MLB free agency 2023 tracker: Ohtani announces on Instagram that he's signing with the Dodgers
The 2-way star broke the news himself Saturday on social media
The biggest fish in this year's free-agency has found his new pond. Per his Instagram announcement Saturday, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the deal is for 10 years and $700 million, a record-breaking contract across all major professional sports.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the deal contains what are described as "unprecedented deferrals" that include the majority of Ohtani's salary, at the player's request. There are also reportedly no opt-outs in the deal.
Shohei Ohtani receives the largest contract in North American sports history pic.twitter.com/AQUqCaTBPo
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 9, 2023
Yankees add Soto in 7-player swap
The biggest and arguably only major splash of this year's winter meetings happened late Wednesday, with the Yankees completing a trade to acquire Juan Soto from the Padres.
The news came one day after the Yankees traded for former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on Tuesday, rebooting their outfield for 2024.
In return for Soto, the Padres received Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees also acquired outfielder Trent Grisham in the swap.
Orioles sign Craig Kimbrel
The Orioles needed a new closer, with flamethrower Felix Bautista out for the 2024 season, and they've found it, signing Craig Kimbrel to a one-year, $13 million contract on Dec. 6.
Kimbrel doesn't have the same magic he once had as the Braves' young hurler, but he logged 23 saves and a 3.26 ERA with the Phillies in 2023. He was also the team's lone All-Star representative.
Cardinals add Sonny Gray to rotation
The St. Louis Cardinals are overhauling essentially their entire rotation ahead of the 2024 MLB season. After signing both Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, the team added Sonny Gray with a three-year, $75 million deal on Nov. 27.
Gray, 34, posted a 2.79 ERA over 184 innings with the Minnesota Twins in 2023.
He ranked seventh on Zach Crizer's top-25 free agents list and marks a positive new direction for the Cardinals' pitching staff.
Phillies bring back Aaron Nola on seven-year deal
The Philadelphia Phillies ended a couple of weeks of relative quiet early in MLB free agency when the team and pitcher Aaron Nola came to terms Nov. 19 on a seven-year, $172 million contract.
Nola was the third-ranked free agent on Crizer's top-25 list.
Stephen Vogt first of managerial hires; Craig Counsell to Cubs in shocker
In a winter with several teams looking for new skippers, the first domino to fall was in Cleveland, as the Guardians hired Stephen Vogt on Nov. 6 to replace the retiring Terry Francona.
In a shocking turn of events, it was also announced Nov. 6 that the Mets are hiring Carlos Mendoza as their new manager, and Craig Counsell is headed to the Chicago Cubs. Counsell signed a five-year contract with Chicago worth more than $40 million, making him the highest-paid manager in MLB.
Ron Washington lands with Angels
The Los Angeles Angels found their new manager for the 2024 season, hiring veteran Ron Washington on Nov. 8.
It's Washington's first managerial gig since he led the Texas Rangers for eight seasons from 2007 to 2014. In Arlington, Washington won two AL pennants and was one strike away from winning the World Series in 2011 before his team lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. Since 2016, Washington had been the third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves.
