11:07 AM ET Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas — Hours into Major League Baseball’s first work stoppage in 26 years, commissioner Rob Manfred said the union’s proposal for greater free agency and wider salary arbitration would damage small-market teams. Owners locked out players at 12:01 a.m. Thursday following the expiration of the sport’s five-year collective bargaining
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7:00 AM ET The contract numbers spent in free agency so far are record-setting, mind-bending. Max Scherzer‘s annual salary of $43.3 million is the highest ever for a pitcher. The Texas Rangers spent more money in two days on two players — Corey Seager and Marcus Semien — than they have on their entire roster
12:05 AM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” IRVING, Texas — Major League Baseball locked out its players early Thursday morning, certifying the game’s first work stoppage in more than a quarter-century after months of talks yielded little progress toward
11:42 PM ET The Red Sox and Brewers swung a significant trade Wednesday night just ahead of the lockout, with Boston shipping outfielder Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee for a package centered around Jackie Bradley Jr. Bradley, 31, was a mainstay for Boston from 2013 to 2020, starring defensively in the outfield before the Gold Glover
9:02 PM ET Free-agent left-hander Rich Hill has agreed to a one-year deal to join the Boston Red Sox, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Wednesday. The agreement was first reported by The Boston Globe. Hill, an 18-year veteran who will be 42 next season, was a combined 7-8 with a 3.86 ERA for
11:22 PM ET The San Diego Padres and right-hander Nick Martinez have agreed on a four-year, $20 million contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Martinez’s deal includes opt-outs after his first and second year. Martinez, 31, spent the past four seasons in Japan and starred for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks this year, posting a 1.62
7:53 PM ET Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins signed right-hander Dylan Bundy to a $5 million, one-year contract on Wednesday, taking their first step toward rebuilding a depleted rotation. Bundy will make $4 million in 2022. His deal comes with a club option for 2023 or a $1 million buyout. Bundy went 2-9
7:12 PM ET Marcus Stroman has reached a deal with the Chicago Cubs, the right-hander announced Wednesday on social media. “CHICAGO! @Cubs,” Stroman posted to Twitter. “Chicago has always been one of my favorite cities,” he added in a separate post. “Culture and passion everywhere. Beyond excited to pitch in front one of the best
4:35 PM ET ESPN News Services Right-handed reliever Mark Melancon and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a two-year contact on Wednesday, the team announced. Terms were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that the deal is worth $14 million. The contract also includes a mutual option for the
6:01 PM ET Jeff PassanESPN Close ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” IRVING, Texas — A lockout of Major League Baseball players appeared imminent after discussions between the league and union cut off negotiations early Wednesday afternoon, less than 12 hours before the expiration