MLB free agency 2023-24 tracker: Jordan Montgomery, D-backs finish things off with 1-year, $25 million deal
This year's extended free agency has finally come to a close
Jordan Montgomery becomes last big free agent to sign
The last of the big free agents have finally signed, two days before MLB's stateside Opening Day.
Former Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a 1-year, $25 million deal, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The deal reportedly contains a vesting option for a second year, which would pay the southpaw another $25 million.
Montgomery will now switch sides from the 2023 World Series and join an already solid Arizona rotation as the team looks to back up its National League pennant with its first division title since 2011.
J.D. Martinez reportedly joining the Mets
J.D. Martinez's long free agency, one of many this offseason, has come to a close.
The veteran designated hitter, coming off a bounce-back season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, reportedly agreed Thursday to a 1-year, $12 million deal with the New York Mets, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Breaking: JD Martinez to Mets. $12M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2024
Blake Snell reportedly signing with Giants
Blake Snell will reunite with Bob Melvin in San Francisco. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract that includes an opt-out clause after the 2024 season.
Snell was the No. 4 free agent on Yahoo Sports' top-25 list entering the winter.
Reports surfaced over the weekend that the Houston Astros were pursuing Snell, who was looking for a three-year deal that included two opt-outs. But the asking price was apparently too much for Houston, and Snell now lands with the Giants on a short-term deal with the $30 million-plus annually salary he was reportedly seeking.
Melvin, who was hired by the Giants in October, managed Snell with the Padres in 2022 and 2023.
The Giants will now be able to trot out the top two finishers in last season's NL Cy Young voting with Snell and Logan Webb.
Blake Snell agrees to a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/n8wlgJLmCT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 19, 2024
Matt Chapman signing with Giants
Third baseman Matt Chapman agreed March 1 on a three-year, $54 million deal with the Giants. The deal includes opt-outs after both the first and second years.
Third baseman Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Chapman will receive opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 2, 2024
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Chapman will earn $20 million this season. He will then earn $18 million in 2025 and $16 million in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out.
At the beginning of this offseason, Chapman was ranked No. 8 on Yahoo Sports' list of the winter's top 25 free agents.
Cody Bellinger agrees to rejoin Cubs
Cody Bellinger's long free agency finally came to a conclusion early Feb. 25, with the All-Star outfielder agreeing to terms on a three-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He was the No. 5 free agent on Yahoo Sports' top-25 list.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Bellinger will have opt-outs after the first and second years of his contract. He'll make $30 million in 2024, $30 million in 2025 if he remains with the Cubs and $20 million in 2026 if he remains with the Cubs for the final year of his deal.
Cody Bellinger's salary on his deal with the Chicago Cubs will pay him $30 million this season, $30 million in 2025 (if he doesn't opt out after Year 1) and $20 million in 2026 (if he doesn't opt out after Year 2).
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2024
Tim Anderson agrees to 1-year deal with Marlins
The Miami Marlins made a late free-agent addition Feb. 22, agreeing with shortstop Tim Anderson on a 1-year deal, sources confirmed Yahoo Sports. The deal is worth $5 million, with a $500,000 trade escalator.
The Giants and Angels were in on Anderson all offseason, sources tell @YahooSports. But it’s the Marlins that land the former batting champ looking for a bounceback. Their interest dates back to the ‘23 trade deadline. https://t.co/DMaX9WX9Ih
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 22, 2024
Anderson, who spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Chicago White Sox, is looking for a bounce-back season to reset his value in 2024. The two-time All-Star is coming off the worst season of his career, in which he slashed .245/.286/.296 with one home run and an MLB-worst .582 OPS before the White Sox declined his option in November.
Even so, Anderson was among the top free agents still looking for a team as full-squad workouts began in February. He was No. 13 on Yahoo Sports' list of the winter's top 25 free agents.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER129 updates
Montgomery can opt out of 2025 if he makes 10 starts in 2024.
The 2025 salary vests at $20M with those 10 starts in 2024 and boosts to $22.5M with 18 starts and $25M with 23 starts. 2024 salary is $25M #dbacks— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 27, 2024
Free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical. Deal will pay him $25M this season, includes vesting player option for second year. First with agreement: @JeffPassan
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2024
Breaking: JD Martinez to Mets. $12M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2024
Blake Snell agrees to a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/n8wlgJLmCT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 19, 2024
The Astros are pursuing Blake Snell, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me - https://t.co/Yean488qtK
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 15, 2024
Matt Chapman’s deal with the Giants will pay him $20 million this year, $18 million in 2025 (if he doesn’t opt out) and $16 million in 2026 (if he doesn’t opt out), as @JonHeyman reported. He’ll slot into the middle of San Francisco’s lineup as the Giants look to rebound in 2024.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 2, 2024
Third baseman Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Chapman will receive opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 2, 2024
The St. Louis Cardinals are signing Brandon Crawford, sources tell The Athletic. The move brings needed veteran shortstop depth behind Masyn Winn, with Tommy Edman's status for Opening Day unclear.
News here, more to come: https://t.co/gt0tBtsy3s— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) February 26, 2024
Full trade:
Minnesota Twins receive OF Manuel Margot and SS prospect Rayne Doncon
Los Angeles Dodgers receive SS prospect Noah Miller
The deal paves the way for Kiké Hernandez's return to L.A.
Among those who had different pieces of the deal: @DanielAlvarezEE and @JonHeyman.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2024
Superutilityman Kiké Hernandez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal would come on the heels of Manuel Margot trade to Minnesota being finalized. The trade will include cash going from the Dodgers to Twins, according to sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2024
Cody Bellinger's salary on his deal with the Chicago Cubs will pay him $30 million this season, $30 million in 2025 (if he doesn't opt out after Year 1) and $20 million in 2026 (if he doesn't opt out after Year 2).
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2024
BREAKING: Centerfielder Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $80 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Bellinger will receive opt-outs after each of the first two years of the deal. Bellinger, 28, returns to the Cubs after a prolonged free agency.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2024
BREAKING: Right-hander Mitch Keller and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a five-year contract extension, sources tell me and @kileymcd. After a breakout season in which he struck out 210, the 27-year-old Keller will anchor the rotation for the team that drafted him.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 22, 2024
Some clarification here: Anderson’s base salary in ‘23 is $5 million. There’s a $500K escalator if he’s traded, per source. https://t.co/DMaX9WWBSJ
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 22, 2024
The Giants and Angels were in on Anderson all offseason, sources tell @YahooSports. But it’s the Marlins that land the former batting champ looking for a bounceback. Their interest dates back to the ‘23 trade deadline. https://t.co/DMaX9WX9Ih
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 22, 2024
Whit Merrifield taking some swings: pic.twitter.com/yvhBUStfQd
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) February 19, 2024
Source confirms: Liam Hendriks in agreement on two-year, $10M contract, pending physical. Chance to reach $20M through incentives. Third-year mutual option. On it: @ChrisCotillo, @Sean_McAdam, @Buster_ESPN
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 19, 2024
Liam Hendriks deal with the Red Sox, after the physical: 2 years, $10 million guaranteed, with additional performance bonuses.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 19, 2024
Jorge Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Giants I’m told.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 13, 2024
Outfielder Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a three-year, $42 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.
Soler opted out of a $13 million contract -- and gets more than that over three years. First with the deal was @susanslusser.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2024
Free-agent reliever Amir Garrett in agreement on a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants, sources say. The deal, which includes an invite to spring training, would pay $1.35 million if he’s in the majors.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 12, 2024
Shohei took 21 swings and homered 10 times 🤯
(via @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/jcwYjc1Nm6— MLB (@MLB) February 12, 2024
David Stearns says that Pete Alonso hitting free agency after the season is the "most likely outcome" pic.twitter.com/g9OGaNdWbJ
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 12, 2024
The Pirates have added Yasmani Grandal pic.twitter.com/zNM1F65wV0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 12, 2024
Kershaw contract: $5M guaranteed this year with a chance to make $7.5M more in bonuses based on making starts between 6-10 in 2024. $5M player option for 2025 that adds any bonuses earned in 2024 to '25 base, plus also escalating bonuses in '25.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 9, 2024
OFFICIAL: We've signed OF Adolis García to a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration for 2024 and 2025. pic.twitter.com/H3gzCzqQ7P
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 8, 2024
Adolis Garcia gets $14M over 2 years guaranteed with a ton of escalators based on plate appearances and MVP votes. Complex deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2024
#Dodgers Clayton Kershaw said it was "amazing" to watch what the organization did this winter and wanted to be a part of it.
"The talent is probably the best I’ve ever been a part of. I’m hopeful that I can be a part of it, too.”— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 8, 2024
Dodgers, LHP Clayton Kershaw are reportedly in agreement on a deal, per @MLBNetwork Insider @JoelSherman1. pic.twitter.com/xwEUVvs9PK
— MLB (@MLB) February 6, 2024
The Dodgers and Kershaw are in agreement @JonHeyman and I can report. The physical is on Thursday. https://t.co/lqvqtRwdS0
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 6, 2024
Dave Roberts on Clayton Kershaw:
“I talked to Clayton a few days ago, by way of text… We’re gonna keep in touch.”
“He’s always been a Dodger. That’s our hope as well.”— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) February 3, 2024
Giants have had discussions with free agent slugger Jorge Soler; here's why he'd make sense: https://t.co/moNQ9xgeKC via @sfchronicle
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 5, 2024
Free-agent reliever Ryan Brasier in agreement with Dodgers on two-year, $9M contract, source tells @TheAthletic. Chance to reach $13M total through incentives. First with agreement: @JonHeyman
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 5, 2024
Carlos Santana Twins deal: $5.25M plus incentives
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 3, 2024
Source: Justin Turner's 1-year deal with Toronto has a $13 million base salary with $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 30, 2024
