Votto spent all of his previous 17 years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a free agent after the 2023 campaign when the Reds rejected the club option on his contract that would pay him $20 million next season.

While many believed that the release by the Reds would likely cause him to retire, Votto publicly stated on several occasions that he wanted to play again. He played in 65 games last season, batting a career-low .202 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues. It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays,” Votto wrote on social media after the news broke out.

During his 17 years in Cincinnati, Joey Votto became the Reds’ legend. He was the franchise’s best player for years, earning six All-Star nods and being named NL MVP in 2010. However, he was unable to lead the Reds to postseason success, as the franchise is still looking for its first playoff series win since 1995.

The post Ex-NL MVP Joey Votto Agrees to Minor League Contract With the Blue Jays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Neris will get a one-year, $9 million contract. The agreement includes a $9 million option for 2025, which will get automatically exercised if the 34-year-old player crosses the 60-game mark. Additionally, he will be able to make $5.25 million in incentives across two seasons. 

Neris has been on the free agent market longer than expected, considering his 2023 campaign. In 71 relief appearances with the Houston Astros, he had a 6-3 record and 1.71 ERA, the third-best mark in the majors. He also added two saves and 77 strikeouts.

Hector Neris is entering his 11th season in the MLB. He spent his first eight years in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies before a two-year stint with the Astros. Neris was part of the Astros team that won the World Series in 2022.

After signing Imanaga and Neris as their first free-agent acquisitions this offseason, Chicago is expected to keep their eyes on the market. A strong possibility is a reunion with an All-Star center fielder, Cody Bellinger.  

The post Cubs Sign RHP Hector Neris to a 1-Year, $9 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Severino agreed to a one-year deal with the Yankees’ crosstown rivals, New York Mets. The 29-year-old player will earn a base salary of $13 million in the 2024 MLB season.

Severino is coming off one of his worst campaigns since coming to majors in 2015. He made 18 starts, going 4-8 with a career-worst 6.65 ERA. This was part of the reason why he hasn’t seen as much interest in his services as was expected, considering his experience and past success.

Severino has been an important part of the Yankees’ rotation for the majority of his time with the franchise. At one point, he was even considered one of the game’s best pitchers, especially in 2017 when he finished third in Cy Young voting.

Injuries have slowed down Severino’s career after his second All-Star campaign in 2018, as he was limited to only seven starts between 2019 and 2021 due to injuries and Tommy John surgery.

The deal with the Mets could work well for both sides. Severino can rebuild his status with a strong season and get a bigger payday after the 2024 campaign. The New York team, on the other hand, gets an experienced arm as it looks to rebuild its rotation.

The post Longtime Yankees Pitcher Luis Severino Signs With the Mets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The contract includes a team option for $7 million for 2025 as well as a $2 million buyout should the Giants decline to exercise it. Should the option be exercised, Jackson will make a $15,000 donation to the Giants Community Fund in 2023, followed by further donations of $32,500 in 2024 and $35,000 in 2025.

Jackson missed the entirety of the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 13. In 2021, the 31-year-old proved to be an essential member of the Atlanta Braves lineup, helping the team to win the World Series. He went 2-2 with a career-low 1.98 ERA in 71 games in 2021.

Over the course of his seven-year career, Jackson is 16-6 with a 4.24 ERA with 19 saves in 253 relief appearances. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Jackson spent two seasons with the Texas Rangers.

San Francisco has also acquired left-hander Erik Miller, trading right-hander Yunior Marte to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange.

The post Luke Jackson Agrees to Two-Year Giants Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Segura spent the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, however, the team decided last month against triggering his $17 million option. Instead, the team opted to pay him a $1 million buyout.

The two-time All-Star played 98 games last season, missing two months of action due to picking up a fracture in his right index finger. During that time, he hit .277 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 45 runs. This was also the veteran’s first time appearing in the MLB postseason, during which he delivered a key hit during the Phillies’ Game 3 victory over the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.

A career .285 hitter with 107 home runs, 712 runs, and 492 RBIs, Segura has also played full seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners.

Last season, the veteran appeared mostly at second base for the Phillies, in addition to playing at shortstop and third on occasion.

The post Jean Segura Set to Sign Two-Year Deal With Marlins appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The deal struck between the Giants and Conforto’s agent Scott Boras will see the outfielder return to the field after spending the entirety of the 2022 season sidelined due to undergoing shoulder surgery in April. This comes after the 29-year-old player declined an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the New York Mets, thereby becoming a free agent.

Conforto played the first seven years of his MLB career with the Mets, where he established himself as a .255 hitter with 132 home runs, 396 RBIs, and a .824 OPS. In 2017, his standout performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team.

For Boras, this winter has proven to be a lucrative trade period, with another one of his clients, Carlos Correa, signing a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets.

The post Michael Conforto to Sign Two-Year Deal With Giants appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During his career with the Tampa Bays Rays, Yarbrough played a total of 127 games including 59 starts. During that time, he was 40-31 with a 4.33 ERA. Last season, Yarbrough was 3-8 with a 4.50 ERA.

Yarbrough struggled with injury last season, battling both a groin tightness and a strained oblique. Despite such setbacks, he was still able to appear in 20 games, including nine starts.

At 30 years old, Yarbrough has played five seasons in the MLB. During his rookie season in 2018, he was 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in eight postseason games.

The left-hander is an alumn of Old Dominion, the school that new Royals manager Matt Quatraro and Kansas City infielder Vinnie Pasquantino also attended.

Following Yarbrough’s acquisition, the Royals decided to designate right-hander Wyatt Mills for assignment. Mills had a 4.60 ERA in 27 games with the Royals and the Seattle Mariners.

The post Ryan Yarbrough Signs One-Year Contract With Royals appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Vasquez was considered one of the top free-agent catchers on the market, with several teams chasing his signature after he produced a .714 OPS last season. Twins catchers, by comparison, were only able to hit .197 with a .630 OPS last year, making Vasquez a valuable addition to the team.

Last season was a respectable one for the Twins, who finished third in the AL Central despite suffering a barrage of injuries. In addition, starting catcher Gary Sanchez hit just .205 with a .659 OPS in 128 games, including 80 at catcher. While Ryan Jeffers started 56 games as a catcher, he struggled to fare better, hitting .208 in the batter’s box.

Before the Twins were able to secure Vasquez’s services, the catcher had been a top target of the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs.

The post Christian Vasquez Closes Three-Year Deal With Twins appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

At 32 years of age, Kiermaier has won three Gold Glove awards during a successful career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .228 for the Rays last season, including seven home runs and 22 RBIs. Kiermaier headed into free agency upon deciding against activating the $13 million option included in his contract with the Rays.

While a career .248 hitter with 82 homers and 316 RBIs, Kiermaier’s talents don’t only lie in the swing of a bat; he is also a pacy runner, having stolen 112 bases during his nine-season career.

Selected in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Rays, Kiermaier remained a key player in the Rays’ roster, despite suffering injury issues that led to him undergoing labrum surgery in August.

Kiermaier will greatly bolster the Blue Jays’ roster following the departure of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners last month.

Last season, the Blue Jays finished second in the American League East with a 92-70 mark; six games ahead of the Rays.

The post Kevin Kiermaier Agrees to Deal With Blue Jays, Reports Claim appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Prior to the agreement with Eflin, the Rays were the last remaining MLB team yet to award a free-agent contract in excess of $35 million.

At 28 years old, Eflin became a free agent after turning down a $15 million mutual option for a $150,000 buyout from the Philadelphia Phillies, instead choosing to wrap up a $5.7 million, one-year contract.

Last season, Eflin went 3-5 with a 4.04 ERA, striking out 65 in 75⅔ innings. He also filled in as a pitcher during the World Series against the Houston Astros, pitching 4⅓ scoreless innings as the Phillies went on to lose in six games.

Prior to arriving at the Rays, Eflin had spent his entire seven-year career in the MLB at Philadelphia. He now joins a rotation including Tyler Glasnow, Shane McClanahan, and Drew Rasmussen.

The post Zach Eflin Signs Largest-Ever Free-Agent Deal With Tampa Bay Rays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Votto spent all of his previous 17 years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a free agent after the 2023 campaign when the Reds rejected the club option on his contract that would pay him $20 million next season.

While many believed that the release by the Reds would likely cause him to retire, Votto publicly stated on several occasions that he wanted to play again. He played in 65 games last season, batting a career-low .202 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues. It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays,” Votto wrote on social media after the news broke out.

During his 17 years in Cincinnati, Joey Votto became the Reds’ legend. He was the franchise’s best player for years, earning six All-Star nods and being named NL MVP in 2010. However, he was unable to lead the Reds to postseason success, as the franchise is still looking for its first playoff series win since 1995.

The post Ex-NL MVP Joey Votto Agrees to Minor League Contract With the Blue Jays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Neris will get a one-year, $9 million contract. The agreement includes a $9 million option for 2025, which will get automatically exercised if the 34-year-old player crosses the 60-game mark. Additionally, he will be able to make $5.25 million in incentives across two seasons. 

Neris has been on the free agent market longer than expected, considering his 2023 campaign. In 71 relief appearances with the Houston Astros, he had a 6-3 record and 1.71 ERA, the third-best mark in the majors. He also added two saves and 77 strikeouts.

Hector Neris is entering his 11th season in the MLB. He spent his first eight years in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies before a two-year stint with the Astros. Neris was part of the Astros team that won the World Series in 2022.

After signing Imanaga and Neris as their first free-agent acquisitions this offseason, Chicago is expected to keep their eyes on the market. A strong possibility is a reunion with an All-Star center fielder, Cody Bellinger.  

The post Cubs Sign RHP Hector Neris to a 1-Year, $9 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Severino agreed to a one-year deal with the Yankees’ crosstown rivals, New York Mets. The 29-year-old player will earn a base salary of $13 million in the 2024 MLB season.

Severino is coming off one of his worst campaigns since coming to majors in 2015. He made 18 starts, going 4-8 with a career-worst 6.65 ERA. This was part of the reason why he hasn’t seen as much interest in his services as was expected, considering his experience and past success.

Severino has been an important part of the Yankees’ rotation for the majority of his time with the franchise. At one point, he was even considered one of the game’s best pitchers, especially in 2017 when he finished third in Cy Young voting.

Injuries have slowed down Severino’s career after his second All-Star campaign in 2018, as he was limited to only seven starts between 2019 and 2021 due to injuries and Tommy John surgery.

The deal with the Mets could work well for both sides. Severino can rebuild his status with a strong season and get a bigger payday after the 2024 campaign. The New York team, on the other hand, gets an experienced arm as it looks to rebuild its rotation.

The post Longtime Yankees Pitcher Luis Severino Signs With the Mets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The contract includes a team option for $7 million for 2025 as well as a $2 million buyout should the Giants decline to exercise it. Should the option be exercised, Jackson will make a $15,000 donation to the Giants Community Fund in 2023, followed by further donations of $32,500 in 2024 and $35,000 in 2025.

Jackson missed the entirety of the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 13. In 2021, the 31-year-old proved to be an essential member of the Atlanta Braves lineup, helping the team to win the World Series. He went 2-2 with a career-low 1.98 ERA in 71 games in 2021.

Over the course of his seven-year career, Jackson is 16-6 with a 4.24 ERA with 19 saves in 253 relief appearances. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Jackson spent two seasons with the Texas Rangers.

San Francisco has also acquired left-hander Erik Miller, trading right-hander Yunior Marte to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange.

The post Luke Jackson Agrees to Two-Year Giants Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Segura spent the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, however, the team decided last month against triggering his $17 million option. Instead, the team opted to pay him a $1 million buyout.

The two-time All-Star played 98 games last season, missing two months of action due to picking up a fracture in his right index finger. During that time, he hit .277 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 45 runs. This was also the veteran’s first time appearing in the MLB postseason, during which he delivered a key hit during the Phillies’ Game 3 victory over the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.

A career .285 hitter with 107 home runs, 712 runs, and 492 RBIs, Segura has also played full seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners.

Last season, the veteran appeared mostly at second base for the Phillies, in addition to playing at shortstop and third on occasion.

The post Jean Segura Set to Sign Two-Year Deal With Marlins appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The deal struck between the Giants and Conforto’s agent Scott Boras will see the outfielder return to the field after spending the entirety of the 2022 season sidelined due to undergoing shoulder surgery in April. This comes after the 29-year-old player declined an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the New York Mets, thereby becoming a free agent.

Conforto played the first seven years of his MLB career with the Mets, where he established himself as a .255 hitter with 132 home runs, 396 RBIs, and a .824 OPS. In 2017, his standout performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team.

For Boras, this winter has proven to be a lucrative trade period, with another one of his clients, Carlos Correa, signing a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets.

The post Michael Conforto to Sign Two-Year Deal With Giants appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During his career with the Tampa Bays Rays, Yarbrough played a total of 127 games including 59 starts. During that time, he was 40-31 with a 4.33 ERA. Last season, Yarbrough was 3-8 with a 4.50 ERA.

Yarbrough struggled with injury last season, battling both a groin tightness and a strained oblique. Despite such setbacks, he was still able to appear in 20 games, including nine starts.

At 30 years old, Yarbrough has played five seasons in the MLB. During his rookie season in 2018, he was 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in eight postseason games.

The left-hander is an alumn of Old Dominion, the school that new Royals manager Matt Quatraro and Kansas City infielder Vinnie Pasquantino also attended.

Following Yarbrough’s acquisition, the Royals decided to designate right-hander Wyatt Mills for assignment. Mills had a 4.60 ERA in 27 games with the Royals and the Seattle Mariners.

The post Ryan Yarbrough Signs One-Year Contract With Royals appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Vasquez was considered one of the top free-agent catchers on the market, with several teams chasing his signature after he produced a .714 OPS last season. Twins catchers, by comparison, were only able to hit .197 with a .630 OPS last year, making Vasquez a valuable addition to the team.

Last season was a respectable one for the Twins, who finished third in the AL Central despite suffering a barrage of injuries. In addition, starting catcher Gary Sanchez hit just .205 with a .659 OPS in 128 games, including 80 at catcher. While Ryan Jeffers started 56 games as a catcher, he struggled to fare better, hitting .208 in the batter’s box.

Before the Twins were able to secure Vasquez’s services, the catcher had been a top target of the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs.

The post Christian Vasquez Closes Three-Year Deal With Twins appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

At 32 years of age, Kiermaier has won three Gold Glove awards during a successful career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .228 for the Rays last season, including seven home runs and 22 RBIs. Kiermaier headed into free agency upon deciding against activating the $13 million option included in his contract with the Rays.

While a career .248 hitter with 82 homers and 316 RBIs, Kiermaier’s talents don’t only lie in the swing of a bat; he is also a pacy runner, having stolen 112 bases during his nine-season career.

Selected in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Rays, Kiermaier remained a key player in the Rays’ roster, despite suffering injury issues that led to him undergoing labrum surgery in August.

Kiermaier will greatly bolster the Blue Jays’ roster following the departure of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners last month.

Last season, the Blue Jays finished second in the American League East with a 92-70 mark; six games ahead of the Rays.

The post Kevin Kiermaier Agrees to Deal With Blue Jays, Reports Claim appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Prior to the agreement with Eflin, the Rays were the last remaining MLB team yet to award a free-agent contract in excess of $35 million.

At 28 years old, Eflin became a free agent after turning down a $15 million mutual option for a $150,000 buyout from the Philadelphia Phillies, instead choosing to wrap up a $5.7 million, one-year contract.

Last season, Eflin went 3-5 with a 4.04 ERA, striking out 65 in 75⅔ innings. He also filled in as a pitcher during the World Series against the Houston Astros, pitching 4⅓ scoreless innings as the Phillies went on to lose in six games.

Prior to arriving at the Rays, Eflin had spent his entire seven-year career in the MLB at Philadelphia. He now joins a rotation including Tyler Glasnow, Shane McClanahan, and Drew Rasmussen.

The post Zach Eflin Signs Largest-Ever Free-Agent Deal With Tampa Bay Rays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.