MLB free agent tracker: Have new Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lost luster?

The calendar flipped to April and one of the two unsigned free agents on our list of the top 35 reached an agreement — starter Mike Clevinger returning to the Chicago White Sox on a paltry one-year, $3-million contract.

Only outfielder Tommy Pham, 35, is without a job. Phan, who batted .421 for the Arizona Diamondbacks in last year’s World Series, has been courted by the San Diego Padres and the White Sox.

Most activity involving free agents as the regular season began occurred in the National League West.

The Dodgers’ billion-dollar combo of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto proved immediately fallible, with Ohtani becoming embroiled in a curious sports gambling scandal involving his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, and Yamamoto pitching horrendously during spring training and in his first regular-season start in Seoul.

Yamamoto eased concerns with a strong outing in his first start at Dodger Stadium, but the Ohtani situation is under investigation by Major League Baseball as well as federal authorities.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks and Giants secured bargains after waiting out top free agents represented by superagent Scott Boras.

Left-handed pitcher and World Series hero Jordan Montgomery agreed to a surprisingly low one-year, $25-million deal with the Diamondbacks, making him the third of the four Boras clients who remained free agents through most of the spring to sign with teams that could challenge the Dodgers in their division.

The Giants signed Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman to a one-year, $18-million deal on March 3 and National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell on a two-year, $62-million deal March 18. Another NL West team, the Padres, bolstered their roster by acquiring accomplished starter Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox in a trade.

The Dodgers certainly appeared to do well for themselves much earlier.

Yamamoto agreed to a landmark 12-year, $325-million contract to join Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow as new members of the Dodgers rotation. Ohtani, who signed the largest deal in major league history at 10 years and $700 million, won’t be able to pitch until 2025 because he is recovering from elbow surgery.

Glasnow signed a five-year, $136.5-million extension after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays along with outfielder Manuel Margot in a trade for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca.

Here are the top 35 free agents. Career and 2023 wins above replacement (WAR) are included from Baseball-Reference.com:

NAME, AGE, POSITIONS, WAR 2023, CAREER

Shohei Ohtani, 29, RHP/DH, 10, 34: Ohtani spent his six seasons leading into free agency with the Angels, establishing himself as perhaps the best hitter in the major leagues and one of the best pitchers. So even though recovery from surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow will restrict him to designated hitter duties in 2024, the 29-year-old shattered former teammate Mike Trout’s previous major league high of $426.5 million when he agreed to terms with the Dodgers. Ohtani agreed to defer $680 million, affording the Dodgers the flexibility to sign Yamamoto.

SIGNED: Greatest player in the history of baseball? Impossible to say. Highest-paid player in the history of baseball? Absolutely. The Dodgers will be writing the checks.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 25, RHP, n/a, n/a: Yamamoto was dominant last season in Nippon Professional Baseball, posting a 1.16 earned-run average over 179 innings. In seven seasons, he’s logged nearly 1,000 innings while giving up only 6.2 hits per nine innings. The team signing Yamamoto must pay a posting fee of 20% of the first $25 million on his contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of anything over $50 million.

SIGNED: The Dodgers struck again, signing Yamamoto to a landmark 12-year, $325-million contract that includes a $50-million signing bonus. A posting fee of a bit more than $50 million will be paid by the Dodgers to Yamamoto’s Japanese team, the Orix Buffaloes.

Blake Snell, 30, LHP, 6.0, 21.1: The National League Cy Young Award winner (he won the 2018 Cy Young with Tampa Bay) blazed into free agency by posting a 1.20 ERA over his last 23 starts with the San Diego Padres. The pitcher is perhaps best known for being lifted too soon against the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series.

SIGNED: Snell agreed to what amounts to a bridge contract with the Giants, a two-year, $62-million deal that includes an opt-out after the first season. The left-hander will be paid a $15-million salary in 2024 and a $17-million signing bonus that is due January 2026. Snell gets the bonus even if he opts out after this season.

Aaron Nola, 30, RHP, 2.1, 31.7: A mainstay of the Phillies rotation for nine seasons, Nola has logged more than 200 strikeouts in each of the last five non-COVID seasons. However, he surrendered a career-high 32 home runs while posting an unsightly 4.42 ERA last season. With 235 starts and 1,422 innings under his belt, his best years might be behind him.

SIGNED: Nola will return to Philadelphia after agreeing to a seven-year, $172-million contract.

Jordan Montgomery, 30, LHP, 4.1, 12.5: What have you done lately? The recency effect could tilt a team toward overpaying for Montgomery, whose trade deadline acquisition by the Rangers was key to their World Series title run. Injuries early in his career have kept the mileage on his arm reasonable, and he’s quietly put together three consecutive strong seasons for three different teams.

SIGNED: Montgomery was the last of Boras’ five high-profile clients to reach an agreement, signing a shockingly low one-year, $25-million contract with the Diamondbacks. The deal includes a $20-million vesting player option for 2025 — the option will vest if he makes 10 starts. The 2025 salary rises to $22.5 million with 18 starts and $25 million with 23 starts.

Cody Bellinger, 28, OF/1B, 4.4, 22.1: The former Dodgers enigma turned a one-year “pillow contract” with the Cubs into a springboard by batting .307 with 26 home runs, 97 RBIs and 20 stolen bases while continuing to be a plus center fielder. This, after the Dodgers non-tendered him following three horrendous seasons at the plate. That, after being named NL MVP in 2019.

SIGNED: Bellinger will return to the Cubs on a three-year, $80 million deal. The AAV of the front-loaded deal fairly reflects his 2023 resurgence and the brevity reflects his need to prove he won’t revert to his 2021-2022 Dodgers doldrums.

Clayton Kershaw, 34, LHP, 3.7, 79.9: As he did last offseason, Kershaw is mulling either a return to the Dodgers, a relocation close to home with the Rangers, or hanging them up. How his left shoulder responds to recent surgery will be a factor. For their part, the Dodgers declined to make him a qualifying offer, giving him ample time to make a decision.

SIGNED: The longtime Dodger is coming back in hopes of helping L.A. make another run at a World Series title. Kershaw, who went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA last season, underwent surgery on his left throwing shoulder in November. The 35-year-old will most likely miss the first half of the upcoming season because of the procedure.

Eduardo Rodriguez, 30, LHP, 3.5, 17.6: The left-hander who refused a trade to the Dodgers at the deadline now has his pick of suitors after opting out two years into a five-year, $77 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. He’s banking on another five-year deal at a slightly higher average salary per year.

SIGNED: The Diamondbacks locked up Rodriguez to a four-year, $80-million contract. With its vesting option and bonuses, the deal can reach five years and $99 million.

Sonny Gray, 34, RHP, 5.3, 30: Gray, a 5-foot-10 overachiever with Vanderbilt roots, bounced back from several injury-plagued seasons to post a 2.79 ERA while giving up only eight home runs over 184 innings with the Minnesota Twins. Gray was runner-up to Gerrit Cole in AL Cy Young Award voting.

SIGNED: Gray became the third starting pitcher to come to an agreement with St. Louis in November, following Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. While those two settled for one-year deals, Gray will receive $75 million over three years.

Marcus Stroman, 32, RHP, 1.6, 21.7: Stroman continues to exhibit electric stuff, although injuries caused his production to plummet during the second half of the 2023 season. He declined a $21-million player option with the Cubs after making $50 million the last two seasons. He’ll likely get a multiyear offer at around that $21-million-per-year mark.

SIGNED: Stroman has long pined to join the Yankees, so it’s not a huge surprise that he accepted a two-year, $37 million offer to wear pinstripes.

Josh Hader, 29, LHP, 2.4, 11.7: Teams that still value an old-fashioned ninth-inning specialist who strikes out a ton of batters will court Hader, who has 165 career saves and a ridiculously high 15 strikeouts per nine innings. He was as effective as ever last season with the Padres, posting a 1.28 ERA and notching 33 saves.

SIGNED: The Astros already have elite closer Ryan Pressly under contract, but they pursued Hader anyway, signing him to a five-year, $95-million contract.

Matt Chapman, 30, 3B, 4.4, 31.2: The promise Chapman exhibited when he slugged over .500 three seasons in a row for the Oakland A’s has dissipated the last three years. He hit only 17 home runs in 2023, yet should land a multiyear deal for around $20 million per year because he’s an elite defender at third base and proven power hitters are scarce in this free-agent market.

SIGNED: The calendar lipped into March before Chapman signed with the Giants on a three-year, $54-million deal that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. The contract is structured like that of Bellinger’s deal with the Cubs. Both players are represented by Boras.

Shota Imanaga, 30, LHP, n/a, n/a: Imanaga relies on impeccable command, issuing only 24 walks while striking out 188 in 159 innings last season in Japan. Only 5-10, he gained stature by giving up two runs in six innings while striking out seven in the World Baseball Classic final against the U.S. As with Yamamoto, a team signing Imanaga must pay a posting fee of 20% of the first $25 million on his contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of anything over $50 million.

SIGNED: The Cubs ended two months of doing nothing this offseason by signing Imanaga to a four-year, $53-million contract. After the 2025 and ’26 seasons, the Cubs will hold an option to extend Imanaga’s contract to a fifth year for an extra $27 million. If the Cubs decline either option, Imanaga can become a free agent.

Jung Hoo Lee, 25, OF, n/a, n/a: Lee, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, is an acclaimed hitter in South Korea, slashing .340/.407/.491 over nearly 4,000 at-bats in six seasons. How that translates to major league pitching is an open question. He stands out from other free-agent outfielders with his youth and ability to play center field. The team that signs him will be subject to the same posting requirements as teams that sign Imanaga and Yamamoto.

SIGNED: Lee has agreed to a six-year, $113-million contract with the Giants. The deal includes an opt-out after four seasons and gives San Francisco the marquee player it has craved.

Teoscar Hernández, DH/OF, 31, 2.1, 12.8: Hernandez strikes out a lot and doesn’t walk often but has displayed consistent power, hitting 139 home runs over the last six seasons. His production is too good for a platoon role, but it’s worth noting that he leads MLB with a .626 slugging percentage against left-handed pitching the last four years.

SIGNED: The Dodgers strike again, adding to their offseason bounty by signing Hernández to a one-year, $23.5-million deal to play left field. Hernandez, 31, has a career OPS of .872 against left-handers and .772 against right-handers. With Mookie Betts moving to second base, the rest of the Dodgers’ outfield will consist of James Outman in center field and a platoon of Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot in right. Chris Taylor can play all three positions as well as the infield.

Jeimer Candelario, 30, 1B/3B, 3.1, 10.4: Non-tendered by the Tigers after a subpar 2022 season before his third arbitration year, Candelario rebounded with 22 homers and 70 RBIs in 2023 for the Nationals and Cubs and is a decent power option in a shallow corner infielder market.

SIGNED: The Reds reached an agreement with Candelario, 30, on a three-year, $45-million contract. He joins a roster of young, versatile players in Cincinnati.

Michael Wacha, 32, RHP, 2.4, 13.0: Wacha has put together consecutive stellar seasons, going 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA for the Red Sox in 2022 and 14-4 with a 3.22 ERA for the Padres in 2023. Nevertheless, San Diego declined his two-year, $32-million option for 2024 and 2025. Wacha has pitched for five teams in the last five seasons and hopes to sign a multiyear deal that enables him to slide into the middle of a rotation.

SIGNED: Wacha signed a two-year, $32-million contract with the Royals, who have inked a flurry of under-the-radar free agents.

Seth Lugo, 34, RHP, 1.8, 10.5: Like Wacha, Lugo was a dependable starter for the Padres in 2023, posting a 3.57 ERA in 146-1/3 innings. The difference is that this was Lugo’s first year as a full-time starter since 2017. The switch from swingman to the rotation should increase the curveball specialist’s value on the open market.

SIGNED: Lugo, like Wacha, joins a Royals rotation in need of a boost. The right-hander signed a three-year, $45-million contract that contains an opt-out after the second season.

Lucas Giolito, 29, RHP, 1.6, 12.4: A first-round pick out of Studio City Harvard-Westlake High in 2012, Giolito lived up to his promise for several years with the White Sox and seemed on the verge of a huge payday via free agency. Then came a trade at this year’s deadline to the Angels, and it was like he forgot how to pitch. Giolito lost five of six starts across a 6.89 ERA in Anaheim, then was even worse when the Guardians picked him up on waivers, posting a 7.04 ERA over six starts.

SIGNED: Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5-million contract with the Red Sox, who had been fairly inactive this offseason. The deal includes an opt-out after one season and includes innings-based performance bonuses that can raise the total value to $40.5 million.

Rhys Hoskins, 30, 1B/LF, n/a, 11.1: A torn ACL sidelined Hoskins the entire 2023 season, but he was a proven power hitter for six seasons with the Phillies, posting a lifetime slugging percentage close to .500. He might choose a one-year pillow contract to prove his knee isn’t an issue, and should have plenty of suitors wanting a middle-of-the-order bat.

SIGNED: The 30-year-old first baseman is headed to the Milwaukee Brewers, who reportedly offered Hoskins a two-year, $34-million deal.

Jorge Soler, 31, DH/OF, 1.8, 5.9: The premier home run threat in this free-agent market, Soler opted out of the last year of his contract with the Marlins after hitting 36 homers in 2023. Soler, MVP of the 2021 World Series with the Braves, might be approaching full-time designated-hitter duty, but he’s probably going to land a three-year deal at $40 million or more.

SIGNED: The Giants signed the Cuban to a three-year contract worth $42 million, helping them get a much-needed right-handed-hitting slugger in the lineup. The 31-year-old Soler batted .250 and drove in 75 runs as an All-Star last season.

Jordan Hicks, 27, RHP, 0.8, 1.6: Hicks possesses the best raw stuff of any pitcher on the market and is coming off a season that general managers can dream on. Result? He’ll likely get a three-to-five-year deal at about $12 million per. Hicks once threw a pitch 105.1 mph and still sits at 100 mph. He might issue too many walks to be handed a closer role, but could earn it over time.

SIGNED: The Giants signed hard-throwing Hicks to a four-year, $44-million deal and plan to use him in the starting rotation. Last season’s 3.29 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings were a positive sign.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 30, OF, 3.0, 10.8: An integral part of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ World Series team, Gurriel is something of a throwback, possessing solid bat-to-ball skills. In five seasons with the Blue Jays, the Cuban native never batted under .276, and in his lone season in Arizona hit a career-high 24 homers. He’s an acceptable glove in left field, although a liability in the infield.

SIGNED: The Diamondbacks retained the services of Gurriel on a three-year, $42-million contract that includes a club option for 2027. He can opt out after the 2025 season.

Justin Turner, 39, DH/1B/3B, 2.1, 36.5: The wildly popular former Dodger continued to rake in his one season in Boston, hitting 23 homers, driving in 96 runs and posting an OPS of .800. His quest for a two-year deal last offseason resulted in him leaving L.A., and he’ll likely again need to settle for a one-year contract despite his continued impressive offensive production.

SIGNED: Turner is going to wear blue again, but not with the Dodgers. The two-time All-Star signed a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Toronto Blue Jays.

J.D. Martinez, 36, DH, 1.9, 30: The man who replaced Turner in the Dodgers lineup enjoyed a rebirth with 33 home runs, 103 RBIs and an .893 OPS. He can only DH, however, and with the Dodgers adding Ohtani, Martinez might need to find another lineup to serve as a middle-of-the-order run producer.

SIGNED: Martinez languished on the market but signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Mets in late March. The veteran DH consented to open the season in the minors to accumulate at-bats before joining the Mets.

Mitch Garver, 32, DH/C, 2.1, 9.8: Like Montgomery, Garver might cash in on the fresh memory of his contributions to the Rangers’ World Series title. He also has undeniable power, belting 19 home runs in 296 at-bats during the regular season, conjuring memories of the 31 homers he hit in 311 at-bats for the Twins in 2019. Garver needs to DH to keep his bat in the lineup and should be viewed as a backup catcher.

SIGNED: Garver signed a two-year, $24-million contract with the Mariners to back up starting catcher Cal Raleigh — who hit 30 homers last season — and pile up at-bats as designated hitter.

Jason Heyward, 34, OF, 1.9, 40.7: He resuscitated his career with the Dodgers after all but retiring when the Cubs released him in 2022, making Heyward an appealing addition as a clubhouse leader as well as a productive fourth outfielder.

SIGNED: The Dodgers reached an agreement with Heyward on a one-year, $9-million deal with no incentives or options. He has earned more than $200 million during his 14-year career.

Kenta Maeda, 34, RHP, 1.1, 8.6: The former Dodger rebounded with a solid season in Minnesota after missing 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and sitting out two months early last season with arm soreness. Maeda’s savvy and ability to miss bats with a fastball that barely reaches 90 mph should get him a one-year deal and spot in a rotation.

SIGNED: Maeda agreed to a two-year, $24-million contract with the Tigers, adding a veteran presence to a young starting staff.

Jack Flaherty, 28, RHP, 0.8, 10.1: Like Giolito, Flaherty is a former Harvard-Westlake High star who pitched well for years only to experience recent struggles. After pitching to a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts with the Cardinals, he was traded to the Orioles at the deadline and got hammered in nine appearances, posting an ERA of 6.75. He might consider a one-year pillow contract.

SIGNED: Flaherty signed a one-year, $14-million contract with the Tigers that also includes start-based bonuses that could add another million. The right-hander was healthy for the first time in four years in 2023, but struggled after being traded from the Cardinals to the Orioles at the deadline.

Robert Stephenson, 30, RHP, 1.1, 0.8: Stephenson is one of the top middle relievers on the market after becoming one of the Rays’ most reliable bullpen pieces in 2023. He’s also had strong seasons with the Reds and Rockies, but something clicked in Tampa Bay and could result in a multiyear deal.

SIGNED: The Angels made the biggest move of their offseason by signing Stephenson to a three-year, $33-million contract, hoping he can replicate the 2.35 ERA and 60 strikeouts he posted in 38 1/3 innings the second half of last season.

Mike Clevinger, 33, RHP, 3.3, 17.5: Amid the White Sox debacle, Clevinger found some footing and turned in his best season since 2019, posting a 3.77 ERA over 24 starts. No longer the hard-throwing phenom that came up with the Indians, Clevinger survives with guile, striking out 30% fewer batters than he once did.

SIGNED: It took until April 1, but Clevinger accepted a one-year, $3-million deal to return to the White Sox. The contract contains an additional $3 million in incentives.

Hyun-jin Ryu, 36, LHP, 0.4, 20.1: In 2019 Ryu was a Dodger, leading the NL with a 2.32 ERA, establishing his free-agent market and signing a four-year, $80-million deal with the Blue Jays. Several injuries and some solid pitching later, he’s again a free agent.

SIGNED: Ryu will return to South Korea on an eight-year, 17-billion won ($12.8 million) contract with the Hanwha Eagles. It’s the most guaranteed money ever for a KBO player.

Tim Anderson, 30, SS, -2.0, 16.2: An enigma and a gamble, Anderson needs to find a team that remembers who he was and not who he morphed into last season with the White Sox when he inexplicably hit .245 with one (count it, one) home run and became a liability defensively. Anderson batted over .300 the previous four seasons, including leading the AL with a .335 average in 2019.

SIGNED: Anderson signed a one-year, $5-million deal with the Miami Marlins.

Tommy Pham, 35, OF, 1.5, 17.9: Pham batted .421 in the World Series for the Diamondbacks, that memory hopefully supplanting the one of him slapping Joc Pederson over a fantasy football spat in 2022. Pham has become a journeyman outfielder, playing for six teams since leaving the Cardinals in 2018. His strong 2023 season, however, should get him a reasonably lucrative one-year deal.

Kevin Kiermaier, 33, CF, 3.9, 35.5: In a market pocked with offense-first outfielders, the four-time Gold Glove-winning Kiermaier (including in 2023) will appeal to teams wanting to shore up their defense. But like many of the offense-first crowd, he’ll likely settle for a one-year deal in the $10-million range.

SIGNED: Kiermaier did indeed settle for a one-year, $10.5-million contract to return to the Blue Jays, for whom he slashed .265/.322/.419 last season while stealing 14 bases.

Other free agents to watch:

James Paxton, signed: The Dodgers agreed to terms with the 6-foot-4 Canadian left-hander on a one-year deal worth about $12 million, adding to starting rotation options that already include Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Glasnow, Bobby Miller and several top prospects. Paxton, 35, was 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts last season with Boston after being limited to just six starts from 2020 to 2022 because of Tommy John surgery.

Martín Peréz, signed: The 12-year veteran agreed to a one-year, $8-million deal with the Pirates. Perez, 32, was 10-8 with a 4.45 ERA in 2023 after enjoying a career year in 2022, going 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA in 32 starts.

Lance Lynn, signed: The Dodgers starter best known for giving up 44 homers during the regular season, and four in a row in a playoff loss to the Diamondbacks, signed a one-year, $10-million deal with the Cardinals, the team that made him a first-round draft pick in 2008.

Kyle Gibson, signed: The Cardinals added a second free-agent starter a few days after signing Lynn, bringing hometown right-hander Gibson to St. Louis on a one-year, $12-million deal. Gibson, an 11-year veteran who was 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA with the Orioles last season, has never played for the Cardinals but was drafted out of Missouri in 2009 and lives a short distance from Busch Stadium.

Luis Severino, signed: Although he posted the highest ERA of his eight-year career (6.65) in 2023, Severino signed a one-year, $13-million contract with performance bonuses potentially worth another $2 million. Severino, 29, was a two-time All-Star with the Yankees, going a combined 33-14 in 2017 and 2018.

Wade Miley, signed: The left-handed starter remains as effective as ever entering his age 37 season, having gone 9-4 with a 3.14 ERA for Milwaukee in 2023. He’ll return to the Brewers on a one-year deal with a base salary of $7 million and a mutual option for 2025 at $12 million. The 14-year veteran will have a $1.5-million buyout plus incentives that can bring the deal to $11 million.

Erick Fedde, signed: The right-hander will return to MLB after agreeing to a two-year, $15-million contract with the Chicago White Sox. Fedde, 30, won the MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization in his lone season overseas, going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA and 209 strikeouts against 35 walks in 180 1/3 innings. Fedde pitched six unremarkable seasons with the Nationals, but developed a wipeout slider in Korea.

Tyler Mahle, signed: Mahle joins the defending World Series champion Rangers on a two-year, $22-million deal that includes up to $5 million more in bonuses depending on how many innings he pitches in 2025. Although the right-hander will miss the beginning of the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, he will be paid $5.5 million as well as $16.5 million in 2025.

Frankie Montas, signed: Despite a recent history of injuries, Montas was paid $16 million on a one-year contract by the Reds. Montas, 30, pitched well for the Athletics over six seasons when healthy, with his best year coming in 2021 when he posted a 3.37 ERA and had 207 strikeouts over 187 innings in 32 starts.

Woo Suk Go, signed: Again looking overseas to shore up their bullpen, the Padres signed Go to a two-year, $4.5 million contract with a club option for 2026. Go will make $1.75 million in 2024, $2.25 million in 2025, and there is a $500,000 buyout on the $3-million option. San Diego must pay a $900,000 posting fee to the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization. Go, 25, has been a closer for five seasons, racking up 239 saves. In seven total seasons in the KBO, the right-hander has made 354 appearances, all in relief.

Yuki Matsui, signed: The Padres signed the left-handed reliever from Japan to a five-year, $28-million contract that includes opt-outs after the third and fourth seasons. Matsui, 28, pitched 10 years for Rakuten in the JPPL, notching 236 saves in 517 appearances. He posted a 1.57 ERA and 39 saves last season.

Kirby Yates, signed: Yates, who resuscitated his career in 2023 with the Braves, agreed to a one-year deal with the Rangers. The 36-year-old right-hander led the NL in saves with 41 in 2019 for the San Diego Padres while posting a 1.19 ERA. He battled injuries and inconsistency for three years before allowing only 35 hits while striking out 80 in 60 innings for the Braves, who nevertheless declined his option.

Joe Kelly, signed: The Dodgers took a strange route to re-signing Kelly, turning down a $9.5-million club option and instead paying him a $1-million buyout, then circling back with a one-year, $8-million offer that the hard-throwing right-handed reliever accepted. Kelly, 35, was excellent after coming back to the Dodgers in a midseason trade, posting a 1.74 ERA and striking out 19 in 10 1/3 innings.

Emilio Pagán, signed: In a signal that the Reds want to win now, they signed veteran right-handed reliever Pagán to a two-year, $16-million deal, making him easily the highest paid player on the roster. The 26-year-old posted a 2.99 ERA and a stellar WHIP of 0.952 in 66 outings for the Twins last season. In seven seasons, he’s made 469 appearances — all but one in relief.

Reynaldo López, signed: The Braves continue to shore up their bullpen, signing Lopez, who had 83 strikeouts in 66.2 innings for three teams in 2023, to a three-year, $30-million deal.

Craig Kimbrel, signed: Two years ago, Kimbrel seemed on the verge of retirement after the Dodgers gave up on him as their closer late in the 2022 season. After a solid season with the Phillies in 2023, he signed a one-year, $13-million deal with the Orioles. Kimbrel, 36, is the highest-paid player on the Orioles payroll.

Aroldis Chapman, signed: The hard-throwing left-hander agreed to a one-year, $10.5-million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chapman helped the Rangers win their first World Series after being traded from Kansas City. In 2023, he had 103 strikeouts in 58-1/3 innings and six saves with a 3.09 ERA.

Hector Neris, signed: The right-handed reliever, coming off a career-best 1.71 ERA, signed a one-year, $9-million deal with the Cubs. Neris had 77 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings with the Astros last season. He went 6-3 with two saves.

Ryan Brasier, signed: The Dodgers’ set-up man is coming back after agreeing to a two-year, $9-million deal. The right-hander posted a 0.70 ERA with the Dodgers last season, allowing just three earned runs in 38 2/3 innings. He struck out 38 batters and walked 10.

Victor Caratini, signed: Caratini, 30, signed with the Astros for two years and $12 million. The switch-hitter from Puerto Rico played the last two years with Milwaukee after spending one year with San Diego and his first four MLB seasons with the Cubs. Caratini likely will serve as a backup to Yainer Diaz, 24, who hit 23 home runs and batted .282 in 355 at-bats last season.

Tom Murphy, signed: Murphy, 32, signed a two-year, $8.25-million contract with the Giants that includes a 2026 club option. A career backup with the Rockies and Mariners, Murphy has shown power when he does play, hitting 18 home runs in 2019 and 11 in 2021.

Martín Maldonado, signed: Maldonado, 37, signed a one-year, $4-million deal with the White Sox that includes a $4-million vesting option for 2025. The veteran of 13 seasons has hit at least a dozen home runs five years in a row, but hasn’t batted over .200 since 2020.

Gary Sánchez, signed: Sánchez, a power bat whose defensive skills seem to be improving with age, signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Brewers. Sánchez will back up William Contreras and serve as the designated hitter on occasion.

Rowdy Tellez, signed: The Pirates signed the first baseman to a one-year, $3.2-million deal with an additional $800 in incentives. After hitting 35 home runs and driving in 89 runs with the Brewers in 2022, Tellez, 28, slumped to 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 2023.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, signed: The Blue Jays added the versatile Kiner-Falefa on a two-year, $15-million deal that includes another $1 million in incentives. Last year with the Yankees he played shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions. In Toronto he might play more third base than anything else, unless the Blue Jays re-sign Matt Chapman.

Andrew McCutchen, signed: The veteran stayed true to his promise that he’d only continue his career if he remained in Pittsburgh, signing a one-year, $5-million contract with the Pirates. McCutchen, 37, surpassed 2,000 career hits in 2023 and has hit 299 home runs in 15 seasons.

Hunter Renfroe, signed: Renfroe, who spent most of 2023 with the Angels, signed a two-year, $13-million deal with the Royals, $500,000 in incentives also included each year. He will make $5.5 million in 2024 and $7.5 million in 2025 and can opt out after the first season.

Harrison Bader, signed: Bader, an excellent center fielder with a suspect bat, signed a one-year, $10.5-million contract with the Mets. He hit five home runs in nine postseason games for the Yankees in 2022 after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Cardinals, but hamstring and oblique injuries sidelined him for much of 2023 and he produced a below average slash line of .232/274/.348.

Joc Pederson, signed: The left-handed hitter joined the Diamondbacks on a $9.5-million, one-year deal. Pederson, who hit .235 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs last season with the Giants, will try to help the Diamondbacks return to the World Series. The outfielder won back-to-back titles with the Dodgers in 2020 and the Braves in 2021.