A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (sixth season). 2020: 35-25, first place, lost to Dodgers in NL Championship Series. Training Town: North Port, Florida. Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Charlie Morton, LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Carl Edwards, SS Ehire Adrianza, RHP Victor Arano. He’s Outta Here: OF Nick Markakis, OF Adam Duvall, INF Charlie Culberson, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Mark Melancon, C Tyler Flowers, RHP Shane Greene, RHP Darren O’Day, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, INF Adeiny Hechavarria, LHP Cole Hamels. Going campin’: The key offseason move was re-signing left fielder Marcell Ozuna to a four-year, $65 million deal. Morton and Smyly add experience to the rotation. The team can take a cautious approach with 2020 opening day starter Mike Soroka’s return from... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 79 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. BOSTON (2) — Signed Kiké Hernández, of-inf, Los Angeles Dodgers to a $14 million, two-year contract; signed Garrett Richards, rhp, San Diego, to a $10 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (5) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract;... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 70 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. BOSTON (2) — Signed Kiké Hernández, of-inf, Los Angeles Dodgers to a $14 million, two-year contract; signed Garrett Richards, rhp, San Diego, to a $10 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (5) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract;... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 61 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. BOSTON (2) — Signed Kiké Hernández, of-inf, Los Angeles Dodgers to a $14 million, two-year contract; signed Garrett Richards, rhp, San Diego, to a $10 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (4) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract;... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 60 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. BOSTON (2) — Signed Kiké Hernández, of-inf, Los Angeles Dodgers to a $14 million, two-year contract; signed Garrett Richards, rhp, San Diego, to a $10 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (4) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract;... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 57 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (4) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract; signed Erasmo Ramirez, rhp, New York Mets, to a minor league contract ($800,000); signed Derek Holland, lhp, to a minor league contract. HOUSTON (3) — Signed Pedro Báez,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 48 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (2) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract. HOUSTON (3) — Signed Pedro Báez, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $12.5 million, two-year contract; signed Jason Castro, c, Houston, to a $7 million, two-year contract; re-signed... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 45 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (1) — Signed Freddy Galvis, ss, Cincinnati, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. CHICAGO (2) — Signed Adam Eaton, of, Washington, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Liam Hendriks, rhp, Oakland, to a $54 million, four-year contract. CLEVELAND (1) — Re-signed César Hernández, 2b, to a $5 million, one-year contract. DETROIT (2) — Signed Robbie Grossman, of, Oakland, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Wilson Ramos, c, New York Mets, to a $2 million, one-year contract. HOUSTON (3) — Signed Pedro Báez, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $12.5 million, two-year contract; signed Jason Castro, c, Houston, to a $7 million, two-year contract; re-signed... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday. Ramos played 45 games last season with the New York Mets, hitting .239 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Ramos was an All-Star in 2016 for the Washington Nationals and in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 33-year-old Ramos could give Detroit a boost after its catchers struggled last year. Jake Rogers hit .125 in 35 games, and Grayson Greiner batted .118 in 18 games. Austin Romine hit .238 but agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs recently. “Adding a reliable veteran catcher was one of our priorities this offseason, and we know that Wilson will be a great fit for that role,” general manager Al Avila said. "He’s still producing on the field at a high level after 11 years in the big leagues, and we feel his presence in the clubhouse will be a major positive both for our young catchers and pitching staff.” Detroit is trying to rebuild around pitching prospects like Casey Mize and... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday. Ramos played 45 games last season with the New York Mets, hitting .239 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Ramos was an All-Star in 2016 for the Washington Nationals and in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 33-year-old Ramos could give Detroit a boost after its catchers struggled last year. Jake Rogers hit .125 in 35 games, and Grayson Greiner batted .118 in 18 games. Austin Romine hit .238 but agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs recently. “Adding a reliable veteran catcher was one of our priorities this offseason, and we know that Wilson will be a great fit for that role,” general manager Al Avila said. "He’s still producing on the field at a high level after 11 years in the big leagues, and we feel his presence in the clubhouse will be a major positive both for our young catchers and pitching staff.” The Tigers are trying to rebuild around pitching prospects like Casey Mize... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — James McCann was released two years ago by the Detroit Tigers, and he says it's the best thing that ever happened to him. “It’s made me the player I am today,” McCann said. The starting catcher for the New York Mets — and a millionaire many times over. McCann signed a $40.6 million, four-year deal with New York this week, filling a critical need for an organization aggressively pursuing upgrades via free agency under new owner Steve Cohen. Even with former Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto also available, the Mets opted to pursue the 30-year-old McCann, who went from unwanted to All-Star in a hurry after Detroit declined to renew his contract following the 2018 season. McCann said Thursday he rededicated himself on both sides of the ball after that, and it showed in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox. He batted .273 with 18 home runs and made his first All-Star team. He followed that in 2020 by hitting .289 with seven homers in 31 games during the pandemic-shortened regular season.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent catcher James McCann signed a $40.6 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets on Tuesday, joining a team now ready to spend big to build a winner. The 30-year-old McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 and this season set career highs in batting average (.289), on-base percentage (.360) and slugging percentage (.536). “James has established himself as one of the best dual-threat catchers in the game,” Mets President Sandy Alderson said. “His leadership and presence in the clubhouse were instrumental in guiding a young pitching staff into the postseason in 2020.” McCann gets a $600,000 signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, salaries of $8 million in each of the first two seasons and $12 million in each of the final two years. Steve Cohen bought the Mets last month for $2.42 billion last month and his first move was to hire Alderson. McCann’s signing was announced a day after Jared Porter was officially introduced as the Mets’ new general manager.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent catcher James McCann signed a $40.6 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets on Tuesday, joining a team now ready to spend big to build a winner. The 30-year-old McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 and this season set career highs in batting average (.289), on-base percentage (.360) and slugging percentage (.536). “James has established himself as one of the best dual-threat catchers in the game,” Mets President Sandy Alderson said. “His leadership and presence in the clubhouse were instrumental in guiding a young pitching staff into the postseason in 2020.” Steve Cohen bought the Mets last month for $2.42 billion last month and his first move was to hire Alderson. McCann’s signing was announced a day after Jared Porter was officially introduced as the Mets’ new general manager. Cohen has said he would consider it disappointing if the Mets don’t win the World Series in the next three to five years. The Mets haven’t reached the playoffs... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. A person close to the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. Other news outlets reported the terms earlier in the day. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. He batted .289 with seven homers and 15 RBIs for Chicago this year in 31 games while splitting time with Yasmani Grandal during the pandemic-shortened season. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. That was the first major move by the team since Cohen bought the club for $2.42 billion last month. The Mets haven't reached the playoffs since losing the 2016 NL wild-card game. New York went 26-34 this season with Wilson Ramos and Robinson... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. A person close to the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. Other news outlets reported the terms earlier in the day. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. He batted .289 with seven homers and 15 RBIs for Chicago this year in 31 games while splitting time with Yasmani Grandal during the pandemic-shortened season. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. That was the first major move by the team since Cohen bought the club for $2.42 billion last month. The Mets haven't reached the playoffs since losing the 2016 NL wild-card game. New York went 26-34 this season with Wilson Ramos and Robinson... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong. The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1 million buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis. Wong hit. 265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the first round. “STL will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget all the amazing people who impacted me along the way! Much love,” Wong said Wednesday in an Instagram post. Many teams are cutting costs following a shortened regular season played with no fans in attendance due to the novel coronavirus.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong. The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1 million buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis. Wong hit. 265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the first round. “STL will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget all the amazing people who impacted me along the way! Much love,” Wong said Wednesday in an Instagram post. Many teams are cutting costs following a shortened regular season played with no fans in attendance due to the novel coronavirus.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets declined 2021 options Wednesday on catchers Wilson Ramos and Robinson Chirinos and on infielder Todd Frazier, allowing all three to become eligible for free agency. Ramos gets a $1.5 million buyout rather than a $10 million salary for next year, completing a contract that guaranteed him $19 million for two seasons. Chirinos gets a $1 million buyout rather than a $6.5 million salary for next year, completing contract he originally signed with Texas that guaranteed him $6.75 million. Frazier gets a $1.5 million buyout rather than a $5.75 million salary for next year, completing a contract he originally signed with Texas that guaranteed him $5 million. Ramos, 33, hit .239 for his lowest average since 2015 with five homers and 15 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season. The two-time All-Star signed with the Mets in 2018. Chirinos was acquired Aug. 31 from Texas and the 36-year-old batted .162 with one homer and seven RBIs this year, including .219 with one homer and five RBIs for the Mets. Frazier also was obtained Aug. 31 from the Rangers after spending 2018 and 2019 with the Mets. The former two-time All-Star batted .236 with four homers and 12 RBIs, including .224 with two homers and five RBIs for the Mets. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Phillies second. Jean Segura doubles to right center field. Andrew Knapp doubles, advances to 3rd. Jean Segura scores. Fielding error by Andres Gimenez. Scott Kingery walks. Adam Haseley out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Jeff McNeil. Andrew Knapp scores. Roman Quinn singles to right field. Scott Kingery to third. Andrew McCutchen reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Roman Quinn to third. Scott Kingery scores. Bryce Harper strikes out swinging. Andrew McCutchen picked off.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Phillies 3, Mets 0.Phillies third. Alec Bohm grounds out to shortstop, Andres Gimenez to Dominic Smith. Didi Gregorius flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Jean Segura homers to left field. Andrew Knapp grounds out to shallow infield, Robinson Cano to Dominic Smith.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 4, Mets 0.Mets fourth. J.D. Davis doubles to deep center field. Dominic Smith grounds out to second base, Scott Kingery to Alec Bohm. J.D. Davis to... [More]