NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Hector Santiago has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets.Santiago would get a $2 million salary in the major leagues and $150,000 in the minors if added to the 40-man roster as part of the deal announced Tuesday. He would be able to earn $500,000 in performance bonuses: $100,000 each for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 starts.The 31-year-old will report to major league spring training. He had a 4.50 ERA and two saves in 42 relief appearances and seven starts last year for the Chicago White Sox. He also struck out 103 in 102 innings but allowed 102 hits and 60 walks.He is 46-49 with a 4.06 ERA and six saves in eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, making 137 starts and 101 relief appearances.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Hector Santiago has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets.Santiago would get a $2 million salary in the major leagues if added to the 40-man roster as part of the deal announced Tuesday. He would be able to earn $500,000 in performance bonuses: $100,000 each for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 starts.The 31-year-old had a 4.50 ERA and two saves in 42 relief appearances and seven starts last year for the Chicago White Sox. He struck out 103 in 102 innings but allowed 102 hits and 60 walks.He is 46-49 with a 4.06 ERA and six saves in eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, making 137 starts and 101 relief appearances.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Kelvin Herrera helped the Kansas City Royals build to a World Series championship. He sees similar potential with the Chicago White Sox.The two-time All-Star reliever and the White Sox finalized an $18 million, two-year contract on Tuesday.Herrera will earn $8.5 million in each of the next two years as part of the deal, and the White Sox have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.Herrera was part of a dominant bullpen that helped Kansas City win back-to-back pennants and the 2015 World Series. He hopes to help the rebuilding White Sox complete a similar climb."I'm excited for the direction this team has taken," he said through an interpreter. "It resembles my time with Kansas City when I was starting. We were in the rebuilding mode, and we were just trying to learn how to play the right way, with intensity and giving it a 100- percent effort every time. I think that's something that you can see in this team, too."The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2.82 ERA... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have set the date for retiring Joe Mauer's No. 7 jersey.The Twins announced Tuesday that Mauer's number will be retired in a pregame ceremony at Target Field on "Joe Mauer Day" on Saturday, June 15.The event will take place before the Twins' 6:10 p.m. game against Kansas City. More details will be announced later.Mauer, a six-time All-Star, retired after a 15-year major league career, all with the Twins. The Twins earlier announced plans to retire Mauer's number.Mauer will become the eighth former Twins player or manager with a retired number, joining Harmon Killebrew (3), Rod Carew (29), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14), Kirby Puckett (34), Bert Blyleven (28) and Tom Kelly (10). Jackie Robinson (42) has had his number retired by all major league teams.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Spending on Major League Baseball payrolls dropped last season for the first time since 2010, an $18 million decrease attributable to drug and domestic violence suspensions and a player retiring at midseason.Still, even a year with flat payrolls is unusual for MLB. The only previous drops since 2002 were by $3 million in 2010 and by $32 million in 2004.Teams combined to spend $4.23 billion on major league payroll last year, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner's office and obtained by The Associated Press. The decrease followed an offseason with a weak free-agent class that failed to push the average higher.Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano lost about $11.7 million and Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo approximately $3.5 million after positive drug tests. Closer Roberto Osuna's domestic violence suspension cost him roughly $2.1 million from Toronto and Houston, and Baltimore outfielder Colby Rasmus walked away from about $1.5 million rather... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Two-time All-Star reliever Kelvin Herrera and the Chicago White Sox have finalized an $18 million, two-year contract.Herrera will earn $8.5 million in each of the next two years as part of the deal announced Tuesday, and the White Sox have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.Herrera was part of a dominant bullpen that helped Kansas City win back-to-back pennants and the 2015 World Series.The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2.82 ERA and 60 saves over eight seasons with the Royals and Washington. He had a 2.44 ERA with 17 saves in 48 games last year for Kansas City and the Nationals, who acquired him on June 18. Herrera did not pitch after Aug. 26 because of a broken left foot.Chicago is coming off its sixth straight losing season, finishing fourth in the AL Central at 62-100 last year. The White Sox acquired former Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome in a trade with Seattle in November. They also got first baseman and designated hitter Yonder Alonso from Cleveland last month.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Two-time All-Star reliever Kelvin Herrera and the Chicago White Sox have finalized an $18 million, two-year contract.Herrera will earn $8.5 million in each of the next two years as part of the deal announced Tuesday, and the White Sox have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.Herrera was part of a dominant bullpen that helped Kansas City win back-to-back pennants and the 2015 World Series.The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2.82 ERA and 60 saves over eight seasons with the Royals and Washington. He had a 2.44 ERA with 17 saves in 48 games last year for Kansas City and the Nationals, who acquired him on June 18. Herrera did not pitch after Aug. 26 because of a broken left foot.Chicago is coming off its sixth straight losing season, finishing fourth in the AL Central at 62-100 last year. The White Sox acquired former Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome in a trade with Seattle in November. They also got first baseman and designated hitter Yonder Alonso from Cleveland last month.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Spending on Major League Baseball payrolls dropped last season for the first time since 2010, an $18 million decrease attributable to drug and domestic violence suspensions and a player retiring at midseason.Still, even a year with flat payrolls is unusual for MLB. The only previous drops since 2002 were by $3 million in 2010 and by $32 million in 2004.Teams combined to spend $4.23 billion on major league payroll last year, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner's office and obtained by The Associated Press. The decrease followed an offseason with a weak free-agent class that failed to push the average higher.Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano lost about $11.7 million and Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo approximately $3.5 million after positive drug tests. Closer Roberto Osuna's domestic violence suspension cost him roughly $2.1 million from Toronto and Houston, and Baltimore outfielder Colby Rasmus walked away from about $1.5 million rather... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets captain David Wright is becoming a special adviser to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.In making the announcement Monday, the Mets said the 36-year-old third baseman would be placed on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday. His contract called for New York to pay him salaries of $15 million this year and $12 million in 2020, with $2.5 million annually deferred without interest.Sidelined with leg, back and neck injuries, Wright did not play for the Mets from May 2016 until the final week of last season, when he announced his retirement. Wright made three plate appearances during the season's final series against Miami.Wilpon called Wright "an iconic Met" and said he "will be forever remembered for his contributions on the field as well as his numerous charitable endeavors."Wright attended last month's winter meetings as a member of the Mets' front office."We are thrilled he will remain close to the Mets family... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets captain David Wright is becoming a special adviser to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.In making the announcement Monday, the Mets said the 36-year-old third baseman would be placed on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday. His contract called for New York to pay him salaries of $15 million this year and $12 million in 2020, with $2.5 million annually deferred without interest.Sidelined with leg, back and neck injuries, Wright did not play for the Mets from May 2016 until the final week of last season, when he announced his retirement. Wright made three plate appearances during the season's final series against Miami.Wilpon called Wright "an iconic Met" and said he "will be forever remembered for his contributions on the field as well as his numerous charitable endeavors."Wright attended last month's winter meetings as a member of the Mets' front office."We are thrilled he will remain close to the Mets family... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets captain David Wright is becoming a special adviser to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.In making the announcement Monday, the Mets said the 36-year-old third baseman would be placed on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday. His contract called for New York to pay him salaries of $15 million this year and $12 million in 2020, with $2.5 million annually deferred without interest.Sidelined with leg, back and neck injuries, Wright did not play for the Mets from May 2016 until the final week of last season, when he announced his retirement. Wright made three plate appearances during the season's final series against Miami.Wilpon called Wright "an iconic Met" and said he "will be forever remembered for his contributions on the field as well as his numerous charitable endeavors."Wright attended last month's winter meetings as a member of the Mets' front office."We are thrilled he will remain close to the Mets family... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets captain David Wright is becoming a special adviser to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.In making the announcement Monday, the Mets said the 36-year-old third baseman would be placed on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday. His contract called for New York to pay him salaries of $15 million this year and $12 million in 2020, with $2.5 million annually deferred without interest.Sidelined with leg, back and neck injuries, Wright did not play for the Mets from May 2016 until the final week of last season, when he announced his retirement. Wright made three plate appearances during the season's final series against Miami.Wilpon called Wright "an iconic Met" and said he "will be forever remembered for his contributions on the field as well as his numerous charitable endeavors."Wright attended last month's winter meetings as a member of the Mets' front office."We are thrilled he will remain close to the Mets family... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have replenished their bare catching cupboard.After trading top prospect Francisco Mejia and All-Star catcher Yan Gomes last year, the Indians had a void behind the plate and filled it Sunday by acquiring catcher Kevin Plawecki in a trade with the New York Mets.The three-time defending AL champions sent right-hander Walker Lockett and infielder Sam Haggerty to New York for Plawecki, who played in 78 games — 64 starts — for the Mets last season. Plawecki batted .201 with seven homers and a career-high 30 RBIs.The Indians were in the market for a catcher after dealing Gomes to the Washington Nationals in December."We're excited to add Kevin to our major league catching mix," said Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "The guy's earned a reputation as a really good teammate, a good receiver and leads a pitching staff really well. We also believe there's some upside with him offensively. We like his ingredients to hit and think he can be a contributing... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have acquired catcher Kevin Plawecki in a trade with the New York Mets.The three-time defending AL champions sent right-hander Walker Lockett and infielder Sam Haggerty to New York in exchange for Plawecki, who played in 78 games — 64 starts — for the Mets last season. Plawecki batted .201 with seven homers and a career-high 30 RBIs.The Indians were in the market for a catcher after trading All-Star Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals in December. Plawecki will likely platoon with Roberto Perez.Plawecki spent six weeks last season on the disabled list with a broken left hand. He threw out 23 percent (16 for 70) of potential base stealers and had two four-RBI games.The 27-year-old played at Purdue and was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2012 before the Mets drafted him with the No. 35 overall pick.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Giants have acquired switch-hitting infielder and outfielder Breyvic Valera from the Baltimore Orioles for cash, adding another former Dodgers player Saturday who new San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi had in Los Angeles.Valera batted .234 with eight RBIS while playing in 32 games between the Dodgers and Orioles last season while also playing for both clubs' Triple-A affiliates. He was traded to Baltimore in the Manny Machado deal last July 18.Zaidi has said he likes to find versatile players who can play multiple positions.Valera, who turns 27 on Tuesday, played second base, third, shortstop, left field and center in 94 games between Oklahoma City and Norfolk in 2018. He batted .261 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi smiled wide for the cameras, pointing to the back of his No. 18 jersey — a celebrated number for Japanese pitchers. In the city where one of his childhood idols, Ichiro Suzuki, became a major league star, Kikuchi is eager to prove he belongs in America, too."Thank you for this new journey," Kikuchi said.The prized Japanese left-hander was introduced as the newest member of the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, a day after signing a four-year deal with options that could make it a seven-year stay in the Pacific Northwest. The 27-year-old Kikuchi spent more than 40 minutes answering questions about why he wanted to come to the majors and why he chose Seattle.Kikuchi answered the vast majority of the questions from English-speaking reporters in English. His answers were brief, but it was a sign of how long he's wanted to play in the majors. The dream started when he was 15, and Kikuchi knew if he was going to realize it, English would be an asset.A fastball ticking... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillis have agreed to a two-year contract with reliever David Robertson.Terms of the deal, which also includes a club option for the 2021 season, were not announced Thursday. Robertson, 33, went 8-3 with a 3.23 ERA and five saves in 69 games last season for the New York Yankees.An 11-year veteran and 2011 All-Star, Robertson has appeared in at least 60 games in nine straight seasons, and the right-hander could compete for the closer's role in Philadelphia, which hasn't made the playoffs since 2011. Searanthony Dominguez led the Phillies with just 16 saves last season.Robertson spent parts of nine seasons in the majors with the Yankees and three with the Chicago White Sox after originally being selected by the Yankees on the 17th round of the 2006 draft.____More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Looking to rebuild their bullpen, the Cleveland Indians signed free agent right-hander Justin Grimm to a minor-league contract.Grimm's deal includes an invitation to training camp where the three-time defending AL Central champions will try to patch together a bullpen missing key components from past seasons.The 30-year-old Grimm has gone 20-23 record 4.98 ERA in 306 games major league games. He's been with Texas, the Chicago cubs, Kansas City and Seattle. Grimm was on Chicago's 2016 postseason roster and appeared in three games against the Indians in the World Series.He recorded at least 50 relief appearances with the Cubs over four straight seasons, pitching in a career-high 73 games in 2014.Grimm split last season between the Kansas City and Seattle organizations. He twice went on the disabled list with the Royals.The Indians lost reliever Andrew Miller as a free agent in the offseason. Closer Cody Allen remains unsigned, but the team's career saves leader is unlikely to return.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers will pay Cincinnati $7 million on Sept. 15 as part of the seven-player trade that sent Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and left-hander Alex Wood to the Reds.Pitcher Homer Bailey was sent to the Dodgers in the Dec. 21 deal along with minor leaguer infielder Jeter Downs and right-hander Josiah Gray. The Reds obtained catcher Kyle Farmer.Bailey is guaranteed $28 million: a $23 million salary this year and a $5 million buyout of a 2020 club option. Kemp is due $21.5 million in the final season of his contract, and Puig and Wood are eligible for salary arbitration.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anibal Sanchez can earn an additional $2 million in bonuses for starts in each of the next two seasons as part of his $19 million, two-year contract with the Washington Nationals, a deal that could be worth $33 million over three years.Sanchez has salaries of $8 million this year and $9 million in 2020 under the deal announced Dec. 27, with $2 million of each year's salary deferred until Jan. 15, 2021. The Nationals have a $12 million option for 2021 with a $2 million buyout, and the buyout would be due on Jan. 15, 2021.In both 2019 and 2020, Sanchez would earn $500,000 each for 18, 22, 26 and 30 starts.A right-hander who turns 35 in February, Sanchez boosted his appeal with a comeback season for NL East rival Atlanta and joins a revamped Nationals headed by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, who agreed last month to a $140 million, six-year contract.Sanchez was 7-6 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts and one relief appearance last year with 135 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. Sanchez struggled in 2017 with a 6.41 ERA with Detroit.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports