Greinke, Diamondbacks reach 6-year deal

While full details are still emerging – in another throwback to the Colangelo era, there are deferrals involved – it appears that the contract is worth $206.5 million over a six-year period, which is more than three times as muchas the Arizona Diamondbacks have ever paid a free-agent, shattering into a million pieces the $68.5 million for which Yasmany Tomas signed, a little less than a year ago. Pollock emerged as a star in 2015 and has averaged 6.5 wins above replacement (Baseball-Reference.com version) per 162 games over the last three seasons, and prospects Brandon Drury and Peter O’Brien offer depth in the infield and outfield heading into next season. The Diamondbacks have become legitimate contenders in the NL West, a division that is now officially a three-team race. Corbin made just 16 starts last season, but showed flashes of his former All-Star form in his first season back from Tommy John surgery where he finished with a 3.60 ERA. For his career, Greinke owns an ERA of 3.35 (123 ERA+) and 3.71 K/BB ratio across parts of 12 big-league seasons. He also had a scoreless streak of 45 2/3 innings. If that miss was understandable – Lester was tight with Cubs boss Theo Epstein – this is not. And catcher David Ross too.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal was first to report the deal. In 2015, Lackey recorded a 2.77 ERA in 33 starts for the Cardinals; his 218 innings were his highest total since 2007. Because he was traded midseason Cueto was not eligible to receive a qualifying offer and will thus not cost his new team a draft pick.

Diamondbacks manager Dave Stewart was adamant that he’d land a true ace to lead his staff this offseason and he was able to surprise the entire baseball world and make his splash on Friday evening.

The Marlins are in the market for hitting advice. Especially knowing the Dodgers were outbid both financially and in terms of years by a smaller-market team. He and his agent knew that there would be quite a demand for his services, especially after the tremendous season that he had for Los Angeles. Among the players Bonds will tutor is $325 million slugger Giancarlo Stanton. “He’s a great ballplayer”. I keep thinking if I write that enough it will truly sink in.

The retirement of left-hander Jeremy Affeldt leaves a bullpen opening, and at least one more relief addition is likely. He’s the career leader in home runs with 762 and is a seven-time NL MVP. The Dodgers and San Francisco Giants were considered favorites to sign the veteran.

Atkins interviewed in the past for GM openings in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Bonds said he enjoys teaching and plans to put in long hours with Miami. If they get a better return on their investment in Yasmany Tomas and see continued progress in young players like Ender Inciarte, Jake Lamb and Nick Ahmed, their offensive ceiling may be even higher in 2016. “Me being there day in and day out, I think I bring a lot to the table”. And if the club fails to lock him up before that happens, the Dodgers and their fans will go through this all over again. Miami hired Tim Wallach as bench coach and Juan Nieves as pitching coach. Instead, LA lost in the division round to the New York Mets in October. The Tigers and righthander Mike Pelphrey reportedly agreed on a two-year, $16 million contract. And he did all that despite the fact that no other Washington hitter reached 20 homers last season, or 80 runs scored, or 75 RBI, or even 50 walks.