The week in MLB: Cody Bellinger's free agency twist, Luis Severino changes boroughs, Nelson Cruz lands role with Dodgers

On the surface, Cody Bellinger’s life is about to get better no matter what. He was a down-ballot MVP candidate last season who’s heading into free agency, as well as a former MVP and Rookie of the Year. He would have been labeled a unicorn back in the day, given his ability to play Gold Glove-level defense in centerfield and at first base, except that Shohei Ohtani has now redefined what unicorn means in baseball. Bellinger is only 28, and probably still has some prime years left. Normally, this kind of guy would get a fanbase all hopped up on goofballs with the news of his signing. Read More

The New York Mets increased the position versatility of their roster with the signing of infielder Joey Wendle to a one-year contract on Thursday.

The deal is worth $2 million, according to a report on MLB.com.

An American League All-Star in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Wendle played the past two seasons for the Miami Marlins, hitting a career-low .212 last season with a .248 on-base percentage and .306 slugging percentage in 297 at-bats over 112 games. Read More

Sarah Gelles, who began her career as a baseball operations intern with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, is returning to the team as an assistant general manager, per The Athletic. Read More

The Milwaukee Brewers are set to announce a record-setting contract with 19-year-old outfield prospect Jackson Chourio, MLB Network reported Thursday. Read More

The Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Nick Martinez are close to a two-year, $26 million contract agreement, per reports.

The deal is pending the result of a physical and includes an opt-out after 2024, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Martinez, 33, opted out of the final two seasons on his contract with San Diego to enter free agency.

Martinez finished 6-4 with a 3.43 ERA and one save in 63 games (nine starts) for the Padres in 2023.

He is expected to join the Cincinnati rotation. As a starter last season, he posted a 2.32 ERA and 1.078 WHIP.

He is 27-38 with a 4.31 ERA and nine saves in 198 games (87 starts) with the Texas Rangers (2014-17) and Padres (2022-23). Martinez pitched in Japan from 2018-21. Read More

Right-hander Luis Severino is moving across town after agreeing to a one-year, $13 million deal with the New York Mets on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. Read More

Right-handers Felix Bautista and Devin Williams were named the winners of the Reliever of the Year awards in the American and National leagues, respectively, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday night. Read More

Nelson Cruz, who retired earlier this month after 19 major league seasons, is accepting an advisor role with the Los Angeles Dodgers, multiple outlets reported Wednesday. Read More

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to a two-year deal with reliever Emilio Pagan, MLB Network reported Wednesday.

The contract is pending the results of a physical for the 32-year-old free agent right-hander.

Pagan finished 5-2 with one save and a 2.99 ERA in 66 games (one start) for the Minnesota Twins in 2023.

He is 22-18 with 32 saves and a 3.71 ERA in 369 games (one start) with the Seattle Mariners (2017), Oakland A’s (2018), Tampa Bay Rays (2019), San Diego Padres (2020-21) and Twins. Read More

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks and Chicago Cubs outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger were named the winners of the Comeback Player of the Year awards in the American and National leagues, respectively, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. Read More