MLB trade rumors and news: Brewers add best catcher on open market in Yasmani Grandal

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• The Brewers lit the hot stove late Wednesday night by signing Yasmani Grandal — the best catcher on the free agent market — to a one-year, $18.25 million deal.

• The Rangers added to their starting rotation by taking a chance on injury-riddled starter Shelby Miller, who they signed to a one-year, $2 million contract.

• The Mariners have brought back a familiar face in Dustin Ackley, as they signed the former No. 2 overall pick to a minor-league deal.

• The Dodgers acquired right-handed reliever Jaime Schultz, who had been DFA’d by the Rays last week, in exchange for pitching prospect Caleb Sampen on Tuesday. This move might seem like a total afterthought right now, but it’s possible that Schultz could turn out to be the Dodgers’ next successful buy-low relief addition from a small-market team, following guys like Scott Alexander and Dylan Floro who thrived in 2018.

• Late Monday night, the White Sox made their second move of the day when they signed Jon Jay to a one-year deal. Jay was not particularly good in 2018, especially at the plate, but it seems like his signing might have more to do with Chicago trying to lure Machado than any other baseball reasons.
• The White Sox also made a move earlier in the day to bolster their bullpen when then snagged Kelvin Herrera on a two-year deal with a club option for a third year. Herrera was one of the more desirable targets at the trade deadline in 2018 and should give a big boost to Chicago’s bullpen.
• The Indians have acquired catcher Kevin Plawecki from Mets. It’s expected that the young catcher will take the place of Yan Gomes as one half of Cleveland’s backstop duo. Is Brodie trying to keep pace with Jerry Dipoto? Perhaps.
• The Mets have acquired J.D. Davis from the Astros in a five-player deal that sent three prospects to Houston. That’s two more infielders the Mets have swung a deal for, for those of you keeping score at home.
• The Phillies have been trying desperately to make some noise this offseason and spend “stupid money,” and they have been connected to virtually every free agent and trade target of note. They were able to successfully make a move to upgrade their bullpen last week when they signed David Robertson to a two-year deal that guarantees him at least $23 million.
• The White Sox have been pushing hard to get themselves into the outright cage match for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper this offseason despite the fact that they do have the look of a team that is still at least a couple of years away from contention. Now, it looks like they have made an offer to Machado and are still keeping tabs on Bryce. Don’t count Chicago out yet.
• The Mets are not about to pump the brakes on this crazy party train, acquiring outfielder Keon Broxton from the Brewers in a 4-player deal.
• The Yankees have agreed to a deal with five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is expected to fill in as their starting shortstop this year as Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery. Get ready for Didi to come back just in the nick of time before Tulo gets hurt, probably. Obviously, there’s a possibility that those plans will change if the Bronx Bombers end up signing Manny Machado, but as of now it’s all quiet on the East Coast.
• The Yankees have agreed to a deal with lefty reliever Zach Britton. Peeling back some of the layers of the contract, it looks like the southpaw will garner $13M a season with a 2022 option that the Yankees have to decide if they’re going to exercise or not...after the 2020 season. Talk about a commitment.
• While the Mariners have appeared to be in sell-off mode with Jerry DiPoto seemingly looking to unload any player that isn’t nailed to the floor, Seattle made an extremely intriguing move that brought in Yusei Kikuchi on a four-year deal with the potential for significantly more than that. While the specifics of Kikuchi’s contract are fascinating, what is arguably even more fascinating is the Mariners, a team seemingly undertaking a rebuild and shedding salary, are making this move at all.
• Resolutions are always good to have going into a new year, so our Wayne Cavadi made one for each team, because he’s considerate like that: One goal for each MLB team heading into Opening Day.
• Our Cristiana Caruso went through all of the work that we here at MLB Daily Dish have done over the past year and put together a Best of 2018 that we thought you might enjoy. 2018 was a busy year here at the Dish, and we hope that you continue to enjoy the content here in 2019 and beyond.
• Grading the First Half of the Offseason: How the AL East has done so far this winter. We can only assume that Toronto read this article, resulting in the subsequent pitching moves they made after it was published, so you’re welcome everyone.
• Needing a friend to keep Matt Harvey company on the West Coast, the Angels have signed Jonathan Lucroy to a one-year deal. It’s a beautiful friendship already in the making.
• There should be a free-agent signing period.