NEW YORK — When Steve Cohen took over the Mets shortly after the 2020 season, the expectation was that the club would annually go after the top free agents on the market and would look to acquire some of the game’s best players. That expectation has become a reality.

This year, the Mets are considered finalists to land Juan Soto, the ...Read more

CHICAGO — The world has gone crazy, we’ve recently discovered, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Major League Baseball offices in New York.

In the media capital of the world, you’ll find Commissioner Rob Manfred, the nuttiest top executive in professional sports, who always seems to go that extra mile to troll baseball fans.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In the right-field Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, where dozens of media members gathered for yet another introductory news conference welcoming a star player to the organization, the Dodgers flexed their financial muscles with businesslike handshakes and celebratory smiles.

President of baseball operations ...Read more

NEW YORK — Imagine you’re a closer getting ready to face the opponent’s No. 9 hitter with two outs in the ninth inning of a one-run game, and all of a sudden, Juan Soto steps up to the plate.

Or Aaron Judge. Or Shohei Ohtani. Or Francisco Lindor. Or some other elite hitter who shouldn’t be taking an at-bat in the nine-hole.

That’s ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The family of Athletics owner John Fisher has adequate finances in place to cover its portion of the planned Las Vegas ballpark, according to U.S. Bank.

The statement was included in a letter written by U.S. Bank Senior Vice President Stephen Vogel and submitted to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority ahead of Thursday’s meeting of ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Ippei Mizuhara's fleecing of Shohei Ohtani was straightforward for the most part. Ohtani's former interpreter had access to a bank account full of Ohtani's money, and he simply wrote checks, withdrew cash or wired funds whenever he made bets or needed to pay gambling debts.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud in June ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Albeit mercurial at times, one of the Pirates' most reliable relievers last season is headed elsewhere. A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman is in agreement with the Boston Red Sox on a one-year, $10.75 million contract. ESPN and MassLive were the first to report Chapman...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason knowing they wanted to address the rotation and, by extension, the pitching staff.

For a group that features young talent but not much experience because of injuries last year, bringing in experience and depth is a priority. The Cubs have taken their first step in that direction by agreeing to ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The county is angry. The Rays are skeptical. The future is bleak.

There are a few other minor details involving hurricanes, contracts and elections, but that’s the gist of the Rays’ stadium situation today.

St. Petersburg has a broken ballpark it is contractually required to fix but is going to cost a ton of money ...Read more

DENVER — Clint Hurdle taught players to hit through wit.

He managed 17 years in the big leagues, suffered 1,345 losses, but won over organizations with his leadership and sense of humor. Hurdle has lived a life worthy of a movie, from Sports Illustrated coverboy to lost prospect to getting sober to leading the Rockies to the World Series.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — It took less than three months for Tommy Edman to endear himself to Dodgers fans.

Now he'll be playing in front of them for the next half-decade.

The Dodgers agreed to a five-year, $74 million contract extension with Edman on Friday, the team announced, locking up their key trade deadline acquisition and National League ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The fallout for the Padres from two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell joining the Dodgers on a $182 million contract this week amounts to more of the same.

The Padres knew that barring a few minor miracles, they’ll be playing for a wild card instead of the National League West title in 2025.

While the familiar caveats still ...Read more

NEW YORK — With all of baseball watching to see where free agent outfielder Juan Soto will sign, former Mets right-hander and current SNY broadcaster Ron Darling has been reminded of when another generational Dominican hitter hit free agency.

In the winter of 2011, Albert Pujols signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, leaving ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to loom large over the Mets as the Amazins’ continue their quest for National League supremacy. The addition of two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell puts every team in the league on notice, but especially the pitching-strapped Mets.

The team that owner Steve Cohen cited when he purchased the...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The degree to which Shohei Ohtani has transformed the Dodgers was revealed in greater detail on Tuesday.

By agreeing to a five-year, $182-million contract with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, the Dodgers signaled their intentions to the baseball world.

They're building the sport's next dynasty.

The financial ...Read more

Brandon Crawford, arguably the greatest shortstop in the history of the San Francisco Giants, announced his retirement on Instagram.

“Baseball has given me, Jalynne, and the kids more than we ever thought possible, and for that we are so thankful,” Crawford wrote in the post. “I wouldn’t have been able to have the career I did without ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers won the World Series last season in spite of their shorthanded pitching.

Next year, they hope a reinforced staff can be the key to defending their title.

To that end, the Dodgers made a major move Tuesday night, agreeing to a five-year, $182-million contract with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell pending a ...Read more

NEW YORK — Let’s get this out of the way: money is going to be a mighty factor in Juan Soto’s free agent decision.

With Scott Boras representing the 26-year-old and some of baseball’s richest owners pursuing him, the perception is that Soto will take the highest offer, or close to it. But surely suitors, which include the Yankees, Mets,...Read more

PITTSBURGH — It's the position most frequently identified with the Pirates, the result of the greatness displayed by Roberto Clemente, as well as Paul Waner and Dave Parker.

Right field has also suddenly become an even bigger question mark relative to the current team after the Pirates non-tendered Bryan De La Cruz and Connor Joe last week.

...Read more

CHICAGO — Shota Imanaga’s rookie season could not have played out much better.

The 31-year-old lefty dazzled as one of the best starters in baseball, ranking third in the National League with a 2.91 ERA and first with a 6.21 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 173 1/3 innings. Imanaga’s performance earned him a fourth-place finish in NL Rookie ...Read more