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]

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 announced the move Tuesday at the winter meetings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Jessica Mendoza will have more of a presence on various ESPN platforms starting next baseball season.Mendoza signed a multiyear extension with ESPN to remain part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" announcer's booth and make more studio appearances.In 2015, Mendoza became the first female analyst for a nationally televised MLB game. She did her first Sunday night game on Aug. 30, 2015."Being in New York for 10 days during the World Series and appearing on a bunch of shows, I felt like it was a trial run to have more of a studio presence," Mendoza said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "The more consistently I started to do it, the more I grew to love it. It allows me to push baseball ideas and content in a bunch of different places."Mendoza, who has been with the network since 2007, has already been a fixture on "Baseball Tonight" for many seasons but the new agreement means she will appear more regularly on "SportsCenter" and "Get Up!"Mendoza's main assignment will remain "Sunday... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):11:55 a.m.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 the 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.___11:35 a.m.Right-hander Ivan Nova has been... [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 announced the move Tuesday at the winter meetings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $50 million, three-year contract.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement, which includes a club option for 2022, is subject to a successful physical.McCutchen was an All-Star each season from 2011-15 and spent nine years with Pittsburgh before he was traded to San Francisco last winter. He was dealt to the New York Yankees on Aug. 31 and hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 155 games overall this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Right-hander Ivan Nova has been acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the Pittsburgh Pirates 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).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.A 19-year-old right-hander, Rosario was 1-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 11 starts and three relief appearances last year in the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Rookie League. He struck out 70 in 56 innings.The trade was announced Tuesday at the winter meetings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Jessica Mendoza will have more of a presence on various ESPN platforms starting next baseball season.Mendoza signed a multiyear extension with ESPN to remain part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" announcer's booth and make more studio appearances.In 2015, Mendoza became the first female analyst for a nationally televised MLB game. She did her first Sunday Night game on Aug. 30, 2015."Being in New York for 10 days during the World Series and appearing on a bunch of shows, I felt like it was a trial run to have more of a studio presence," Mendoza said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "The more consistently I started to do it, the more I grew to love it. It allows me to push baseball ideas and content in a bunch of different places."Mendoza, who has been with the network since 2007, has already been a fixture on "Baseball Tonight" for many seasons but the new agreement means she will appear more regularly on "SportsCenter" and "Get Up!"Mendoza's main assignment will remain "Sunday... [More]

Jessica Mendoza will have more of a presence on various ESPN platforms starting next baseball season.Mendoza signed a multiyear extension with ESPN to remain part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" announcer's booth and make more studio appearances.In 2015, Mendoza became the first female analyst for a nationally televised MLB game. She did her first Sunday Night game on Aug. 30, 2015."Being in New York for 10 days during the World Series and appearing on a bunch of shows, I felt like it was a trial run to have more of a studio presence," Mendoza said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "The more consistently I started to do it, the more I grew to love it. It allows me to push baseball ideas and content in a bunch of different places."Mendoza, who has been with the network since 2007, has already been a fixture on "Baseball Tonight" for many seasons but the new agreement means she will appear more regularly on "SportsCenter" and "Get Up!"Mendoza's main assignment will remain "Sunday... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Free agent right-hander Tyson Ross and the Detroit Tigers have reached a one-year deal for $5.75 million.The agreement came Monday at the winter meetings.Ross went a combined 8-9 with a 4.15 ERA for San Diego and St. Louis last season. He made 22 starts for the Padres, was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals in early August and pitched nine times for them, eight in relief.The 31-year-old Ross held righty hitters to a .176 batting average.Ross is 43-65 with a 3.95 ERA in nine seasons. He made his debut with Oakland in 2010 and was an All-Star with San Diego in 2014.Ross' contract includes $250,000 in roster bonuses — $50,000 for being with the major league team on opening day and $100,000 each for May 1 and June 1.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi loved what he started in Boston — emphasis on started."There were a lot of teams that reached out, wanted me to be a closer," he said. "I view myself as a starter, and that's something I've always done my entire career. And I enjoy doing that. So if I had that choice, I still wanted to be a starter."After shifting to the bullpen for three World Series relief appearances, including an epic 97-pitch outing in an 18-inning loss , Eovaldi decided last week to stay with the Red Sox for a $68 million, four-year contract ."I can't wait to see him again with us. He's going to be a huge part of this rotation," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday during a winter meetings news conference. "He's a workaholic."Eovaldi averaged nearly 98 mph with his fastball during the regular season but reached 100 mph six times in the first two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, not needing to hold back. That velocity intrigued teams as he became a free agent.Before October, Eovaldi's... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Baseball players may get a little more sleep when traveling after Sunday night games next year.ESPN announced Monday it is moving up the starting time of the nationally televised game by one hour, with the first pitch planned for shortly after 7 p.m. Eastern."From a travel perspective, it's amazing what (difference) one hour can make," said Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, whose World Series champions already have been selected for five Sunday night games next year.Philadelphia hosts Atlanta in the first Sunday night game next season, on March 31, the second game of a television doubleheader that begins with Texas playing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.Among other Sunday night games next year will be a World Series rematch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston at Fenway Park on July 14, four games between the Red Sox and New York Yankees (June 2 and Aug. 4 in the Bronx, July 28 and Sept. 8 in Boston) and the Little League Classic... [More]

Mike Napoli has announced his retirement after 12 years in the majors that included three trips to the World Series.The 37-year-old Napoli, who did not play last season because of a knee injury, announced his decision Saturday on Twitter .Napoli batted .246 with 267 homers and 744 RBIs over 1,392 games with the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. He entered the majors as a catcher before switching to first base.He had his best season in 2016 when he helped lead the Indians to the World Series. Napoli set career highs with 34 homers and 101 RBIs and was invaluable as a clubhouse leader for manager Terry Francona.He helped Boston win the Series in 2013 and reached the Fall Classic with the Rangers in 2011. Napoli was an All-Star in 2012.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AP) — Dozens of Venezuelans waited in line outside a chapel in the state of Lara on Saturday, hoping to bid farewell to former major league baseball player Luis Valbuena, who was killed in a car accident along with teammate Jose Castillo.The corpse of Castillo was moved earlier in the morning to a different central-west state.The 33-year-old Valbuena and 37-year-old Castillo were both former players for the Houston Astros.They died late Thursday when their SUV crashed as it tried to veer around an object put on the road. Officials said some bandits place or throw objects on highways to force vehicles to stop so they can rob the occupants.Yaracuy state Gov. Julio Leon Heredia said four people were detained after being found with property of the athletes.Valbuena and Castillo were teammates on the Cardenales de Lara team in the Venezuelan winter league and were returning from a game in the capital when the crash occurred en route to the city of Barquisimeto in Lara.No... [More]

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AP) — Dozens of Venezuelans waited in lines outside a chapel in the state of Lara on Saturday, hoping to bid farewell to former major league baseball player Luis Valbuena, who was killed in a car accident along with teammate Jose Castillo.The corpse of Castillo was moved earlier in the morning to a different central-west state.The 33-year-old Valbuena and 37-year-old Castillo were both former players for the Houston Astros.They died late Thursday when their SUV crashed as it tried to veer around an object put on the road. Officials said some bandits place or throw objects on highways to force vehicles to stop so they can rob the occupants.Yaracuy state Gov. Julio Leon Heredia said four people were detained after being found with property of the athletes.Valbuena and Castillo were teammates on the Cardenales de Lara team in the Venezuelan winter league and were returning from a game in the capital when the crash occurred en route to the city of Barquisimeto in Lara.No others details about the incident were available.On Saturday, their deaths caused an outpouring of grief as fellow teammates, family members and fans wore shirts from the winter league and lined up to say goodbye.Retired Cardenales player Robert Perez and Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera were both in attendance.Cardenales third baseman Carlos Rivero, who survived the crash, visited the chapel wearing dark sunglasses and bore a small bruise on his forehead.