The San Diego Padres agreed to an 11-year, $280 million deal with free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts on Wednesday night. It comes after Trea Turner scored an 11-year, $300 million deal from the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. Bogaerts has been an All-Star in three of the last four seasons and was extremely productive yet again in 2022 for the Boston Red Sox, slashing .307/.377/.456 with an .833 OPS, 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 84 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 150 games. The power drop from 23 to 15 homers has to be a bit concerning, though, as he enters his 30s. He'll have plenty of chances to drive in and score runs in a loaded Padres lineup, however. The addition of Bogaerts officially means the Padres are prepared to move star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to the outfield.

Six teams still need a shortstop and are all talking to free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts at the Winter Meetings in San Diego this week. The Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are among them. Bogaerts opted out of the final three years of his deal with Boston, but they've had some momentum in trying to re-sign him on a day in which they also added veteran closer Kenley Jansen and Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. Keeping the 30-year-old All-Star shortstop would be a huge win for the Red Sox after the division-rival New York Yankees re-signed Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million mega deal on Wednesday morning. Bogaerts was impressive again in 2022 and remains one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball after hitting .307 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 84 runs and eight steals in 150 games.

According to a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman on Wednesday morning, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly "in heavy discussions with" free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Heyman tweeted the following: "Red Sox are in heavy discussions with star shortstop Xander Bogaerts." Bogaerts hit .307 in 631 plate appearances for the Red Sox last season, adding a .377 on-base percentage, 15 home runs, and eight stolen bases in the process. Boston's current shortstop options on the team's 40-man roster include Trevor Story, who mostly played second base last season, Jeter Downs, Hoy Park, and Christian Arroyo.

The New York Mets and left-hander Jose Quintana agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal on Wednesday, according to sources. Jacob deGrom left the Mets for a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers, but New York has moved quickly to replace him with American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander and Quintana. The 33-year-old southpaw turned heads in 2022, recording a 2.93 ERA (2.99 FIP), a 1.21 WHIP, 137 strikeouts and 47 walks in 165 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. He was even better in 12 starts with St. Louis with a 2.01 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Quintana isn't much of a strikeout artist for fantasy purposes, but he should be serviceable as the team's No. 3 starter behind Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Free-agent left-hander David Price will not pitch in 2023, according to his long-time agent Bo McKinnis. Price isn't using the retirement word, but if this ends up being it for him, he'll finish his major-league career with a 157-82 record and a 3.32 ERA over 2,143 2/3 innings in 14 seasons. The five-time All-Star and 2013 American League Cy Young winner mostly worked as a reliever the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3.47 ERA (4.11 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, three saves and 95 strikeouts in 114 innings pitched over 79 appearances (11 starts). The 37-year-old was better in 2022 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 37 K's in 40 1/3 relief innings. If Price does return in 2024, it'll likely be in a limited relief role.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker to a four-year deal worth $72 million on Tuesday, according to sources. Walker will join the division-rival Phillies after spending the last two seasons with the New York Mets. He was an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2021 but he actually pitched better in 2022, going 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA (3.65 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, 132 strikeouts and 45 walks in 157 1/3 innings pitched over 29 starts. The 30-year-old should become the Phillies' No. 3 starter heading into the 2023 season behind Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Walker's fantasy value won't change all that much heading into next year while staying in the National League East division.

Veteran free-agent corner infielder Evan Longoria is talking to five teams on the free-agent market and is looking to play for a contender. Longoria became a free agent after the 2022 season when the San Francisco Giants declined his $13 million club option for 2023. The 37-year-old is no longer in his prime and played fewer than 90 games in each of the last two years in San Francisco. He mostly dealt with a thumb injury this season and finished with a .244/.315/.451 slash line with 14 home runs, 42 RBI and 31 runs scored in 298 plate appearances and 89 games. The Giants could bring him back on a cheaper deal. At this point in his career, Longoria is better suited to be a full-time designated hitter.

Agent Scott Boras said that the Boston Red Sox remain engaged on trying to re-sign shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Nobody is really expecting the Red Sox and Bogaerts to reunite, especially after the Philadelphia Phillies gave Trea Turner an 11-year, $300 million deal on Monday at the first day of the Winter Meetings in San Diego. Bogaerts has a very robust market as one of the top shortstops available on the open market, and teams like the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres have been on his trail. As expected, the 30-year-old declined his $20 million option for the 2023 season. If Boston doesn't somehow bring Bogaerts back, Trevor Story is expected to move to the 6 next year.

The New York Mets re-signed right-handed relievers Tommy Hunter and Sean Reid-Foley to minor-league deals on Tuesday. Both pitchers have been with the team the last two seasons, but they both missed significant time due to injuries. Hunter, 36, threw only 22 1/3 innings in 2022, but he had a solid 2.42 ERA (4.28 FIP), a 1.21 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 18 relief appearances. Reid-Foley, 27, allowed six earned runs on seven hits while walking seven and striking out eight in just 10 relief innings for the Mets last season. In five big-league seasons, he has a 4.66 ERA (4.93 FIP), a 1.56 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings pitched. Hunter and Reid-Foley will give the Mets relief depth yet again in 2023.

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has been the topic of recent trade conversation, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Monday. The 33-year-old has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to veto a deal to five undisclosed teams. Hendriks is owed $14 million in 2023 and has a $15 million club option for 2024. He has been one of baseball's most reliable closers in the past two seasons with the White Sox, earning 75 saves with a 2.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 39.4% strikeout rate. Competitive teams are always looking to bolster their bullpens, and Hendriks would likely maintain a firm closer role if he were to be traded, particularly given his current contract.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday that the Arizona Diamondbacks are among the "serious suitors" for free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts. The 30-year-old made his big-league debut while current Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen was a top executive with the Red Sox. Bogaerts remains one of the top available shortstops in the free-agent pool at the position, with Trea Turner signing a huge 11-year, $300 million contract Monday with the Phillies. While Bogaerts had a relatively down season in 2022, he still slashed .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and eight stolen bases. It remains to be seen if Bogaerts will command or expect a deal the size of Turner's, but he is a top option for teams looking to fill or upgrade at the position.

The New York Mets signed right-hander Justin Verlander on Monday to a two-year, $86 million deal. The deal includes a vesting option for a third year at $35 million. Verlander will make $43.3 million per year and will also have a full no-trade clause in his move to the National League. His 2025 option vests as a player option if he pitches 140 innings in 2024. The Mets lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers in free agency and replace him with the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. Verlander will turn 40 in February, but even after missing all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery, he seemed to be better than ever and finished 2022 by going 18-4 with a league-best 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), a league-best 0.83 WHIP, 185 strikeouts and 29 walks in 175 innings over 28 starts for the Houston Astros. Despite his age, he'll be a highly coveted fantasy ace in 2023.

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal, pending a physical, with free-agent right-hander Kyle Gibson on Saturday, according to a source. Gibson isn't a big fantasy name, but he should be able to eat some innings for the O's in 2023. The 35-year-old spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, going 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA (4.28 FIP), a 1.34 WHIP, 144 strikeouts and 48 walks in 167 2/3 innings pitched over his 31 starts. Gibson has a below-average strikeout rate and probably won't fare too well in another hitter-friendly ballpark in the tough American League East. Gibson will likely take up residence at the back of the Orioles starting rotation next season.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees are among the teams talking to the top two remaining free-agent starting pitchers. At the moment, the Mets seem more intrigued by right-hander Justin Verlander, while the Yankees seem more focused on Carlos Rodon. The Baltimore Orioles are among the many teams in on Rodon. The Houston Astros and Verlander are far apart in talks, which has opened the door for other teams to swoop in on Verlander, the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. The Mets might be the favorites to land one of Verlander or Rodon now that Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Verlander will require a shorter-term contract than Rodon given his age.

The New York Mets have moved their attention to free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander after right-hander Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday. The Mets never got to make a final offer to deGrom before he chose the Rangers. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, which the Houston Astros don't want to do, which has opened the door for other teams to jump in. The Mets will likely have to pay close to the $37 million per year that deGrom got for the Rangers to land Verlander, but a deal for Verlander won't be nearly as long as deGrom's. With deGrom leaving for the American League, the Mets are looking for another top arm to pair with Max Scherzer at the top of their starting rotation for the 2023 season.

Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday on his personal Twitter account. "Today, I officially announce my retirement from Major League Baseball. Over the last 15 years of pro ball, I have been blessed with many incredible opportunities and have met so many people along the way that helped me achieve more than I could have ever imagined," Castro wrote. The 35-year-old backstop will finish his career with 12 seasons played at the highest level and a slash line of .227/.312/.387 with 97 home runs, 325 RBI, 368 runs scored and six stolen bases for the Astros (eight seasons), Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels.

The New York Yankees are in on free-agent starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon. They aren't as much in on right-hander Jacob deGrom for what he sees ($40 million-plus). Outfielder Aaron Judge remains the main target for the Bombers, but the Yankees also want to add a big starter this offseason as well. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal for around $130 million in free agency, and the Houston Astros don't want to give him three years, so it could open up the door for the Yankees or another team to swoop in. Adding an arm like Verlander or Rodon to pair with ace Gerrit Cole would immediately upgrade New York's starting rotation in 2023.

Free-agent left-handed reliever Zack Britton (elbow) has started his normal offseason throwing program and should be full-go in spring training. Britton recovered from Tommy John surgery in time to pitch in three games for the New York Yankees to close out the regular season, but he was shut down before the playoffs with shoulder fatigue. He is seeking a one-year deal as he approaches his 35th birthday on Dec. 22, and he figures to attract interest now that he's healthy. In his first two seasons with the Yankees, the veteran southpaw had a 1.90 ERA before his elbow issues started last season.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is close with new Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, his former catching instructor and bench coach with the Royals. They are so close, it stands to reason that the White Sox might think about asking for Perez in a trade. The 32-year-old regressed offensively from his 48-home run, .859 OPS campaign in 2021 and he will earn $20 million in 2023, occupying around one-fourth of KC's payroll. Perez is also guaranteed $20 million in 2024, $22 million in 205 and a $2 million buyout on a $13.5 million club option in 2026. But the Royals aren't inclined to trade Perez, and certainly not to a team within their division. He's the last remaining player from the 2015 World Series team, and the Royals view him as an important piece of their offense. Teams aren't even bothering to ask about his availability, according to major-league sources.

The Houston Astros and free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander are "far apart" in talks, according to sources. Verlander is seeking $130 million for three years after winning the 2022 American League Cy Young, and the Astros seem pessimistic on Verlander, which may open the door for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees. "Quietly, they prefer not to sign him for three years. Verlander was great in-season but they carried him in the postseason," one person familiar with the Astros' thinking said. "No one [in Houston] wants to go three [years]," another source adds. The Mets are "tempted" by a Verlander-Max Scherzer reunion from their days with the Detroit Tigers.