MLB free agency tracker 2022: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades

Edward Sutelan

MLB free agency tracker 2022: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades image

MLB free agency finally seems to be heating up.

The Rangers made a potentially league-shifting move by signing ace Jacob deGrom to a five-year contract, adding a veteran presence to their already-impressive stable of pitching prospects.

After deGrom, other major names remain on the board. Aaron Judge is the prize this offseason, and his saga will likely drag for a good portion of it. Justin Verlander and Carlos Correa are some of the other major names still available, with the former reportedly drawing interest from the likes of the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and of course Astros.

While the major names linger, other deals have already gotten done. Among early signees, the defending champion Astros signed first baseman José Abreu in a clear statement they aren't sitting on their laurels. Jeimer Candelario went to the Nationals. And the Angels traded for Hunter Renfroe while the Mariners dealt for Kolten Wong as the Brewers seemingly embrace the rebuild.

The Rays also acquired Zach Eflin on a three-year, $40 million deal, the biggest free agency signing by money in team history.

2022 MLB AWARDS: Sporting News | BBWAA

The Sporting News will be tracking all the latest updates from the MLB 2022-23 offseason. Follow for the latest news, rumors, signings and trades from the hot stove.

MLB free agency news, update on signings and trades

(All times Eastern)

Dec. 3

5:30 p.m.: According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Judge is expected to receive a nine-year deal when he agrees to a contract. Rosenthal named the Yankees and Giants as teams likely to sign him, and noted that while the Dodgers have interest in pursuing Judge, they would like to sign him to a "short-term, high-dollar deal."

12:34 p.m. -- The Orioles are now getting involved, signing right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson from the Phillies on a one-year deal. Gibson, 35, was 10-8 last season with Philadelphia with an ERA of 5.05. The Orioles have been looking for starting arms.

Dec. 2

8:02 p.m. -- In a seismic move, the Rangers landed Mets ace Jacob deGrom with a five-year, $185 million deal that has a conditional sixth year that would bring it up to $222 million. The Rangers are clearly hoping they're building something, with one of the best farm pitching systems in baseball.

4:15 p.m. -- Jesse Winker is headed back to the NL Central. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported he, along with Abraham Toro, was traded to the Brewers in exchange for second baseman Kolten Wong.

Dec. 1

7 p.m. -- The Rays have added another possible starter to the mix in Zach Eflin, whom Rob Thomson used out of the bullpen at times last year. Intriguingly, they've gone for a three-year contract worth $40 million for the 28-year-old righty.

Nov. 29

10:30 a.m. --- The Nationals have cast themselves into the free agency fray, signing former Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario was second among free agent third basemen in WAR, trailing only Justin Turner.

Nov. 28

2 p.m. --- The defending champions are reloading, signing first baseman Jose Abreu to a reported three-year contract. The Trey Mancini trade didn't pan out and Yuli Gurriel isn't getting any younger, so Abreu is a great addition for the Astros.

Nov. 22

10:30 p.m. --- The Angels added a veteran bat via trade, acquiring outfielder Hunter Renfroe from the Brewers for three pitchers. The 30-year-old Renfroe will be a free agent after the 2023 season. 

Nov. 18

9:45 p.m. --- Seventy-seven players became free agents Friday after not being tendered contracts, per MLB.com. The full list, by club:

Angels: P Jhonathan Diaz, P Touki Toussaint, P Nash Walters, P Rob Zastryzny
Astros: RHP Josh James
Athletics: P Deolis Guerra, P Jared Koenig, IF David MacKinnon
Blue Jays: IF Vinny Capra, OF Raimel Tapia, OF Bradley Zimmer
Braves: P Silvino Bracho, OF Guillermo Heredia, P Alan Rangel, P Jackson Stephens, P Brooks Wilson
Brewers: P Trevor Gott, P Jandel Gustave, P Luis Perdomo
Cardinals: P Alex Reyes, OF Ben Deluzio
Cubs: P Brailyn Marquez, P Alexander Vizcaíno, OF Rafael Ortega
Diamondbacks: P Reyes Moronta
Dodgers: OF Cody Bellinger, IF Edwin Rios, IF/OF Luke Williams
Giants: P Samuel Delaplane, P Jarlín García, P Mauricio Llovera, C Dom Núñez, P Drew Strotman, C Meibrys Viloria, IF/OF Jason Vosler, IF/OF Donnie Walton, IF Colton Welker, P Alex Young
Guardians: P/OF Anthony Gose, C Luke Maile
Mariners: P Luke Weaver, C Luis Torrens, C Brian O'Keefe
Marlins: 3B/OF Brian Anderson, P Nick Neidert
Mets: 1B/OF Dominic Smith, P Sean Reid-Foley
Nationals: P Erick Fedde, P Tommy Romero, 1B/DH Luke Voit
Padres: C Jorge Alfaro, P Efraín Contreras
Rangers: P Nick Snyder
Rays: P Ryan Yarbrough
Red Sox: OF Franchy Cordero, IF Yu Chang
Reds: OF Aristides Aquino, OF Allan Cerda, P Kyle Dowdy, P Daniel Duarte, P Jeff Hoffman, P Derek Law, P Jared Solomon, P Art Warren
Rockies: OF/IF Garret Hampson
Royals: P Jake Brentz, P Nate Webb
Tigers: 3B Jeimer Candelario, IF Brendan Davis, IF Harold Castro, IF Willi Castro, C Michael Papierski, P Miguel Diaz, P Kyle Funkhouser
White Sox: OF Adam Engel, OF Mark Payton, IF Danny Mendick

9:30 p.m. --- The Brewers acquired right-handed reliever Javy Guerra from the Rays, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported.

9:25 p.m. --- The Reds made a corresponding move after the Kyle Farmer trade by acquiring infielder Kevin Newman from the NL Central-rival Pirates. Ken Rosenthal and Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reported the deal. Newman was the Bucs' primary shortstop until the arrival of Oneil Cruz. Biertempfel later reported that the Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Dauri Moreta, who appeared in 35 games for Cincinnati last season.

7:45 p.m. --- Jon Heyman of the New York Post tweeted speculation that the Dodgers will now pursue Aaron Judge after having cleared tons of money from their payroll.

7:40 p.m. --- The Twins are acquiring infielder Kyle Farmer from the Reds, Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported.

The Reds later announced that they had acquired minor league pitcher Casey Legumina in exchange for Farmer. 

It's a corresponding move of sorts. Minnesota dealt infielder Gio Urshela to the Angels earlier in the day.

Farmer, 32, was Cincinnati's No. 1 shortstop the past two seasons after bouncing around the infield and catcher earlier in his career. He drove in a career-high 78 runs but mustered just a .701 OPS (90 OPS+) in 2022.

6:25 p.m. --- The Dodgers will not tender center fielder Cody Bellinger a contract by the 8 p.m. ET Friday deadline, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and 2019 NL MVP has had three seasons of poor offensive production (74 OPS+ combined from 2020-22), although he did continue to play Gold Glove-caliber defense.

Bellinger's free-agent market should be robust despite the steep decline at the plate thanks to his age (27), his defense and his early-career numbers. 

4:11 p.m. --- The Angels announced they had acquired Gio Urshela from the Twins for Alejandro Hidalgo, a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher. Hidalgo finished his season in Class-A with a 4.62 ERA in 39 innings (10 starts) with 58 strikeouts and 19 walks. Urshela enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, posting a .285/.338/.429 slash line with 13 home runs, a 7.4 percent walk rate and 17.4 percent strikeout rate. His 2.4 fWAR was the second-highest of his career (2.8 fWAR in 2019).

2:35 p.m. --- According to MLB.com, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed that the team has made a new offer to Aaron Judge as the AL MVP weighs his free agency options.

"It’s in real time, so we’re on the clock," Cashman said. "We’re certainly not going to mess around. We’ve made another offer since Spring Training."

11:35 a.m. --- Elieser Hernandez, who was designated for assignment by the Marlins, has been traded to the Mets, per the New York Post's Mike Puma. Hernandez struggled in 2022 with a 6.35 ERA in 62.1 innings, but he has pitched well in the past, owning a 3.84 ERA in 17 starts between 2020 and 2021 with 87 strikeouts and 19 walks in 77.1 innings of work.

11:26 a.m. --- Could the end of Cody Bellinger's time in Los Angeles be near? Jon Morosi is reporting it's more likely than not that Bellinger will either be non-tendered or traded by 8 p.m. ET on Friday. Bellinger was the 2019 NL MVP, but since then, has been dreadful, posting a .203/.272/.376 slash with 41 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 295 games from 2020-22.

Nov. 17

6:49 p.m. --- Because it wouldn't be hot stove season without more Jerry Dipoto: The Mariners are sending outfielder Kyle Lewis (2020 AL Rookie of the Year) to the Diamondbacks for Cooper Hummel. Hummel split time between outfield and catcher in 2022, his rookie season.

Nov. 16

10:38 a.m. --- A small surprise: The Blue Jays are trading All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners. In return, the Blue Jays are getting pitchers Erik Swanson and Adam Macko.

8:35 a.m. --- A week after opting out of his deal with San Diego, RHP Nick Martinez has reached an agreement to remain with the Padres on a new three-year contract, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman of the New York Post says Martinez's deal is worth $26 million with the potential for more in incentives. 

Nov. 15

8:05 p.m. --- The Guardians traded infielder Nolan Jones to the Rockies for infield prospect Juan Brito. Additionally, Cleveland traded RHP Carlos Vargas to Arizona for RHP Ross Carver, according to team announcements

6:09 p.m. --- Tampa Bay makes several moves on Tuesday. 

4:40 p.m. --- The Rangers announced they sent reliever Dennis Santana to the Braves for cash considerations. Santana finished the 2022 season with a 5.22 ERA in 58.2 innings, though he was electric over the first 31.1 innings, owning a 1.44 ERA with 23 strikeouts and only six walks.

4:29 p.m. --- Anthony Rizzo might have turned down the Yankees' qualifying offer, but it wasn't long until he decided to come back. He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Yankees, earning $17 million per year that will include a $6 million buyout on an option for 2025.

4:04 p.m. --- Only two free agents decided to accept the qualifying offer this year: Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Rangers starter Martin Perez, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. All others extended the offer turned it down.

4:04 p.m. --- Tyler Anderson is staying in SoCal, but he's changing L.A. teams. The former Dodgers' southpaw is signing with the Angels on a three-year deal worth $39 million, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Anderson had the best season of his career, pitching to a 2.57 ERA in 178.2 innings with an fWAR of 4.0.

11:37 a.m. --- The Mariners could find themselves active in the seller's market. MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Jesse Winker, who they acquired in the previous offseason from the Reds, and either starting pitchers Chris Flexen or Marco Gonzalez could also be dealt.

10:14 a.m. --- Blue Jays slugger Teoscar Hernandez could be on the move. A free agent after 2023, Hernandez has been one of the league's best sluggers over the past several seasons. In 2022, he posted a .267/.316/.491 with 25 home runs and six stolen bases. He had a walk rate of 6.4 percent and a strikeout rate of 28.4 percent.

Nov. 12

9:51 a.m. --- The Astros are bringing back 2021 midseason acquisition and key reliever Rafael Montero on a three-year, $34.5 million deal, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. In 68.1 innings in 2022, he had a 2.37 ERA and 1.5 fWAR.

Nov. 11

1:08 p.m. --- The Dodgers and long-time ace Clayton Kershaw agreed to a second straight one-year deal, ensuring he will pitch through at least 2023. 

Nov. 10

12:11 p.m. --- The Rangers sent utility player Nick Solak to the Reds. Solak has a career slash line of .252/.327/.372 with 21 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 253 games, though he was limited to just 35 games in 2022.

Best MLB free agents by position

Here's a list of the top MLB free agents still available, as ranked by TSN's Ryan Fagan.

C

  1. Willson Contreras
  2. Gary Sanchez
  3. Christian Vazquez
  4. Austin Hedges
  5. Omar Narvaez

1B

  1. Josh Bell
  2. Jose Abreu
  3. Yuli Gurriel
  4. Trey Mancini
  5. Matt Carpenter
  6. Brandon Belt
  7. Carlos Santana

2B

  1. Jace Peterson
  2. Adam Frazier
  3. Cesar Hernandez
  4. Donovan Solano

3B

  1. Brandon Drury

SS

  1. Trea Turner
  2. Carlos Correa
  3. Xander Bogaerts
  4. Dansby Swanson
  5. Elvis Andrus
  6. Aledmys Diaz
  7. Jose Iglesias

OF

  1. Aaron Judge
  2. Brandon Nimmo
  3. Jurickson Profar
  4. Andrew Benintendi
  5. Mitch Haniger
  6. Michael Conforto
  7. Michael Brantley
  8. Adam Duvall
  9. J.D. Martinez
  10. Kevin Kiermaier
  11. Joey Gallo
  12. Andrew McCutchen
  13. Corey Dickerson
  14. David Peralta
  15. Ben Gamel
  16. Robbie Grossman
  17. Jorge Soler
  18. Tyler Naquin

SP

  1. Jacob deGrom
  2. Carlos Rodon
  3. Justin Verlander
  4. Nathan Eovaldi
  5. Chris Bassitt
  6. Jameson Taillon
  7. Kenley Jansen
  8. Jose Quintana
  9. Taijuan Walker
  10. Noah Syndergaard
  11. Michael Wacha
  12. Zach Eflin
  13. Ross Stripling
  14. Zack Greinke
  15. Kyle Gibson
  16. Sean Manaea
  17. Andrew Heaney
  18. Mike Clevinger
  19. Corey Kluber
  20. Trevor Williams
  21. Michael Lorenzen
  22. Rich Hill
  23. Michael Pineda

RP

  1. Nick Martinez
  2. Taylor Rogers
  3. Craig Kimbrel
  4. Seth Lugo
  5. Adam Ottavino
  6. David Robertson
  7. Matt Strahm
  8. Tommy Kahnle
  9. Aroldis Chapman
  10. Michael Fulmer
  11. Corey Knebel
  12. Pierce Johnson
  13. Chris Martin
  14. Zack Britton
  15. Alex Colome

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.