LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):10:57 a.m.A person with direct knowledge of the agreement says free agent right-hander Lance Lynn and the Texas Rangers have reached a deal on a $30 million, three-year contract.The deal is pending a physical, says the person, who was speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract isn't complete.The 31-year-old Lynn has double-digit wins in all six seasons he has been a regular starter since after his rookie year of 2011. He went 10-10 with a 4.77 ERA in 31 appearances with 29 starts in 2018 pitching for the Twins and Yankees.— AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley reporting.___10:45 a.m.Durable left-hander Alex Claudio was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Texas Rangers for a draft pick.Claudio was 4-2 with a 4.48 ERA and one save in 65 relief appearances and one start this year. He has a 13-6 record with 12 saves and a 3.20 ERA in 206 relief appearances and two starts in five big league... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):10:26 a.m.Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto was taken to a hospital "out of an abundance of caution," according to the team, after he fell ill during the winter meetings in Las Vegas.The Mariners said Thursday that team officials took him to a local hospital on Wednesday to be checked out after he was not feeling well. No other information was provided about his condition.Despite being sick, Dipoto was still able to pull off a trade during the meetings, sending Carlos Santana to Cleveland in exchange for Edwin Encarnacion on Thursday.___10:19 a.m.Slugger Edwin Encarnacion has been traded to Seattle and first baseman Carlos Santana has returned to the Indians in a three-team deal that also involved Tampa Bay.The Rays got infielder Yandy Diaz and minor league right-hander Cole Slusser from Cleveland. The Indians also acquired first baseman Jake Bauers.The swap came Thursday at the close of the winter meetings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Slugger Edwin Encarnacion has been traded to Seattle and first baseman Carlos Santana has returned to the Indians in a three-team deal that also involved Tampa Bay.The Rays got infielder Yandy Diaz and minor and minor league right-hander Cole Slusser from Cleveland. The Indians also acquired first baseman Jake Bauers.The swap came Thursday at the close of the winter meetings.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The revamped New York Mets bullpen is set to include a very familiar face — longtime reliever Jeurys Familia.Familia reached a free-agent deal with the team that traded him away last summer, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press late Wednesday night.Familia agreed to a $30 million deal over three years. The person spoke on condition of anonymity at the winter meetings because the team had not yet announced the move. Familia likely must pass a physical for the contract to be finalized.The 29-year-old righty will join a Mets bullpen that recently added major league saves leader Edwin Diaz in a trade with Seattle that also netted longtime All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, a move made by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.Familia had spent his entire career with New York before being traded to Oakland last July. This move likely means Familia will slide back into a setup role, where he flourished as a rookie in 2014.Familia was a combined... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent reliever Jeurys Familia is set to rejoin the New York Mets after being traded away last summer.Familia has agreed to a $30 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night at the winter meetings because the team had not yet announced the move. Familia likely must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.The right-hander will join a Mets bullpen that recently added major league saves leader Edwin Diaz in a trade with Seattle that also netted longtime All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, a move made by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.The 29-year-old Familia had spent his entire career with the Mets before being traded to Oakland last July. This move likely means Familia can slide back into a setup role, where he flourished early in his career with New York.Familia was a combined 8-6 with 18 saves in 24 chances and a 3.13 ERA for the Mets and A's last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — An All-Star starter to the relief-reliant Rays, a Tanner-for-Tanner trade and a Scott Boras sighting. Intrigue at the winter meetings, but not much impact.Not yet, anyway.Charlie Morton was the top name to switch teams Wednesday, joining Tampa Bay for a $30 million, two-year deal after going 15-3 with Houston last season.And in the majors' first swap of players with the first name of Tanner, the Washington Nationals sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey in a trade of right-handers.Roark led the National League with 15 losses, but expected he would be part of a prime rotation that recently added All-Star Patrick Corbin to stars Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg."I felt like we would have a pretty good staff over there in D.C. but they thought otherwise and I don't know what their plans are," Roark said on a conference call.Fans all over, meanwhile, waited to hear where the likes of free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado and trade targets Corey Kluber and... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The New York Yankees are trying to close a deal to keep left-hander J.A. Happ and keeping the door open when it comes to signing Bryce Harper.While New York isn't currently interested in the slugging Harper, general manager Brian Cashman says "we're a fully operational Death Star."Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said earlier Wednesday the Yankees had not told him they had ruled out talks for the outfielder.Happ was acquired from Toronto in July, and the 36-year-old impressed the Yankees.Cashman says: "A real pro. Had a veteran presence within that clubhouse, knew exactly what was necessary and brought it every five days in the most competitive division in all of baseball."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire plans to check in regularly with Cabrera to determine his availability when Grapefruit League exhibition games begin in February. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base."He's going to play one day a week, two days," Gardenhire said Wednesday at the winter meetings. "We're just going to let it all play out and see how he feels when he gets there and see how healthy he is. He's doing good right now, which is a good sign for us."Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon in mid-June. Gardenhire has no plans of rushing back Cabrera, even if the rebuilding Tigers could use his powerful bat in the middle of the order.The plan as of now? There isn't one — just constant communication between Gardenhire, Cabrera and certainly the medical staff to evaluate what... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:27 p.m.The Nationals and Reds have swapped right-handed pitchers named Tanner. Washington sent Tanner Roark to Cincinnati for Tanner Rainey.Roark has pitched six seasons in the majors, all for the Nationals. He went 9-15 last season with a 4.34 ERA.Rainey spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville, going 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA and three saves in 44 appearances. He didn't have a decision and posted a 24.43 ERA in eight outings for the Reds.Roark made $6,475,000 last year and is eligible for arbitration. He can be a free agent after next season. The Nationals signed free All-Star Patrick Corbin to a $140 million, six-year deal last week.___3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are perfectly comfortable putting relief pitchers on the mound to begin games. But the chance to add an All-Star to their patchwork rotation, that was too good to pass up.Coming off a career-high 30 starts, Charlie Morton reached a $30 million, two-year contract with the Rays, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for Houston.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief."He's a good pitcher," Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. "You never like to have good pitching come into the division, prefer they... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):3:25 p.m.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might play only a game or two each week at the start of spring training as he returns from season-ending biceps surgery.Manager Ron Gardenhire says he'll go day by day with Cabrera when the exhibition season begins. There's no plan yet as to how much action the two-time AL MVP might see at first base."We'll figure it out as we go along," Gardenhire said.Cabrera turns 36 in April. He hit three home runs in 38 games and didn't play after June 12 because of the problem in his left biceps.___2:02 p.m.All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton has reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the contract is for two years and $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston.... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are perfectly comfortable putting relief pitchers on the mound to begin games. But the chance to add an All-Star to their patchwork rotation, that was too good to pass up.Coming off a career-high 30 starts, Charlie Morton reached a $30 million, two-year contract with the Rays, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for Houston.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.Morton's success with the Astros came after a career that had been beset by injuries and inconsistency. He'd undergone Tommy John surgery and was just 46-71 with... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press that All-Star pitcher Charlie Morton and the Tampa Bay Rays have reached a $30 million, two-year deal.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the contract has not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Morton was a first-time All-Star last season when he went 15-3 for Houston. He had a 3.13 ERA in a career-high 30 starts.Morton helped the Astros win their first championship in 2017. He started and won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees, then was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers with four innings of relief.The right-hander joins a Rays staff led by AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Tampa Bay rotation was beset by injuries this year, and the team often used relief pitchers as starters in their "opener" strategy on the way to 90 wins.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt's move from Arizona to St. Louis made Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts so happy, he was smelling roses.Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, not so much.St. Louis acquired the six-time All-Star first baseman from the Diamondbacks last week for pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, minor league infielder Andy Young and a 2019 draft pick."I don't like the Diamondbacks right now at all, I really don't," Maddon said Tuesday, knowing the NL Central rival Cardinals had strengthened their batting order. "When he sashays into the clubhouse and everybody sees him walking in there, they all become better. That definitely makes them much more difficult to beat next year."Roberts' Dodgers will face Goldschmidt a lot less frequently in the NL West."Goldy, he can stay in the Central as long as he wants. I'm trying to work getting him in the American League next," Roberts said. "I hope he's happy. I got to send him flowers."Goldschmidt can become a free agent... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton finalized a $5.25 million contract Tuesday that includes up to $1 million in performance bonuses and a mutual option for 2020.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds."Speed, athleticism, defensive ability. He brings a sense of trepidation when he steps on the field, not only as a defender but as an offensive player, too," manager Ned Yost said at the winter meetings in Las Vegas. "I've talked to a lot of Cincinnati people about him and they absolutely loved him. But we've been spoiled for years with Lorenzo Cain in center field, a tremendous defender in a big ballpark and having Billy roaming that ground from gap to gap out there."Hamilton's deal, announced Tuesday, calls for a $4.25 million salary next year and a $7.5 million mutual option with... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols has been cleared to do extensive upper body work and also has begun low-impact lower body exercises as he recovers from surgery on his left knee and right elbow.Pujols isn't yet ready to swing a bat but continues to progress as he works with a strength coach, general manager Billy Eppler said. The first baseman and designated hitter had season-ending knee surgery in August followed by the elbow procedure in September to remove bone spurs."I know that he's getting a lot of his work in," Eppler said. "We all know the work ethic of him."Pujols, who turns 39 next month, batted .245 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs playing 117 games in his 18th season. He has 633 career home runs.Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back home in Japan continuing his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery Oct. 1. The AL Rookie of the Year's range of motion "is in very good shape," according to Eppler, and he has full extension and flexion of the right arm."That's a... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Right-hander Ivan Nova was acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday for minor league pitcher Yordi Rosario and $500,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.A 31-year-old right-hander, Nova was 9-9 with a 4.19 ERA in 29 starts this season, striking out 114 in 161 innings. He is 78-64 with a 4.26 ERA in nine seasons with the New York Yankees (2010-16) and Pirates (2016-18).Chicago was looking for a starter since touted rookie Michael Kopech had Tommy John surgery in September."We think he's going to be able to eat up some innings and pitch effectively for us," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "I think the front office was doing their due diligence in trying to acquire someone of Nova's status and stature, and all the reports from everybody we've spoken to, this kid's a good pick up for us."Nova has a $8.5 million base salary next year in the final season of a $26 million, three-year contract, then can become a free agent.Renteria... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays, who owe the oft-injured shortstop $38 million for the remaining two years of his contract.Now 34, Tulowitzki has not played in the major leagues since July 2017. He was limited that year to 66 games because of a hamstring and right ankle injury. The ankle required surgery last spring and he missed the entire season.Tulowitzki was taken by Colorado with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 amateur draft and became a five-time All-Star. The Rockies agreed after the 2010 season to a $157.75 million, 10-year contract that added $132 million over seven seasons, then traded him in July 2015 to Toronto in a deal that brought shortstop Jose Reyes to Colorado.While Tulowitzki helped the Blue Jays reach that year's AL Championship Series, he slumped the next year and then was derailed by injuries.He is owed $20 million for next year, $14 million for 2020 and a $4 million buyout of the 2021 team option.Toronto, which announced the move Tuesday at the winter meetings, will be paying Tulowitzki for many years: $5 million of his 2019 salary is deferred at 3 percent interest and is payable in 10 equal installments each Jan. 1 from 2025-34. In addition, the buyout is due in $2 million installments on July 1 in 2021 and 2022.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The champion Boston Red Sox aren't looking to cut the biggest payroll in the big leagues.After exceeding all three luxury tax thresholds paid off in a World Series title, the Red Sox anticipate going over the levels again next year even though they're increasing.Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski dismissed reports he is trying to trade some high-priced players, such as pitcher Rick Porcello."I've heard those tweets," he said Tuesday at the winter meetings. "We're not looking to move anybody. We're not driven to move anybody."Boston had the highest payroll for the first time in the free agent era. The Red Sox luxury tax payroll as of Aug. 31 was nearly $239 million, and Dombrowski said he thinks the Red Sox will be over $246 million next season.The Red Sox re-signed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi last week to a $68 million, four-year contract.Last season, Boston far exceeded the $197 million luxury tax threshold, the $217 million level for the first surcharge... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Seattle manager Scott Servais hopes his team can find success rebuilding with youth much the way the AL West rival Oakland Athletics have done.A flurry of offseason trades by general manager Jerry Dipoto sent lots of stars out of the Pacific Northwest in the past month."We've made a few changes, but we had to make a decision organizationally where we were at," Servais said Tuesday at the winter meetings. "We weren't quite good enough to get into the playoffs the last three years even though we won a lot of ballgames. So maybe taking a step back, a little bit younger, readjust the core and see where that takes us."Gone is the core of Seattle's roster: ace James Paxton, All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, along with infielders Robinson Cano and Jean Segura. Catcher Mike Zunino, right-handers Juan Nicasio, outfielder Guillermo Heredia and lefty setup man James Pazos, too."The James Paxtons and the Mike Zuninos. Then certainly Robbie and Jean, what can you say about Eddie Diaz?" Servais... [More]