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The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter or @MLBDailyDish on Instagram.
Good morning baseball fans!
The Braves signed Emilio Bonifacio to a minor league deal Friday afternoon:
Utilityman Emilio Bonifacio is headed back to the Braves on a minor-league deal, a source tells SB Nation. The 31-year old has spent 24 games with Atlanta last season, hitting .211 in 38 at-bats.
Bonifacio is a veteran of 10 major-league seasons and will provide versatile depth at Triple-A Gwinnett to open the season.
The Cardinals signed Dexter Fowler to a five-year deal worth more than $80 million.
Washington, Miami and Los Angeles seem to be among the top three teams interested in Kenley Jansen.
Houston added some infield depth:
Astros signed INF Reid Brignac to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp, per sources. Brignac spent 2016 with Atlanta.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) December 10, 2016
Don’t look past the Phillies’ decision to add relatively inexpensive left-handed relief help:
Phillies sign lefty reliever Sean Burnett to minor-league deal with spring training invite, source tells SB Nation.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 9, 2016
Boston signed Junior Lake to add some outfield depth:
Red Sox agree to minor-league deal with outfielder Junior Lake, source tells SB Nation.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 9, 2016
Philadelphia is hoping its minor league signings payoff, and this one might:
Phillies signed OF Daniel Nava to a minor-league deal, according to a source. He could win a bench job in the spring. He turns 34 in Feb.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) December 10, 2016
This isn’t the best of news for the Brewers:
Phil Bickford suspended 50 games after 2nd positive test for drug of abuse. #SFGiants traded him to #Brewers for Will Smith last summer.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 9, 2016
It now seems the Pirates are unlikely to trade Andrew McCutchen, according to MLB.com’s Adam Berry.
Houston added some left-handed depth:
Source: Astros have signed Cuban LHP Cionel Perez, #4 on @MLB Top 30 Prospects list, to a $2M deal. @MLBPipeline
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) December 9, 2016
Texas might be the team that ends up signing Edwin Encarnacion:
Many industry observers still consider #Rangers a logical landing spot for EE, for what it’s worth.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) December 8, 2016
Important Links:
MLB Injury Tracker
Offseason Trade Tracker
2016-17 Free Agent Tracker
2016 Winter Meetings Tracker
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Today in baseball: On this day in 2008, K-Rod signed a three year deal with the Mets.