Marlins agree to deals with Locke, Ellis and McGowan

Still in the mix for a high-priced closer, the Marlins on Wednesday accomplished some lower-profile needs and addressed three areas.

Miami came to terms with left-hander Jeff Locke, right-handed reliever Dustin McGowan and backup catcher A.J. Ellis on one-year deals, pending physicals. The moves have yet to be officially announced, keeping the 40-man roster at 37 heading into Thursday's Rule 5 Draft.

The Marlins continue to be in talks with free agent closer Kenley Jansen after Aroldis Chapman reportedly signed a five-year, $86 million deal with the Yankees on Wednesday night.

To participate in the Rule 5 Draft, which wraps up the Winter Meetings, a team must have at least one vacancy on the 40-man roster.

Locke, formerly with the Pirates, will compete for a back-of-the-rotation spot. The 29-year-old's deal is worth $3 million.

"He gives us another starting option who we think is in line for a bounce-back year, and he has the ability to give us quality innings," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.

Locke, who had been with the Pirates since 2011, would become one of three left-handers in Miami's projected rotation. He will join fellow southpaws Wei-Yin Chen and Adam Conley. The right-handed options for manager Don Mattingly are Edinson Volquez and Tom Koehler.

"They're all different," Hill said of the lefties. "We talked about that, exactly. To phrase Donnie, the best five. If they all throw left-handed, so be it. We're trying to build the deepest, strongest rotation that we can. If we're right-handed, left-handed, we want the best quality."

The Marlins added even further to their potential battery by also shoring up their defense behind the plate. The club agreed to terms with Ellis for a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Ellis previously played for Mattingly during their days with the Dodgers. Ellis played for the Dodgers last season before being traded to the Phillies. In Miami, he'll back up J.T. Realmuto.

During the free agent process, Mattingly reached out to Ellis.

"We've talked about that role," Mattingly said.

Miami was in the market for a quality defensive catcher after Jeff Mathis signed a free-agent deal with the D-backs on Monday. Ellis, who turns 36 in April, played the first eight full seasons of his career with the Dodgers, becoming a favored catcher of ace Clayton Kershaw, before Los Angeles traded him in August for catcher Carlos Ruiz.

Ellis batted .216/.301/.298 in 64 games in 2016, and sports a .239 average with 37 home runs and 200 RBIs over the course of his career.

Ellis will help in the development of Realmuto. And the Marlins are open to being creative with their catcher position.

Realmuto, who batted .303 with 11 homers and 48 RBIs, is one of the more athletic catchers in the game. The Marines see the addition of Ellis as giving them the chance to occasionally work Realmuto at first base, against left-handed pitching, on days when Ellis is behind the plate.

"The experience, it's more of the preparation part of it, and the game planning," Hill said of Ellis' presence. "J.T. is still a young catcher. He's incredibly talented. We want him to be the best in the game, and understand every aspect in terms of our pitchers, of the opponents that he's game-planning against.

"He wants to be that mentor and nurture and help grow J.T. into the best catcher in the game."

Locke is the second free-agent starter the Marlins have signed in the past two weeks. They previously added Volquez to a two-year, $22 million contract.

Locke was 9-8 with a 5.44 ERA in 30 appearances (19 starts) in 2016. The 29-year-old struck out 73 in 127 1/3 innings.

In Miami, Locke will be reuniting with Jim Benedict, the Marlins' vice president of pitching development. The two previously worked together in Pittsburgh.

An All-Star in 2013, Locke was 10-7 with a 3.52 ERA that year. He has a 50.6 percent ground-ball rate over the past four seasons. Locke's finest performance in 2016 was throwing a three-hit shutout on May 30 in a 10-0 win in Miami.

"In Locke, you're talking about an All-Star from a few years ago," Hill said. "We saw him up close and personal, when he made his start against us at Marlins Park. He threw a shutout."

McGowan, 34, went 1-3 with a 2.82 ERA in 67 innings for the Marlins last season. He recorded the third-lowest ERA on the team among those pitchers who threw at least 60 innings.

McGowan has starting experience during his years with the Blue Jays. He will likely be used in multiple-inning relief situations.

Source: Yankees, Chapman agree to deal

 Aroldis Chapman and his triple-digit fastball are heading back to the Bronx, as the left-handed closer has agreed to a five-year, $86 million contract with the Yankees on Wednesday night, a source told MLB.com.

The agreement sets a Major League record for the largest contract ever handed to a relief pitcher. The Yankees have not officially announced the signing, as Chapman must still pass a physical to finalize the deal.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had repeatedly stated that one of his offseason priorities was to work out a deal with Chapman, who posted a 2.01 ERA with 20 saves for New York last season before helping the Cubs snap their 108-year World Series championship drought.

"The attraction of him is that we know he can pitch in New York and he doesn't have a Draft pick attached," Cashman said prior to the agreement. "So then it just comes down to money and term."

Chapman's deal exceeds a pact agreed to this week by right-hander Mark Melancon, who reached a four-year, $62 million agreement with the Giants. Entering this offseason, the record was held by Jonathan Papelbon's four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies (2012-15).

MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reports that Chapman's contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2019 season, a full no-trade clause for the first three years and a limited no-trade for the final two seasons. ESPN added that Chapman cannot be dealt to a California team.

Speaking often with Chapman's agent, Barry Praver, the Yanks believed that there was mutual interest to reach a deal with the game's hardest thrower, but they covered their bases by also tendering a contract offer to free-agent right-hander Kenley Jansen.

However, the Yankees were reluctant to sign Jansen because it would have meant surrendering the 16th pick in the 2017 Draft. Jansen had compensation attached since he turned down a qualifying offer from the Dodgers, while Chapman has none because he was dealt in midseason.

Traded by the Yanks to the Cubs on July 25 for a four-player package that included 19-year-old infielder Gleyber Torres, who was the MVP of the Arizona Fall League and is ranked as New York's No. 2 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, the 28-year-old Chapman appeared in 28 games for Chicago and had a 1.01 ERA with 16 saves.

Chapman appeared fatigued late this season due to a heavy workload, firing 15 2/3 postseason innings and appearing in five of the seven World Series games, but the Yankees do not believe there will be a carryover effect.

"He looked healthy," Cashman said. "I wouldn't be pursuing him if that was a concern."

From Cuba, Chapman began his career with the Reds, who traded him to New York following the 2015 season. He served a 30-game suspension for violation of Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy, making his '16 season debut on May 9.

The deal restores right-hander Dellin Betances to a setup role behind Chapman, who owns a 23-21 record, a 2.08 ERA and 182 saves in 383 Major League appearances. It crosses off another significant offseason objective for the Yanks, who finalized a one-year, $13 million deal with designated hitter Matt Holliday earlier on Wednesday.

In advance of the Winter Meetings, Cashman had outlined his goals as to find a proven veteran bat, bolster his bullpen and add to a thin starting rotation if possible. Two of those to-dos have now been addressed, with approximately four months still left to further shuffle the deck before Opening Day.

Sources: Nats closing in on deal for Eaton

The Nationals are nearing a deal with the White Sox that would send outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington, sources told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday. Sources have confirmed to MLB.com that the two are closing in on a deal. Neither team has commented on the report.

Sources tell MLB.com that the Nationals would send to the White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito, their No. 1 prospect, right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (No. 3) and right-hander Dane Dunning (No. 6). Giolito is MLB Pipeline's No. 3 overall prospect; Lopez is No. 38.

Eaton, who turned 28 on December 6, is under club control through 2021.

Acquiring Eaton, a talented center fielder, would allow the Nationals to move Trea Turner back to shortstop, his original position.

Cubs get Davis from Royals for Soler

The Cubs, adding more depth to the bullpen and possibly a new closer, completed a deal Wednesday to acquire Wade Davis from the Royals for outfielder Jorge Soler.

Soler seemed to be the odd man out in the Cubs outfield with the return of Kyle Schwarber. In three seasons, Soler has batted .258 with 27 home runs and 98 RBIs. A right-handed hitter, he is entering the sixth year of a nine-year, $30 million contract. Leg injuries have limited Soler, who played 101 games in 2015, hitting .262.

This season, Davis was on the disabled list twice because of a right forearm strain and a right flexor strain. When he came off the DL in September, he finished with a 3.12 ERA in nine games, going six for seven in save opportunities. The Cubs would need to have Davis examined by their medical staff before any deal is finalized.

The Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman last July to help them get to the postseason and the lefty was a key part of the team's playoff run. Chapman is reportedly seeking a six-year deal, which doesn't fit in the Cubs' budget.

The Cubs have in-house options to close, and Maddon said Tuesday that Hector Rondoncould return to that role next season. Rondon was 18-for-23 in save situations this past season, and posted a 1.72 ERA in the first half. He was bothered by a strained right triceps in the second half, and had a 6.41 ERA in 22 games. The Cubs acquired Chapman in late July to take over the role.

"I think it's safe to say we're kicking the tires on any pitching that's available," general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday.

Marlins agree to 1-year deal with lefty Locke

Another rotation candidate is about to join the Marlins. Left-hander Jeff Locke has reached an agreement on a one-year contract, pending completion of his physical, MLB.com has confirmed.

Locke, who had been with the Pirates since 2011, would become one of three left-handers in Miami's projected rotation. The Marlins also are finalizing a contract with right-handed reliever Dustin McGowan, who will be returning to Miami.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports was first to report Locke's deal.

Locke is the second free-agent starter the Marlins have signed in the past two weeks. They previously added right-hander Edinson Volquez to a two-year, $22 million contract.

Locke was 9-8 with a 5.44 ERA in 30 appearances (19 starts) in 2016. The 29-year-old struck out 73 in 127 1/3 innings.

In Miami, Locke will be reuniting with Jim Benedict, the Marlins' vice president of pitching development. The two previously worked together in Pittsburgh.

An All-Star in 2013, Locke was 10-7 with a 3.52 ERA that year. He has a 50.6 percent ground-ball rate over the past four seasons.

Locke is primed to join fellow left-handers Adam Conley and Wei-Yin Chen in Miami's rotation. Volquez and Tom Koehler are the right-handers.

McGowan, 34, posted a 2.82 ERA in 55 games with the Marlins over 67 innings in 2016. He was a non-roster invitee last year. The right-hander is finalizing a guaranteed big league deal, which means he is expected to make the Opening Day roster.

McGowan has starting experience during his years with the Blue Jays. He will likely be used in multiple-inning relief situations.

Rockies, Desmond reportedly agree to deal

The Rockies and free-agent outfielder Ian Desmond have agreed on a reported five-year, $70 million deal, sources told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday.

The club has not confirmed the deal.

Because Desmond declined Texas' qualifying offer, the Rockies will forfeit their first-round (No. 11 overall) pick in the 2017 Draft.

Desmond hit .285 with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs in 156 games for the Rangers in 2016.

Sources: Gomez, Rangers reach 1-year deal

The Rangers have addressed their center-field situation by agreeing with outfielder Carlos Gomez on a one-year, $11.5 million contract late Tuesday night, Major League sources said.

The club has not confirmed the news. An official announcement is pending a physical.

Center field was a top priority for the Rangers coming into the Winter Meetings and they explored every possibility. The deal with Gomez likely rules out the possibility of the Rangers re-signing Ian Desmond.

The Rangers acquired Gomez as a free agent on Aug. 20 after he had been released by the Astros. He played in 33 games for the Rangers and hit .284 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs. He had a .362 on-base percentage and a .543 slugging percentage.

Gomez is a 10-year Major League veteran who was an All-Star with the Brewers in 2013-14. He won a Gold Glove with the Brewers in '13.

The Rangers had discussions about potential deals for the Reds' Billy Hamilton, the Royals' Lorenzo Cain and the Padres' Travis Jankowski before reaching a deal with Gomez.

The Rangers are still looking for more starting pitching as well as possibly first base/designated hitter options at the Winter Meetings.

Cubs in discussion with Royals about Davis

The Cubs, hoping to add more depth to the bullpen and possibly a new closer, were talking to the Royals about acquiring Wade Davis.

Late Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network and FOX Sports reported a deal between the two teams was close, and would involve outfielder Jorge Soler going to the Royals for Davis. Team officials would not confirm the reports.

Soler seemed to be the odd man out in the Cubs outfield with the return of Kyle Schwarber. In three seasons, Soler has batted .258 with 27 home runs and 98 RBIs. A right-handed hitter, he is entering the sixth year of a nine-year, $30 million contract. Leg injuries have limited Soler, who played 101 games in 2015, hitting .262.

This season, Davis was on the disabled list twice because of a right forearm strain and a right flexor strain. When he came off the DL in September, he finished with a 3.12 ERA in nine games, going six for seven in save opportunities. The Cubs would need to have Davis examined by their medical staff before any deal is finalized.

The Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman last July to help them get to the postseason and the lefty was a key part of the team's playoff run. Chapman is reportedly seeking a six-year deal, which doesn't fit in the Cubs' budget.

The Cubs do have in-house options to close, and Maddon said Tuesday that Hector Rondon could return to that role next season. Rondon was 18-for-23 in save situations this past season, and posted a 1.72 ERA in the first half. He was bothered by a strained right triceps in the second half, and had a 6.41 ERA in 22 games. The Cubs acquired Chapman in late July to take over the role.

"I think it's safe to say we're kicking the tires on any pitching that's available," general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday.

Source: Rays, Ramos agree on 2-year deal

The Rays have reached a two-year agreement with free-agent catcher Wilson Ramos -- pending a physical -- sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Tuesday. The club has not confirmed the deal.

Ramos is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee sustained on Sept. 26, making the physical all the more important.

According to multiple reports, Ramos' deal is for $12.5 million and includes playing time incentives to make up to $18.25 million over the two years.

The 29-year-old Ramos was a first-time All-Star for the Nationals in 2016 before the season-ending injury. He underwent surgery on Oct. 14, after which the Nationals set a tentative six-to-eight month recovery timetable. That would place Ramos' potential return somewhere from mid-April to mid-June next season.

With the uncertainty surrounding Ramos' knee, Washington did not extend him a qualifying offer after this past season.

Before his injury, Ramos hit .307 with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs in 131 games for the Nationals.

Source: Moreland agrees to 1-year deal with Red Sox

The Red Sox capped their wild Tuesday at the Winter Meetings by agreeing to terms with first baseman Mitch Moreland on a one-year deal that is contingent on a physical, MLB.com has learned.

MLB Network contributor Ken Rosenthal was first to report the news, which the Red Sox have not confirmed yet. MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported the deal is worth $5.5 million.

Assuming the signing comes to fruition, the Red Sox seemingly filled all of their offseason needs in one day.

Earlier on Tuesday, Boston acquired five-time All-Star ace Chris Sale from the White Sox and stud righty setup man Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers. The one other piece that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was seeking was a left-handed-hitting first baseman.

That piece is Moreland, who won the American League Gold Glove Award in 2016 while playing for the Texas Rangers.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said shortly before the Moreland news came out that Hanley Ramirez -- Boston's first baseman in 2016 -- will spend the majority of his time at designated hitter in '17.

While speaking last weekend in the Dominican Republic, Ramirez sounded enthusiastic about switching to DH to replace his close friend David Ortiz, who retired at the end of the season, if that's what the Red Sox needed.

The 31-year-old Moreland hit .233/.298/.422 with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs in 147 games for the Rangers in 2016. His best season was '15, when he had an .812 OPS to go with 23 homers and 85 RBIs.

When the Red Sox parted with Travis Shaw to acquire Thornburg, a first baseman became a pressing need.

It took Dombrowski just hours to fill it.

Boston's lineup has a strong core of right-handed hitters, led by Mookie Betts, Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts. Moreland joins Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi from the left side. Pablo Sandoval and Sandy Leon are switch-hitters.

Giants find their closer, give Melancon 4-year deal

Committing an unprecedented sum of money in an attempt to offset unprecedented lapses in performance, the Giants announced Monday that they obtained the closer they sought by agreeing to a four-year contract with free-agent right-hander Mark Melancon. An industry source confirmed Melancon's contract is worth a total of $62 million, including a $20 million signing bonus of which $12 million will be paid up front. The deal includes salaries of $4 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018, after which Melancon may opt out of the deal. If Melancon opts into the last two years, the salary is $14 million per season.

The pact's average annual value of $15.5 million and the total figure established highs for relief pitchers. Both all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera, whose salary topped out at $15 million annually, and Jonathan Papelbon, who signed for $50 million over four years with Philadelphia before the 2012 season, were eclipsed.

Melancon is not expected to remain the game's highest-paid reliever for very long. Right-hander Kenley Jansen and left-hander Aroldis Chapman -- two other top closers available in free agency -- likely will command more lucrative deals.

Big money in the bullpen

Total value	Years	Player/team
$62 million	(4 years, 2017-20)	Mark Melancon, Giants
$50 million	(4 years, 2012-15)	Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies
$47 million	(4 years, 2008-11)	Joe Nathan, Twins*
$47 million	(5 years, 2006-10)	B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays
$46 million	(4 years, 2008-11)	Francisco Cordero, Reds
$46 million	(4 years, 2015-18)	David Robertson, White Sox
$45 million	(3 years, 2008-10)	Mariano Rivera, Yankees

*=wasn't a free agent; signed extension

"To be able to land a closer first is kind of nice," Giants general manager Bobby Evans said.

The unique circumstances of this offseason, featuring a short supply of closers combined with considerable demand for their services, forced Melancon's contract skyward. So did the Giants' near-desperate need to find a closer who could not only protect ninth-inning leads, but also provide stability for San Francisco's other relievers, whose roles were ill-defined last season.

"It gives the club peace of mind, with so many close games that we play, that we have a lockdown guy for the ninth inning," Evans said.

While losing faith in Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo, San Francisco blew 30 saves in 2016, the most in franchise history since saves became an official statistic in 1969. That included nine defeats in games when the Giants led entering the ninth inning, another franchise mark. Five of those losses occurred in September. Moreover, they absorbed six defeats after leading by at least four runs, compared with five such setbacks in 2014-15 combined.

Melancon inherits the responsibility of curing these ills. A three-time All-Star, he has pitched for the Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Pirates and Nationals since 2009. San Francisco tried to obtain him from Pittsburgh at last season's non-waiver Trade Deadline, but Washington gained his services instead.

Though Melancon will be 35 years old when his contract expires, Evans cited his durability as a factor that eased any anxiety the Giants might have felt. Melancon has appeared in at least 71 games in five of the previous six seasons.

Melancon tends to coax a high percentage of ground balls -- 56.1 percent lifetime, according to Fangraphs.com -- which should complement San Francisco's sure-handed infield.

"He's perfect for our defense," Evans said. "We just feel like this is going to be a great fit for us."

Melancon's capable of relying on strikeouts, a closer's best friend, though he's not exceedingly overpowering. His 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 2016 matched his career average. That represented an improvement from 2014, when he averaged 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Melancon has recorded 168 career saves, reaching a personal best with a Major League-leading 51 in 2015 with Pittsburgh. He has converted 98 of 104 save opportunities in the past two seasons and is coming off a 2016 campaign in which he recorded a 1.64 ERA and 47 saves in 51 chances over 75 games.