#mlb-free-agency

#mlb-free-agency

Veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports. Realmuto can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses, according to the reports. The Phillies re-signing of Realmuto was the latest free agency domino to fall Friday. Philadelphia was among the top pursuers of infielder Bo Bichette, who instead agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets.

Following months of trade speculation, Arizona intends to hold onto its All-Star second baseman, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Friday. No team was reportedly willing to meet the club's lucrative demands, prompting them to remove the 32-year-old from the trade block. D-backs general manager Mike Hazen could potentially revisit trading Marte during the summer if they fall out of playoff contention in the National League.

After six historic years with the Los Angeles Angels, Shohei Ohtani became the most coveted free agent in MLB history after the 2023 season. The two-time superstar's list of suitors included the Los Angeles Dodgers, who made a strong push to sign Ohtani when he first made the jump to the Majors in 2017. The Dodgers were among the teams who met with Ohtani during the free agency process and they left no stone unturned.

The Los Angeles Dodgers once again proved they are willing to spend whatever it takes to get back to the World Series over the offseason, signing free agent closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract - setting an MLB record for the most expensive contract offered to a relief pitcher. Diaz, who held a 3.0 wins above replacement rating last season with a 1.63 ERA, instantly provides a boost to the Dodgers' weakest group of players.

Fairbanks, 32, had an $11 million option turned down by the Tampa Bay Rays and went into the open market and beat that number by $2 million. Fairbanks, was one of the top relievers available in a market soft with high-leverage options. As the primary closer for the Rays over the past four seasons he saved 83 games and posted a 2.83 ERA, striking out 332 and walking 103 in 265.1 innings.