LeMahieu agrees to $90M deal
The New York Yankees and AL batting champion DJ LeMahieu agreed on a six-year contract worth about $90 million.
The Yankees also reached a deal with righthander Corey Kluber worth $11 million for one year, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because each agreement is subject to a successful physical.
Kluber, the 2014 and 2017 AL Cy Young Award winner, won 56 games for Cleveland over the 2016-18 seasons, then missed the rest of the 2019 season after he was hit on the right forearm that May 1 by a comebacker off the bat of Miami’s Brian Anderson. He finished 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA in seven starts.
LeMahieu, who turns 33 in July, became the first player to win undisputed batting titles in both leagues. He won his first AL batting title last year at .364, the highest average for an AL batting champion since Minnesota’s Joe Mauer hit .365 in 2009, after winning the NL championship with Colorado in 2016.
Judge gets 1-year pact worth $10.175 million
Slugging outfielder Aaron Judge and the Yankees avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year contract worth $10,175,000.
Judge had his third straight injury-interrupted season since winning the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year award, hitting .257 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in 101 at-bats and 28 games. After homering in his first five games, he strained his right calf and played just once between Aug. 11 and Sept. 16.
Rangers set with Gallo, Kiner-Falefa
The Texas Rangers agreed to one-year deals with right fielder Joey Gallo and expected starting shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, avoiding arbitration with their two Gold Glove winners.
Gallo got a $6.2 million deal, after last season earning $1,629,630 prorated of the $4.4 million salary he agreed to to avoid arbitration last year.
Dodgers, Bellinger agree on $16.1M deal
Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers settled on a one-year, $16.1 million contract to avoid arbitration, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Los Angeles also agreed to one-year deals with shortstop Corey Seager for $13.75 million and lefthander Julio Urias for $3.6 million.
Cubs secure Bryant, Baez and Contreras
The Cubs avoided arbitration with three of their biggest stars by agreeing to one-year deals with Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras
Bryant is set to earn $19.5 million. Baez is due $11.65 million and Contreras $6.65 million.
The Cubs also agreed to an $8.63 million deal for next season with pitcher Zach Davies, acquired in the trade that sent NL Cy Young Award runner-up Yu Darvish to San Diego.
Red Sox, Devers reach agreement
A person with knowledge of the terms says the Red Sox have agreed to a $4,575,000, one-year deal with third baseman Rafael Devers that avoided salary arbitration..
The 24-year-old Devers had a breakout season in 2019, when he batted .311 with 32 homers and 115 RBIs, leading the majors with 54 doubles and 359 total bases and finishing 12th in the AL MVP voting.
But last year was a setback: He hit .263 while committing 14 errors at third base —the most in the majors.
White Sox finalize deal with Hendriks
The Chicago White Sox finalized a $54 million, three-year deal with the former Oakland closer Liam Hendriks, another big move as the White Sox set their sights on a championship run.
The White Sox landed the top international prospect, agreeing to a $2.05-million deal with prized Cuban outfielder Yoelqui Cespedes.
They also avoided arbitration with their remaining eligible players, agreeing to one-year contracts with ace Lucas Giolito ($4.15 million) and starter Reynaldo Lopez ($2.1 million).