The MLB Winter Meetings shopping spree continued Wednesday with the biggest prize of the free agent market, AL MVP Aaron Judge, returning to the New York Yankees for a nine-year, $360 million deal.
But that wasn’t the only activity as player agents and team executives gathered in San Diego.
Even with Judge, Trea Turner, Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander no longer available, there’s still plenty of talent to go around.
FREE AGENT RANKINGS: The top 87 players on the market this offseason
NEWSLETTER: Get the latest sports news straight to your inbox!
Here are the latest developments and signings as the Hot Stove continues to sizzle:
Cardinals closing in on catcher Willson Contreras
With Yadier Molina finally retiring after a 19-year career in St. Louis, the Cardinals are in need of a starting catcher. So why not start with the top one available in free agency? And if you happen to snag one away from your archrival, even better.
The Cards appear to be setting their sights on former Chicago Cub Willson Contreras, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
A three-time All-Star, Contreras is clearly the top free agent catcher, ahead of Christian Vazquez, Tucker Barnhart, Omar Narvaez and Austin Hedges.
Red Sox land closer Kenley Jansen
Longtime Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen left L.A. as a free agent last season and thrived after signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. Jansen, 35, led the National League in saves with 41 — which strengthened his case for another…
