Breaking down Héctor Neris' Cubs deal, plus more MLB free agency notes  —  Considering Héctor Neris' age, diminished velocity and lack of recent closing experience, he probably was valued appropriately.  But at first glance, it appeared the right-handed reliever's one-year …

Shohei Ohtani joining Dodgers ‘made too much sense’ says Stan Kasten |  Nightengale's Notebook  —  Los Angeles Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten was strolling into the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on New Year's Day to watch the inaugural game of a new women's professional hockey league - when someone yelled at him.

Orion Kerkering will have a big role in the Phillies' bullpen.  Could he wind up being the closer?  —  It's always useful to listen to what team officials say about assembling a roster.  But it's often more informative to watch what they do, with past actions tending to portend …

Jacob deGrom says he, Max Scherzer aiming for midsummer returns  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The World Series champion Texas Rangers have two multiple-Cy Young Award winners who could return to their rotation sometime in the middle of the summer.  —  Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer …

Tigers sign infield prospect Colt Keith to 6-year, $28.6M deal  —  DETROIT — The Tigers made an unusual bet on a player with no major league experience, signing 22-year-old infield prospect Colt Keith to a six-year contract Sunday that guarantees him $28,642,500.

Yankees, Giants among big-market teams still active in free agency  —  Many excellent players are still searching for a landing spot — 19 of MLBtraderumors.com's top 50 free agents, in fact — so it stands to reason many teams remain incomplete.  Exactly half the teams have spent $40 million or less …

Yankees making low offers to solidify bullpen late in free agency  —  The Yankees, currently focused on bullpen pieces, have talked to Hector Neris, Phil Maton, Ryan Brasier and Wandy Peralta.  But they are alleged to be making low offers, perhaps due to the calendar or a supply-demand perception.

How the Terry Rozier trade has reset the point guard market  —  The NBA's marketplace works in cycles and precedents, with yesterday's price often setting today's.  When Devin Vassell signed a five-year, $135 million extension with San Antonio this fall, agents and executives around …

Source: Diamondbacks, Joc Pederson agree to deal  —  Joc Pederson and the National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $9.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Thursday.

Jrue Holiday reveals free agency preference after Celtics trade  —  MIAMI — Jrue Holiday has only been in Boston for four months but he's hoping to stay a lot longer.  In an exclusive interview, Holiday revealed his desire to stay in Boston over the long-term, highlighting the hope of reaching …

Rangers Trade J.P. Martinez To Braves  —  The Rangers announced Friday that they've traded outfielder J.P. Martinez to the Braves in exchange for minor league right-hander Tyler Owens.  Texas needed to open a spot on its 40-man roster in order to finalize yesterday's reported signing of David Robertson …

Yankees, Luis Torrens Agree To Minor League Deal  —  The Yankees have agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Luis Torrens, per the team's transaction log at MLB.com.  Presumably, he'll be in camp as a non-roster invitee this spring.  —  Torrens, 27, has spent time in the big leagues …