Joey Bats stays in Toronto.
Mariners acquired RHP Yovani Gallardo and cash from the Orioles in exchange for OF Seth Smith.
The Mariners needed a starter, but it's puzzling as to why they'd be interested in Gallardo, who has been in a backslide for a few years now that culminated in a 5.42 ERA across 23 starts last season. The righty had at least been an innings-eater prior to 2016, but there's no guarantee he'll regain his durability given that he'll soon be 31 and has a lot of mileage on his arm. Gallardo gets to go to a more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but he's not going to have mixed-league value in 2017.
A`s sign RHP Santiago Casilla to 2-year contract.
Orioles re-signed DH/1B/OF Mark Trumbo to a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
The deal was reported Thursday and is now official after Trumbo passed his physical. Jim Bowden of ESPN and Sirius XM adds that the contract also includes a limited no-trade clause that allows Trumbo to block a deal to seven teams. Trumbo was reportedly asking for $80 million just last month, but the market for power this winter simply hasn't been nearly as robust as the free agents had hoped. He will be the Orioles' primary designated hitter, although it's possible he could play some right field and first base.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Angels have agreed to a deal with free agent infielder Luis Valbuena, pending a physical.
The financial details aren't yet available, but Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register writes that it's likely a two-year deal with a club option. Venezuelan reporter Efraín Zavarce originally reported that the deal was close. As things stand right now, Valbuena would give the Angels a left-handed bat off the bench and an insurance policy between third base, second base, and first base, though he could carve out a bigger role if the club shops C.J. Cron. It's also worth noting that third baseman Yunel Escobar and second baseman Danny Espinosa are due to become free agents after 2017. He's quality roster depth at the very least.
Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram was told by a Rangers official that the club expects Tyson Ross (thoracic outlet surgery) to make his season debut in May or June.
General manager Jon Daniels didn't provide a timetable on when he thinks Ross might return from last October's thoracic outlet surgery, but the goal is to have the righty healthy down the stretch next season. In other words, fantasy owners would be wise not to expect much, if anything, from Ross in the first half of 2017. Given the shaky history of thoracic outlet surgery patients and uncertain timetable, Ross makes for a high-upside but risky fantasy proposition in the upcoming season.
Josh Johnson is retiring from baseball, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
That's a shame. It's ultimately not all that surprising, as his body simply hasn't cooperated with him. Johnson has dealt with all sorts of injuries for a few years and hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2013. He underwent a third Tommy John surgery in September of 2015, but wasn't able to make his way back. While the injuries have overshadowed things in recent years, it's easy to forget that Johnson was one of the game's best starting pitchers for a stretch. He made two All-Star appearances during his nine-year career and led the NL with a 2.30 ERA in 2010. He'll finish his career with a 58-45 record to go along with a 3.40 ERA (124 ERA+) and 915 strikeouts in 998 innings.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com notes that the Rangers remain interested in Mike Napoli.
It was reported in late December that the Rangers and Napoli were discussing a two-year deal, but there hasn't been much in the way of progress since. Sullivan hears that there's "no signs of a deal yet," but that could change quickly now that the list of impact bats is starting to get smaller. Chris Carter and Brandon Moss are among the alternative names on the free agent market.
