Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager announced his retirement in a statement that was posted to Twitter by his wife on Wednesday. Seager is calling it quits after a career season in 2021 in which he posted 35 home runs and 101 RBI. In his 11 seasons in MLB, all with the Mariners, Seager recorded 242 home runs, 807 RBI and had a .251 batting average. The 34-year-old was originally a third-round pick by Seattle in 2009, and he made his big-league debut in 2011. Seager's breakout came in his second season in 2012, when he hit 20 home runs in 155 games while slashing .259/.316/.423. Abraham Toro is an option to settle into the hot corner with Seager gone in 2022, but the Mariners could address the position via free agency or trade once the lockout is lifted.

The San Diego Padres signed outfielder Nomar Mazara to a minor league deal that includes an invite to big-league spring training. Mazara was eligible to sign a minor league during MLB's lockout because he didn't finish the 2021 season on any team's 40-man roster after he was released by the Detroit Tigers in June. Mazara made his big-league debut at 20 years old in 2016, batting .266/.320/.419 with 20 home runs in 568 plate appearances in his rookie season. But the left-handed slugger never was able to break out and he posted below-average offensive numbers for the Texas Rangers before he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He struggled with Chicago in 2020 before slashing just .212/.276/.321 in 181 plate appearances for Detroit last year. The 26-year-old represents a low-cost depth option for a Padres team with plenty of questions at the corner outfield spots.

The Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Jordan Lyles agreed to a one-year deal worth $7 million on Wednesday night, pending a physical. However, the deal is unlikely to become official until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is completed. Lyles' deal could be worth $17 million if his 2023 option is picked up. The 31-year-old had a 5.15 ERA in a career-high 180 innings over 30 starts for the Texas Rangers in 2021. Lyles led all of baseball with 38 home runs allowed, and that could again be a problem in 2022 at hitter-friendly Camden Yards and in the tough American League East division. On a bright not, Lyles had a 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP after Sept. 1 when he started using his sinker and curveball more to attack hitters. Lyles has a career 5.21 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with seven different teams.

The Boston Red Sox traded outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., minor-league infielders David Hamilton and Alex Binelas. Renfroe slashed .259/.315/.501 with 31 home runs and 96 RBI with a .816 OPS in 144 games for the Red Sox in 2021. The 29-year-old is expected to be the Brewers starting right fielder to replace Avisail Garcia, who signed with the Miami Marlins during the offseason. He will hit in the heart of the Brewers' order, and Renfroe's power should suit well at American Family Field. The former San Diego Padre could be in line for another 30-plus homers in one of the friendliest hitters parks in baseball, making him a solid fantasy option in upcoming 2022 drafts.

Free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa has received plenty of interest and many offers on the open market as the top free agent available, but he is comfortable waiting through the coming lockout for the right offer. The usual big-spending teams have not spent big yet, and if the tax threshold rises with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it could benefit Correa if he waits it out. Correa has reportedly heard from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves and was offered a five-year deal worth $160 million by the Houston Astros last month, according to FOX 26's Mark Berman. The Cubs appear to be trying to compete after signing starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on Wednesday night. And the Braves could be looking for another big bat if they aren't able to re-sign star first baseman Freddie Freeman.

The San Diego Padres have signed relief pitcher Luis Garcia, according to a tweet from MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Per Heyman, the reliever will earn $7 million in two seasons, $500,000 of which is a signing bonus. The 34-year-old pitched to a 3.24 ERA and a 2.72 FIP in 33.1 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, registering two saves, 34 strikeouts, and eight walks. He'll join a San Diego bullpen that also features Emilio Pagan, Pierce Johnson, Tim Hill, and Craig Stammen in high-leverage roles.

The Minnesota Twins have signed free agent starting pitcher Dylan Bundy, according to a tweet from MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Per Heyman, it's a one-year deal worth $4 million that also comes with an $11 million for the 2023 season. Also, according to Heyman, that option has a $1 million buyout. The right-hander spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. This past year he pitched to a 6.06 ERA and a 5.51 FIP in 90.2 innings while registering 84 strikeouts and surrendering 34 walks. He'll join a Twins rotation that could also include Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Randy Dobnak.

Free agent starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has attracted the attention of the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, among other teams. One of the last prominent left-handed starters on the market along with Clayton Kershaw and Carlos Rodon, Kikuchi pitched well enough with the Mariners in 2021 to earn a spot on the American League All-Star team, but a disappointing stretch to finish the year left him with a 4.41 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 29 starts. He made the surprising choice to opt out of a contract that would have paid him $13 million dollars in 2022. Wherever he ends up, Kikuchi will be a high-upside option late in 2022 fantasy drafts.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz has agreed to a four-year contract extension that will guarantee him at least $7.5 million dollars. The deal also includes three club options. The initial four-year duration covers his final year before arbitration and all three arbitration years. The flame-throwing Munoz was acquired via trade from the San Diego Padres along with Ty France and others in 2020, and he has made just one appearance as a Mariner, recording two outs in the final game of the 2021 season. Munoz has long been considered a potential future dominant closer, with a fastball that averaged in the triple digits before his most recent injury. For now, with just 23 2/3 big-league innings to his name, he'll operate as a setup man in front of Paul Sewald.

The Kansas City Royals have non-tendered pitcher Richard Lovelady, but he is expected to rejoin the team with a minor-league deal. The left-handed Lovelady appears unlikely to pitch in 2022 after having his 2021 seasoned cut short by Tommy John surgery. Before sustaining the injury, he was performing quite well, putting up a 3.48 ERA in 20 2/3 innings in relief. This move saves the Royals a 40-man roster spot while Lovelady recovers, and if all goes well he is expected to once again be a bullpen option in 2023.

Utilityman Phil Gosselin is set for free agency, as the Los Angeles Angels have opted not to tender him a contract. They did tender their three other eligible players, catcher Max Stassi, pitcher Mike Mayers, and utilityman Tyler Wade. It is the acquisitions of Wade and Andrew Velazquez, both from the Yankees, which likely made Gosselin expendable. The 33-year-old recorded a .676 OPS in 345 at-bats in 2021, appearing at first base, third base, and in the corner outfield. He should catch on with another team after the expected lockout but will remain off the fantasy radar.

Outfielder Tim Locastro is on the move again, as the Boston Red Sox have opted not to tender him a contract. He will now become a free agent. The speedy Locastro played for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees in 2021 before an ACL injury ended his season. He was claimed off of waivers by Boston on November 5, but his stint with the club proved to be short-lived. As long as his recovery goes to plan, Locastro should have no trouble catching on with a team in need of a baserunning and defense boost, as he's stolen 31 bases in 34 career attempts and is consistently at the top end of sprint speed metrics.

The New York Yankees have expressed interest in a trade for Texas Rangers shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The slick fielder may be expendable now that Texas has added both Marcus Semien and Corey Seager in free agency. New York has also been connected to free agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons. The Yankees had been speculated as a potential landing spot for one of the top free agent shortstops, of which Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, and Chris Taylor remain, but it now appears they will not make such a splash unless contract demands decrease. Prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza lurk in the minors as potential shortstops of the future, and ... [More]

The San Francisco Giants and starting pitcher Alex Cobb have finalized a deal to add the veteran right-hander to their rotation for the next two seasons, agreeing on a contract worth $20 million dollars. Cobb will be paid $9 million dollars in each of 2022 and 2023, and the club holds an option for 2024 worth $10 million dollars with a $2 million dollar buyout. Cobb had a strong 2021 until he went down with injury, recording a 3.76 ERA in 93 1/3 innings with an impressive career-high 24.9 percent strikeout rate. The team now has signed Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, and Cobb to follow Logan Webb in the rotation, while losing Kevin Gausman to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Washington Nationals are signing free-agent second baseman Cesar Hernandez to a one-year, $4 million deal on Tuesday evening. The deal will include $1 million in incentives. Hernandez became a free agent when the Chicago White Sox didn't pick up his $6 million option for the 2022 season. The switch-hitting second baseman had just a .299 slugging percentage after being acquired in a trade from Cleveland. In total, the 31-year-old hit just .232/.309/.299 in 53 games for the White Sox with three home runs and 15 RBI in 217 plate appearances. Hernandez totaled a career-high 21 home runs, 62 RBI and 84 runs scored in 149 total games with Cleveland and Chicago, though, and he'll provide some solid pop at the keystone for the Nats next season.

The New York Yankees have expressed some interest in trading for Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, although the talks haven't been in advanced stages. Kiermaier, who is an excellent defensive center fielder, is owed $12 million in the 2022 season. The 31-year-old also has a $13 million club option with a $2.5 million buyout for the 2023 campaign. Kiermaier is expendable with the Rays having two low-cost center field options in Manuel Margot and Brett Phillips. While Kiermaier's glove is attractive, he's been a league-average hitter and has played more than 129 games in a season just once in his nine-year career. He finished 2021 with a .259/.328/.388 slash line, a .716 OPS, four home runs, 37 RBI, nine stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 390 plate appearances over 122 games played.

The Philadelphia Phillies have had trade discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, according to two leagues sources, and the fit is a logical one. If Kiermaier were traded, the Rays could slide Manuel Margot to center field. Kiermaier is scheduled to make $12 million next season, and he would count for an $8.9 million average annual value for luxury tax purposes. He turns 32 next April, and while he doesn't hit for much power, he remains an elite defender in center field. The Athletic's Matt Gelb lists the A's Ramon Laureano, Arizona's Ketel Marte, Baltimore's Cedric Mullins and Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds as other potential trade options as the Phillies look to address their center field need this offseason.

The Atlanta Braves have checked in on Oakland Athletics star first baseman Matt Olson, presumably as a contingency plan in case the team cannot retain Freddie Freeman in free agency. It's hard to envision the Braves not paying up to retain Freeman, but other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are interested, and the Braves want to be prepared just in case. The Toronto Blue Jays are another team with interest in trying to pry the 32-year-old away from Atlanta. The A's are willing to listen to offers on Olson, who is controllable through the 2023 season, although their asking price will understandably be high for the All-Star left-handed hitter.

The New York Yankees and third baseman Gio Urshela avoided salary arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $6.55 million deal. Urshela will remain in the Bronx for at least one more season, but he wasn't as good in 2021 as he was when he posted an impressive .850 OPS over the previous two seasons. He had a final slash line of .267/.301/.419 in 116 games this year, and he finished the campaign as the club's starting shortstop when they moved Gleyber Torres to second base. Whether the 30-year-old remains at the 6 in 2022 will depend on whether the Yankees can land one of the remaining big free-agent shortstops like Carlos Correa or Trevor Story.

Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd is set for free agency, as the Detroit Tigers have opted not to tender him a contract for the 2022 season. The left-handed Boyd was estimated by Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors to earn $7.3 million dollars through arbitration in the 2022 season. There's enough upside that he should have little trouble catching on with a new team, but he's coming off two forearm injuries that put an end to his 2021 season with only 78 2/3 innings pitched. For his career, Boyd has a 4.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 759 strikeouts in 784 1/3 innings pitched. Other remaining left-handed starters on the open market include Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Rodon, and Yusei Kikuchi.