TAMPA, Fla. — The first version of this column was about how, after signing free-agent catcher Danny Jansen, the Rays’ next big move likely would be to deal from their depth and trade a starting pitcher.

They did that Saturday afternoon, striking a deal to send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the A’s.

With only one big-leaguer, righty Joe...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays addressed their starting pitcher surplus Saturday, completing a trade to send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics in a deal that includes five players and a competitive balance-round draft pick.

The Rays will get right-hander Joe Boyle, first baseman Will Simpson, minor league right-hander Jacob ...Read more

DALLAS — Baseball does not need a “Golden At-Bat” to stimulate our senses, but the brainstorming session that proposed such a stupid rule needs to continue.

For this reason.

“Baseball is an entertainment product,” Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said to a small gathering of reporters during the annual winter meetings.

...Read more

NEW YORK — Former Mets captain David Wright will be honored this summer in a dual ceremony, taking his rightful place in franchise history.

The former Mets third baseman who played all 14 years of his major league career in Queens will be inducted into the team hall of fame and have his number retired July 19, ahead of a game against the ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Two months after the Minnesota Twins were put up for sale, the first potential buyer has been identified. And he’s an increasingly familiar face in professional sports.

Phoenix Suns part-owner Justin Ishbia, the billionaire founder and managing partner of Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm in Chicago, is considering...Read more

NEW YORK — The Yankees beefed up their bullpen on Friday afternoon, agreeing to a trade that will bring Devin Williams to the Bronx.

The Yankees are sending Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin to the Brewers in the trade for the closer. Milwaukee is also receiving cash considerations.

While stress fractures in his back limited ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have landed the superstar hitter their lineup has needed.

The Cubs have acquired outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros for third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and their 2024 first-round pick, third baseman Cam Smith, sources confirmed to the Chicago Tribune.

Tucker, 27, is coming off ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Yankees’ unsuccessful attempt to re-sign Juan Soto was not for a lack of trying, according to the slugger himself.

Soto chose the Mets’ record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract over a reported 16-year, $760 million offer from the Yankees, whom he just helped lead to the World Series in what ended up being his lone ...Read more

NEW YORK — There were over 20 members of the Soto-Pacheco families in attendance at Citi Field on Thursday afternoon, a group agent Scott Boras has taken to calling the “Soto Supreme Court.” They arrived in the Piazza Club to a round of applause and full spread of Latin food.

Anyone who followed Juan Soto’s free agency chronicles over ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s trial, slated to start Thursday in the Dominican Republic, has been delayed until June 2.

Franco, 23, is facing charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking, with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. The charges stem from a relationship with a then-14-year-old ...Read more

The first contract Jackie Robinson signed along with Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey on Oct. 23, 1945, was an agreement to play for the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' top farm club. The deal called for a $3,500 signing bonus and $600 per month for the 1946 season.

Less than two years later, on April 11, 1947, Robinson signed his first ...Read more

DALLAS — Walker McKinven most recently held the position of “run prevention coordinator” with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Before that, he was the club’s associate pitching, catching and strategy coach from 2021-23 and a major-league coach in 2020.

“I’ve had unique job titles,” McKinven said Tuesday at the MLB winter meetings. “I’...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Roki Sasaki already knows if he wants to pitch for the Dodgers.

This is purely speculation on my part, but based on what his agent said about him this week at baseball's winter meetings, how could he not know?

The agent, Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman Media Group, described Sasaki as purposeful. As having a clear vision for his ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Baseball scribes assembled in Dallas for the 2000 winter meetings, wondering who was going to hook the big fish of the free agent market that year — shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

We found out on Dec. 11 — 24 years ago Wednesday — that A-Rod was headed to the Texas Rangers for 10 years and a whopping $252 million dollars, the ...Read more

NEW YORK — It wasn’t too long ago that Max Fried pitched the game of his life.

The lanky left-hander hurled six shutout innings in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series on the night the Atlanta Braves clinched the championship over the Houston Astros.

The Yankees hope there are more primetime performances like that one in his future.

Fried ...Read more

CHICAGO — Dealing an ace to the Boston Red Sox to fast-forward the rebuild, only eight years after trying the exact same plan, makes comparisons easier for Chicago White Sox fans.

On paper, it looks like White Sox general manager Chris Getz got a decent haul on Wednesday for Garrett Crochet, whose limited workload as a starter in 2024 didn’...Read more

DALLAS — Juan Soto has officially changed boroughs. The star outfielder has gone from the Bronx to Queens with the New York Mets making his historic 15-year, $765 million contract official Wednesday night after passing his physical.

“This is a seminal moment in franchise history,” owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “Juan ...Read more