MLB Player News

The Mets have yet to formally announce Correa's signing after an issue cropped up during the star infielder's physical exam Thursday and Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

According to Heyman, the holdup in making Correa's 12-year, $315 million deal official is concern about the right ankle he had surgically repaired in 2014. The ankle issue is what originally prompted the Giants to back off from signing Correa to a previously agreed-upon 13-year, $350 million deal last week, which allowed the Mets to swoop in and come to terms with the 28-year-old. Though another team could theoretically re-enter negotiations with Correa, both his camp and the Mets are optimistic that a contract will be finalized coming out of the holiday. Assuming Correa ultimately puts pen to paper on a deal, he'll be installed as the Mets' everyday third baseman, allowing Francisco Lindor to continue playing shortstop.

Castillo was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Scott Randall.

Castillo had been designated for assignment earlier this week. The 25-year-old had an uneven rookie season in 2022 while splitting time between the Pirates and Triple-A Indianapolis, finishing with a .633 OPS and 11 homers with the big club. He's got an interesting bat and is versatile, though, making him a worthy acquisition by Arizona. Castillo will attempt to win a spot on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster.

Downs (ankle) was claimed off waivers by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The former top prospect has found a new home after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week. Downs has seen his star fade after managing just a .661 OPS at the Triple-A level the last two seasons. He's only 24, though, and lands in a good situation on the rebuilding Nationals.

Crawford will remain at shortstop in 2023 after Carlos Correa's agreement with the Giants fell through, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants had an introductory press conference scheduled for Correa on Tuesday, but something came up during his physical examination, and the 28-year-old is now joining the Mets. Crawford was slated to play a position other than shortstop for the first time in his MLB career, but he'll instead remain at the position for the final year of his contract in 2023. The Giants could technically still sign another shortstop, but a notable acquisition is unlikely with all the top options already off the market. Crawford appeared in 118 games last season and played through knee inflammation, and he had a .231/.308/.344 slash line with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

Correa agreed Wednesday with the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million contract after his previous deal with the Giants fell through due to an unspecified issue that arose during his physical, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

A week ago, Correa and the Giants came to terms on a 13-year, $350 million contract that was expected to be formally announced Tuesday, but San Francisco elected to postpone the signing due to the medical concern. Because that deal with the Giants was never finalized, the Mets were able to swoop in and quickly come to terms with Correa, who loses an extra year and $35 million in the new pact yet still becomes the seventh player in MLB history to sign a free-agent contract worth north of $300 million. With two-time Gold Glove Award winner Francisco Lindor entrenched as the Mets' everyday shortstop, Correa has agreed to play third base and should quickly gain eligibility at the position early in the 2023 season. Correa won't benefit from much of an upgrade with the change from San Francisco's Oracle Park to New York's Citi Field since both ballparks have historically skewed more pitcher-friendly, but the 28-year-old should see a boost in his run and RBI projections while batting in the heart of a Mets lineup that would seem to be much stronger than the Giants', at least on paper.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Castillo went back and forth between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022, slashing .206/.251/.382 through 283 major-league plate appearances. The Pirates' decision to remove Castillo from the 40-man roster comes as a direct consequence of signing Austin Hedges.

Correa's arrival press conference was put on hold Tuesday after a medical concern emerged during his physical, Ronald Blum of The Associated Press reports.

Correa and the Giants agreed to a 13-year, $350 million deal last Tuesday, but the contract, like all contracts, was pending a physical. Correa's physical has indeed turned something up, though whether or not the issue is serious enough to cancel the deal or force the shortstop to accept reduced terms is not yet clear. Correa hasn't been a picture of health throughout his big-league career, landing on the injured list seven times in eight seasons, though he's appeared in 89 percent of his team's games over the last three seasons.

Swanson agreed to a deal with the Cubs on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Swanson will receive $177 million over seven years and will also get a full no-trade clause. He moves to the midwest after spending his first seven seasons in Atlanta. His last season was his best, as he's coming off a year in which he hit .277/.329/.447 while playing in all 162 games. His 18 steals were also a career high, while his 25 home runs were just two shy of the 27 he managed the year prior. He'll settle in as the everyday shortstop for the Cubs, pushing Nico Hoerner to second base.

Cruz suffered what's believed to be a minor ankle injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While it's good news that the Pirates are referring to the injury as minor, it's too early to say that Cruz is definitely in the clear. The injury is at least serious enough that the Pirates will have him undergo further tests. Once the results of those tests are known, it should become clear whether or not Cruz is at risk of missing time next season.

Adrianza signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Adrianza was a decent super utility guy for the team in 2021 and Atlanta wound up re-acquiring him at the 2022 trade deadline from the Nationals. It seems manager Brian Snitker has an affinity for the 33-year-old, although Atlanta will hope it doesn't have to use him too much in 2023.