BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox sent Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in a three-team trade that also included the New York Mets, parting with the final member of the outfield trio that helped Boston win the 2018 World Series. The Red Sox traded Benintendi along with an unspecified amount of cash to the Royals for Franchy Cordero and two players to be named. Boston also received minor league right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski and a player to be named from the New York Mets. The Mets received outfielder Khalil Lee from the Royals. “For our fans, this is not the first time in the last year they’ve seen an important player leave,” Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom told reporters in a conference call late Wednesday night after the deal was announced. “I know it’s tough, I know it’s painful.” Benintendi, 26, led all players with 15 runs during Boston's 2018 postseason run, when he joined Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in the Red Sox outfield. Betts, who was... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox traded Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, parting with the final member of the outfield trio that helped the team win the 2018 World Series. The Red Sox sent Benintendi along with an unspecified amount of cash to the Royals for Franchy Cordero and two players to be named. Boston also received minor league right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski and a player to be named from the New York Mets. The Mets received outfielder Khalil Lee from the Royals. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Benintendi was second in AL Rookie of the Year balloting in '17. In all, he has batted .273 with 51 home runs, 260 RBIs and 53 stolen bases for Boston; his 32 outfield assists is the most in baseball over the past four years. Benintendi, 26, led all players with 15 runs during Boston's 2018 postseason run, when he joined Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in the Red Sox outfield. Betts was traded to the Dodgers in a salary dump last spring, and Bradley is a free agent who remains unsigned. Cordero, 26, has a .236 average and 12 homers in 95 games with the San Diego Padres and Royals. Winckowski, 22, was ranked as the No. 20 prospect in the Mets system by Baseball America. He was a 15th round pick by Toronto in 2016.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. were cut loose by the Chicago Cubs after helping the team win its first World Series title in more than a century, among a record 59 players who became free agents as part of the fallout from the coranavirus pandemic when their teams declined to offer them 2021 contracts by Wednesday night’s deadline. Cincinnati reliever Archie Bradley, Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, Colorado outfielder David Dahl and Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario also were let go by their clubs, who did not want to allow those players to become eligible for salary arbitration in February, which would have been their right had they been tendered contracts. The total cut was one more than the previous high at the tender deadline, ahead of the 2004 season. Schwarber earned $2,596,296 in prorated pay from his $7.01 million salary last season but hit .188 with 11 homers in 59 games, down from 38 homers, 92 RBIs and a .250 batting average in 155 games in 2019. Almora... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. were cut loose by the Chicago Cubs after helping the team win its first World Series title in more than a century, among 59 players who became free agents as part of the fallout from the coranavirus pandemic when their teams declined to offer them 2021 contracts by Wednesday night’s deadline. Cincinnati reliever Archie Bradley, Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, Colorado outfielder David Dahl and Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario also were let go by their clubs, who did not want to allow those players to become eligible for salary arbitration in February, which would have been their right had they been tendered contracts. Schwarber earned $2,596,296 in prorated pay from his $7.01 million salary last season but hit .188 with 11 homers in 59 games, down from 38 homers, 92 RBIs and a .250 batting average in 155 games in 2019. Almora batted .167 in 28 games last season and earned $1,667,667 prorated from $4.5 million, down from a .236 average,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. were cut loose by the Chicago Cubs after helping the team win its first World Series title in more than a century, among 59 players who became free agents as part of the fallout from the coranavirus pandemic when their teams failed to offer them 2021 contracts by Wednesday night’s deadline. Cincinnati reliever Archie Bradley, Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, Colorado outfielder David Dahl and Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario also were let go by their clubs, who did not want to allow those players to become eligible for salary arbitration in February, which would have been their right had they been tendered contracts. Schwarber earned $2,596,296 in prorated pay from his $7.01 million salary last season but hit .188 with 11 homers in 59 games, down from 38 homers, 92 RBIs and a .250 batting average in 155 games in 2019. Almora batted .167 in 28 games last season and earned $1,667,667 prorated from $4.5 million, down from a .236 average,... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year deals with outfielders Jorge Soler and Franchy Cordero, first baseman Hunter Dozier and right-handers Jesse Hahn and Jakob Junis on Wednesday as they brought arbitration-eligible players under contract during a busy week of roster management. The Royals also cut third baseman Maikel Franco, failing to offer a contract to a player who would have been due a substantial salary increase after hitting .278 with eight homers and 38 RBIs while playing on a $2.95 million deal last season. The only remaining arbitration-eligible players are two big ones: shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, their defensive linchpin and best all-around athlete, and No. 1 starter Brad Keller, who was 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts last season. The 28-year-old Soler agreed to an $8.05 million contract that includes up to $250,000 in incentives, a big bump from prorated pay of $2,703,704 from his $7.3 million base salary last season. It came after the slugging... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. were cut loose by the Chicago Cubs after helping the team win its first World Series title in more than a century, among 59 players who became free agents as part of the fallout from the coranavirus pandemic when their teams failed to offer them 2021 contracts by Wednesday night’s deadline. Cincinnati reliever Archie Bradley, Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, Colorado outfielder David Dahl and Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario also were let go by their clubs, who did not want to allow those players to become eligible for salary arbitration in February, which would have been their right had they been tendered contracts. Schwarber earned $2,596,296 in prorated pay from his $7.01 million salary last season but hit .188 with 11 homers in 59 games, down from 38 homers, 92 RBIs and a .250 batting average in 155 games in 2019. Almora batted .167 in 28 games last season and earned $1,667,667 prorated from $4.5 million, down from a .236 average,... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year deals with outfielders Jorge Soler and Franchy Cordero, first baseman Hunter Dozier and right-handers Jesse Hahn and Jakob Junis on Wednesday as they brought arbitration-eligible players under contract during a busy week of roster management. The Royals also cut third baseman Maikel Franco, failing to offer a contract to a player who would have been due a substantial salary increase after hitting .278 with eight homers and 38 RBIs while playing on a $2.95 million deal last season. The only remaining arbitration-eligible players are two big ones: shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, their defensive linchpin and best all-around athlete, and No. 1 starter Brad Keller, who was 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts last season. The 28-year-old Soler agreed to an $8.05 million contract that includes up to $250,000 in incentives, a big bump from prorated pay of $2,703,704 from his $7.3 million base salary last season. It came after the slugging... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander Mike Minor and the Kansas City Royals have finalized an $18 million, two-year deal, reuniting the 32-year-old starter with the club that helped him revive his career. Kansas City announced the signing Monday, bringing in the 2019 All-Star to boost a rotation that leaned largely on unproven youngsters in 2020. The contract includes salaries of $7 million in 2021 and $10 million in 2022 plus a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. If traded, the option becomes mutual with the buyout owed if either side declines. He would earn bonuses of $50,000 each for 180 and 200 innings during the first two seasons. “We know we needed to add a starter to our young rotation,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We feel like Mikey gives us a lot of stability, a lot of focus. Somebody who has been successful, can provide us innings, and so it’s just a really, really good fit for us, and we’re grateful that he’s once again going to be a Kansas... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander Mike Minor and the Kansas City Royals have finalized an $18 million, two-year deal, reuniting the 32-year-old starter with the club that helped him revive his career. Kansas City announced the signing Monday, bringing in the 2019 All-Star to boost a rotation that leaned largely on unproven youngsters in 2020. The contract includes a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. “We know we needed to add a starter to our young rotation,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We feel like Mikey gives us a lot of stability, a lot of focus. Somebody who has been successful, can provide us innings, and so it’s just a really, really good fit for us, and we’re grateful that he’s once again going to be a Kansas City Royal.” The 32-year-old Minor split 2020 between the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics, going 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA and diminished velocity after posting the best numbers of his career a year earlier. In 2019, he was 14-10 with a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe also went deep to help Tyler Glasnow (5-1) win his fifth straight decision. Tampa Bay will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday. It is the third division crown for the thrifty Rays, who also won the AL East in 2008 and 2010. Their inaugural season was 1998. After missing a chance to clinch Tuesday, the Rays went into Wednesday again needing just a win or a New York Yankees loss against Toronto to lock up the division championship. The Rays (37-20) broke a 2-all tie in the sixth on Arozarena’s two-run homer off Michael Wacha (1-4) and pulled away. As has become customary during this pandemic-shortened season, the celebration was muted. After Nick Anderson fanned Andres Gimenez for the final out, the closer exchanged a hug... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed outfielder Bubba Starling and right-hander Kyle Zimmer on the injured list and returned left-hander Mike Montgomery and outfielder Franchy Cordero from rehab assignments as part of a series of roster moves to set them up for the final five games of the season. Kansas City also recalled right-hander Jakob Junis, optioned infielder Erick Mejia to its alternate training site and transferred right-hander Matt Harvey to the 45-day injured list to create the necessary roster space. The Royals faced the Cardinals on Wednesday night before a four-game set against the Tigers to wrap up the season. Montgomery has been out since his start July 27 in Detroit with a lat strain and Cordero had been sidelined by a sprained wrist. Zimmer left his appearance Tuesday night with what manager Mike Matheny called a “zinger” in his right elbow while Starling's frustrating season at the plate will end because of back spasms. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Royals second. Salvador Perez doubles to left field. Ryan McBroom singles to shortstop. Salvador Perez to third. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shallow left field. Ryan McBroom to second. Salvador Perez scores. Alex Gordon flies out to deep left field to Steven Souza Jr.. Maikel Franco grounds out to first base to Anthony Rizzo. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling pops out to shortstop to Javier Baez.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs second. Willson Contreras singles to shallow left field. Jason Heyward homers to right field. Willson Contreras scores. Steven Souza Jr. called out on strikes. Jason Kipnis walks. Ian Happ walks. Jason Kipnis to second. Kris Bryant grounds out to third base. Jason Kipnis out at third.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Royals 1.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn. Jason Heyward singles to right field. Steven Souza Jr. pops out to shallow infield... [More]

Cubs fifth. Nico Hoerner walks. Ian Happ singles to right field. Nico Hoerner to second. Kris Bryant walks. Ian Happ to second. Nico Hoerner to third. Anthony Rizzo pops out to shallow left field to Adalberto Mondesi. Javier Baez out on a sacrifice fly to Franchy Cordero. Nico Hoerner scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to third base, Maikel Franco to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Royals 0.Cubs seventh. Nico Hoerner grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn. Ian Happ flies out to center field to Brett Phillips. Kris Bryant homers to center field. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shallow right field, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Royals 0.

Royals second. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Nick Madrigal to Jose Abreu. Maikel Franco called out on strikes. Alex Gordon homers to center field. Adalberto Mondesi grounds out to first base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Jose Abreu doubles to deep left center field. Yasmani Grandal singles to right center field. Jose Abreu scores. Edwin Encarnacion singles to shallow center field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Eloy Jimenez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Edwin Encarnacion out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Nicky Delmonico grounds out to second base. Eloy Jimenez out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 1, Royals 1.White sox fifth. Danny Mendick grounds out to shallow left field, Maikel Franco to Salvador Perez. Nick Madrigal singles to shallow center field. Luis Robert walks. Nick Madrigal to second. Yoan Moncada walks. Luis Robert to second. Nick Madrigal to third. Jose Abreu... [More]

White sox first. Luis Robert grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yoan Moncada walks. Jose Abreu flies out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Yoan Moncada to third. Edwin Encarnacion walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Yoan Moncada scores. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. Edwin Encarnacion scores. Yasmani Grandal scores. Leury Garcia singles to center field. Adam Engel flies out to left field to Whit Merrifield.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 4, Royals 0.White sox second. Nick Madrigal called out on strikes. Luis Robert homers to center field. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Jose Abreu grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yoan Moncada to second. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Royals 0.White sox fifth. Leury Garcia singles to center field. Adam Engel singles to shallow left field.... [More]

White sox second. Eloy Jimenez reaches on error. Fielding error by Nicky Lopez. Luis Robert reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Eloy Jimenez out at second. James McCann hit by pitch. Luis Robert to second. Adam Engel homers to left field. James McCann scores. Luis Robert scores. Nick Madrigal grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Tim Anderson singles to shallow center field. Yoan Moncada pops out to shallow infield to Ryan McBroom.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. White sox 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Bubba Starling grounds out to shallow left field, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Nicky Lopez singles to shortstop. Whit Merrifield flies out to deep right field to Adam Engel. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shallow infield. Nicky Lopez to second. Salvador Perez singles to left field. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Nicky Lopez scores. Jorge Soler walks. Salvador Perez to second. Maikel Franco pops out to first base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. White sox 3, Royals 1.Royals sixth. Ryan McBroom homers to center field. Alex Gordon grounds out to shallow infield, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Franchy Cordero pinch-hitting for Bubba Starling. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Nick Madrigal to Jose Abreu. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Royals 2.

Royals first. Whit Merrifield grounds out to third base, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Jorge Soler doubles to deep right center field. Salvador Perez lines out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Jorge Soler to third. Ryan O'Hearn singles to shortstop. Jorge Soler scores. Maikel Franco lines out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Tigers first. Harold Castro walks. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to first base. Harold Castro out at second. Miguel Cabrera homers to right field. C.J. Cron grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 1.Royals second. Alex Gordon doubles. Adalberto Mondesi pops out to shallow infield to Ivan Nova. Franchy Cordero singles to second base. Alex Gordon scores. Brett Phillips grounds out to shallow infield, Ivan Nova to C.J. Cron. Franchy Cordero to second. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Tigers... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep right center field. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Salvador Perez flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Whit Merrifield to third. Maikel Franco doubles. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Royals second. Adalberto Mondesi triples to deep center field. Franchy Cordero lines out to right field to Victor Reyes. Bubba Starling out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Christin Stewart. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 2, Tigers 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield singles to left center field. Jorge Soler singles to left field. Whit Merrifield to second. Salvador Perez flies out to shallow center field to JaCoby Jones. Maikel Franco singles to second base. Jorge Soler to third. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom singles to left field. Maikel Franco to second. Jorge Soler scores. Adalberto... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed right-hander Chance Adams and left-hander Randy Rosario on the injured list and right-hander Jesse Hahn on the bereavement list as they pared their roster down to 30 players Thursday ahead of opening day in Cleveland.Backup catcher Meibrys Viloria was reinstated from the injured list and recalled, along with right-hander Ronald Bolanos and outfielder Franchy Cordero, both of whom were acquired in a recent trade with San Diego. Left-handers Foster Griffin and Gabe Speier and right-hander Kyle Zimmer also were recalled.Veteran reliever Greg Holland, who helped pitch the Royals to a pair of World Series appearances, made the club along with outfielder Erick Mejia, right-hander Tyler Zuber and catcher Oscar Hernandez.Adams and Rosario join an injured list that includes right-handers Jakob Junis and Brad Keller, infielder Ryan O'Hearn, outfielder Hunter Dozier, catcher Cam Gallagher and infielder Kelvin Gutierrez. Junis, Keller and O'Hearn tested positive for COVID-19 but have been cleared to return, while Dozier and Gallagher are still out after positive tests.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports