MLB Hot Stove 2023-2024

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To create a roster spot for Montas, the Reds designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment. He had been signed to a split deal by the Reds only a few weeks earlier. Wynns has over three years of MLB service time, so he would have the right to reject an outright assignment to Triple-A should he pass through waivers unclaimed, but since he has less than five years of service time, Wynns would forfeit his salary agreed with the Reds.

 

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On 2 January, the Cubs were apparently in agreement with RHP Colten Brewer on a 2024 contract, though it was unclear whether Brewer had been signed on a major or minor league deal. Brewer announced the contract on his own Instagram page. He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Pirates in the 2011 draft, and eventually made his MLB debut for the Padres in 2018. After joining the Red Sox in 2019, he managed a 4.98 ERA and 5.20 FIP across 81 1/3 innings. He was designated for assignment by the Red Sox in 2021 and signed a minor league deal with the Royals before the start of the 2022 season, but didn't make it back to the majors with Kansas City. He then signed with the Rays last off-season, then wound up being traded to the Yankees before the season started. He pitched 8 1/3 innings for the Yankees in April 2023 but was designated for assignment in mid-April and ended up signing a contract with the Hanshin Tigers.

Colten Brewer on Instagram: "Excited to be joining the @cubs for the 2024 season. Thankful for every second I get to play this game. I’ll see y’all in AZ for Spring Training can’t wait!"

659 likes, 14 comments - colt.brew54 on December 31, 2023: "Excited to be joining the @cubs for the 2024 season. Thankful for every second I get to play this game. I’ll see y’all in AZ for Spring Training can’t wait!".

www.instagram.com

 

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement with catcher Tucker Barnhart on a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Barnhart has previously played for the Reds and Cubs, and has been highly regarded as a defence-first catcher for the Reds, but his defence took a step back after he signed a two-year contract with the Cubs last off-season and he only played 47 games for the Cubs before being released. Barnhart signed a non-roster deal with the Dodgers in August, appearing in seven Triple-A games and never received a call-up.

The Cubs remain responsible for Barnhart's $3.25 million salary for the 2024 season, so if Barnhart is called up to the majors by the Diamondbacks, he would only be owed the prorated portion of the $740,000 league minimum for his time in the majors by Arizona.

 

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The Padres signed Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui to a five year contract at the end of December. Matsui is able to opt out after the 2026 season, but it is conditional on avoiding Tommy John surgery or any other elbow injury that requires an IL stint of at least 130 days between 2024-2025. Matsui will be paid $3.25 million in 2024, $5.5 million in 2025, $5.75 million in 2026, $6.5 million in 2027 and $7 million in 2028.

If Matsui suffers a significant elbow injury, the 2028 salary converts into a conditional team/player option. Matsui also receives full no-trade protection and can increase the value of future years' payments by up to $1.4 million annually based on the number of games he finishes.

His first opt-out decision comes with two years and $13.5 million in guarantees remaining. He also has a right to opt out after the 2027 season. He will become a free agent after the 2028 season despite not reaching six years of MLB service, which is common for players signed out of the NPB and KBO.

Yuki Matsui can earn $33.6 million over 5 years with Padres if he becomes San Diego's closer

Yuki Matsui can earn $33.6 million over five seasons with the San Diego Padres if the Japanese reliever becomes the team’s closer, and the pitcher could opt out of the deal after three years and $14.5 million if his pitching elbow remains healthy.

apnews.com

 

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The Padres also signed South Korean reliever Woo Suk Go to a two-year contract worth more than $9 million. The deal includes a club option.

Go, a 25 year old right handed pitcher, has pitched parts of seven seasons in the KBO. He has worked purely as a reliever, and has been the closer for his team, the LG Twins, for the past five years. He has completed four seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, including three campaigns allowing fewer than 2.20 ERA. Go surpassed 30 saves per season in 2019-2022.

The Padres will be required to pay a posting fee to the LG Twins, calculated on the basis of 20% of the contract value.

(LEAD) S. Korean pitcher Go Woo-suk nearing deal with Padres | Yonhap News Agency

(ATTN: ADDS details in last 5 paras)By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean...

en.yna.co.kr

 

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement with infielder Kevin Newman on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Newman was a 2015 first round draft pick for the Pirates and made his debut for Pittsburgh in August 2018. Newman has previously played for the Pirates and Reds.

 

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The Milwaukee Brewers last week acquired LHP Bryan Hudson from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for LHP Justin Chambers and a player to be named later. Chambers is only 18 years old, have been selected in the 20th round of the 2023 draft by the Brewers and is yet to make his debut in professional baseball.

Hudson was designated for assignment by the Dodgers to open a spot for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and was in DFA limbo for two weeks thanks to the pause on the DFA clock between Christmas and new year's.

 

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The Boston Red Sox last week made their signing of RHP Lucas Giolito official, and announced that they had designated RHP Mauricio Llovera to open roster space for Giolito. Llovera turns 28 in April and was acquired by the Red Sox from the Giants in a cash deal in July 2023. He pitched 29 2/3 innings in 25 appearances for the Red Sox, putting up a 5.46 ERA.

 

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The Cincinnati Reds have signed LHP Justin Bruihl to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Bruihl made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Dodgers and stayed with Los Angeles until July 2023, making 65 appearances and putting up a combined 3.65 ERA. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers after they added RHP Lance Lynn and RHP Joe Kelly from the White Sox. He was sent to Colorado in exchange for cash, but struggled badly with the Rockies, allowing six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings over seven appearances. He was designated for assignment in late August and went unclaimed through waivers.

 

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The Arizona Diamondbacks last week signed LHP Logan Allen to a minor league contract, according to an announcement from their Triple-A team in Reno. He will receive an invitation to Spring Training.

 

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Wander Franco has been arrested in the Dominican Republic and charged with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering on Wednesday last week, according to a report from the Associated Press. The money laundering charge arises out of an allegation that Franco allegedly paid the mother of one of the minors with whom he is accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship. The mother has also been detained by the Dominican police.

Autoridades detienen a Wander Franco en Puerto Plata

El caso del pelotero ha estado en el tapete desde que se conocieran imágenes de este junto a jóvenes menores de edad

listindiario.com

D.R. prosecutors present Franco case; ruling Fri.

Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday accused Rays shortstop Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering and also delivered evidence to a judge who is expected to soon rule on Franco's future.

www.espn.com

 

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The Padres announced the signing of Korean reliever Woo Suk Go last week. He is signed to a two-year contract with a mutual option for the 2026 season. Go will earn $1.75 million in 2024, and $2.25 million in 2025. There is a $500,000 buyout on the option which is worth $3 million. The Padres will pay $900,000 to his KBO team, the LG Twins. Go is also slated to earn a number of performance bonuses, depending on how many appearances he makes in 2024 and in 2025, as well as how many games he finishes.

South Korean reliever Woo-Suk Go and San Diego Padres agree to $4.5 million, 2-year deal

South Korean reliever Woo-Suk Go and the San Diego Padres agreed to a deal.

apnews.com

 

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The Chicago White Sox have added OF Brett Phillips on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Phillips will earn $1.2 million if he makes the major leagues with the White Sox.

Phillips turns 30 in May, and has experience across seven seasons in the MLB. He doesn't offer much with the bat, with a career average of .187/.272/.347, but has 39 stolen bases in 45 attempts and he is graded well for his defence in the outfield.

 

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Last week, the Houston Astros claimed RHP Declan Cronin off waivers from the White Sox. Cronin was designated for assignment by the White Sox before Christmas. Cronin made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2023, allowing 11 earned runs in 11 innings. Cronin was designated for assignment to create roster space for LHP Tim Hill, whom the White Sox signed in free agency.

 

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The New York Yankees announced that they have claimed OF Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, after the Reds designated him for assignment. The Yankees have filled their remaining two open roster spots on their 40-man roster by claiming Thompson off waivers and signing RHP Cody Poteet.

Thompson has played 92 games of MLB with the Rangers over the past two seasons, hitting .242/.286/.305 in his first 241 major league plate appearances. He has 22 steals in 27 attempts and is considered as having elite sprint speed, behind just Elly De La Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr.

Poteet was signed by the Yankees to a major league contract. He will make $750,000 in the majors and $200,000 in the minors. Poteet previously pitched for the Marlins in 2021 and 2022, with 58 2/3 innings over nine starts and 10 relief appearances. He has a career 4.45 ERA. Poteet underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022 and was outrighted by the Marlins at the end of the season. He signed a minor league deal with the Royals in 2023, and made it back for one Triple-A appearance in late September 2023. He had a two-year minor league deal with the Royals but with an understanding that he could opt out if he was not selected in the Rule 5 draft and was subsequently not added to the Royals' 40-man roster.

Exclusive | Yankees sign Cody Poteet to compete for spot on pitching staff

The 29-year-old will become part of the Yankees’ depth competition for both the pen and rotation.

nypost.com

 

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The Minnesota Twins announced that they have claimed RHP Ryan Jensen from the Miami Marlins after he was designated for assignment two weeks ago. Jensen joins his fourth organisation and is yet to make his MLB debut.

 

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To open roster space for Declan Cronin, the Astros have designated RHP Joel Kuhnel for assignment. Kuhnel was acquired by the Astros from the Reds in June 2023 in exchange for cash considerations. Kuhnel has 83 2/3 innings of major league experience for both the Reds and Astros, and has a career ERA of 6.02.

 

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The Astros also signed first baseman Chris Gittens to a minor league contract last week. It is unclear whether Gittens will receive an invitation to Spring Training.

Chris Gittens Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

Chris Gittens Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

www.mlb.com

 

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed LHP Michael Plassmeyer to a minor league deal. It is not clear whether Plassmeyer will receive an invitation to Spring Training.

Michael Plassmeyer Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

Michael Plassmeyer Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

www.mlb.com

 

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The Detroit Tigers have re-signed LHP Andrew Vasquez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Vasquez finished the 2023 season with the Tigers after Detroit claimed him off waivers from the Phillies in early August. Vasquez pitched 48 1/3 innings between the Phillies and Tigers. Despite putting up an ERA of 2.27 over 30 appearances for the Phillies, he was designated for assignment on 2 August, with Philadelphia skeptical of his ability to continue keeping runs off the board, thanks to a middling 20% strikeout rate and a low 7.7% swinging strike rate. Vasquez allowed nine runs (eight earned) with nine strikeouts and nine walks in 8 2/3 innings with the Tigers. He finished the season with a 3.35 ERA over 48 1/3 innings and went unclaimed on waivers at the beginning of the off-season. He elected minor league free agency.

Detroit Tigers re-sign Andrew Vasquez to minor-league contract with spring training invite

Lefty reliever Andrew Vasquez logged a 3.35 ERA with 23 walks and 43 strikeouts across 48⅓ innings with the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers.

www.freep.com

 

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The Cincinnati Reds announced that they have assigned catcher Austin Wynns outright to Triple-A Louisville after he cleared waivers.

 

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The San Diego Padres have signed OF Oscar Mercado and catcher Kevin Plawecki to minor league contracts with invitations to SPring Training. They also signed minor league contracts with OF Bryce Johnson and LHP Daniel Camarena, but it is not clear whether the latter two are also invited to Spring Training.

MLB Insider: What I'm hearing about the Mets, Brewers, Angels, Padres, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, more

With the MLB offseason moving at a snail's pace, talks remain active around baseball. Here's what I'm hearing from major league sources.

fansided.com

 

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Late last week, the Atlanta Braves and LHP Chris Sale agreed to a new contract, which will pay Sale $38 million over the next two years. Sale will earn $16 million in 2024, and $22 million in 2025. The Braves hold an $18 million club option over Sale for 2026. This replaces the contract that Sale signed with the Red Sox back in 2019 that was for five years, and $145 million. The Red Sox traded Sale to the Braves in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom and included $17 million to cover the remainder of the contract that they had signed with Sale. Under the deal signed with the Red Sox, Sale was set to earn $27.5 million in 2024, though $10 million of that amount was deferred for 15 years.

Accordingly, under the new deal signed with the Braves, Sale will make $16 million in 2024 and loses the deferred $10 million in exchange for $22 million in 2025. Sale has struggled with injury over the past three seasons, pitching just 50 innings between 2020 and 2022 after he underwent Tommy John surgery but also suffered other injuries. He managed to pitch 102 2/3 innings for the Red Sox in 2023 but a stress reaction in his shoulder blade put him out of action for the last two months of the season.

 

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The Tampa Bay Rays signed RHP Burch Smith to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, according to a team announcement released last week. Smith has 191 innings of MLB experience between 2013 and 2021, with a career 6.03 ERA. He pitched in Japan in 2022 and then in the KBO in 2023. However, his time in Korea ended prematurely in April 2023 when he suffered a shoulder injury and was released from his contract. After recovering from the injury, Smith spent time in the Dominican Winter League, pitching for the Gigantes del Cibao.

 

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OF Michael Brantley has announced his retirement from the sport after spending more than a decade in the majors. Brantley's last two seasons were injury-interrupted. In 2022, he played 64 games before being shut down with right shoulder discomfort. That lingered into 2023 and he was not able to return from injury until late August. He only managed 57 plate appearances over 15 games in the regular season, then had 32 more plate appearances for the Astros in the playoffs but hit just .179/.281/.321 in those appearances. Brantley won a world series with the Astros in 2022, despite not being on the postseason roster thanks to his injury.

Brantley accumulated 6,149 plate appearances in 1,445 regular season games for Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros, with a career slashline of .298/.355/.439 with 1,656 hits, 348 doubles, 25 triples and 129 home runs. Brantley successfully stole 125 bases, scored 758 runs and drove in 720.