CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner — and their unquestioned ace — over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old reliever with “electric stuff.”Indians president Chris Antonetti said he received calls from numerous teams with interest in Kluber. But the offer from Texas made the most sense for Cleveland because it included players who can have an immediate impact and “help us be a better team in 2020.”But dealing the stoic and steady Kluber wasn't easy.Since the Indians acquired him in a 2010 trade with San Diego, he has blossomed into one of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Kluber won his first Cy Young in 2014, when he went... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner — and their unquestioned ace — over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old with huge potential.The stoic and steady Kluber has been one of baseball's most dominant pitchers since 2014, when he went 18-9 and won his first Cy Young. He got his second in 2017, going 18-4 and leading the AL with a 2.25 ERA. But his future with the money-conscious Indians grew more uncertain last season when the club managed to stay in the playoff chase until late September despite not having him after May 1.Kluber broke his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive during a start at Miami and never made... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber's run as Cleveland's ace appears to be over. He's heading to Texas.The Indians are close to completing a trade that will send the two-time Cy Young Award winner to the Rangers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday.Cleveland will get outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase for the 33-year-old Kluber.The teams have been discussing the deal and finalizing terms, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. All that remains are physicals.Kluber has been one of the AL's most dominant pitchers for six seasons. The right-hander won the Cy Young in 2014 and 2017 while anchoring the Indians' strong starting staff.But his future with the Indians grew more uncertain last season when the club managed to stay in the playoff chase until late September despite not having him after May 1.Kluber broke his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner is staying with the New York Yankees after the best offensive season of his career, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $12.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday became the agreement had not be announced.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.He 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. Gardner 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.“The constant that he is means a lot to the organization as well as the production on the field," assistant general manager Mike Fishman said.Originally slated to be a fourth outfielder, Gardner saw increased... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A mostly dreary winter meetings lacking spectacular swaps will be remembered as the Scott Boras show.Baseball's most prominent agent dominated each of the three full days of meetings with a nine-figure contract, deals for Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon that totaled $814 million.Just two trades were announced: The San Francisco Giants acquired shortstop Zack Cozart and infield prospect Will Wilson from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named or cash, and the Chicago White Sox obtained outfielder Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers for outfield prospect Steele Walker."I think it's hard to say that there hasn't been a trend," new Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. "It's important not to get too focused on artificial timetables. You want to be prepared to do something when you think it's going to help you, but you don't want to force anything."The podium and dais remained in nearly pristine condition, hosting just one player announcement:... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner is staying with the New York Yankees after the best offensive season of his career, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $12.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday became the agreement had not be announced.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.He earned $7.5 million last season, when he hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBIs. He is a rare left-handed bat in a Yankees lineup dominated by right-handed hitters.“The constant that he is means a lot to the organization as well as the production on the field," assistant general manager Mike Fishman said.Originally slated to be a fourth outfielder, Gardner saw increased playing time because of injuries to others and played center for much of the season while Aaron Hicks... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Brett Gardner is staying with the New York Yankees after the best offensive season of his career, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $12.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday became the agreement had not be announced.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.He earned $7.5 million last season, when he hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBIs. He is a rare left-handed bat in a Yankees lineup dominated by right-handed hitters.Originally slated to be a fourth outfielder, Gardner saw increased playing time because of injuries to others and played center for much of the season while Aaron Hicks was injured. Hicks had Tommy John surgery after the season and is not expected to return until summer.Gardner turned 36 in August and is the senior... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical. Rendon gets a $4 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and salaries of $25.5 million next season, $27.5 million in 2021, $36 million in 2022 and $38 million each year from 2023-26. He would receive a $250,000 bonus for World Series MVP, $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $125,000 for election as an All-Star starter and $100,000 for selection as a reserve.Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week's baseball winter meetings. He'll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that's made just one postseason appearance in the past decade. The Angels had missed out on free agent right-hander Gerrit Cole,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical. Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week's baseball winter meetings. He'll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that's made just one postseason appearance in the past decade. The Angels had missed out on free agent right-hander Gerrit Cole, who agreed to a record $324 million, nine-year contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told the AP. “With our flexibility, if we miss a big player, there’s still very talented players that are accessible in the free agent and trade market right now," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said earlier Wednesday. Rendon, who has... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Anthony Rendon is joining the Los Angeles Angels, quickly following mega-deals for Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg in a trifecta of nine-figure contracts for agent Scott Boras at a wild winter meetings.With baseball still buzzing over Cole's $324 million, nine-year agreement with the New York Yankees, Rendon found his own free-agent riches, reaching a $245 million, seven-year deal Wednesday night to play third base in an Angels lineup that features three-time MVP Mike Trout.Strasburg opened the annual gathering on Monday when the Washington Nationals announced a nearly identical $245 million, seven-year contract to keep the World Series MVP.That set a record for the largest deal given a pitcher, topping David Price's $217 million, seven-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2016 season.Strasburg's standard lasted just a day, shattered Tuesday night when Cole agreed to pitch in pinstripes after two outstanding seasons with Houston.Then on the last full day... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical. Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week's baseball winter meetings. He'll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that's made just one postseason appearance in the past decade. The Angels had missed out on free agent right-hander Gerrit Cole, who agreed to a record $324 million, nine-year contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told the AP. “With our flexibility, if we miss a big player, there’s still very talented players that are accessible in the free agent and trade market right now," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said earlier Wednesday. Rendon, who has... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Meeting with Gerrit Cole and the pitcher's wife for the first time last week at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, Brian Cashman tossed out a literary reference that prompted laughter. "You're my white whale," the New York Yankees general manager told him. "He was someone we drafted in the first round and he chose to go to college. And we tried to trade for him, and Pittsburgh chose to trade him to Houston instead. So we're hoping three's a charm." It was. With the help of a record $324 million, nine-year contract. Cashman harpooned the biggest prize in the free-agent market, agreeing to a deal with the 29-year-old right-hander on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, subject to a successful physical, had not been announced. After two dominant seasons with Houston, Cole will join a rotation that projects to include Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical.Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week's baseball winter meetings. He'll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that's made just one postseason appearance in the past decade.The Angels had missed out on free agent right-hander Gerrit Cole, who agreed to a record $324 million, nine-year contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told the AP.“With our flexibility, if we miss a big player, there’s still very talented players that are accessible in the free agent and trade market right now," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said earlier Wednesday.Rendon, who has played... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Meeting with Gerrit Cole and the pitcher's wife for the first time last week at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, Brian Cashman tossed out a literary reference that prompted laughter."You're my white whale," the New York Yankees general manager told him. "He was someone we drafted in the first round and he chose to go to college. And we tried to trade for him, and Pittsburgh chose to trade him to Houston instead. So we're hoping three's a charm."It was. With the help of a record $324 million, nine-year contract.Cashman harpooned the biggest prize in the free-agent market, agreeing to a deal with the 29-year-old right-hander on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, subject to a successful physical, had not been announced.His agent, Scott Boras, then put together his third big deal in three days, a $245 million, seven-year agreement between third baseman Anthony... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical.Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week's baseball winter meetings. He'll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that's made just one postseason appearance in the past decade.The Angels had missed out on free agent right-hander Gerrit Cole, who agreed to a record $324 million, nine-year contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told the AP.“With our flexibility, if we miss a big player there’s still very talented players that are accessible in the free agent and trade market right now," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said earlier Wednesday. “”We turn our attention... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Meeting with Gerrit Cole and the pitcher's wife for the first time last week at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, Brian Cashman tossed out a literary reference that prompted laughter."You're my white whale," the New York Yankees general manager told him. "He was someone we drafted in the first round and he chose to go to college. And we tried to trade for him, and Pittsburgh chose to trade him to Houston instead. So we're hoping three's a charm."It was. With the help of a record $324 million, nine-year contract.Cashman harpooned the biggest prize in the free-agent market, agreeing to a deal with the 29-year-old right-hander on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, subject to a successful physical, had not been announced.After two dominant seasons with Houston, Cole will join a rotation that projects to include Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and J.A.... [More]

San Diego (AP) — Meeting with Gerrit Cole and the pitcher's wife for the first time last week at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach, Brian Cashman tossed out a literary reference that prompted laughter."You're my white whale," the New York Yankees general manager told him. "He was someone we drafted in the first round and he chose to go to college. And we tried to trade for him, and Pittsburgh chose to trade him to Houston instead. So we're hoping three's a charm."It was. With the help of a record $324 million, nine-year contract.Cashman harpooned the biggest prize in the free-agent market, agreeing to a deal with the 29-year-old right-hander on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, subject to a successful physical, had not been announced.After two dominant seasons with Houston, Cole will join a rotation that projects to include Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and J.A.... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Gerrit Cole quickly ended Stephen Strasburg's tenure as baseball's highest-paid pitcher.Cole agreed to a $324 million, nine-year contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Cole's deal established marks for pitchers in total dollars, topping the $245 million, seven-year contract Stephen Strasburg finalized a day earlier to remain with the World Series champion Washington Nationals. Its $36 million average is a record for any player, beating the $35.5 million in outfielder Mike Trout's $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels that started last season. Cole gets an even $36 million annually and can opt out after the 2024 season. He also has a full no-trade provision.After finalizing the agreement for 31-year-old Strasburg, agent Scott Boras predicted he would go even high for Cole, a 29-year-old right-hander.Cole... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Free-agent shortstop Didi Gregorius is reuniting with manager Joe Girardi in Philadelphia, agreeing with the Phillies on a $14 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement, first reported by the New York Post, had not been announced.Gregorius spent the last five years with the New York Yankees, the first three playing for Girardi as Derek Jeter's successor at shortstop.Girardi replaced Gabe Kapler as the Phillies' manager following a disappointing season in which Philadelphia faded to fourth place in the NL East. The team went 81-81 despite signing slugger Bryce Harper to a $330 million, 13-year contract.Gregorius' 2019 debut was delayed until June 7 after Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17, 2018, to repair an elbow ligament torn during Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Boston. The left-handed hitter batted .238 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs this year, leaving him... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The New York Yankees landed the biggest prize of the free agent market, adding Gerrit Cole to their rotation with a record $324 million, nine-year contract on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.Cole's deal established marks for pitchers in total dollars, topping the $245 million, seven-year contract Stephen Strasburg finalized a day earlier to remain with the World Series champion Washington Nationals. Its $36 million average is a record for any player, beating the $35.5 million in outfielder Mike Trout's $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels that started last season. Cole gets an even $36 million annually and can opt out after the 2024 season. He also has a full no-trade provision.Agent Scott Boras negotiated the deals for Cole and Strasburg.A 29-year-old right-hander, Cole was baseball's most dominant pitcher for much of 2019... [More]