MLB Player News

Smyly signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Smyly will return to Chicago for at least two more seasons after he declined a mutual option worth $10 million with the club earlier in the offseason. In 2022 -- his first season with the Cubs -- Smyly maintained a solid 3.47 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, though he was limited to 106.1 innings due to an oblique strain. According to Murray, Smyly's new deal also includes a mutual option worth $10 million for the 2025 campaign and it includes a $2.5 million buyout.

Lugo agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Padres on Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Lugo's deal includes a $7.5 million player option for 2024 and also contains incentives for starting and relieving, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Heading into spring, the Padres are expected to have Lugo build up as a starter, but it's easy to imagine him shifting to the bullpen at some point like Nick Martinez did in 2022. While working exclusively in relief for the Mets a season ago, Lugo posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 69:18 K:BB in 65 innings.Having not started games since 2020, the righty figures to be on somewhat of an innings limit early in 2023 if he becomes a fixture in the San Diego rotation.

Syndergaard agreed to a contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's a one-year, $13 million contract with incentives worth up to $1.5 million, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Syndergaard joined the Angels on a one-year contract for 2022, but he was traded to the Phillies and briefly dropped from the rotation late in the season. The right-hander had a 3.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 95:31 K:BB across 134.2 innings and should round out Los Angeles' rotation after Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney departed via free agency.

The Giants announced Tuesday that Stripling signed a two-year, $25 million contract.

The deal includes an opt-out after the first year. The Giants seemingly have more starters than they have rotation spots following the recent additions of Stripling and Sean Manaea, but the former does offer previous relief experience, if needed.

Stripling signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The contract contains an opt-out after the first season, though the Giants likely won't complain too much if Stripling pitches well enough to exercise it. The 33-year-old righty produced career bests in ERA (3.01) and WHIP (1.02) and innings (134.1) last season. His 20.7 percent strikeout rate was mediocre, as it's been for the last few seasons, but his 3.7 percent walk rate was third best among pitchers who threw at least as many frames. The risk of a sudden downturn can't be ignored for any pitcher Stripling's age, but he's found himself in an ideal pitchers' park as he looks to repeat last year's success.

The Pirates announced Tuesday that Velasquez signed a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the team.

Velasquez operated in a swingman role for the White Sox last season, but he's likely to open 2023 in the Pirates' rotation. As far as his fantasy outlook for the upcoming season, Velasquez is likely best left to NL-only leagues.

Williams said Monday that he'll be a starter in 2023, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Nine of the righty's 30 appearances in with the Mets 2022 were starts. With the Nationals, who have a far less impressive rotation, Williams will handle a more substantial workload. At two years and $13 million, he could be a bargain if he posts anything close to his 3.79 ERA over the last two seasons.

Williams agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Nationals on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 30-year-old worked as a swingman over the past two years and could fill a similar role going forward, though he could see more chances to start for Washington, especially if Stephen Strasburg (ribs) remains sidelined to open 2023. Williams started in nine of his 30 appearance last season for the Mets and had a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 84:23 K:BB across 89.2 innings.

Verlander's signing of a two-year, $86.66 million contract with the Mets was formally announced by the team Wednesday.

The deal was reported Monday and has now been officially announced by the team. It includes a full no-trade clause and contains a $35 million vesting option for 2025 should Verlander pitch at least 140 innings in 2024. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is headed to the National League for the first time and will serve as Jacob de Grom's de facto replacement at the top of New York's rotation.

Quintana agreed Wednesday with the Mets on a two-year, $26 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Quintana enjoyed a resurgent season in 2022, going 6-7 while producing a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 137 strikeouts over 165.2 innings in 32 starts between the Pirates and Cardinals. He'll now provide the Mets with a left-handed option to complement frontline starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, the latter of whom replaces Jacob deGrom as New York's new staff ace. The two-year deal will keep Quintana in New York through his age-35 campaign.