<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Yankee for life: Aaron Judge agrees to mega-deal to stay in pinstripes"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2022/12/06/mlb-winter-meetings-free-agent-spending-frenzy/10847806002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">MLB Winter Meetings shopping spree</a> continued Wednesday with the biggest prize of the free agent market, AL MVP Aaron Judge, <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2022/12/07/aaron-judge-re-signs-new-york-yankees-9-years-360-million/10802577002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">returning to the New York Yankees for a nine-year, $360 million deal</a>. </p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">But that wasn't the only activity as player agents and team executives gathered in San Diego. </p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Even with Judge, <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/phillies/2022/12/05/trea-turner-joining-phillies-massive-11-year-300-million-deal/10802706002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Trea Turner</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2022/12/05/jacob-degrom-signing-statement-texas-rangers-bruce-bochy/10841724002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Jacob deGrom</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/mets/2022/12/05/justin-verlander-agrees-86-million-free-agent-contract-new-york-mets/10803223002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Justin Verlander</a> no longer available, there's still plenty of talent to go around.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>FREE AGENT RANKINGS:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/mlb/2022/11/11/mlb-top-free-agents-2022-best-players-available-signing-updates/10660446002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">The top 87 players on the market this offseason</a></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>NEWSLETTER:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://profile.usatoday.com/newsletters/sports/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Get the latest sports news straight to your inbox!</a></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Here are the latest developments and signings as the Hot Stove continues to sizzle: </p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Cardinals closing in on catcher Willson Contreras</h2><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:456px" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/12/07/USAT/fe72596f-f7ef-4fc1-aaae-0a755a24e2b1-USP_MLB__Cincinnati_Reds_at_Chicago_Cubs.jpg?width=660&height=456&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" data-gl-srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/12/07/USAT/fe72596f-f7ef-4fc1-aaae-0a755a24e2b1-USP_MLB__Cincinnati_Reds_at_Chicago_Cubs.jpg?width=1320&height=912&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Catcher Willson Contreras says goodbye to the fans at Wrigley Field after the Cubs' season finale. He played seven seasons in Chicago before becoming a free agent."/></figure><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">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.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The Cards appear to be setting their sights on former Chicago Cub Willson Contreras, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. </p><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em_tw" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-method="loadTwitter" data-v-id="1600522954302898176" aria-label="Twitter Embed" style="min-height:225px"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">A three-time All-Star, Contreras is clearly the top free agent catcher, ahead of Christian Vazquez, Tucker Barnhart, Omar Narvaez and Austin Hedges.</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Red Sox land closer Kenley Jansen</h2><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:440px" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/12/07/USAT/5adae6ce-7598-4586-a823-048842400254-USP_MLB__Philadelphia_Phillies_at_Atlanta_Braves_1.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" data-gl-srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/12/07/USAT/5adae6ce-7598-4586-a823-048842400254-USP_MLB__Philadelphia_Phillies_at_Atlanta_Braves_1.jpg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Kenley Jansen ranks second among active pitchers with 391 career saves, just three behind Craig Kimbrel."/></figure><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">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...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnVzYXRvZGF5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9zcG9ydHMvbWxiLzIwMjIvMTIvMDcvbWxiLXJ1bW9ycy1uZXdzLXNpZ25pbmdzLWtlbmxleS1qYW5zZW4tcmVkLXNveC8xMDg1MTI5MzAwMi_SAQA?oc=5">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
