Victor Caratini

FILE - In this July 31, 2020, file photo, San Diego Padres' Tommy Pham celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Wade Davis in the ninth inning of a baseball game, in Denver. Padres outfielder Tommy Pham is recovering after he was stabbed in the back Sunday night, Oct. 11, 2020. Police tell the San Diego Union-Tribune that Pham was stabbed outside a gentlemen’s club in San Diego. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Padres avoid arbitration with Pham, 4 others

Jan. 16, 2021 1:10 AM EST

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres agreed to an $8.9 million, one-year contract with Tommy Pham, avoiding arbitration with the outfielder who was limited to 31 games last season because of injuries. Pham hit .211 with three homers and 12 RBIs after coming over in a trade with Tampa Bay. His 2020 salary...

Cubs avoid arbitration with Bryant, Báez, Contreras

Jan. 16, 2021 12:56 AM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs avoided arbitration with three of their biggest stars, agreeing to one-year deals with third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Báez and catcher Willson Contreras on Friday. Bryant, who struggled through injuries in his worst season, is set to earn $19.5 million. Baez is due...

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2020, file photo, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish throws during the first inning in Game 2 of the team's NL wild-card baseball series against the Miami Marlins in Chicago. The San Diego Padres traded for another big arm on Tuesday night, Dec. 29, acquiring Darvish in a blockbuster deal with the Cubs. The Padres got Darvish, catcher Victor Caratini and cash from the Cubs for right-hander Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Yu kidding? Darvish learned via Twitter of trade to Padres

Dec. 31, 2020 8:26 PM EST

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish found out things move fast when San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller is wheeling and dealing. The right-hander didn’t think he’d be traded away by the Chicago Cubs but was caught up in Preller’s vortex. Within the span of about 24 hours this week,...

FILE - Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer talks on the phone as he watches players during the baseball team's practice at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in this Wednesday, July 8, 2020, file photo. Hoyer insisted the Chicago Cubs are taking a different approach this time. They plan to remain competitive while they retool rather than bring out the wrecking ball the way they did nine years ago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Hoyer insists Cubs plan to compete after dealing Darvish

Dec. 30, 2020 4:41 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — Jed Hoyer insists this time won't be like 2011 for the Chicago Cubs. The team's new president of baseball operations said Wednesday that Chicago plans to retool rather than bring out the wrecking ball the way it did nine years ago. Still, this one will leave a mark. In his first major deal...

Padres acquire RHP Yu Darvish in blockbuster trade with Cubs

Dec. 30, 2020 12:39 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller reunited with an old friend in another blockbuster move Tuesday night. The aggressive Padres got Yu Darvish in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, adding another ace to their rotation after announcing a deal for Blake Snell earlier in the day. During...

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series, in Arlington, Texas. The San Diego Padres finalized their acquisition of ace left-hander Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, sending four prospects in exchange for the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Padres finalize deal acquiring ace Blake Snell from Rays

Dec. 30, 2020 1:05 AM EST

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Blake Snell gave up the ball in Game 6 of the World Series, shaking his head after manager Kevin Cash’s curious pitching change. With three years left on his contract, Snell hardly considered that could be his final moment on the mound with the Tampa Bay Rays. The San Diego Padres,...

FILE - In this Friday, March 15, 2019 file photo, Chicago Cubs' Kyle Schwarber bats during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Ariz. Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. became free agents Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 when the Chicago Cubs declined to offer contracts to two key players from their historic 2016 World Series championship. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Cubs non-tender OFs Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr.

Dec. 3, 2020 12:58 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. became free agents Wednesday when the Chicago Cubs declined to offer contracts to two key players from their historic 2016 World Series championship. While Schwarber, Almora, slugger José Martínez and pitcher Ryan Tepera were non-tendered, the...