Major League Baseball

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The Giants have agreed to a three-year deal with free agent designated hitter/outfielder Jorge Soler, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The agreement is pending a physical. Soler is a client of the MVP Sports Group.

Talks between Soler and the Giants have been going on for at least the past week. As of this morning, the Giants were still reported to be in the mix but had balked at Soler’s request for a third guaranteed season. That, it seems, has changed over the course of the day.

Personally I'm excited, as long as it gives more insight to the daily routine of a baseball player and all the things that come into play with running a baseball team for a full season. But I hated the over-dramatization of F1's Drive to Survive, so I feel a little apprehension.

The Brewers are signing free agent catcher Gary Sánchez, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. It will be $7MM plus an option, per Heyman. That’ll be a one-year deal plus a mutual option, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won a 2024 salary of $19.9 million in arbitration Wednesday, the highest arbitration salary awarded in a case decided by a hearing. He topped the previous mark of $14 million earned by Teoscar Hernández last year.

Toronto's offer to Guerrero was $18.05 million, and Guerrero's 2024 salary represents an increase of $5.4 million.

The Astros and Jose Altuve have signed a five-year extension, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic (X links). It will go into effect next year and run through 2029. It’s a $125MM guarantee for the Boras Corporation client, per Ari Alexander of KPRC 2. Bob Nightengale of USA Today was among those to relay the breakdown, which is a $15MM signing bonus followed by $30MM salaries in the first three years and $10MM salaries in the final two. “Jose Altuve will be an Astro for life,” the club posted on X.

The Dodgers are bringing back their longtime franchise ace, agreeing to a deal with southpaw Clayton Kershaw, a source told MLB.com on Tuesday. The club has not confirmed the move, which is pending a physical that is scheduled for Thursday.

Kershaw is set to return for his 17th big league season, though he isn’t expected to be available until sometime next summer after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder following the Dodgers’ loss to the D-backs in the NLDS.

It’s a one-year, $7MM guarantee, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Junis receives a $4MM salary and a $3MM buyout on a 2025 mutual option.

BAL receives: RHP Corbin Burnes

MIL receives: INF Joey Ortiz (MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 prospect), LHP DL Hall, 2024 Competitive Balance Round A pick (No. 34 overall)

The Minnesota Twins have traded second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Polanco, an All-Star in 2019, hit .255 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs during his 2023 campaign while appearing in 80 games.

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Minnesota will get relief pitcher Justin Topa, starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, outfield prospect Gabriel González, right-handed pitching prospect Darren Bowen and cash in return.

The Royals and second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million deal with an $8.5 million mutual option for 2025, sources told MLB.com on Saturday morning.

The option includes a $2.5 million buyout, making the full deal worth a guaranteed $4.5 million.

The Cubs have signed right-hander Hector Neris to a one-year, $9MM contract, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports (via X). There is a $9MM club option attached for the 2025 season, and that vests into a player option if Neris makes at least 60 appearances this season. Between that option and additional incentive bonuses, the deal could be worth as much as $23.25 over the two seasons. Neris is represented by Octagon.