MLB Player News

Downs (ankle) was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Thursday.

One of the key pieces acquired from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, Downs struggled mightily at Triple-A Worcester the past two years with a .661 OPS in 180 games. He's still just 24, so he'll likely receive some interest on waivers.

Story is the top internal option to start at shortstop for the Red Sox following the departure of Xander Bogaerts, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Story returning to his natural position isn't a slam dunk, though, given concerns about his throwing arm. It's still possible the team opts to keep him at second base and either acquire a shortstop from outside the organization or put Enrique Hernandez there. As Cotillo points out, Story ranked in the 97th percentile in outs above average at second base but just the eighth percentile in arm strength in 2022.

Correa agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old turned down his $35.1 million player option with Minnesota for 2023 and cashed in on a megadeal with San Francisco. Correa had a .291/.366/.467 slash line with 22 home runs, 64 RBI and 70 runs in 136 games last season, which was good for a 140 wRC+. The deal includes no opt-out clause and full no-trade protection, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, so Correa will be in the Bay Area through the 2035 campaign, unless he approves of a potential trade destination.

Diaz's two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Athletics was formally announced by the team Tuesday.

Diaz can play all over the field and he should have no trouble finding regular at-bats on Oakland's barren roster. He could hold some deep-league appeal.

Bogaerts' signing of an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres was formally announced by the team Friday.

News of Bogaerts' deal with the Padres came down late Wednesday, sending shockwaves through baseball. It's now officially been announced and the team will introduce him at a press conference later Friday. Bogaerts' power production was down in 2022 with just 15 home runs, but he still sported a healthy .307/.377/.456 batting line. He'll give San Diego another middle-of-the-order presence.

Bogaerts agreed Wednesday with the Padres on an 11-year, $280 million contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Padres came up short in their pursuits of Trea Turner and Aaron Judge but have now redirected that money into a megadeal for Bogaerts. It's much more than anyone projected that the infielder would get, but it seems president of baseball operations A.J. Preller wasn't going to allow himself to be outbid this time. Bogaerts figures to slot in at shortstop for San Diego in 2023, pushing Fernando Tatis Jr. to the outfield. It also provides future protection in the event that Manny Machado exercises the opt-out clause in his contract after the season. Bogaerts should be a fine fantasy asset again in 2023, especially if he's able to rediscover the power stroke that netted at least 23 home runs in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Diaz and the Athletics agreed Wednesday on a two-year, $14.5 million contract, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The terms of Diaz's contract suggests that the Athletics likely envision him serving as a fixture in the lineup in 2023, after he largely served as a utility man in Houston over the past four seasons. He was a near-league-average hitter this past season, slashing .243/.287/.403 (96 wRC+) with 12 home runs, one stolen base, 38 RBI and 35 runs in 327 plate appearances. Diaz made at least five starts at every infield position as well as left field, but it's unclear where Oakland initially intends to use him primarily in 2023.

Turner agreed Monday with the Phillies on an 11-year, $300 million contract, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

Turner, who began his big-league career with the Nationals in 2015 before spending the past season and a half with the Dodgers, will return to the National League East after slashing .298/.343/.466 with 21 home runs, 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 2022. Heading into his age-30 season, Turner should maintain enough to range to spend at least a few more years as an everyday shortstop. He'll likely hit either first or second in Philadelphia's lineup, providing a significant boost near the top of the order for last season's World Series runners-up.

Reyes signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Nov. 14.

After being outrighted off the Brewers' 40-man roster in late October, Reyes elected free agency rather than sticking around in the Milwaukee organization. Though he won't immediately get a spot on Oakland's 40-man roster, Reyes should have the opportunity to compete for a utility role with the big club in spring training. Reyes saw action in six games at the MLB level in 2022, going 4-for-15 at the dish.

Contrary to a prior report, Camargo has not signed a minor-league deal with the Twins, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The Twins listed the wrong "J. Camargo" on their transaction page, when in fact they just re-upped on a minor-league deal with catcher Jair Camargo. Johan Camargo is still a free agent.