NL Central

The Cincinnati Reds reportedly signed Wil Myers to a one-year, $7.5 million contract on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The deal can reach up to $9.5 million "based on playing time or if he's traded," per that report, and includes a mutual option for 2024.

Mayers was excellent for the San Diego Padres in 2020, hitting .288 with 15 homers, 40 RBI, 34 runs and a .959 OPS in 55 games. Paired with players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, he gave the Padres one of the most fearsome lineups in baseball.

It was an important bounce-back year for Myers, who played in just 83 games in 2018, hitting .253 with 11 homers, 39 RBI and 39 runs, as a left oblique strain and a left foot bone bruise cost him time on the disabled list. In 2019, he played in 155 games but disappointed, hitting just .239 with 18 homers and 53 RBI.

After hitting 28 homers in 2016 (which earned him a trip to the All-Star Game) and 30 home runs in 2017, Myers established himself as a solid power hitter, though his time on the shelf in 2018 limited that productivity and his power numbers were lacking in 2019 compared to previous heights.

The 31-year-old's 2021 season regressed to his form in 2018-19, however, as he hit .256 with just 17 homers and 63 RBI in 146 games. And he was far worse in 2022, hitting .261 with seven homers and 41 RBI in just 77 games.

Getting on base has remained an issue, as Myers has a career .254 batting average and .315 on-base percentage. Since hitting .293 in his 2013 rookie season, earning him AL Rookie of the Year honors, he hadn't hit .260 or higher until the 2020 campaign.

That made him the subject of trade rumors throughout last season, though the Padres couldn't find any takers. And it made it fairly unsurprising when the team declined his $20 club option in 2023.

But his defensive versatility—the former Tampa Bay Rays man has spent time at third base, left field, right field, first base and even center field during his career—and his past history of pop at the plate clearly made him an attractive target for the Reds.

Whether he can return to the level he played at in 2020 remains to be seen.

The New York Yankees could look at the trade market to continue to upgrade their roster after making their big moves in free agency.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Yankees are among the teams that have contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates to discuss a trade for Bryan Reynolds.

Morosi noted the Yankees could be at a disadvantage in trade talks for Reynolds because they don't have a lot of high-quality starting pitching in their system, and the Pirates prefer starters if they deal the 27-year-old outfielder.

With the Pirates mired in a perpetual state of rebuilding, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Dec. 3 that Reynolds requested a trade.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, the Pirates offered Reynolds a contract extension that would have made him the highest-paid player in team history.

It's not a high bar to clear. Ke'Bryan Hayes' eight-year, $70 million extension signed in April is the richest deal the Pirates have ever given out, and it pales in comparison to how much money players have commanded in free agency this offseason

Hayes signed his extension when he was five years away from free agency. Reynolds is under team control for three more years before hitting free agency after the 2025 season.

The Pirates said in a statement that Reynolds' trade request will have "zero impact" on their decision-making process and that they "look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates."

Using MLB.com's rankings for the 2022 season, the Yankees' top seven prospects are all position players. Right-hander Will Warren is the top pitcher in the system, but he faces questions about his viability as a starter because of the quality of his secondary stuff.

The Yankees addressed two big problems in free agency. They retained reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge by signing him to a nine-year, $360 million contract, and they added Carlos Rodón to their starting rotation on a six-year, $162 million deal.

Outfield depth is still a question mark in the Bronx. Harrison Bader is a good defensive center fielder, but he only hit .250/.294/.356 in 86 games between the Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.

Reynolds has become one of the best offensive center fielders in baseball since making his MLB debut in 2019. He ranks fifth among players at the position in FanGraphs' wins above replacement (12.5) over the past four seasons. Mike Trout, George Springer, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Starling Marte are the only players ahead of him.

In 493 career games, Reynolds owns a .281/.361/.481 slash line with 74 homers and 239 RBI.

Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning died on Monday, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky. He was 62.

We regret the error regarding the incorrect day. It has been corrected. pic.twitter.com/fUkNRV9AjQ

— Boone County Sheriff’s Office (@BooneSheriffKY) December 19, 2022

The Reds released the following statement:

pic.twitter.com/rNwN7A9n7U

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) December 19, 2022

His former teammate, Barry Larkin, was among those who paid their respects to Browning after learning of his death:

RIP my friend Mr. Perfect Tom Browning. We shared some great times as well as the same birthdate 4/28. You will be missed

— Barry Larkin (@BarryLarkin) December 19, 2022

34 years

— Pat Kelsey (@patkelsey) December 19, 2022

One of my favorite players of all-time. RIP Tom Browning.

July 7, 1993 - Browning epically sneaked out of Wrigley Field when he wasn't playing...and joined fans on the rooftop across the street while in full uniform. Manager Davey Johnson fined him $500. pic.twitter.com/outaZugZz1

— Bob Rotruck (@BobRotruck) December 19, 2022

RIP Tom Browning 💔pic.twitter.com/Fr9WweNeFG

— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) December 19, 2022

RIP Puggy. Wow sad news on Tom Browning.

— greg swindell (@GregSwindell) December 19, 2022

RIP Tom Browning.He had the best 84-86 mph high spin rate 4-seam fastball at the top of zone of any LH pitcher of his era.He threw a perfect game,won a World Championship,sat in the Wrigley Field stands during a #Reds game & took part himself during his own contract negotiations.

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) December 19, 2022

Farewell, Tom Browning. Man.

— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) December 19, 2022

Brown spent 12 seasons in Major League Baseball between the Reds (1984-94) and Kansas City Royals (1995), finishing his career 123-90 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 1,000 strikeouts.

He was an All-Star in the 1991 season and won a title with the Reds in the 1990 campaign. He also finished as the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1985 and was sixth in the Cy Young voting that year after going 20-9.

His career highlight came in 1988 when he threw a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 12th perfect game in MLB history. He struck out seven in the game, beating the team that would go on to win the World Series that year. It remains the only perfect game in Reds' history, and one of 23 in MLB history.

He was dubbed Mr. Perfect after that performance, a nickname he found somewhat amusing.

"I was only perfect for an hour and 52 minutes," he wrote in the book Tom Browning's Tales From the Reds Dugout (h/t Joe Cox of SABR.org). "Most of the other time, I was imperfect—and stubborn, immature, and even a bit of a wiseass."

But forever a part of Cincinnati history.

The Chicago Cubs have themselves a new shortstop.

The team reportedly signed free agent Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million deal Saturday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Bally Sports' Russell Dorsey.

Before the move, the Cubs had a projected tax payroll of $176.7 million, per Spotrac. Assuming an average annual value of $25.3 million on Swanson's contract, his signing should move that figure to an estimated $202 million.

It also will lock down the shortstop position for the foreseeable future and bolster the Cubs lineup. Here's a look at what that unit might look like in 2023:

1. Dansby Swanson, SS
2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
   
3. Cody Bellinger, CF
4. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
   
5. Nico Hoerner, 2B
6. Ian Happ, LF
7. Matt Mervis, 1B
8. Christopher Morel, DH
9. Yan Gomes, C
   

The additions of Bellinger and Swanson are huge for a Cubs team that lacked pop in 2022, finishing 17th in baseball in homers (159), 22nd in runs (657) and 19th in team batting average (.238).

That duo combined to hit 44 homers and added 164 RBI last season alone. Swanson has posted consecutive seasons with 25 or more homers, while Bellinger—the 2019 NL MVP and 2017 NL Rookie of the Year—has hit 25 or more homers three times in his career, though his power has diminished in recent seasons.

Perhaps a change in scenery will do him good. If it does, a Cubs lineup that was a question mark heading into the winter will look a whole lot better. At the very least, the excellent defense of Swanson is going to make the Cubs extremely steady up the middle.

In other words, Chicago got better Saturday.

Longtime St. Louis Cardinals' play-by-play television announcer Dan McLaughlin won't return to Bally Sports Midwest's broadcasts of the Cards after being arrested for his third DWI last week, per Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"Dan McLaughlin will not return as the Cardinals television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Midwest," the team and station said in a joint statement. "Dan has been the voice of memorable Cardinals moments for 24 years. We thank him for his contributions to Cardinals baseball, to Cardinals fans and for his many charitable efforts."

McLaughlin, 48, would have been entering his 25th season season in the role. He said the decision was mutual.

"I have spent the last several days reflecting on my steps towards addressing my health and the well-being of my family and me," his statement read. "I have come to the conclusion that my sole focus needs to be on my recovery, which I have started, and that of my wife and (four) children.

"As a result, I am stepping away from my duties at Bally Sports Midwest," he continued. "I thank all of the people of Bally for their support throughout the years and wish them the best. As I move forward, I please ask for your patience and your privacy. Thank you. God Bless."

McLaughlin had also served as an announcer for St. Louis University men's basketball. He will also not return to those telecasts.

His previous arrests for DWI came in 2010 and 2011. He was sentenced to two years of probation after the first incident and had his license suspended for 90 days after the second.

Last week's arrest carried with it a felony charge for being a "persistent" offender.

After his arrest, McLaughlin said he was "deeply remorseful" and added he would make "no excuses. I'm dealing with this and seeking the treatment that I need."

His next court hearing is Feb. 7.

Looking for pitching depth heading into next season, the Cincinnati Reds could turn to a familiar face for help.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Reds have shown interest in bringing back Johnny Cueto.

The right-hander made his MLB debut with Cincinnati in 2008 and spent seven-and-a-half seasons with the organization.

The Reds could face competition to sign Cueto. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported Wednesday the Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in Cueto, even after agreeing to a three-year deal with Chris Bassitt.

If Cueto is looking for an opportunity to win, the Blue Jays have a lot more to offer than the Reds.

Cincinnati's starting rotation features Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Luis Cessa, Graham Ashcraft and Justin Dunn. Lodolo is the only member of that group who had a sub-4.00 ERA in 2022 (3.66).

Reds starters ranked 20th in MLB with 809.2 innings pitched last season. Greene led the way with 125.2 innings.

Cueto is coming off two straight effective seasons. The 36-year-old had a 4.08 ERA in 22 appearances with the San Francisco Giants in 2021.

Cueto signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox in April. He made his season debut May 16 and finished with a 3.35 ERA in 158.1 innings.

Cueto was one of the best pitchers in baseball during his first stint with the Reds. He had a 2.48 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 102 starts over four seasons from 2011 to 2014. The Dominican Republic native finished in the top four in NL Cy Young voting in 2012 and 2014.

The Reds finished last season with a 62-100 record, only the second time in franchise history they've lost at least 100 games. They have just two winning seasons and one playoff appearance since 2014.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly have a massive price tag in mind for teams interested in center fielder Bryan Reynolds, who has requested a trade.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that news Sunday.

"Yes, the Pirates are willing to entertain moving center fielder Bryan Reynolds, if only because clubs are almost always willing to listen to trade offers. Teams interested in Reynolds, however, say the price tag is similar to what it was in the past—exceedingly high.

"One rival official, in what surely was an exaggeration, said the Pirates want a 'Soto-type package' for Reynolds. Another said Reynolds is 'super expensive.' A third described him as 'unlikely to move.'"

The Soto-type package remark is in reference to last season's blockbuster deal between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres, which sent star outfielder Juan Soto to California alongside first baseman Josh Bell for six players, including veteran first baseman Luke Voit, some recently promoted top prospects (CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore) and ones waiting for their call-up (Robert Hassell III, James Wood, Jarlin Susana).

Hassell and Wood are No. 22 and 34 on the latest MLB prospect rankings. Gore and Abrams were sixth and eighth on the 2021 list, respectively.

Rosenthal made clear that the executive's remarks were "surely an exaggeration," and it's highly unlikely that the Pirates would get a deal like that in return for Reynolds.

Soto already has a trio of top-10 MVP finishes and two All-Star Game appearances, and he's just entering his age-24 season.

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette initially reported news of Reynolds' trade request.

Per sources, Bryan Reynolds has requested a trade from the Pirates.

Some context: Motive is unclear at this point. It also doesn't sound like the Pirates are immediately moving to ship off Reynolds. Letting offseason play out as it otherwise would.

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 3, 2022

Jon Heyman of the New York Post added context.

Extension negotiations between Pirates and Bryan Reynolds are at an “impasse,” causing Reynolds to request a trade. Word is Pirates still not planning to deal him. Many teams — including the Mets, Giants, Yankees, Rays — could use the star CF. @ByRobertMurray 1st on request

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 3, 2022

The Pirates confirmed Reynolds' trade request publicly and suggested they didn't plan to adhere to the ask.

"While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this off-season or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates."

Reynolds, who turns 28 years old in January, has played for the Pirates for all four of his MLB seasons. He earned his first All-Star Game appearance in 2021 and followed that up with 27 home runs, 62 RBI and a .262 batting average (.807 OPS). At this time, he isn't eligible to become a free agent until after the 2025 season.

Carlos Correa's market is starting to take shape.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins are among the teams interested in the 28-year-old shortstop.

ESPN's Buster Olney said on 95.7 The Game's Willard & Dibs on Friday that the New York Yankees could be in play for the best remaining free agent because "they're working on something big" after getting a commitment from Aaron Judge.

Once Judge decided to re-sign with the Yankees, the Giants became the most logical fit for Correa. They had an offer on the table for the reigning American League MVP of around $360 million in total value, per Heyman.

If the Giants offered that much for Judge, why not make the same proposal to Correa?

While Correa isn't the same level of superstar as Judge, at least by name recognition, there's a strong argument he would be a better free-agent investment. He's two-and-a-half years younger than Judge, plays a more important defensive position and has played it at a high level for most of his career.

The Giants have fallen behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the National League West hierarchy. The Padres show no signs of slowing their spending, having signed Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal.

Correa alone wouldn't make the Giants a playoff contender, but he would help them close the gap on the top two teams in their division.

The Cubs have put themselves in an interesting spot, even after losing Willson Contreras to the St. Louis Cardinals. They've spent money the past two offseasons to bring in Marcus Stroman, Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon, but they lack high-ceiling players who can get them back into playoff contention in 2023.

Chicago has reportedly been heavily involved in the shortstop market this offseason. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported team brass met with Bogaerts earlier this month as well as Correa.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney reported Thursday the Cubs have a "particular focus" on Dansby Swanson.

The Twins are familiar with Correa after he played for them last season. He was a standout in their lineup with a .291/.366/.467 slash line and 22 homers in 136 games.

The AL Central is wide-open every year because none of the teams spend exorbitant amounts of money to sign players. The Cleveland Guardians won the division last season with 92 wins and appear to have a bright future, but their biggest addition has been Josh Bell.

The Chicago White Sox finished .500 and have lost José Abreu in free agency. Their only meaningful addition has been Mike Clevinger.

The Twins have a path to win the AL Central in 2023. If they can bring back Correa, that path becomes easier.

Now that he is officially a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Willson Contreras admitted the thought of joining his former team's biggest rival first crossed his mind when he got an in-person look at Albert Pujols' pursuit of 700 homers.

At his introductory press conference on Friday, Contreras said a Sept. 4 game between the Cardinals and Chicago Cubs was when he envisioned himself playing for the other team.

Contreras said he started imagining himself as a Cardinal the day he saw Albert Pujols hit his 695th homer. Said he was on the IL, watching from the bench, envisioning playing for a team with that kind of tradition and celebration.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) December 9, 2022

The Cardinals defeated the Cubs, 2-0, with Pujols' pinch-hit two-run homer off Brandon Hughes in the bottom of the eighth inning being the difference.

Contreras was unable to play in the series due to a sprained ankle. He has been around the rivalry between the two National League Central clubs since making his big-league debut in June 2016.

There was a time last season when it seemed like Contreras wouldn't be around to see those September games between the Cubs and Cardinals. He was one of the most talked about players being moved prior to the trade deadline, but no deal ever materialized.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Houston Astros owner Jim Crane vetoed a deal in August that would have sent Contreras to Houston in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy.

Even though that one deal didn't go through, it's even more baffling in hindsight the Cubs didn't trade Contreras. There was no indication they even tried to negotiate a new contract with him this offseason after he turned down the qualifying offer.

A trade was expected for Contreras and Ian Happ before the deadline that both players received a standing ovation after a July 26 game at Wrigley Field. The Cubs were going to embark on a road trip that lasted through the trade deadline.

Instead of being able to pick up a player who could have helped them in 2023 and beyond, the Cubs got nothing back and saw Contreras accept a five-year, $87.5 million deal from the Cardinals.

Contreras hit .249/.368/.441 with 15 homers in 95 games against the Cardinals. He will get his first chance to play against the Cubs on May 8 at Wrigley Field.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed five-time Gold Glover Jason Heyward to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, the team announced Thursday, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

Heyward began his career with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting and earning his only All-Star Game selection. In his five seasons with the club, he slashed .262/.351/.429 with 84 home runs and 292 RBI in 681 games, in addition to winning two Gold Gloves.

The Braves traded Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2015 campaign. In his lone season with the franchise, he hit .293/.359/.439 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI in 154 games. He also earned another Gold Glove award.

He then agreed to an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Chicago Cubs before the 2016 campaign. He earned two Gold Gloves with the Cubs and helped the team capture the 2016 World Series title, but he never lived up to the contract offensively. He was released in November.

Heyward's performance at the plate over the last two seasons has been particularly poor. In 2021, he slashed .214/.280/.347 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 104 games. He appeared in just 48 games for the Cubbies in 2022, hitting .204/.278/.277 with one home run and 10 RBI.

In Los Angeles, it's possible the 33-year-old will find himself back on a major league roster in 2023, especially if he puts together a strong performance in spring training.

The Dodgers saw outfielder Cody Bellinger sign a one-year deal with the Cubs this winter after they non-tendered him, and they could use some depth in both left and center field alongside Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor.