AP source: Aaron Judge returning to New York Yankees on $360 million, nine-year deal following AL MVP season

AP source: Phillies, RHP Taijuan Walker agree to 4-year deal

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The active Philadelphia Phillies added Taijuan Walker to their rotation on Tuesday, agreeing to a $72 million, four-year contract with the right-hander. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity...

Pirates win top pick in baseball's first draft lottery

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates won baseball's first draft lottery Tuesday night and will get the top pick of eligible amateur players in July. The Washington Nationals will select second after finishing last season with the worst record in the major leagues at 55-107. The...

MLB commissioner Manfred says 2023 'big year' for A's future

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Oakland Athletics will have their relocation fee waived if they decide to move to Las Vegas, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says 2023 is a big year when it comes to the future of the franchise. Speaking at baseball's winter meetings in San Diego, Manfred also...

Longtime Free Press writer Lowe wins BBWAA excellence award

SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Lowe, who created the quality start statistic while covering baseball for the Detroit Free Press and other newspapers for more than three decades, won the BBWAA Career Excellence Award on Tuesday. The honor was announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of...

AP sources: Walker, Bellinger, Bell move; Giants add Haniger

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Cole Kuiper saw a report on Twitter: Aaron Judge was nearing a deal with the San Francisco Giants. Cole called his father, Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper, to share the good news. Then the report was scrubbed, and Cole had to get back to his vacationing dad. ...

OF Mitch Haniger reaches $43.5M, three-year deal with Giants

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Mitch Haniger and the San Francisco Giants agreed on a $43.5 million, three-year contract Tuesday at the winter meetings. A native of nearby Mountain View, Haniger is coming home to the Bay Area after five seasons with Seattle. He helped the Mariners...

Ohtani keeping watch on Angels' offseason moves from afar

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Even though Shohei Ohtani is back in Japan for the offseason, he has been in frequent contact with Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian about the team’s offseason moves. “We talk a lot. He’s asking me daily who we’re getting,” Minasian said...

Japanese outfielder Yoshida to negotiate with MLB teams

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Outfielder Masataka Yoshida will be able to negotiate with Major League Baseball teams starting Wednesday under the posting system with the Japanese big leagues. A member of Japan's Olympic team last year, Yoshida will be posted at 8 a.m. EST on Wednesday and MLB...

AP source: Cody Bellinger, Cubs agree to $17.5M, 1-year deal

Former National League MVP Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement was subject to a successful...