Sources: Astros, Rafael Montero reach 3-year, $34.5M deal  —  Reliever Rafael Montero agreed to a three-year, $34.5 million contract that will bring the right-hander back to the Houston Astros' dominant bullpen a week after the team rode its pitching staff to a World Series title, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.

Red Sox have options when it comes to rebuilding their roster, but which paths will they choose?  —  LAS VEGAS — So what now?  —  As executives from around baseball scattered Thursday morning following the GM Meetings, the Red Sox embarked upon an offseason that is not so much a single path forward …

Bogaerts, Bell, Bellinger buzz for Cubs as GM Meetings close … LAS VEGAS — The bustle, the buzz, the bells, the beeps, the spinning and dinging all day and through the night.  —  “It definitely felt like the Winter Meetings,” Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said Thursday …

Astros GM James Click out after turning down 1-year offer  —  The Houston Astros announced Friday that they “will not enter into a renewal for the 2023 season” with general manager James Click, a bizarre conclusion to a three-year run that culminated in a championship and somehow ended in divorce.

Examining where biggest MLB star free agents stand as offseason begins  —  MORE FROM:  —  LAS VEGAS — With four star free-agent shortstops providing excellent but somewhat comparable choices for the nine or so teams in play for them, the new American League single-season home run record …

Reports: Robert Suarez to stick with Padres for 5 years, $46M  —  SAN DIEGO — Reliever Robert Suarez agreed Thursday to remain with the San Diego Padres under a $46 million, five-year contract, according to multiple reports.  —  The deal, which is pending a physical, was first reported by MLB Network.

Justin Verlander declines player option, becomes free agent  —  The MLBPA announced that Justin Verlander, Mychal Givens, Tommy Pham and Jordan Lyles resolved option decisions in their contracts and are now free agents.  —  Verlander opted out of the last year of his deal with the Houston Astros …

2022-23 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions  —  It's one of our biggest days of the year!  MLB Trade Rumors is proud to present our 17th annual Top 50 free agent list!  Bear in mind that these are just the top 50 names, in our estimation, but you can check out a list of the entire free-agent class here.