CHICAGO (AP) — If Kris Bryant knows anything about where Bryce Harper is going in free agency, he is staying quiet for the moment.Bryant does know at least one thing that should delight fans of the Chicago Cubs."The shoulder is perfectly healed. Feels great," Bryant said. "Everything about it feels right back to where I was before."A healthy Bryant could go a long way to helping erase the sting of a disappointing finish to last season. Chicago blew a five-game lead in the NL Central in September, lost to Milwaukee in a tiebreaker for the division title and then was eliminated by Colorado in the NL wild-card game.Bryant and company had to watch as the Brewers and Rockies celebrated on consecutive October days at Wrigley Field."It's kind of good for us to go through that, get our teeth kicked in a little bit on our field, game 163 and then the wild-card game," Bryant said Friday on the first day of the Cubs' annual fan convention."I think ultimately we'll all learn from it, and yeah, come... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen.Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn and Northeastern University. He wore No. 0 with Colorado, a number not likely to be assigned by the tradition-bound Yankees.He had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for the Colorado Rockies, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances. The right-hander reduced his fastball percentage, relying primarily on sliders and sinkers. He walked 36.Taken 30th overall by St. Louis in the 2006 amateur draft, Ottavino made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2010 and was... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen.Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn and Northeastern University. He wore No. 0 with Colorado, a number not likely to be assigned by the tradition-bound Yankees.He had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for the Colorado Rockies, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances. The right-hander reduced his fastball percentage, relying primarily on sliders and sinkers. He walked 36.Taken 30th overall by St. Louis in the 2006 amateur draft, Ottavino made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2010 and was... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Dozier turned down a more lucrative deal to join what he hopes is a playoff team with the Nationals.The 31-year-old signed a $9 million, one-year contract with Washington that makes him the new second baseman and potentially a bridge from Daniel Murphy to prospect Carter Kieboom. Dozier said Tuesday other clubs offered him more money and longer deals, but he and his wife opted for the opportunity to win now."We're not the ones to go with the highest bidder by any means or any of that kind of stuff," Dozier said on a conference call. "With more years and dollars out there, we felt like this one-year deal with the Nats would be the best fit for us."Dozier's contract includes $2 million deferred without interest until Jan. 15, 2020. Next winter could bring an even bigger windfall if he's able to get his swing back on track.Last season, Dozier battled a bone bruise in his left knee and hit a career-low .215 with 21 homers with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said Monday. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout. Either side may turn down the option."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said Monday. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this year, which would be about No. 104. Los Angeles gets a compensation pick after competitive balance... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, was announced by the Brewers on Monday."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this year, which would be about No. 104. Los Angeles gets a compensation pick after competitive balance round B, about No. 79.Now 30, Grandal was an All-Star in his first season with the Dodgers in 2015. He hit .241... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Free agent infielder Brian Dozier's $9 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals includes $2 million in salary that is deferred without interest until Jan. 15, 2020.Washington announced the deal Sunday, three days after it was agreed to subject to a successful physical.Dozier can earn additional award bonuses, such as for making the All-Star team, winning Gold Glove or Silver Slugger awards, finishing among the top three in MVP voting or earning the World Series of League Championship Series MVP award.Dozier, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, fills Washington's need for a starting second baseman and could help add some power to the lineup, particularly important if slugging outfielder Bryce Harper ends up leaving as a free agent.By only committing to Dozier for one season, the Nationals leave open the possibility of turning to leading infield prospect Carter Kieboom at second base in 2020.Dozier batted a career-low .215... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Dozier found his latest team — and the Washington Nationals found a temporary solution at second base.The free agent infielder and the Nationals agreed to a $9 million, one-year contract, subject to the successful completion of a physical exam, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.The person confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity because neither the club nor player had made an announcement.Dozier, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, would fill Washington's need for a new starting second baseman and could help add some power to the lineup, particularly important if slugging outfielder Bryce Harper ends up leaving the Nationals as a free agent.By only committing to Dozier for one season, the Nationals leave open the possibility of turning to leading infield prospect Carter Kieboom at second base in 2020.The 31-year-old Dozier's agreement with Washington was first reported by ESPN.Dozier... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Dozier found his latest team — and the Washington Nationals found a temporary solution at second base.The free agent infielder and the Nationals agreed to a $9 million, one-year contract, subject to the successful completion of a physical exam, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.The person confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity because neither the club nor player had made an announcement.Dozier, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, would fill Washington's need for a new starting second baseman and could help add some power to the lineup, particularly important if slugging outfielder Bryce Harper ends up leaving the Nationals as a free agent.By only committing to Dozier for one season, the Nationals leave open the possibility of turning to leading infield prospect Carter Kieboom at second base in 2020.The 31-year-old Dozier's agreement with Washington was first reported by ESPN.Dozier... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free-agent second baseman Brian Dozier and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $9 million, one-year contract, subject to the successful completion of a physical exam.The person confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither the club nor player had announced the deal.Dozier, who played for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, would fill Washington's need for a new starting second baseman and could help add some power to the lineup, particularly important if slugging outfielder Bryce Harper ends up leaving the Nationals as a free agent.By only committing to Dozier for one season, the Nationals leave open the possibility of turning to leading prospect Carter Kieboom at second base in 2020.Dozier's agreement was first reported by ESPN.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to an $18.25 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the agreement, first reported by The Athletic, was subject to a successful physical.Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He would be eligible for free agency again after this year's World SeriesNow 30, Grandal was an All-Star in his first season with the Dodgers in 2015. He hit .241 this year with 24 homers and 68 RBIs as Los Angeles won its second straight NL pennant. He made $7.9 million.Grandal has a .240 big league career average with 113 home runs in seven seasons. He would supplant Manny Pina and Erik Katz, who combined to get the most games behind the plate for Milwaukee last season.He is the second player to reach agreement among the six who turned down qualifying... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the agreement, first reported by The Athletic, was subject to a successful physical.Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November.Now 30, he was an All-Star in his first season with the Dodgers in 2015. He hit .241 this year with 24 homers and 68 RBIs as Los Angeles won its second straight NL pennant.Grandal would supplant Manny Pina and Erik Katz, who combined to get the most games behind the plate for Milwaukee last season.He is the second player to reach agreement among the six who turned down qualifying offers. Pitcher Patrick Corbin agreed to a $140 million, six-year contract with Washington.Outfielders Bryce Harper and A.J. Pollock remain on the market along with left-hander Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Now that he's staying with the New York Yankees, J.A. Happ would like to see Manny Machado join him in the Bronx."You get any kind of player like that on a team, that would be exciting," the pitcher said Thursday, three days after finalizing a $34 million, two-year contract.Machado, one of the top free agents along with Bryce Harper this offseason, visited the Yankees on Wednesday. New York's level of interest in is unclear, though the Yankees say they hope to add an infielder while shortstop Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery.Pitching was a priority, and the Yankees tacked to Happ after failing to sign free agent Patrick Corbin.A first-time All-Star, Happ was acquired from Toronto on July 26 as a summer rental and went 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts for New York. He finished 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA for the season. He lost at Boston in the AL Division Series opener, allowing five runs in two innings — including J.D. Martinez's three-run homer in the first."The... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Adams is returning to a Nationals team he believes is better than the one he was traded from and has the potential to make even more moves this offseason.Adams finalized a $4 million, one-year deal on Tuesday that includes a $3 million salary for next season and a $4 million mutual option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout. The 30-year-old first baseman is back with Washington after being traded to St. Louis in August for $50,000.The move by general manager Mike Rizzo fills a void with a left-handed hitter who's expected to split time at first base with Ryan Zimmerman."I'm kind of at a loss for words just because I'm excited for this opportunity," Adams said on a conference call. "The team is definitely better than it was last year with the acquisitions that Rizz has made so far this offseason, and I don't think that we're done yet, either. It's an exciting time for fans and we're excited to get things rolling in 2019."Rizzo bolstered the starting rotation by signing... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Andrew McCutchen returned to his home state to join his third team in less than 12 months, intent on regaining his old hitting stroke.The Philadelphia Phillies introduced their newest outfielder at a news conference Tuesday, a week after giving him a $50 million, three-year contract that includes a team option for 2022 and could be worth $62 million over four seasons."This is a game of adjustments," McCutchen said. "I've definitely had to make some adjustments over the years, and I know that I can be even better than what I've been over the past few (seasons). There has been a decline, yes, but I do understand what I'm capable of doing.McCutchen hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 155 games this year for San Francisco and the New York Yankees. His average was a career-low and his homers and RBIs were his fewest since 2010. He spent his first nine years in Pittsburgh and was the 2013 NL Most Valuable Player."I know I can be better, and that's what I've been doing all... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Adams is returning to a Nationals team he believes is better than the one he was traded from and has the potential to make even more moves this offseason.Adams agreed to terms Tuesday on a $4 million, one-year deal with a mutual option for 2020. The 30-year-old first baseman is back with Washington after being traded to St. Louis in August for $50,000. The move by general manager Mike Rizzo fills a void with a left-handed hitter who's expected to split time at first base with Ryan Zimmerman."I'm kind of at a loss for words just because I'm excited for this opportunity," Adams said on a conference call. "The team is definitely better than it was last year with the acquisitions that Rizz has made so far this offseason, and I don't think that we're done yet, either. It's an exciting time for fans and we're excited to get things rolling in 2019."Rizzo bolstered the starting rotation by signing left-hander Patrick Corbin to a $140 million, six-year contract and shored... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals have finalized a $4 million, one-year deal with first baseman Matt Adams that includes a mutual option for 2020.General manager Mike Rizzo announced the contract Tuesday. Washington and Adams agreed last weekend pending a successful physical.Adams returns to the Nationals after they traded him to St. Louis in August for $50,000. At the time of the trade, he considered the possibility of going back to Washington in 2019.The 30-year-old said Tuesday he's excited about the moves Rizzo has already made, signing left-handed starter Patrick Corbin and catcher Kurt Suzuki and acquiring catcher Yan Gomes from Cleveland, and would be happy if the Nationals brought back star outfielder Bryce Harper.Adams is a career .266 hitter and had 21 home runs and 57 RBIs last season with the Nationals and Cardinals. He fills a void for Washington as a left-handed bat who is expected to split time at first base with Ryan Zimmerman.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Free agent first baseman Matt Adams has an agreement to return to the Washington Nationals, pending a successful physical exam.A person familiar with the deal confirmed to The Associated Press that Adams and the Nationals agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with a mutual option for 2020. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club had not made an announcement.Adams was traded by Washington to St. Louis in August for $50,000. He hit .158 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 27 games with the Cardinals.The 30-year-old Adams is expected to split time at first base again with Ryan Zimmerman. The agreement was first reported by the Athletic.Getting Adams is the latest move this offseason for Washington, which signed left-handed starter Patrick Corbin and catcher Kurt Suzuki, traded for catcher Yan Gomes and is waiting to see what happens with star outfielder Bryce Harper.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston should be happy to pay this tax bill.The World Series champion Red Sox owe $11,951,091 in luxury tax for having baseball's top payroll, according to final calculations by the commissioner's office obtained by The Associated Press. The only other team that owes is the Washington Nationals, who must pay $2,386,097, their second straight year with a bill.Because Boston was more than $40 million over the tax threshold, it became the first team to incur a new penalty put in place for the 2018 season: the top Red Sox selection in next June's amateur draft will be dropped 10 places. Boston's top pick had been projected to be No. 33 overall before the penalty.Boston has owed tax in the years of three of its four titles this century, paying $3,148,962 in 2004 and $6,064,287 in 2007. The Red Sox stayed under the tax threshold when they won in 2013. The only other championship teams to owe since the tax began in 2003 were the 2009 New York Yankees at $25.7 million and the 2016... [More]