Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday afternoon. The owner-imposed lockout is over, some 99 days after it began. The end of the lockout means the return of the business of baseball, and that means that trades and free-agent signings can once again be made. Yes, it is hot stove season again, and we could see another flurry of moves in the coming hours with spring training camps to open this weekend.
Prior to the lockout, seven of CBS Sports’ top 10 free agents had signed with teams. That leaves shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Kris Bryant, and first baseman Freddie Freeman as the top names remaining. You can check our entire list here, but some other players worth monitoring include veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw, outfielder Seiya Suzuki (who is joining MLB from Japan’s NPB), and closer Kenley Jansen.
To help you keep track of the latest in the world of MLB’s transactions, CBS Sports will provide live updates and analysis. Follow along below.
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Rangers sign Pérez
The Rangers have signed veteran southpaw Martín Pérez to a one-year deal worth $4 million, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Pérez, who pitched with the Rangers from 2012-18, spent last season with the Red Sox. He made 36 appearances, 22 of which were starts, and amassed a 4.74 ERA (100 ERA+) and a 2.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Pérez should be in line to win a rotation spot.
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Cubs extend Ross
It’s not a rumor, per se, but the Cubs have announced they’ve extended manager David Ross’ contract through the 2024 season. Ross, who has been at the helm the past two seasons, previously had a club option on his services for next season. Now, the Cubs will have a club option on him for the 2025 campaign. He’s won just over 47 percent of his games to date as a manager, and he led Chicago to a (brief) appearance in the 2020 postseason.
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Important quote from Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto:
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Cardinals break ice with first post-lockout signing
Hey, we have an actual big-league transaction, the first since the owners imposed the lockout on December 2. The Cardinals have signed right-handed pitcher Drew VerHagen to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million.
VerHagen, who spent the past two seasons in Japan, figures to compete for a rotation spot. Whether or not he’s able to win one might boil down to how well he can leverage the Cardinals’ infield defense. He had a groundball rate of nearly 54 percent during his previous big-league exposure; St. Louis, meanwhile, allowed the second-lowest average on grounders last season, behind only the Dodgers.
VerHagen isn’t the first signing the Cardinals have made with an eye on improving their rotation this offseason. Prior to the lockout, the Cardinals inked lefty Steven Matz to a four-year deal.
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Harper “stumping” for Bryant
It wasn’t too long ago Bryce Harper was openly begging the Phillies to sign J.T. Realmuto to a long-term deal. Now, Harper is trying to get Kris Bryant to Philadelphia, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
It’s unclear if Harper’s politicking will work. Bryant would make a certain sense for the Phillies, as he’s a versatile defender who could play either third base or in the outfield for them. At the same time, the Phillies may opt to give Alec Bohm another chance at the hot corner, allowing them to spend their money elsewhere.
Bryant also figures to receive interest from the Mariners, among other teams.
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Cubs among favorites for Correa
The Cubs are one of the frontrunners to land shortstop Carlos Correa, according to an MLB.com report..
Correa was ranked by CBS Sports as the top free agent available heading into this offseason thanks to his Gold Glove-quality defense at shortstop and his impact-level offense at the dish.
CBS Sports reported back in November that the Cubs had signaled both publicly and privately that they intended to spend money this offseason. Chicago doesn’t have a great internal option at shortstop, having traded Javier Báez last deadline, making Correa an obvious fit for their roster.
The Cubs aren’t alone in their pursuit of Correa. The Yankees have expressed interest in him already this winter, and the Astros’ owner said his team intends to engage with his camp again sooner than later.
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Olson a popular target
The Yankees, Rangers, and Braves are all known to have interest in obtaining Athletics first baseman Matt Olson, one of the most popular targets on the trade block.
Olson, who will celebrate his 28th birthday soon, batted .271/.371/.540 (153 OPS+) with 39 home runs last season. He reduced his strikeout rate from 31.4 percent to 16.8 percent, which is the type of move that could indicate he’s achieved a new true-talent level. If so, he might remain a legitimate MVP candidate moving forward. Factor in that Olson still has two seasons of team control remaining, and you can understand why so many teams are hoping to add him to the middle of their order.
Olson is just part of the A’s expected selloff. Oakland may also move third baseman Matt Chapman and starters Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, and Frankie Montas this winter.
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