SEATTLE (AP) — Evan White would earn $55.5 million over nine seasons if the Seattle Mariners exercise their three options in the first baseman’s contract, which guarantees $24 million.White, who has never played above Double-A, gets $1.3 million in each of the next two seasons, $1.4 million in 2022, $3 million in 2023, $7 million in 2024 and $8 million in 2025.As part of the agreement finalized Monday, Seattle has a $10 million option for 2026 with a $2 million buyout, an $11 million option for 2027 with a $1 million buyout and a $12.5 million option for 2028 with a $1 million buyout.He would get $50,000 if elected to start in the All-Star Game and $25,000 if picked as a reserve. He would receive $150,000 if voted MVP, $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 each for League Championship Series MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.“I believe in the organization and where we’re going and it’s something I want to be a part of,” White said.The 23-year-old was the 17th overall pick in... [More]

Free agent left-hander Rich Hill had surgery on his pitching elbow and is likely to miss the first half of next season, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Hill’s surgery was not announced.Rather than have Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, Hill had what is called primary revision surgery, the person said. This type of surgery usually requires a shorter recovery time, and Hill is expected to start throwing by the end of April, the person said.Hill, who turns 40 in March, had Tommy John surgery while with Boston in 2011.He was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, completing a $48 million, three-year contract. He was sidelined between June 19 and Sept. 12 with a strained flexor tendon in his pitching forearm and then in his first start back felt right knee pain that delayed his next outing until Sept. 24. Hill started Game 4 of the Division Series against Washington and did not get a decision, allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings in a 6-1 defeat.Hill was 30-16 with a 3.16 ERA with the Dodgers, who acquired him from Oakland on Aug. 1, 2016. He is 65-42 in 15 big league seasons.His surgery was first reported by WEEI. The operation was done by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas of Andrew Sports Medicine.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Free agent left-hander Rich Hill had surgery on his pitching elbow and is likely to miss the first half of next season, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Hill’s surgery was not announced.Rather than have Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, Hill had what is called primary revision surgery, the person said. This type of surgery usually requires a shorter recovery time, and Hill is expected to start throwing by the end of April, the person said.Hill, who turns 40 in March, had Tommy John surgery while with Boston in 2011.He was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, completing a $48 million, three-year contract. He was sidelined between June 19 and Sept. 12 with a strained flexor tendon in his pitching forearm and then in his first start back felt right knee pain that delayed his next outing until Sept. 24. Hill started Game 4 of the Division Series against Washington and did not get a decision, allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings in a 6-1 defeat.Hill was 30-16 with a 3.16 ERA with the Dodgers, who acquired him from Oakland on Aug. 1, 2016. He is 65-42 in 15 big league seasons.His surgery was first reported by WEEI.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A person familiar with the situation says free agent left-hander Rich Hill has had surgery on his pitching elbow and is likely to miss the first half of next season.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because Hill’s surgery was not announced.Rather than have Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, Hill had what is called primary revision surgery, the person said. This type of surgery usually requires a shorter recovery time, and Hill is expected to start throwing by the end of April, the person said.Hill, who turns 40 in March, was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, completing a $48 million, three-year contract. He was sidelined between June 19 and Sept. 12 with a strained flexor tendon in his pitching forearm and then in his first start back felt right knee pain that delayed his next outing until Sept. 24. Hill started Game 4 of the Division Series against Washington and did not get a decision.Hill’s surgery was first reported by WEEI.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with catcher Mike Zunino, avoiding arbitration.The deal announced Monday, one day after free agent Travis d’Arnaud signed with the Atlanta Braves, includes a $4.5 million club option for 2021. The option price would increase by $250,000 each for 300, 400 and 500 plate appearances in 2020, making a second year potentially worth $5.25 million.If the option is declined, Zunino would become eligible for free agency.Zunino was acquired from Seattle in a five-player trade in November 2018 and started 78 of 90 games he played last season, when d’Arnaud finished the year as the team’s primary catcher. Zunino hit .165 with 10 doubles, nine home runs and 32 RBIs, while throwing out 34 percent of attempted base stealers.The 28-year-old has a .202 average with 104 homers and 273 RBIs over seven big league seasons.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Evan White earned a $24 million, six-year contract from Seattle Mariners before playing a game above Double-A.Seattle announced the contract Monday after the first baseman completed a physical. The agreement includes options for 2026-28 and likely will cover all the years White would be eligible for salary arbitration.“I believe in the organization and where we’re going and it’s something I want to be a part of,” White said.The 23-year-old was the 17th overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft out of Kentucky. From the time he joined the Mariners’ system he’s been regarded as the club’s first baseman of the future because of his excellent defense and a solid bat at the plate.“For us to be able to do this with a player who has yet to play in the big leagues but we have become so comfortable with, not just with what we believe his upside as a player to be, but who he is as a person, I think all of that has gone into making this a very easy thing for us organizationally,” Seattle... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have acquired right-hander Dario Agrazal from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.The Tigers announced the deal Monday. The 24-year-old Agrazal made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Pirates last season. He went 4-5 with a 4.91 ERA.The Tigers also announced they have requested unconditional release waivers on right-hander Drew VerHagen so he can pursue an opportunity in Japan. VerHagen pitched mostly in relief in 2019, going 4-3 with a 5.90 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud’s career appeared to be winding down. He missed nearly an entire season after blowing out his elbow. He was cut by the New York Mets and dumped by the Los Angeles Dodgers.Now, he’s back on track.At age 30, d’Arnaud has a prosperous new lease on his baseball life after agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with the NL East champion Atlanta Braves, his reward for an unexpected comeback season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019.“I feel like I’ve got a lot of years left,” the catcher said Monday during a conference call. “I want to keep getting better and become the player I’m supposed to be.”D’Arnaud, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies who made it to the majors with the New York Mets, played only four games in 2018 before Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.He returned last season but struggled mightily, hitting .083 in 10 games before he was let go by the Mets. He signed with the Dodgers, getting only a single at-bat before they shipped him... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Right-hander Adrian Sampson has been placed on unconditional release waivers by the Texas Rangers, a move that allows the right-hander to pitch in South Korea.Sampson is set to join the Lotte Giants following the move announced Monday.He went 6-8 with a 5.89 ERA in 125 1/3 innings over 15 starts and 20 relief appearances for the Rangers last season, when he was one of seven big league pitchers with at least 15 starts and 20 relief appearances. Only Mike Minor and Lance Lynn pitched more innings for Texas.The 28-year-old made his big league debut with a start for Seattle in 2016. He was 6-11 with a 5.64 ERA the past two seasons for Texas.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds acquired right-handed reliever Justin Shafer from the Blue Jays for cash on Monday.Shafer has pitched for Toronto the last two seasons. He appeared in six games in 2018 and made 34 appearances last season, going 2-1 with a save and a 3.86 ERA. Shafer walked 32 batters in 48 innings during his two seasons with Toronto.The Reds also claimed outfielder Nick Martini off waivers from the San Diego Padres. Outfielder Brian O’Grady and right-hander Jimmy Herget were designated for assignment.Martini split last season between Oakland and San Diego, batting .226 in 32 games with one homer and seven RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners have finalized a $24 million, six-year contract with first baseman Evan White, a unusually large deal for a player who hasn’t appeared in a game above Double-A.Seattle announced the contract Monday after White completed a physical. The agreement includes options for 2026-28 and likely will cover all the years White would be eligible for salary arbitration.The 23-year-old was the 17th overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft out of Kentucky. From the time he joined the Mariners’ system he’s been regarded as the club’s first baseman of the future because of his excellent defense and a solid bat at the plate.“We love the player and we love the person. The combination made it very easy to want to sign him for the better part of the next decade,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “We believe this is the next stage in a long-term investment in our young players, in bringing together young, core players who have a ton of talent and are also high-character... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Nestor Cortes Jr. has been traded from the New York Yankees to Seattle for $28,300 in international signing bonus pool allocation, the remainder of what the Mariners had available to deal.A left-hander who turns 25 on Dec. 10, Cortes was 5-1 with a 5.67 ERA in 32 relief appearances and one start this year after making four relief appearances in his first big league season with the Yankees in 2018.He was designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for prospects protected ahead of the winter meeting draft next month.New York’s 2019-20 pool total increased to $5,835,800 with Monday’s trade. The Yankees have used $5,762,000 of that, including $5.1 million on Dominican outfielder Jasson Dominguez, $377,500 on Dominican third Enger Castellano and $187,500 on Venezuelan catcher Manuel Palencia.Seattle has now spent its entire $5.37 million pool and is limited to signing bonuses of $10,000 or less for the current signing year, which ends June 15.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have finalized a $24 million, six-year contract with first baseman Evan White that includes three club options that could keep White locked up through 2028.The Mariners announced the contract Monday after White completed a physical. The contract goes through 2025 and includes options for 2026-28. The 23-year-old White was the 17th overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft out of Kentucky. From the time he joined the Mariners’ system he’s been regarded as the club’s first baseman of the future because of his excellent defense and a solid bat at the plate.White joins the likes of Philadelphia’s Scott Kingery and Eloy Jiménez of the Chicago White Sox who signed long-term deals with their teams before ever making it to the majors.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.The 30-year-old d’Arnaud spent most of last season in Tampa Bay, where he rekindled his career by hitting .263 with 16 homers in 92 games. His deal with the Braves was announced Sunday.D’Arnaud was cut by the New York Mets after appearing in just four games, and he got only one at-bat with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was sent to the Rays. He took over the catching job in Tampa Bay and helped the Rays capture an AL wild-card berth.He gets $8 million in each of the next two seasons and agreed to donate $80,000 annually to charity.D’Arnaud gives the Braves a second catcher to pair with Tyler Flowers, who returned to the team on a $4 million, one-year deal. Atlanta’s other catcher, Brian McCann, announced his retirement shortly after the team’s loss in the NL Division Series.The Braves have been one of the busiest teams of the offseason, re-signing four players in addition to landing d’Arnaud and reliever Will Smith.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.The 30-year-old d’Arnaud spent most of last season in Tampa Bay, where he rekindled his career by hitting .263 with 16 homers in 92 games. His deal with the Braves was announced Sunday.D’Arnaud was cut by the New York Mets after appearing in just four games, and he got only one at-bat with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was sent to the Rays. He took over the catching job in Tampa Bay and helped the Rays capture an AL wild-card berth.D’Arnaud gives the Braves a second catcher to pair with Tyler Flowers, who returned to the team on a $4 million, one-year deal. Atlanta’s other catcher, Brian McCann, announced his retirement shortly after the team’s loss in the NL Division Series.The Braves have been one of the busiest teams of the offseason, re-signing four players in addition to landing d’Arnaud and reliever Will Smith.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros outfielder Josh Reddick had shoulder surgery and is expected to be fully recovered by the start of spring training.General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced Saturday that Reddick had an arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder AC joint on Friday.The 32-year-old Reddick batted .275 with 19 doubles, 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 141 games last season. He finished third among American League right fielders in defensive runs saved with nine.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Jharel Cotton from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday for $100,000.The 27-year-old right-hander missed the 2018 season because of an elbow injury during spring training that required Tommy John surgery. Cotton is 11-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 29 career games, all starts, for Oakland in 2016-17Cotton was designated for assignment by Oakland on Wednesday.He returned to pitch for Triple-A Las Vegas in July. He was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 games for the Aviators.Cotton was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 20th round in 2012. He was acquired by Oakland at the 2016 trade deadline in a five-player deal that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees plan to not pay Jacoby Ellsbury the remaining $26 million due under his contract, contending he violated the deal by getting unauthorized medical treatment.New York’s general manager sent a letter to Ellsbury and his agent, Scott Boras, informing them the team converted his contract to a nonguaranteed deal, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not made any public statements.Ellsbury has not played since 2017 and was released by the Yankees on Wednesday.According to the person who spoke with the AP, the Yankees said he was treated by Dr. Viktor Bouquette of Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta without the team’s permission.Ellsbury is owed more than $26.2 million as part of his $153 million, seven-year contract: more than $21.1 million for the final guaranteed season plus a $5 million buyout of a $21 million team option for 2021. If Ellsbury is not paid, nearly... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees plan to not pay Jacoby Ellsbury the remaining $26 million due under his contract, contending he violated the deal by getting unauthorized medical treatment.New York general manager sent a letter to Ellsbury and his agent, Scott Boras, informing them the team converted his contract to a nonguaranteed deal, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not made any public statements.Ellsbury has not played since 2017 and was released by the Yankees on Wednesday.According to the person who spoke with the AP, the Yankees said he was treated by Dr. Viktor Bouquette of Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta without the team’s permission.Ellsbury is owed more than $26.2 million as part of his $153 million, seven-year contract: more than $21.1 million for the final guaranteed season plus a $5 million buyout of a $21 million team option for 2021. If Ellsbury is not paid, nearly $21.9... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees plan to not pay Jacoby Ellsbury the remaining $26 million due under his contract, contending he violated the deal by getting unauthorized medical treatment.New York general manager sent a letter to Ellsbury and his agent, Scott Boras, informing them the team converted his contract to a nonguaranteed deal, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not made any public statements.Ellsbury has not played since 2017 and was released by the Yankees on Wednesday.According to the person who spoke with the AP, the Yankees said he was treated by Dr. Viktor Bouquette of Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta without the team’s permission.Ellsbury is owed more than $26.2 million as part of his $153 million, seven-year contract: more than $21.1 million for the final guaranteed season plus a $5 million buyout of a $21 million team option for 2021. If Ellsbury is not paid, nearly $21.9... [More]