finalized his $12.5 million, one-year contract on Saturday.New York agreed to the deal Dec. 13 during the winter meetings, and the 36-year-old took a physical on Tuesday. His addition, following last month's $324 million, nine-year contract with pitcher Gerrit Cole, raised the Yankees' projected luxury tax payroll to about $248 million — the threshold where the highest luxury tax rate starts.Gardner gets a $2 million signing bonus and an $8 million salary for next season. The Yankees have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $2.5 million buyout.New York opened a roster spot by designating left-hander Stephen Tarpley for assignment.Gardner earned $7.5 million last season plus a $2 million buyout after New York declined his $12.5 million option for 2019 under his previous contract. He hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBIs, a rare left-handed bat in a Yankees lineup dominated by right-handed hitters.Gardner is the senior member of the Yankees, having spent his entire 12-year big league career in the Bronx. He has a .260 average, 124 homers and 524 RBIs.He is expected to see time in center field during the first half of the season while Aaron Hicks recovers from offseason Tommy John surgery, then shift back to left when Hicks returns.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles agreed to one-year contracts with their remaining players eligible for arbitration, securing deals Friday with slugger Trey Mancini, Mychal Givens and infielder Hanser Alberto.Mancini agreed to $4.75 million, Givens $3,225,000 and Alberto $1.65 million. Alberto would get a $50,000 bonus for making 500 plate appearances.After reaching agreement with with reliever Miguel Castro on Thursday, Baltimore general manager Mike Elias worked through the team's arbitration-eligible players on the final afternoon before the team and players would exchange salary figures.Mancini earned $575,500 last season. The first baseman/outfielder played in 154 games last season and reached career highs with 35 home runs and 97 RBIs. He also batted .291 with a career-best .364 on-base percentage.One of few power hitters on the rebuilding Orioles, Mancini was drafted by Baltimore in the eighth round of the 2013 draft. He joined the team in 2016 and quickly became a fan-favorite.Givens... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Boyd and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a $5.3 million, one-year deal on Friday.The Tigers avoided arbitration with Boyd and all their eligible players. Detroit agreed to contracts for 2020 with left-hander Daniel Norris ($2,962,500), right-hander Buck Farmer ($1.15 million) and outfielder JaCoby Jones ($1,575,000). Right-hander Michael Fulmer agreed to a $2.8 million deal earlier in the week.The 28-year-old Boyd went 9-12 with a 4.56 ERA last season. The left-hander was a bright spot for much of the year and finished sixth in the American League with 238 strikeouts. However, he also allowed an AL-high 39 home runs.Boyd's salary goes up from $2.6 million, but if he can keep his strikeout total high and get the home runs under control, he could become a prime trade candidate for the rebuilding Tigers, who lost 114 games last season but have some highly regarded pitching prospects in their system.Norris arrived with Boyd in the 2015 trade that sent David Price from Detroit to Toronto. Norris has battled injuries in recent years but was able to make 29 starts last season. He went 3-13 with a 4.49 ERA and earned $1.3 million.The 28-year-old Farmer pitched almost exclusively in relief last year, going 6-6 with a 3.72 ERA. He gets a raise from $570,800.Jones hit .235 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs in 2019. He's batted .211 in 286 major league games for Detroit. Jones made $567,100 last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — All-Star infielder Tommy La Stella and closer Hansel Robles were among six arbitration-eligible Los Angeles Angels players who agreed to one-year deals Friday.La Stella got a raise from $1.35 million to $3.25 million, and Robles will jump from $1.4 million to $3.85 million. The Angels also agreed to contracts with starters Andrew Heaney ($4.3 million, up from $3.4 million) and Dylan Bundy ($5 million, up from $2.8 million), and relievers Noé Ramirez ($900,000) and Keynan Middleton ($800,000).Los Angeles couldn't reach agreement with outfielder Brian Goodwin and is headed toward salary arbitration. Goodwin is seeking $2.2 million and the Angels have offered $1.85 million.La Stella had a breakout season that was spoiled by a broken right leg in July. The 30-year-old set career highs with a .295 average, 16 homers and 44 RBIs in 80 games and made his first All-Star team, but he was unable to play in the game due to his injury.Robles had 23 saves and became a fan favorite... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers agreed to a $5.3 million, one-year deal with left-hander Matthew Boyd on Friday.The Tigers avoided arbitration with Boyd and all their eligible players. Detroit agreed to contracts for 2020 with left-hander Daniel Norris ($2,962,500), right-hander Buck Farmer ($1.15 million) and outfielder JaCoby Jones ($1,575,000). Right-hander Michael Fulmer agreed to a $2.8 million deal earlier in the week.The 28-year-old Boyd went 9-12 with a 4.56 ERA last season. He was a bright spot for much of the year and finished sixth in the American League with 238 strikeouts. However, he also allowed an AL-high 39 home runs.Boyd's salary goes up from $2.6 million, but if he can keep his strikeout total high and get the home runs under control, he could become a prime trade candidate for the rebuilding Tigers, who lost 114 games last season but have some highly regarded pitching prospects in their system.Norris arrived with Boyd in the 2015 trade that sent David Price from Detroit to Toronto. Norris has battled injuries in recent years but was able to make 29 starts last season. He went 3-13 with a 4.49 ERA and made $1.3 million.The 28-year-old Farmer pitched almost exclusively in relief last year, going 6-6 with a 3.72 ERA. He gets a raise from $570,800.Jones hit .235 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs in 2019. He's batted .211 in 286 major league games for Detroit. Jones made $567,100 last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles agreed to one-year contracts with their remaining players eligible for arbitration, securing deals Friday with slugger Trey Mancini, Mychal Givens and infielder Hanser Alberto.Mancini agreed to $4.75 million, Givens $3,225,000 and Alberto $1.65 million.After reaching agreement with with reliever Miguel Castro on Thursday, Baltimore general manager Mike Elias worked through the team's arbitration-eligible players on the final afternoon before the team and players would exchange salary figures.Mancini earned $575,500 last season. The first baseman/outfielder played in 154 games last season and reached career highs with 35 home runs and 97 RBIs. He also batted .291 with a career-best .364 on-base percentage.One of few power hitters on the rebuilding Orioles, Mancini was drafted by Baltimore in the eighth round of the 2013 draft. He joined the team in 2016 and quickly became a fan-favorite.Givens made $2.15 million last season in 2019, his first season as a closer.... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners avoided arbitration after reaching agreements Friday with outfielders Mitch Haniger and Mallex Smith and pitcher Sam Tuivailala on contracts for the upcoming season. The three were Seattle's only arbitration-eligible players. Haniger agreed to $3.01 million, Smith $2.35 million and Tuivailala $800,000. Haniger was the most notable of the three. He missed the final 3 1/2 months last season after rupturing a testicle and then having back issues during his recovery. Haniger was limited to 63 games and batted .220 with 15 homers and 32 RBIs. A year earlier, Haniger was an All-Star after hitting .285 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs and an OPS of .859. Smith slumped last season after a breakout year in 2018. He hit just .227 with a .300 on-base percentage and struck out a career-high 141 times. The upside with Smith was his speed on the bases as he led the majors with 42 stolen bases. Tuivailala missed the first half of last season while recovering from a torn Achilles... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — All-Star infielder Tommy La Stella and closer Hansel Robles were among five arbitration-eligible Los Angeles Angels players who agreed to one-year deals Friday.La Stella got a raise from $1.35 million to $3.25 million, and Robles will jump from $1.4 million to $3.85 million. The Angels also agreed to contracts with starters Andrew Heaney ($4.3 million, up from $3.4 million) and Dylan Bundy ($5 million, up from $2.8 million), and relievers Noé Ramirez ($900,000) and Keynan Middleton ($800,000).Los Angeles couldn't reach agreement with outfielder Brian Goodwin and is headed toward salary arbitration. Goodwin is seeking $2.2 million and the Angels have offered $1.85 million.La Stella had a breakout season that was spoiled by a broken right leg in July. The 30-year-old set career highs with a .295 average, 16 homers and 44 RBIs in 80 games and made his first All-Star team, but he was unable to play in the game due to his injury.Robles had 23 saves and became a fan favorite... [More]