This week in MLB: Yamamoto's free agency adds more spice than Ohtani's; moves galore across the hot stove

Deadspin Bot|published: Fri 22nd December, 07:00 2023

credits: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports | source: Getty Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s free agency is a lot more interesting because there’s a lot less Dodgers

Yoshinobu Yamamoto. source: Getty Images

The Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes are infinitely more interesting and illuminating than Shohei Ohtani’s free agency for many reasons: People have been allowed to report on them, there seem to be more suitors than just the Dodgers and a couple are based in the last few baseball-rabid markets in America. - Sean Beckwith Read More

Mets acquire RHP Adrian Houser, OF Tyrone Taylor from Brewers

Oct 1, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser (37) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at American Family Field. credits: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets acquired right-hander Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league pitching prospect Coleman Crow. - Field Level Media Read More

Brewers sign free agent C Eric Haase to 1-year deal

Aug 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Eric Haase (13) heads to the dugout after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. credits: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent catcher Eric Haase to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed for the six-year major league veteran, who turned 31 on Monday.

Haase batted .201 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 89 games with Detroit and Cleveland last season.

He is a career .225 hitter with 41 homers and 137 RBIs in 323 games with Cleveland (2018-19, 2023) and the Tigers (2020-23).

—Field Level Media - Field Level Media Read More

A’s add veteran reliever Trevor Gott on one-year deal

Jul 6, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor Gott (33) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Chase Field. credits: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics signed veteran reliever Trevor Gott to a one-year contract.

The deal announced Tuesday night with the 31-year-old right-hander is reportedly for $1.5 million plus incentives.

Gott split the 2023 season with the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners, posting a 4.19 ERA in 64 appearances.

He is 16-15 with a 4.65 ERA and six saves in 255 games (zero starts) with six teams since debuting in 2015.

—Field Level Media - Field Level Media Read More

Andrew McCutchen returning to Pirates in 2024

Aug 22, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (22) circles the bases on a two run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at PNC Park. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2024 season.

McCutchen and the Pirates agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to multiple reports Tuesday. The deal is expected to be announced Wednesday, and is contingent on McCutchen passing a physical. - Field Level Media Read More

Yankees claim INF Jeter Downs off waivers

Aug 17, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Jeter Downs (3) scores a run ahead of a tag by Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (12) on a two run double by Nationals designated hitter Joey Meneses (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Named after New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, infielder Jeter Downs is now a member of the Hall of Famer’s organization after he was claimed off waivers Tuesday from the Washington Nationals. - Field Level Media Read More

Giants acquire OF TJ Hopkins from Reds

Aug 15, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) forces out Cincinnati Reds centerfielder TJ Hopkins at second and throws to first to get Kevin Newman (not pictured) out to complete the double play in the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. credits: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder TJ Hopkins from the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. - Field Level Media Read More

Orioles, Maryland finalize 30-year Camden Yards lease extension

Oct 7, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A general view during the eight inning in game one of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. credits: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority have inked the previously announced deal to keep the team at Camden Yards for the next 30 years. - Field Level Media Read More

Reports: Bidding begins as Yankees, Mets dine with Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Aug 4, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (17) reacts against Korea in a baseball semifinal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. credits: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Coveted Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto is ready to hear bids from suitors beginning Monday, ESPN reported.

Yamamoto reportedly granted the Mets and Yankees another chance to make their case in separate dinner gatherings over the weekend.

The superstar reportedly requested and was granted a second meeting with the Mets, having dinner Saturday with Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns, manager Carlos Mendoza and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner at Cohen’s Connecticut home, MLB Network reported. - Field Level Media Read More

Report: Braves release INF Matt Carpenter

Sep 3, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Matt Carpenter (14) looks on after striking out against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Petco Park. credits: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves released veteran infielder Matt Carpenter on Monday, roughly 72 hours after acquiring him from San Diego, MLB.com reported.

The Braves traded for Carpenter and left-hander Ray Kerr on Friday and planned to try and flip Carpenter afterward but found no takers, per the report. The Braves are on the hook for $4 million of Carpenter’s salary in 2024 while the Padres owe $1.5 million. - Field Level Media Read More