Cubs acquire closer in Davis
Royals ship reliever to Series champs for outfifielder Soler.
In a trade between the last two World Series champions, the Cubs acquired AllStar closer Wade Davis from the Royals on Wednesday for outfifielder Jorge Soler.
Davis takes over the spot held by Aroldis Chapman, who became a free agent.
“Wade is going to pitch the ninth inning,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said.
Davis has done especially well in the postseason and helped the Royals win the 2015 crown. In 271/31/3 career p o s t s e a s o n i n n i n g s a s a reliever, he has a 0.33 ERA with 39 strikeouts. The righthander, 31, went 2-1 with 27 saves in 30 chances and a 1.87 ERA last season. He spent time on the disabled with a forearm injury and was limited to 431/31/3 innings.
Soler, hit .238 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in 86 games last season. He missed almost two months with a strained left hamstring.
For the Royals, the deal made fifinancial sense as they try to cope with several star players eligible to leave after the 2017 season. Davis, who will make $10 million in 2017, was part of those looming free agents, along with outfielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and pitcher Danny Duffffffffffffy.
Ro c k i e s : Al l - S t a r f r e e agent outfielder Ian Desmond repor tedly agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal. Desmond, 31, hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs last season with Texas. He played shortstop from 201115, then was shifted to the out f i e l d by t he Rangers. Colorado may move him to fifirst base. Because Desmond turned down the Rangers’ $17.2 million qualifying offffffffffffer last month, Texas receives an extra selection after the fifirst round of June’s amateur draft. The Rockies lose their top draft pick, the 11th selection overall.
Nationals: Washington acquired center fifielder Adam Eaton from the White Sox for three young pitchers, including top prospect Lucas Giolito and hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez. By putting Eaton in center field, the Nationals can move Trea Turner — runner-up for 2016 NL Rookie of the Year — back to shortstop.
Rangers: Outfifielder Carlos Gomez agreed to an $11.5 million, one- year contract to remain with Texas. Gomez, 31, was released by Houston in August, signed with Texas and hit .284 with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 33 games.
Mariners: Reliever Marc Rzepczynski agreed to a twoyear, $11 million contract. The left-hander, 31, was 1-0 with a 2.64 ERA in 70 games for Oakland and Washington last season. Also, righthander Casey Fien agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal.
Marlins: Left-hander Jeffff Locke agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.025 million. Locke, 29, had spent his entire MLB career with Pittsburgh and was 9-8 with a 5.44 ERA — his highest ERA since 2012 — last season in 19 starts and 11 relief appearances. The Marlins also agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with catcher A.J. Ellis and kept right-hander Dustin McGowan for a $1.75 million, one- year contract.
Diamondbacks: Closer Fernando Rodney agreed to a $2.75 million, one- year contract. Rodney, who turns 40 on March 18, was an AllStar for the third time last season, saving 25 games in 28 chances with San Diego and Miami.
Nicklas Backstrom scored 1:36 into overtime as Washington recovered after blowing a three-goal lead. Devan Dubnyk’s 35 saves helped lead Minnesota, and Eric Staal scored to give him 47 points in 43 career games against Toronto. Late Late
John Scott, an enforcer who became an unlikely star during last season’s All-Star weekend last season, announced his retirement at 34. … With forwards Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais expected to be out 6-8 weeks with knee injuries, Montreal recalled forward Sven Andrighetto from the American Hockey League.
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will be out at least six weeks with a lower-body injury.
Center Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) missed his second straight game Tuesday night.
Defenseman Radko Gudas (illness) missed his third straight game Tuesday, while right wing Matt Read (upper body) sat out in what’s expected to be a monthlong absence.
The league’s board of governors is scheduled to meet today and Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla., and is expected to discuss participation in the 2018 Olympics.