MLB free-agency tracker: Latest moves, grades and analysis
The 2021-22 MLB free-agency hot stove is cooking, with teams already making some major moves in an effort to win a title next season.
Below is a running list of notable transactions, along with analysis and grades for the most important ones. Remember: Trades and signings can happen at practically any hour of the day, so make sure to check back regularly.
Key links: Everything you need to know about the MLB offseason | All free-agent signings
Nov. 28
Rangers start off-season spending with Marcus Semien, Jon Gray deals
Shortstop Marcus Semien is the first of the premier shortstops to sign this offseason, inking a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Texas Rangers. A few hours later, the Rangers added Gray to their rotation. Story »
Grade: Is Semien worth the offseason’s highest contract so far? Brad Doolittle (ESPN+)
Kevin Gausman inks five-year deal with Blue Jays
Right-handed starter Kevin Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, who already extended Jose Berrios this offseason. Story »
Twins sign star Byron Buxton to incentive-laden deal
Center fielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a seven-year, $100 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story »
Analysis: Twins, Buxton find perfect balance in incentive-laden deal David Schoenfield (ESPN+)
Rays add two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber on a one-year deal
The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $8 million guaranteed deal with right-hander Corey Kluber, with the potential for $13 million if he pitches a full season, according to multiple reports. Story »
Grade: Rays hope to solidify rotation with Kluber. David Schoenfield (ESPN+)
Marlins add OF Avisail Garcia on a four-year deal, working on Sandy Alcantara extension
The Miami Marlins have agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Garcia, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan, and also are working on a four-year, $56 million extension with pitcher Alcantara. Story »
Nov. 27
Astros sign reliever Hector Neris to two-year deal
The Houston Astros have agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with right-handed reliever Hector Neris, a source confirmed to ESPN. Story »
Mariners trade for Adam Frazier, Padres receive Raymond Kerr and Corey Rosier
The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a trade with the San Diego Padres, acquiring All-Star 2B/OF Adam Frazier for lefty reliever Raymond Kerr and outfielder Corey Rosier. Story »
Nov. 26
Mets continue upgrades, sign Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar
The New York Mets went big on Friday night, signing Starling Marte to a four-year, $78-million deal, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN. Earlier in the night, they had agreed on a two-year, $20 million contract with free-agent infielder Eduardo Escobar, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to ESPN. Story »
Grade: Inside Mets’ Black Friday binge and Starling Marte’s impact Bradford Doolittle (ESPN+)
Red Sox add RHP Michael Wacha
Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing a one-year contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Friday. Story »
Nov. 24
Mets sign OF Nick Plummer
Outfielder Nick Plummer has signed a league-minimum contract with the New York Mets. Story »
Nov. 23
Rays go all-in on SS Wander Franco
Sources confirm to ESPN that Wander Franco, 20, has agreed to a 12-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that guarantees him around $185 million. The deal is worth a maximum of $223 million. Story »
Analysis:
• Why 20-year-old Wander Franco is worth every penny to the Rays. David Schoenfield (ESPN+)
• Franco? Rays? MLB? Why EVERYBODY wins with new megadeal. Kiley McDaniel (ESPN+)
White Sox sign RHP Kendall Graveman
Relief pitcher Kendall Graveman, 31, has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chicago White Sox, sources confirm to ESPN. Story »
Cardinals add LHP Steven Matz
Starting pitcher Steven Matz, a key component to a turnaround season for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, has agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, pending a physical, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Tuesday night. Story »
More: Mets owner Steve Cohen calls out Matz’s agent for “unprofessional behavior.” Story »
Nov. 22
Angels add LHP Aaron Loup
Aaron Loup and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract. Story »
Giants keep RHP Anthony DeSclafani
Anthony DeSclafani and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract. Story »
Nov. 21
Brewers add C Pedro Severino
Pedro Severino and the Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract. Story »
Nov. 17
Astros bring back RHP Justin Verlander
The Houston Astros and Justin Verlander have agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract with a player option for a second season. Story »
Grade: Astros bet on more greatness from Verlander. Bradford Doolittle (ESPN+)
Giants retain 1B Brandon Belt
Brandon Belt accepted a $18.4 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants, the only one to accept among the 14 free agents who received the offers from their former clubs on Nov. 7. Story »
Nov. 16
Angels add RHP Noah Syndergaard
Right-hander Noah Syndergaard and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $21 million deal, pending physical. Story »
Grade: Is Thor the hero the Angels need? Alden Gonzalez (ESPN+)
Blue Jays extend RHP Jose Berrios
Jose Berrios has reached agreement on a seven-year, $131 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. Story »
Nov. 15
Tigers add LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Former Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a five-year deal worth $77 million. Story »
Analysis: Under-the-radar Eduardo Rodriguez brings competitive fire to the Tigers. Buster Olney (ESPN+)
Grade: Tigers add E-Rod, make offseason’s first splash. Bradford Doolittle (ESPN+)
Braves add C Manny Pina
Manny Pina signed with the World Series-champion Braves on a two-year, $8 million deal after hitting 13 home runs in 75 games with the Brewers in 2020. Story »
Nov. 14
Marlins add RHP Louis Head
The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Louis Head from the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday for a player to be named later or cash. Story »
Nov. 13
Rays trade INF Mike Brosseau to Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired infielder Mike Brosseau from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher Evan Reifert on Saturday in a trade between division winners. Story »
Rockies keep RHP Jhoulys Chacin
Jhoulys Chacín is staying with the Colorado Rockies, agreeing Saturday to a guaranteed $1.25 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses. Story »
Nov. 10
Yankees keep LHP Joely Rodriguez
Left-hander Joely Rodriguez and the New York Yankees agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract, three days after New York declined a $3 million option in favor of a $500,000 buyout. Story »
Nov. 8
Dodgers add LHP Andrew Heaney
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who entered this offseason with several holes to fill on their pitching staff, signed Andrew Heaney to a one-year contract worth $8.5 million. Story »
Cardinals keep LHP T.J. McFarland
Left-handed reliever T.J. McFarland became the first of this year’s major league free agents to reach an agreement, getting a one-year, $2.5 million contract to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. Story »
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