MLB Player News

Stripling signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The contract contains an opt-out after the first season, though the Giants likely won't complain too much if Stripling pitches well enough to exercise it. The 33-year-old righty produced career bests in ERA (3.01) and WHIP (1.02) and innings (134.1) last season. His 20.7 percent strikeout rate was mediocre, as it's been for the last few seasons, but his 3.7 percent walk rate was third best among pitchers who threw at least as many frames. The risk of a sudden downturn can't be ignored for any pitcher Stripling's age, but he's found himself in an ideal pitchers' park as he looks to repeat last year's success.

The Pirates announced Tuesday that Velasquez signed a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the team.

Velasquez operated in a swingman role for the White Sox last season, but he's likely to open 2023 in the Pirates' rotation. As far as his fantasy outlook for the upcoming season, Velasquez is likely best left to NL-only leagues.

Williams said Monday that he'll be a starter in 2023, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Nine of the righty's 30 appearances in with the Mets 2022 were starts. With the Nationals, who have a far less impressive rotation, Williams will handle a more substantial workload. At two years and $13 million, he could be a bargain if he posts anything close to his 3.79 ERA over the last two seasons.

Williams agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Nationals on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 30-year-old worked as a swingman over the past two years and could fill a similar role going forward, though he could see more chances to start for Washington, especially if Stephen Strasburg (ribs) remains sidelined to open 2023. Williams started in nine of his 30 appearance last season for the Mets and had a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 84:23 K:BB across 89.2 innings.

Verlander's signing of a two-year, $86.66 million contract with the Mets was formally announced by the team Wednesday.

The deal was reported Monday and has now been officially announced by the team. It includes a full no-trade clause and contains a $35 million vesting option for 2025 should Verlander pitch at least 140 innings in 2024. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is headed to the National League for the first time and will serve as Jacob de Grom's de facto replacement at the top of New York's rotation.

Quintana agreed Wednesday with the Mets on a two-year, $26 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Quintana enjoyed a resurgent season in 2022, going 6-7 while producing a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 137 strikeouts over 165.2 innings in 32 starts between the Pirates and Cardinals. He'll now provide the Mets with a left-handed option to complement frontline starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, the latter of whom replaces Jacob deGrom as New York's new staff ace. The two-year deal will keep Quintana in New York through his age-35 campaign.

Taillon agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract with the Cubs on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Taillon tied a career-high with 32 starts and covered 177.1 innings for the Yankees in 2022, and he'll now return to the NL Central and continue his career in Chicago. The 31-year-old had a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 151:32 K:BB last season and should slot in behind Marcus Stroman in the Cubs' rotation.

Walker agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Walker posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 132:45 K:BB across 157.1 innings for the Mets last season, and he'll remain in the NL East for the foreseeable future as he makes his way to Philadelphia. The 30-year-old will slot in behind aces Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola to bolster the Phillies' already strong rotation.

Criswell was acquired by the Rockies from the Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Chad Smith.

Criswell began the 2022 campaign at the Low-A level but made his way to Triple-A by the end of the season. The 23-year-old had a 4.03 ERA across 24 appearances (21 starts) in total last season and could make his big-league debut at some point in 2023.

Velasquez signed a one-year, $3.15 million deal with the Pirates on Tuesday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The 30-year-old righty stumbled to a 4.78 ERA as a swingman for the White Sox last season. He'll get to call one of the league's best pitchers' parks home in 2023, but the Pirates probably shouldn't expect a much better ERA, as Velasquez hasn't beaten that mark since all the way back in 2016. Those looking for signs of optimism could point to the fact that he managed a career-best 7.8 percent walk rate last season, but he also tied his career low with a 21.6 percent strikeout rate. His odds of securing a starting role may not become clear until the offseason is over, though the Pittsburgh rotation isn't exactly full of established arms.