Bryce Harper Agrees To A 13-Year, $330 Million Contract With The Phillies

Multiple sources told MLB.com on Thursday afternoon that the Phillies and Harper have agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract, pending a physical. The club has not confirmed the deal.

It will be the most lucrative free-agent contract signed in American professional sports history, eclipsing the 10-year, $300 million contract that Manny Machado signed with the Padres just last week, and the second-largest contract in professional sports history, eclipsing the $13-year, $325 million contract extension that Giancarlo Stanton signed with the Marlins in 2014. Only Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez, who signed an 11-fight contract worth $365 million, beats Harper.

The contract includes a complete no-trade clause and no opt-out clause, meaning Harper could be in a Phillies uniform through 2031. A source said the Phillies extended the term of the contract -- many seemed to believe it would be a 10-year deal -- to spread out their cash outlay and lower the average annual value of Harper’s deal to $25.4 million per season. The number should help the Phillies as they pursue future talent (Mike Trout, anybody?) and try to avoid eclipsing the luxury tax threshold.

The Phillies had been interested in Harper for years, constructing rosters and planning for this offseason, but their pursuit intensified last month, when they visited Harper, his wife, Kayla; his agent, Scott Boras; and his associates in Harper’s hometown of Las Vegas. They met Boras again in Florida two weeks ago. Phillies managing partner John Middleton then flew his private jet to Las Vegas on Friday to meet with Harper and his wife. Middleton met with Boras on Saturday morning before returning to Florida that night. Read more HERE.

Nolan Arenado Agrees To 8 Year, $260 Million Contract Extension WIth The Rockies

USA Today reports:

Nolan Arenado never wanted to go anywhere else, and this past Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies were making sure he was staying put.

The Rockies and Arenado have agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract with an opt-out in three years, a person with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports. 

Arenado, 27, just 16 months older than Bryce Harper, will receive the highest annual salary of $32.5 million, breaking Miguel Cabrera’s record of $31 million per year for a position player.

“It’s such a great place,’’ Arenado toled USA TODAY Sports, “I really enjoy the fact there’s a comfortability here. You know the coaches. You know the players. Some of my best friends are on this team.

Besides, despite being the greatest player in the National League, and one of only four players in history to win three home-run titles and earn four Gold Gloves in a four-year period, Arenado knew there was no guarantee teams would line up at his door when he his free agency.

Arenado saw what happened this winter. He sees Harper still sitting on the free-agent market. Former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and seven-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, too.

“There are so many good players out there,’’ Arenado says. “It’s crazy to think they’re still out there. But honestly, I wouldn’t be making my decision what I’m seeing. I base it on what I feel is right.’

Marwin Gonzalez Agrees To A 2 Year Deal With The Twins

The former World Series champion is ready to make a splash in Minnesota, hoping to help his new team get to the next level in 2019.

MLB.com reports:

Marwin Gonzalez has agreed to a two-year, $21 million contract with the Twins, sources confirmed to MLB.com on Friday.

Gonzalez, who turns 30 next month, becomes part of a quietly productive offseason for the Twins, who have signed four position players to Major League contracts. Nelson Cruz, Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron already have joined a lineup that scored 738 runs last year -- the most of any non-playoff team in the American League.

There's no positional need on the Twins' roster as things currently stand, but Gonzalez should find ways to regularly slot into the starting lineup, especially with the addition of the defensively limited Cruz, who shortens Minnesota's bench.

Twins leadership had hoped to set up the organization for long-term contention beyond 2019 while also taking a wait-and-see approach on its young core this season, and Gonzalez's addition could be seen as a firmer commitment to Minnesota's contention window in the short term.

Even if the Twins don't get the progression they hope to see from Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton this season or a bounce-back campaign from Schoop, Gonzalez offers an experienced, productive bat that can come off the bench and slot in at any of those positions. He has at least 93 career appearances at every infield position and in left field.

Sano is sidelined for the start of Grapefruit League play with a laceration to his right heel area. If Buxton is unable to play, both Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario have the ability to play center field, with Kepler having made 44 starts (55 games) in center last season when Buxton spent most of the season on the injured list and in Triple-A Rochester.

Gonzalez joins Ehire Adrianza, Ronald Torreyes and Willians Astudillo as possible utility options off the bench. Adrianza, 29, is out of Minor League options and would offer the Twins the least flexibility moving forward.

Gonzalez was a World Series hero for the Astros in 2017, when he also became only the third player in Major League history to start at least 20 games at first base, shortstop and left field during a season in which he posted an .800 OPS or better. The others were Sherry Magee (1914) and Honus Wagner (1902)

Dodgers Great Don Newcombe Is Dead At 92

Legendary pitcher Don Newcombe has passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a great playing legacy that will always be remembered.

Yahoo Sports reports:

Don Newcombe, the hard-throwing Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who was one of the first black players in the major leagues and who went on to win the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards, has died. He was 92.

The team confirmed that Newcombe died Tuesday morning after a lengthy illness.

''Don Newcombe's presence and life established him as a role model for Major Leaguers across the country,'' Dodgers President Stan Kasten said. ''He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium, and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership. The Dodgers meant everything to him, and we are all fortunate he was a part of our lives.''

Newcombe, like Dodgers teammate Jackie Robinson, was signed by Branch Rickey from the Negro Leagues and went on to make a huge mark in the major leagues.

''Newk'' was a fierce presence on the mound, a 6-foot-4 and 225-pound bear of a man who stared down hitters and backed up anyone foolish enough to crowd the plate.

He was a four-time All-Star and won 20 games three different times.

''Don Newcombe had a ton of talent and he was a great competitor,'' former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who was a teammate of Newcombe's, said in a statement. ''He was a helluva pitcher and he was one of the best hitting pitchers I have ever seen.''

Manny Machado Agrees To 10 Year, $300 Million Contract With The Padres

The superstar infielder with a bad boy reputation has landed a record deal.

MSN sports reports:

It may not have been Manny Machado’s first choice, but money talks, and on Tuesday morning the free-agent infielder agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres that will be finalized once he passes his physical, a person with direct knowledge of the contract told USA TODAY Sports.  

Here is the official word:

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been made official. The news caught the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies by surprise. They also were involved in the bidding, particularly the White Sox, who offered a seven-year deal with options. White Sox first baseman Yonder Alonso, Machado’s brother-in-law, and close friend Jon Jay knew Tuesday that Machado was on the verge of making his decision, but did not know which way he was headed at the time. 

Read more HERE.

Manager Bruce Bochy To Retire After 2019 Season

The end of a legendary career is near for one of baseball's all time great skippers.

MLB.com reports:

Bruce Bochy followed his gut when he accepted an offer to start managing the Giants ahead of the 2007 season. That same gut feeling is now telling him it's time to start bracing for something new.

Bochy, who guided the Giants to three World Series championships in 2010, '12 and '14, announced Monday that he will retire at the end of the 2019 season, capping a celebrated 25-year managerial career in the Majors. "In my mind, it's time," said Bochy, who is entering his 13th season with the Giants. "It's been an unbelievable ride. There is so much I'm grateful for, with the players, the city, the fans. It's time now." Bochy, who turns 64 in April, informed Giants players of his decision Monday morning during a team meeting prior to the club's first full-squad workout of the spring. First baseman Brandon Belt said Bochy began to get emotional and didn't spend too much time dwelling on the announcement.

US News adds:

Bochy came to San Francisco from the San Diego Padres before the 2007 season, in time to watch Barry Bonds break Hank Aaron's career home run record that August. He managed Matt Cain's perfect game in 2012 and a pair of no-hitters by Tim Lincecum against the Padres in July 2013 and June '14.

"This will give me time to go back and reflect and even watch some games and think about some of these great achievements and milestones these players have reached," Bochy said. "I've always had a deep appreciation for the gifts and talents of these players. I consider myself fortunate to have managed players like a Bonds and Lincecum."

Every other manager with three or more titles has been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ichiro Suzuki Is In Good Shape For Final Season

One of baseball's all time great players is going to take one more crack at playing on a major league roster after throwing down one of the most extraordinary MLB careers. The all-time single season hits leader, Ichiro Suzuki, 45, may just have a few tricks left up his sleeve.

MLB.com reports:

While Mariners fans and baseball followers across the globe ponder whether the ageless Ichiro Suzuki can and will play beyond Seattle's two-game Opening Series in Tokyo next month, the man himself prefers not to let his mind venture that far down the road. Ichiro has reached a point where few ballplayers ave dared to dream, competing for a roster spot at age 45 for the franchise that gave him his first shot in the Major Leagues in 2001. But there's a reason he checked in after Mariners physicals this weekend with the lowest body fat of any player in camp at 7 percent. The laser focus that has driven Ichiro throughout his career now keeps him zeroed in on getting to Japan for those two games against the A's on March 20-21, an opportunity general manager Jerry Dipoto has promised, as long as he proves he's healthy this spring.

Beyond that?

"I think a 45-year-old baseball player really houldn't be thinking about the future," Ichiro said through long-time interpreter Allen Turner after the Mariners' first full-squad workout of the spring on Saturday. "It's about today. I'm very satisfied with today and how it went. I'm just going to take it day by day."

Last year, fans will recall the official announcement was made about the return of the legend:

The Mariners made it official: Ichiro is coming back to Seattle.

Two days after USA Today's Bob Nightengale broke the news that the M's were close to a one-year reunion with the 44-year-old outfielder, the club announced Ichiro's signing.

"The addition of Ichiro gives our team another versatile and athletic outfielder," Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "His incredible work ethic, preparation and focus will enhance our environment in many ways.

"He's truly one of the great players in the history of the game and his unquestionable presence is a valuable addition, both on the field and in the clubhouse," Dipoto continued. "We're very glad to bring him back home."

Terms of the contract were not immediately available, but it has been widely reported as a one-year deal. A re-introductory press conference has been scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Pacific at the Mariners' spring training home in Peoria, Arizona.

Pitcher Luis Severino Signs 4 Year Extension With The Yankees

The Bronx Bombers continue to make additional deals concerning their future arms by securing their young star hurler to a lucrative deal that will keep him with the Yanks.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports:

The Yankees believe that Luis Severino will continue to stand tall among the sport's young aces for years to come, and they rewarded that promise by announcing a four-year contract extension with the right-hander on Friday, avoiding salary arbitration. The deal includes a club option for the 2023 season.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand confirmed that Severino is guaranteed $40 million in the deal, and he will make $52.25 million if the option is exercised.

"He's a great pitcher and I hope he's here for a long time," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "That would be my hope. I'm excited to get him back in camp, hopefully tomorrow. I missed seeing him out here today."

Severino and the Yankees had been $850,000 apart with their exchange of arbitration figures, with the pitcher filing at $5.25 million. The club countered at $4.4 million, and a hearing had been scheduled for Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A two-time All-Star, Severino earned $604,975 last season, when he was 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 32 starts. He will receive a $2 million signing bonus, $4 million in 2019, $10 million in '20, $10.25 million in '21 and $11 million in '22.

The pact came one day after the Phillies formally announced a four-year, $45 million extension with right-hander Aaron Nola. Like Severino, Nola could have gambled by going to arbitration in future seasons but opted for the security of a guaranteed contract.

Pitcher CC Sabathia Is Going To Retire After 2019 Season

The Bleacher report delivered the news today:

Left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia is calling it a major league career after 19 seasons.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Sabathia will officially retire following the 2019 season. He is expected to make the announcement at a press conference Saturday.

The 38-year-old signed a one-year deal in November to remain with the Yankees and will hope to add to his 246 career wins. He also has 2,986 strikeouts to go with a 3.70 ERA and 1.25 WHIP during his time in the majors.

The California native started his career with the Cleveland Indians in 2001 before he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. He helped lead the Brewers that year to the National League Wild Card—their first playoff appearance since the 1982 season when they were still in the American League—and signed with the New York Yankees in 2009.

The Phillies Sign Pitcher Aaron Nola To A 4 Year Extension

Yahoo sports reports:

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed their young ace starting pitcher Aaron Nola to a four-year, $45 million extension.

#Phillies on verge of signing RHP Aaron Nola to a four-year, $45M extension with a club option, sources tell me and @MattGelb.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 13, 2019

Nola, 25, had a breakout year on the bump for the Phillies in 2018. He pitched to a 2.37 ERA, a career-best in four major league seasons, over 212.1 innings, a career high. He placed third in the National League Cy Young voting in 2018, behind Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer.

The deal also includes a club option for a fifth year that would take him through his age 30 season.

Looking at the numbers, it’s a very team friendly deal. Especially when you compare it to the six-year, $140 million deal Patrick Corbin signed with the Washington Nationals. Corbin is four years older than Nola, has a spottier track record, and a lower ceiling than Nola. Nola’s worth more than the Phillies are giving him in the first few years of his deal, but the uncertainty of arbitration means his salaries in those years are wildly unpredictable. This extension gives Nola security, and allows him to avoid arbitration.

Aside from wanting to lock down their young ace, there was no urgent reason for the Phillies and Nola to ink this extension. Nola had three years of arbitration left before he would have been a free agent at the conclusion of the 2021 season. But this deal gives the Phillies fewer things to worry about in the coming years. They know exactly what they’re paying Nola instead of heading to arbitration for the next few years, and they don’t have to worry about him hitting free agency until 2023 if they choose.