Baseball – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE - Japan's Kazuma Okamoto hits a home run during fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic championship game against the United States, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and Blue Jays agree to $60 million, 4-year contract, AP sources say

Rob Gillies, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 2:32 PM CST

TORONTO (AP) — Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Okamoto will get a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary this year and $16 million in each of the following three seasons.

A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 Japanese big league seasons, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He homered off Colorado’s Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the U.S. 3-2 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final.

Advertise With Us

Weather

Jan. 3, 6 PM: -17°c Cloudy Jan. 4, 12 AM: -16°c Cloudy

Winnipeg MB

-12°C, Cloudy

Full Forecast

Reports: Toronto Blue Jays agree to deal with Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Reports: Toronto Blue Jays agree to deal with Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 1:20 PM CST

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays and Japanese free-agent third baseman Kazuma Okamoto have agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports.

ESPN and Sportsnet reported Saturday afternoon that the two sides agreed to a deal. There was no immediate word on the length of the contract or financial details.

Okamoto is a six-time all-star in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

He hit .327 with 15 homers and 51 RBIs in 77 games last season for the Yomiuri Giants.

Read

1:20 PM CST

Yomiuri Giants third baseman Kazuma Okamoto flies out in the second inning of an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan on March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros finalize $54 million, 3-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros finalize $54 million, 3-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:08 PM CST

HOUSTON (AP) — Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros finalized their $54 million, three-year contract on Friday.

Houston opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment.

Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the next two seasons.

Based on his 2026 performance, his 2027 salary would escalate by $2 million each for 80, 90 and 100 innings, and his 2028 salary by $1 million for each level.

Read

Yesterday at 4:08 PM CST

FILE - Tatsuya Imai wears Seibu Lions' jersey during a news conference in Tokorozawa, Saitama prefecture, Japan, on Dec. 9, 2016. (Kyodo News via AP, File)

Twins acquire first baseman Eric Wagaman in trade with Marlins for minor league pitcher

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Twins acquire first baseman Eric Wagaman in trade with Marlins for minor league pitcher

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:10 PM CST

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins acquired first baseman Eric Wagaman from the Miami Marlins on Friday for minor league pitcher Kade Bragg.

Wagaman batted .250 with 28 doubles, nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 140 games as a rookie last season for the Marlins, finishing strong with a team-leading .328 average over 61 at-bats during the month of September. The 28-year-old Wagaman started 94 games at first base and 13 games in left field in 2025, after appearing in 18 games with the Los Angeles Angels in his debut in 2024.

Drafted in the 13th round in 2017 by the New York Yankees, Wagaman was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Marlins. He'll provide the Twins more potential depth at first base along with Kody Clemens behind veteran Josh Bell, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract last month.

The Twins also designated infielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for Wagaman.

Read

Yesterday at 2:10 PM CST

FILE - Miami Marlins first baseman Eric Wagaman (33) warms up before a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros agree to $54 million, 3-year contract, AP source says

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros agree to $54 million, 3-year contract, AP source says

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the final two seasons.

Based on his 2026 performance, his 2027 salary would escalate by $2 million each for 80, 90 and 100 innings, and his 2028 salary by $1 million for each level.

Read

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

‘Really inspiring’: How advanced technology is evolving baseball on Canadian soil

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

‘Really inspiring’: How advanced technology is evolving baseball on Canadian soil

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

Inside a large indoor space marked with metal equipment, training gear and gadgets stored in drawers and shelves, athlete Peyton Markwood uses two hands to pull on the handle of a large machine with all the strength he can muster, as it measures the power and movement of his muscles.

Later, his performance director, Tyler Soucie, directs him to put a smaller machine on his wrist and force it against a nearby metal bar as quickly and forcefully as he can, to measure how fast his brain can command his shoulder and arm to push.

It’s all statistics, physics and incredibly precise measurements of biomechanics, ranges of motion and strength. But it’s not your traditional science lab – it's a baseball training facility in Kitchener, Ont.

“It seems to evolve every day,” said Soucie, who founded Velo Baseball in 2018 and opened the facility in 2021. “There's always something new coming out, some sort of new edge. It usually starts at the major league level and then trickles its way down."

Read

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

Tyler Soucie, founder and performance director at Velo Baseball, an athlete training facility in Kitchener, Ont., is shown in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Velo Baseball (Mandatory Credit)

Reliever Hunter Harvey and the Chicago Cubs finalize 1-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Reliever Hunter Harvey and the Chicago Cubs finalize 1-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

CHICAGO (AP) — Right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey and the Chicago Cubs finalized a one-year contract Wednesday,

The addition of Harvey is the latest move in a bullpen makeover for the Cubs, who have added Phil Maton, Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb and re-signed Caleb Thielbar.

The 31-year-old Harvey was slowed by injuries last season with the Kansas City Royals. He pitched in 12 games and was 1-0 with 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 shutout innings.

The 22nd overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft by Baltimore, Harvey is 10-11 with a 3.11 ERA in 182 games with 201 career strikeouts in 185 innings with the Orioles, Washington Nationals and Kansas City.

Read

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

FILE - Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Hunter Harvey throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, March 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Learn more about Advertising solutions

Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon agrees to restructure final year of his $245 million contract

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon agrees to restructure final year of his $245 million contract

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon has agreed to restructure the final year of his $245 million, seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Angels hadn't announced any developments with Rendon, who didn't play last season following hip surgery.

The team and Rendon have amended the deal to restructure the remaining $38 million owed to the third baseman in 2026, presumably spreading the money over time.

Rendon is still on the roster and continuing to rehab at home in Houston, but his horrendous tenure with the Angels could be over.

Read

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

FILE - Los Angeles Angels' Anthony Rendon sprints to third during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sept. 6, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

A’s announce Soderstrom deal at future Las Vegas home

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

A’s announce Soderstrom deal at future Las Vegas home

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The setting of the Athletics' news conference Tuesday was at least as notable as the reason why the parties were there.

Tyler Soderstrom's signing ceremony was the first such event at the A's future Las Vegas home, the latest step in the club's scheduled move in a little more than two years.

His $86 million, seven-year contract is the richest deal in team history. It includes a club option for an eighth season and bonus provisions that could increase the value to $131 million.

“This is exciting for us,” general manager David Forst said. “This keeps him here with the A's well into our time here in Las Vegas starting in 2028. A huge part of what we're doing right now is putting that roster together.”

Read

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

Tyler Soderstrom, center, holds up his jersey during a news conference joined by manager Mark Kotsay, left, and General Manager David Forst at the A's Ballpark Experience Center in Las Vegas, Nev. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Anderson)

Utilityman Amed Rosario and New York Yankees finalize $2.5 million, 1-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Utilityman Amed Rosario and New York Yankees finalize $2.5 million, 1-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Amed Rosario and the Yankees finalized their $2.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday that keeps the utilityman in New York.

Rosario was acquired from Washington on July 26 for right-hander Clayton Beeter and minor league outfielder Browm Martinez. Rosario hit .303 with one homer and five RBIs in 33 at-bats over 16 games. He became a free agent after the World Series.

Rosario played shortstop, second base, shortstop, third base and right field last season and manager Aaron Boone could platoon him at third with Ryan McMahon, obtained from Colorado on July 25.

Rosario hit .302 with an .819 OPS against lefties last season and .231 with a .614 OPS against righties. McMahon, a left-handed batter on the lefty-heavy Yankees, hit .184 with a .534 OPS versus lefties and .223 with a .739 OPS versus righties.

Read

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

FILE - New York Yankees' Amed Rosario bats during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Aug. 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith, File)

Marlins acquire outfielder Esteury Ruiz from World Series champion Dodgers

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Marlins acquire outfielder Esteury Ruiz from World Series champion Dodgers

The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in a trade for minor league right-hander Adriano Marrero.

The speedy Ruiz led the American League with 67 stolen bases for the Athletics in 2023. He is a career .241 hitter during four major league seasons with four teams, but excels as a baserunner and a defender.

The Dodgers acquired Ruiz from the A's last April, and he was a little-used reserve when he was in the majors for the back-to-back World Series champions. Ruiz batted .190 in 19 games for Los Angeles, largely playing as a defensive replacement or a pinch runner.

The Marlins designated infielder Eric Wagaman for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for Ruiz. The trade opened a spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

Read

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Esteury Ruiz bats during a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Los Angeles, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

Tyler Soderstrom and Athletics finalize an $86 million, 7-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Tyler Soderstrom and Athletics finalize an $86 million, 7-year contract

The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Soderstrom and the Athletics finalized an $86 million, seven-year contract on Monday.

The deal includes a club option for an eighth season and bonus provisions that could raise its value to $131 million.

Soderstrom batted .276 with 25 home runs, 93 RBIs and an .820 OPS this year, his first full season in the majors. He made 100 of his 145 starts in left field, with 44 coming at first base and one at designated hitter.

Soderstrom made his big league debut in 2023, batting .160 with three homers in 45 games. He hit .233 with nine home runs and a .743 OPS over 61 games in 2024.

Read

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

FILE - Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom sprints towards first after hitting an RBI double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sept. 23, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall, File)

Canadian baseball legend Justin Morneau talks Jays’ run, goalie love at world juniors

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canadian baseball legend Justin Morneau talks Jays’ run, goalie love at world juniors

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS - Justin Morneau watched the Toronto Blue Jays win back-to-back World Series titles.

A kid with a dream growing up in New Westminster, B.C., those championships in 1992 and 1993 showed him what was possible.

And after the country's only Major League Baseball team just made another magical run before coming up millimetres short, the former Minnesota Twins first baseman sees even brighter days ahead north of the border, with passion for the sport reignited.

"Any time the Blue Jays are good, it's good for baseball in Canada," Morneau said Monday after watching Team Canada's morning skate at the world junior hockey championship. "There was a wave of players — it was Jason Bay, it was Jeff Francis, it was a ton of guys right around our age — that watched the Blue Jays win the World Series, and then believed in ourselves that we could be there."

Read

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau watches his solo home run sail over the right-field fence against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons

The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons.

“I am now ready to return my focus and energy to being a husband, father, family man and active member of my community,” he wrote Sunday on social media. “I’m retiring from baseball, but I hope to give back more than I received.”

A 34-year-old left-hander, Heaney was 56-72 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 starts and 22 relief appearances for Miami (2014), the Los Angeles Angels (2015-21), the New York Yankees (2021), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022, 2025), Texas (2023-24) and Pittsburgh (2025), which signed him to a $5.25 million, one-year contract in February.

He was 5-10 with a 5.52 ERA this year in 23 starts and four relief appearances. He was released by the Pirates on Aug. 29, signed with the Dodgers three days later and made one appearance for Los Angeles, allowing three runs over two innings at Seattle on Sept. 27. He did not pitch in the postseason.

Read

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

Orioles bring back free agent right-hander Zach Eflin to Baltimore on a $10 million, 1-year deal

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Orioles bring back free agent right-hander Zach Eflin to Baltimore on a $10 million, 1-year deal

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

The Baltimore Orioles are bringing back right-hander Zach Eflin on a $10 million, one-year contract.

The Orioles acquired Eflin in a trade from Tampa Bay during the 2024 season, and he pitched well down the stretch that year, but he went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA during an injury-plagued 2025. With the Orioles on their way to a last-place finish, Eflin seemed like a candidate to be traded in July, but just before the deadline he went on the injured list with back trouble, and he was eventually ruled out for the season.

After becoming a free agent, the 31-year-old Eflin is returning to the Orioles. He's set to receive $5 million in 2026, plus a $3 million signing bonus. His deal also includes a $25 million mutual option for 2027 or a $2 million buyout.

Additionally, Eflin's option price and his buyout would each escalate depending on how many starts he makes this coming season: $1 million for 15 starts, $1.5 million for 20 and $2.5 million for 25. Since mutual options are almost never exercised, he could earn up to $15 million for one season.

Read

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

FILE - Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

MLB Remaining Free Agents List

The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The 123 remaining free agents (q-rejected qualifying offer from former team):

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ATHLETICS (2) — José Leclerc, rhp; Scott McGough, rhp.

BALTIMORE (3) — Jorge Mateo, of-inf; Gary Sánchez, c; Tomayoki Sugano, rhp.

January 3, 2026

Notification Settings

Breaking News

Recommended Reads

Related