MLB Trade Rumors and News: MLB makes historic deal easing restrictions on Cuban players

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• Major League Baseball and its Cuban counterparts have had a tough relationship in the past given the political climate and restrictions between the United States and Cuba. Yesterday, a historic agreement was reached between the two parties that will allow Cuban players to join MLB without having to defect. The agreement still faces some real challenges from outside political forces, but this is a big step in the right direction.
• Matt Harvey has a new team in an area with a bumping night life....what could possibly go wrong? Harvey agreed to terms with the Angels on a one year deal which gives the Angels a lowish cost option with some upside to improve their pitching staff and gives Harvey a chance to rebuild some of the value he has lost over the last few years.
• The Cubs went out and got another versatile player as they inked David Descalso to a two year deal which can be worth over $8 million if he reaches some performance incentives. Descalso is older, but can also play anywhere on the diamond (including on the mound in a pinch) and should get some opportunities to play given how much the Cubs like to switch guys out and alter their lineups.
• There is one less outfield option out there this offseason as Michael Brantley agreed to terms with the Houston Astros on a two year deal worth a reported $32 million. The Astros were bereft of offensive options, so it was nice to see them get some more talent on their roster. /endsarcasmfont
• If you’re exhausted from hearing J.T. Realmuto rumors and even more exhausted hearing the term “three-way” tossed around the baseball world, then you’re in luck. The Mets and Wilson Ramos have agreed to a two year deal, per report, solving their backstop vacancy and depleting your Twitter feed to mere Machado and Harper rumors.
• The Nationals have agreed to terms with Matt Adams, even after the first baseman only played 94 games for the club last season before being acquired on waivers by the Cardinals. Everyone loves a comeback kid, right?
• The Yankees, meanwhile, continued their efforts to bolster their rotation as they brought J.A. Happ back on a two year deal with a vesting option. At least, we’re pretty sure the deal is official. Metro cards for everyone!
• The White Sox have acquired Yonder Alonso from Cleveland. No, this does not mean Machado will follow his brother-in-law to Chicago. Stop this hysteria right this moment.
• The Mets missed having one of their better relievers, so they went and brought him back as Jeurys Familia is a Met again, this time on a three year deal. The poor guy must have whiplash at this rate.
• The Reds acquired Tanner Roark from the Washington Nationals in what was possibly the first ever MLB Tanner-for-Tanner deal. While Roark can’t be particularly pleased that he has to play in Cincinnati during his walk year, the bigger news here is that the trade market has been REALLY quiet in terms of actual moves so far this offseason.
• Andrew McCutchen will return to Pennsylvania next season, though this time it’ll be on the Eastern side of the state, as he agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies on Tuesday. Philadelphia will be the fourth team whose roster he’s been on within the past year, following the Pirates, Giants, and Yankees.
• It’s safe to say that this year’s gathering of general managers far and wide left baseball fans a tad underwhelmed. But despite how acute some of the move were, there were still clear and present winners and losers of the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings. I’ll give you two guesses on the big losers.
• Nathan Eovaldi was a hero as the Red Sox won their fourth World Series of the 21st century, and Boston was so fond of him and his work that, despite some real injury risk, they locked him down with a four-year, $68 million-dollar deal.