Free agent signings roundup follows Bauer, Springer, Realmuto deals

Major League Baseball’s Hot Stove season is here, which means free agents are making some big decisions about their future. Over the next few months, we’ll be keeping track of every signing — from Trevor Bauer, George Springer and J.T. Realmuto to the sneaky good role players — so that you’re always up to date. Be sure to check back every day for a roundup explaining every deal. As a bonus, we’ll even have some analysis from the Yahoo Sports Fantasy crew.

Cardinals sign Adam Wainwright

The player: Wainwright is 39 and isn’t an ace anymore, but wasn’t terrible in 2020. The first question was whether he wanted to play again, as there was likely a TV gig waiting for him if he chose to hang them up.

The deal: Wainwright is going back where he belongs, reportedly returning to the Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $8 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Is that a lot? It’s more than the one-year, $6 million projected by MLB Trade Rumors, but it’s in line with what Wainwright made last year.

Is it going to work? Well, somebody has to win the NL Central, right? Why not the Cardinals? Wainwright himself doesn’t make the Cardinals a contender, but he’s a proven leader with experience who proved last season he still has something to contribute. His 3.15 ERA was his best since he was a perennial Cy Young candidate in the early 2010s. Having him around a Cardinals team that’s looking to dethrone the Cubs (who aren’t even looking like a contender these days), can only help. With the Pirates a non-factor, the Brewers needing to rebound and the Reds looking to be worse than 2020, the Cardinals have a clear path to a division title.

Story continues

Twins sign Andrelton Simmons

The player: Simmons is a slick-fielding shortstop who isn’t quite built from the same modern mold as Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and others. His defense is usually quite good, and he hits for a decent average, but you’re not getting much power.

The deal: The Twins are signing Simmons to a one-year, $10.5 million deal, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.

Is that a lot? No, it’s very close to what was expected. MLB Trade Rumors projected a $12 million contract.

Is it going to work? The most interesting facet of this signing is that the Twins didn’t appear to be a team in need of a shortstop. However, presented with the opportunity to upgrade to the nearly unparalleled defense Simmons offers, they will push incumbent starter Jorge Polanco — coming off a down 2020 but who was an All-Star in 2019 — to second base and allow batting title contender Luis Arraez to roam as a super-utility player. The depth could prove important. The AL Central is increasingly looking like a two-horse race between the Twins and White Sox. Chicago has had a much louder offseason, while this is Minnesota’s biggest addition so far.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Simmons is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, but his injury history and his lack of offensive output has put a hindrance on his fantasy value. On the one hand, joining an offensive powerhouse like the Twins seems great, but remember: The Twins have Jorge Polanco at SS, along with super utility player Luis Arraez. So, it’ll be interesting to see how this infield shakes out for opening day. He’s not a draft priority (for now).

Giants sign Tommy La Stella

The player: La Stella is among the most underrated hitters in MLB. While he doesn’t provide much power, he’s always a good bet to make contact and keep the lineup moving. Over the last two seasons he’s slashed a solid .289/.356/.471.

The deal: La Stella is close to a deal with the Giants, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Is that a lot? We don’t have the terms of the deal yet, but MLB Trade Rumors predicted the sneaky good infielder would sign for two years and $14 million.

Is it going to work? He’s a Swiss Army Knife who always hits. Whether he’s a solid cog on the next good Giants team or a handy trade chip at the deadline, it’s likely to work out.

Blue Jays sign Marcus Semien

The player: He’s only one season removed from hitting 33 home runs and finishing as an MVP finalist. Of course, he didn’t repeat that production in 2020, leaving him in a sort of limbo where it was unclear exactly how teams viewed his future.

The deal: Semien is joining the Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million deal, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.

Is that a lot? MLB Trade Rumors projected Semien would get one year and $14 million, so like many signees this offseason, he’s beating the expected money by a noteworthy but not momentous amount. It remains eye-catching that Semien, who finished third in AL MVP voting in 2019, could not command a multiyear deal.

Is it going to work? Reading between the lines of that one-year deal, it’s apparent that the industry is not buying that stellar 2019 season as Semien’s true talent. He has never had another season with an above-average OPS, and teams are not willing to bet on him finding that all-around greatness at the plate again. Still, he is very often close to average, which is a solid player when it comes at a premium position. On a one-year pact, he’s a worthy veteran addition to a Blue Jays club that means business. He has worked hard to make himself a solid defensive shortstop, but he will likely spend most of his time at a different infield spot with young star Bo Bichette manning the six hole in Toronto.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Semien had an MVP-level season in 2019 (33 HRs, 123 runs scored, a .285/.369/.522 slash line) … but it’s the first time he’s gotten close to that level of production in his entire career. And now, he’ll join a Blue Jays team that already has a budding star at shortstop in Bo Bichette. So, he’ll be expected to be the team’s everyday second baseman (sorry, Cavan Biggio truthers).

On paper, this potent Toronto offense would seem like a fantasy friendly landing spot for Semien, but it all depends on whether you believe his 2019 output was his ceiling, or just a blip on the radar. What helps Semien’s fantasy bottom-line, however, is his speed; if healthy, he can deliver double-digit steals. So, if you draft him at his ADP, you’re hoping for something in the realm of 20-10 with a lot of runs. The lineup around him will help (ideally).

Phillies sign J.T. Realmuto

The player: There aren’t many catchers like Realmuto — stellar on defense, great with pitchers, durable, and dangerous with the bat. He’s the best of both worlds. It’s Joe Mauer/Buster Posey territory. In 2019, his first season with the Phillies after the trade from Miami, Realmuto hit 25 homers and drove in 83 runs. Bryce Harper has made it clear on a few occasions that he wants Realmuto back.

The deal: Realmuto returns to Philly, where he was a clubhouse favorite, on a five-year deal worth $115.5 million, Yahoo Sports has confirmed. Originally, the Phillies were reportedly trying to cut payroll, but new boss Dave Dombrowski is nothing if not a guy who likes to hand out big contracts.

Is that a lot? Not particularly. The projected contract for Realmuto was five years and $125 million, by MLB Trade Rumors, so this falls beneath that. The Mets had figured to be a Realmuto suitor before they signed James McCann. Once that happened, it limited the market for Realmuto. Not too many teams were after a premium catcher. So a return to the Phillies felt like a natural fit.

Is it going to work? It should be seamless. If the Phillies are aiming to compete — and Dombrowski doesn’t join a team to lose — this is a move that Philly needed to make to keep up with the Mets and Braves in the NL East. Realmuto has proven himself productive at the plate and valuable on defense, the only question is how he holds up toward the back-end of the deal, since he’s the type of catcher who likes to play upward of 140 games. By the time he’s 34, the workload could catch up to him.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Nothing, as J.T. Realmuto will remain the top catcher off draft boards. The Phillies were smart to bring him back, and him remaining on the same team keeps his fantasy value intact. If anything, 2020’s numbers (which were still excellent for a catcher) were an outlier for Realmuto — expect better.

Nationals sign Brad Hand

The player: Hand should not be a free agent this winter. He had a $10 million option — which feels like a bargain given his closing experience and status as an elite left-handed reliever — but that was declined by Cleveland. He was once again brilliant in 2020, earning 16 saves while posting a 2.05 ERA.

The deal: The Nationals are signing Hand to a one-year, $10.5 deal, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Is that a lot? No — MLB Trade Rumors projected Hand would sign a two-year deal for $14 million — but it is a vaguely comical reflection of Cleveland’s penny-pinching ways and the skittishness of the rest of the league. Hand was under contract and could have had that $10 million option exercised. He was also reportedly on waivers at one point, which means any team could have claimed him and employed him for $10 million for 2021. Instead, the Nationals will pay $500,000 extra for the privilege after he hit the market.

Is it going to work? Probably! Hand has been on an uninterrupted stretch of excellence since 2016 — he’s tallied an ERA of 3.30 or better and struck out at least 30 percent of batters in every season. He was by far the best lefty reliever on the market, and the Nationals didn’t have an established lefty reliever on the roster. Hand could very well slide into the closer’s role depending on how Daniel Hudson fares.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? This is a very good landing spot for Hand in both reality and fantasy. Managers looking to wait on closer could target Hand, as he’ll undoubtedly slide into the closer role for a Nats bullpen that doesn’t really have that titular ninth-inning arm (Daniel Hudson has had his moments, but not enough to feel worried about Hand’s chances).

We’ve been seeing some signs of regression from Hand, but he’s still a top-of-the-line lefty whose fantasy draft cost isn’t going to be as high as some of the other big-name closers.

Padres re-sign Jurickson Profar

The player: Versatility is the name of Profar’s game. He’s started at seven different positions during his seven-year MLB career. He’s probably best suited for a utility/bench role, but can also provide some pop after posting back-to-back 20-homer seasons in 2018 and 2019.

The deal: Profar has agreed to return to San Diego on a three-year, $21 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Is that a lot? The $7 million annual value of the deal is not a lot at all. In fact, it’s exactly what MLB Trade Rumors projected for the positionally flexible Profar. They just expected he’d only get one year. So the Padres are placing a bet on Profar’s offensive step up continuing, and they clearly valued having him around as part of what could be a crucial window of contention for the franchise.

Is it going to work? Again, the $7 million annual value is very reasonable. This is the Padres adding depth again and again in an offseason aiming for the moon. Both Jake Cronenworth and new addition Ha-Seong Kim could also fill utility roles, but Profar is the most established among them. The rival Dodgers have been Exhibit A for carrying multiple players who play multiple positions (Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernández, Max Muncy, the list goes on), so consider the Profar deal a step toward emulating that core.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Super-duper fantasy utility player Profar will stay with the Padres, which is fine for his bottom line — he had a career-high slash line in 2020 — but honestly, we know what Profar is from a fantasy perspective already: A roster-spot filler who can play at a plethora of positions, but who does a little of everything without shining in any particular category. Profar’s career-high average can probably be chalked up to the reduced season and a bit of luck (his BABIP in 2020 was 30 points higher than his career mark). Sure, he’ll steal some bases and get quite a few run-scoring and RBI opportunities with the Padres, but let’s not act like he’s someone to consider in the single-digit rounds. The deeper your league, the more fantasy value Profar gains.

The hope is Profar is able to put together something in the realm of a 20-25 homer, 10-15 stolen-base season while not being a drain in batting average. He’s still just 27, so draft him when it’s time to look for upside, not for everyday reliability.

Astros re-sign Michael Brantley

The player: Brantley didn’t get a lot of attention in Houston (there was a slightly bigger story dominating headlines) but he was excellent there after signing a two-year, $34 million deal in 2019. Most importantly, he finally got healthy. Over those two seasons, he hit .309/.370/.497 with 27 home runs.

The deal: After premature reports that Brantley had signed with the Blue Jays, it turns out that he’s staying with the Astros, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston. The reported deal is almost the same as the last one, with Brantley getting $32 million over two years.

Is that a lot? It’s more than the two-year, $28 million projected by MLB Trade Rumors, but it’s not preposterous. The Astros will depend on Brantley more without Springer, so they may have had to pay him more to woo him away from Toronto.

Is it going to work? Brantley brings needed stability to Houston’s lineup. They’re not going to be able to replace Springer based on what’s out there, but losing Brantley would have made matters worse. He’s dependable, produces well and the only real worry with him is age and durability. After a few rocky years in Cleveland, he’s been healthy and effective in Houston.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Without George Springer in the fold, this lineup loses a lot of potency, but it remains one of the best in baseball. A returning Brantley will undoubtedly be expected to shoulder more of the offensive load — maybe he gets to 25 homers this season? Regardless, Brantley staying in Houston doesn’t move the fantasy needle in either direction for 2021.

He will be turning 34 this year and health will always be a shadow looming over him. Brantley is the rare player who, on paper, seems entirely safe (if a bit boring), yet who still comes with risk. A 12-plus round ADP seems right.

Angels sign Jose Quintana

The player: Quintana wasn’t able to boost his value during an injury-riddled 2020 season, but has otherwise been durable and reliable during his decade-long MLB career. Still only 31, he should have several quality years remaining.

The deal: The Angels have agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with Quintana, according to Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown. The lefty pitched in only four games last season, but the pitching-hungry Angels are hoping the former All-Star can pitch like he did when he was previously in the AL with the Chicago White Sox. Though he was just OK with the Cubs over the past three seasons, Quintana had a 3.51 ERA over six seasons with the White Sox. The Angels had one of the worst staffs in the league last season, so the White Sox version of Quintana would be a big help.

Is that a lot? Not at all. It’s actually a great buy-low deal for the Angels. Quintana was projected at two years and $18 million, so one year and $8 million could be a bargain if he can regain some of his old form.

Is it going to work? It’s a dice-roll, but not a big one. In baseball money, $8 million isn’t too much and the Angels’ need at pitching necessitates some gambles — especially if they can’t land top free agent Trevor Bauer. If not Bauer, they’re probably going to be making a few of these types of deals. So this seems like a good starting point.

Blue Jays sign George Springer

The player: After seven seasons with the Astros, we know plenty about what makes Springer special. He’s a top-of-the-lineup spark plug that can make an offense hum. He’s clutch. Just look at any October he’s played. After another strong postseason, Springer entered free agency as arguably the most attractive, most complete player. He has 40-homer potential, gets on base and can drive in 80 or 90 runs per year. And at 31, he’s still pretty good on defense too.

The deal: Springer gets $150 million over six years with the Blue Jays, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, surpassing the expectation of five years. There’s a chance now he finishes his career in Toronto.

Is that a lot? It is more than the projected five-year, $125 million contract from MLB Trade Rumors, but not obscenely so. The Jays had been desperate to land a big name this offseason, but this move doesn’t reek of desperation.

Is it going to work? It seems like exactly what the pushing-forward Blue Jays need. They’re loaded with young talent and made a surprise playoff run last year, but could use a veteran leader type who has postseason success on his résumé. Springer is that. With Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, plus Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. coming off breakout seasons, the Jays lineup should be quite good. They’ll have to hope their pitching can hold up now, but being competitive the next few years seems very realistic in Toronto.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? There are gonna be a lot of home runs coming out of the Blue Jays lineup in 2021 (especially if they play in Buffalo again). Springer is a great-but-not-elite fantasy hitter; he won’t hurt your ratios and he’s a plus in home runs, but it remains to be seen how his run-scoring prowess will be affected away from the Astros’ loaded lineup. The Jays, though, are no slouches on offense, so it’s hard to expect a major fall from production for the 31-year-old Springer, especially now that he’s in a better hitter’s park — and in a division full of them (aside from Tampa Bay). The sixth round of fantasy drafts seems like a great spot for a Springer selection.

Nationals agree to deal with Jon Lester

The player: A former ace, Lester will be 37 by opening day, so his best starts are behind him, but he can still make a difference as a veteran presence who needs to eat some innings and contribute to a contender.

The deal: The Washington Nationals have agreed to a one-year deal with Lester with a mutual option for 2022, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Other terms of the deal were not initially reported.

Is it going to work? Lester joins a staff featuring fellow multi-time All-Stars Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin and will likely find a spot at the back of the rotation. Approaching his 16th MLB season, Lester doesn’t have the stuff that made him a five-time All-Star with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. But he won’t be expected to.

Yankees sign Corey Kluber

The player: On the plus side, Kluber finished 2020 with a 0.00 ERA. On the flip side, he only pitched one inning as a member of the Texas Rangers before an injury ended his season. Now the two-time Cy Young winner is 34, looking to answer questions about how much is left in the tank in the Bronx.

The deal: Kluber is signing a one-year deal worth $11 million, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.

Is that a lot? MLB Trade Rumors had Kluber at one year, $12 million, so this is about what was expected. Still, it’s not every day you see a pitcher land eight figures after making only eight starts in the last two seasons, but Kluber’s half-decade of dominance — 2.85 ERA, two Cy Young Awards, 10.1 K/9 and 218 innings pitched per year between 2014 and 2018 — was tempting enough to attract the Yankees and plenty of other suitors.

Is it going to work? Behind Gerrit Cole, the Yankees rotation is a collection of intriguing question marks, and, well, this doesn’t change that. Kluber is three years removed from his last full season, and the Yankees aren’t exactly known for how much their pitchers stay healthy. If Kluber, Luis Severino and Deivi Garcia all hit on their potential, the Yankees rotation will be a force to be reckoned with. That is a gargantuan “if.”

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Injuries have taken away a lot of Corey Kluber’s career the past three seasons. At 34 years old, upside isn’t what we’re looking for, but if a healthy Kluber somehow taps in to his previous upside, buckle up. As of now, however, It’s hard to imagine giving up a considerable fantasy draft investment for the Klubot. But hey, you could do worse than a late-round flier on an SP of a contending team.

Yankees sign DJ LeMahieu

The player: The Yankees got a steal two years ago when they signed LeMahieu to a $24 million dollar contract. He was worth every bit of $12 million per season. Sure it was just 60 games, but in 2020 he had a .421 on-base percentage. In 2019, he was an MVP candidate who hit 26 homers, drove in 102 runs and kept the Yankees afloat while their sluggers were injured. He’s proven that his bat wasn’t just inflated by playing in Colorado. He can be the glue of any offense in baseball.

The deal: Sources tell Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown that LeMahieu is close to a deal to re-sign with the Yankees. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the deal will be for six years and $90 million.

Is that a lot? It’s certainly a longer deal than expected, which lands LeMahieu more total money than industry observers originally projected. MLB Trade Rumors pegged LeMahieu for four years and $68 million at the start of the offseason, but the second baseman’s importance to the club appears to have driven up the price. He did not land the J.D. Martinez deal (five years, $110 million) he apparently desired, but by taking a lower average annual value of $15 million, he got in range of Josh Donaldson’s four-year, $92 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. The contract appears to be designed so the Yankees lower their calculated number in relation to the league’s Competitive Balance Tax, while still approaching LeMahieu’s demands.

Is it going to work? LeMahieu has been one of the best hitters in baseball since he arrived in New York — by OPS+ he is 10th in baseball over the past two years. Plus, he is a crucial (and flexible) piece of the Yankees’ infield defense. Six-year deals for 32-year-old are certainly unusual, but that is likely driven by New York’s desire to push down its CBT number and it’s a small price to pay for a World Series contender to keep a highly productive, beloved player.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Remember when some people used to say that DJ LeMahieu was a product of Coors Field? Yeah, not so much. LeMahieu has been an absolute stud for the Yankees — at times the most prolific, dependable hitter in their lineup — and for fantasy managers, and now he’ll return to the same golden situation. We like our fantasy hitters to stay in the environment they’ve thrived in before, and so it will be with LeMahieu on top of a (hopefully) healthy and potent New York squad. It’s not hyperbole to say that LeMahieu has been one of the best hitters in baseball — he put together a .364/.421/.590 line in the shortened 2020 season — and at 32 years old, there haven’t been signs of slowing down (recall his MVP-level season in 2019, when his .349 BABIP matched up nearly with his .345 career mark). He’s a four-category fantasy contributor with the Yanks and a solid option in the third/fourth round of 2021 drafts.

Phillies sign Archie Bradley

The player: Bradley is a former top pitching prospect who eventually found success in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. Armed with mid-to-high-90s heat, Bradley has accrued a 2.82 career ERA as a reliever and worked as a closer for part of 2019. He was traded during the 2020 season to the Cincinnati Reds, who recently non-tendered him to avoid paying him in arbitration.

The deal: Bradley has signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Philadelphia Philles, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Is that a lot? Well, the Reds were expected to pay him around this much in arbitration (he was due a raise from his $4.1 million salary in 2020), so this seems about market value for a set-up man with sporadic closing experience.

Is it going to work? In the Phillies bullpen, who knows? Bradley’s fastball velocity has been slightly trending down for years (from a peak of 96.3 mph in 2017 to 94.2 last year), so that’s a red flag, but he also had a 2.95 ERA last year with decent peripherals (2.59 FIP, .296 XWOBA, 3.44 SIERA) and is still only 28 years old. Relievers always come with risk, but there are worse bets than this kind of experience for $6 million.

White Sox sign Liam Hendriks

The player: Hendriks has had an interesting journey, going from an unclaimed pitcher on waivers in 2018 to an All-Star closer for Oakland in 2019. Now he is cashing in on that success. Here are the numbers teams will be salivating over: Since the start of 2019, Hendriks has a 1.79 ERA and 13.1 K/9 over 110 1/3 innings, not to mention he’s the WAR leader among all relievers at 4.9. That will play anywhere and everywhere.

The deal: Hendriks is signing a multi-year deal with the Chicago White Sox, sources tell Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown. The deal is technically three years with an option for a fourth, but guarantees Hendriks $54 million either way.

Is that a lot? MLB Trade Rumors projected he would get three years and $30 million, so the White Sox are ponying up a bit to secure the top reliever available. The fourth-year option, which sends Hendriks $15 million whether it is picked up or declined, is certainly novel.

Is it going to work? Any reliever on a multi-year deal comes with risk. But what we know is this: Hendriks has been the most effective reliever in the game over the past two years. For an up and coming team like the White Sox, he is undoubtedly worth an investment. Their closer spot was vacated by free agent Alex Colome, and this will create a devastating bullpen combo with the groundball wizard Aaron Bummer.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Well, if you were hoping to target Alex Colome (who could be on his way out of Chicago as a free agent anyway) again in order to wait on closer, sorry. Liam Hendriks has transformed himself into one of the most dominant, exciting relievers in the game — so yes, he is going to be the reliever to prioritize in drafts out of the White Sox. Even if he suffers regression from his eye-popping numbers (and they were eye-popping) from last season, Hendriks will remain an elite option as part of a Chicago team that sees itself as a contender — especially so in the weak AL Central. Expect to use a mid-round pick on him in drafts as one of the top-five closers off the board.

Nationals sign Kyle Schwarber

The player: Schwarber was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs in one of the first signs of their intention to sell this winter. Schwarber’s career has mirrored the Cubs as a whole. He ascended quickly to the majors in time to join the title-winning core, but he has been merely solid since then, never taking a next step. The shortened 2020 season was by far his worst, but he can typically be counted on for about 30 homers, a mountain of strikeouts and moderately above-average overall offensive production. The issue that loomed over his free agency was the still unresolved issue of whether the designated hitter would be in both leagues again. He’d be best suited for at least a partial DH role going forward.

The deal: The Nationals are reportedly signing Schwarber to a one-year, $10 million deal.

Is that a lot? Well, no. One-year deals carry very little risk for teams, and $10 million doesn’t buy much in terms of expectations on the market. It is notable that Schwarber found more money in his unexpected free agency than the Cubs would have likely had to pay him to simply keep him around. It’s estimated he would have made somewhere between $7 million and $9.3 million through the arbitration process, but apparently that was too much for Chicago.

Is it going to work? There aren’t too many ways this could go wrong. If there is no DH, the Nationals fill an uncertain left field spot with a steady, if defensively weak, veteran for one year. Schwarber joins trade acquisition Josh Bell as new protection for Juan Soto in the lineup. If the DH does come to the National League permanently, then the Nationals and Schwarber have a one-year showcase and the possibility to add more offense.

Dodgers sign Blake Treinen

The player: Treinen was the best reliever in baseball in 2018, posting a 0.78 ERA in 80 1/3 innings for the Oakland A’s. Then he suffered a rotator cuff strain and a stress reaction in his back in 2019, which limited his effectiveness. He took a step forward for the Dodgers in 2020, posting a 3.86 ERA in 25 innings.

The deal: The Dodgers are bringing Treinen back on a two-year deal worth $17.5 million, with a club option for 2023 that could pay another $8 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Is that a lot? The deal is a touch more than expected, as MLB Trade Rumors had projected Treinen for two years and $14 million. The 32-year-old is coming off a rebound season, but did not return to the dominant heights of his 2018.

Is it going to work? There’s always risk with relievers, but Treinen has been either good or great whenever healthy. It’s unclear who the Dodgers will truly rely upon going forward with Kenley Jansen wobbling. Treinen’s strikeout rate was down in 2020, not a good sign, but he boosted his slider usage and got more grounders than he had in recent years. He’s a known quantity to the team and a legitimate closing option with game-finishing experience — a good player to have around when defending a World Series crown.

Padres sign Ha-Seong Kim

The player: Kim was the best international name on the market. He’s a 25-year-old shortstop and third baseman who has starred in Korea since he was 18. He’s coming off a season in which he hit 30 homers with 109 RBIs in the KBO, but remember that’s roughly equivalent to Double-A.

The deal: The Padres have reached an agreement to sign Kim, according to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. It comes hours after the team reportedly reached a deal to acquire Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays and amid rumors of a Yu Darvish pursuit.

Is that a lot? We don’t have the terms of the deal yet, but the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported Monday morning that a potential deal with San Diego was likely to place Kim’s guaranteed money near $30 million. At the beginning of the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors projected the relatively young hitter would net five years and $40 million. The Padres apparently beat out the Toronto Blue Jays, among other interested teams, for his services.

Is it going to work? Kim was a star shortstop in the KBO, but the league’s overall talent level is a little further from the majors than Japan’s NPB, and the translation can be tricky. The ZiPS projection system at FanGraphs nonetheless pegs him as an above-average hitter, and he would likely rank among the top 100 prospects in the game if he were plying his trade in the minors. The Athletic’s Keith Law notes the velocity of MLB pitching could require adjustments and sees him as a super-utility player.

The Padres, of course, do not need a shortstop. According to Sherman, the Padres could put Kim at second base, forming a double play tandem with Fernando Tatis Jr., while last year’s out-of-nowhere Rookie of the Year candidate Jake Cronenworth moves to left field. It could be that both players wind up in utility roles, or that Cronenworth is dangled as trade bait. Regardless of how the positions shake out, the addition adds depth and goes toward creating the sort of multidimensional roster that has become a hallmark of the rival Dodgers.

Mets sign James McCann

The player: Despite being far less proven than headline offseason target J.T. Realmuto, there’s some chance McCann is almost as good. After a breakout 2019 that even the Chicago White Sox weren’t willing to bank on, McCann kept up his newfound offensive pace in 2020. So over the past two seasons, his OPS is .808 to Realmuto’s .825. The Baseball-Reference WAR model says McCann has been MLB’s second-best catcher over that span (behind Realmuto), while FanGraphs has him fifth.

The deal: The Mets are committing four years and more than $40 million to McCann, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, after making catcher one of their offseason priorities. They figured to be a favorite for Realmuto at the offseason’s start. But with new ownership and a desire to compete immediately, the Mets don’t seem to be waiting around.

Is that a lot? MLB Trade Rumors predicted two years and $20 million for McCann, so this is, in a word, aggressive. But, again, this is new ownership and a new front office trying to quickly turnaround the Mets.

Is it going to work? If this isn’t the Mets’ big offseason move, then yes, it figures to be a good one. McCann will help the lineup, help the pitching staff and help the Mets on defense. But the Mets still need to do more. George Springer is the other player they’ve been linked to since the beginning of the winter. The dream offseason was new owner Steve Cohen ponying up for Springer and Realmuto. So now fans will be expecting at least one bigger, splashier move.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? James McCann is one of those guys who has flashed talent and production, but seems to always leave a little something to be desired. Well, we might have seen the full ceiling of his powers in 2020, even while playing behind the Sox’s prized offseason acquisition of Yasmani Grandal. McCann delivered a .289/.360/.536 slash line, which is pretty much a dream for a fantasy catcher. He will fill an OBVIOUS need for the Mets, and you hope he’ll be able to deliver a bit more power numbers, but he’s likely shown enough that this opportunity to be the clear starting catching option in New York will vault him into the top-10 catchers available in fantasy drafts, even with some regression (especially in batting average).

Kansas City Royals sign Carlos Santana

The player: Santana, entering his age-35 season, remains a good hitter with a knack for getting on base. After his second stint with the Indians, he’s staying in the AL Central by joining the Royals.

The deal: The Royals are giving Santana $17.5 million over two years, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, with an additional possible $1 million in incentives.

Is that a lot? It’s surprising, but more for the years than the dollars. Santana made $20 million each of the past two seasons, so $17.5 million for two is probably right in line with his value at this point. It’s more surprising to see a Royals team that isn’t really close to contending committing to two years of Santana.

Is it going to work? This deal won’t get the Royals (26-34 last season) into the postseason, but it will make their lineup better and make them more competitive, which is what any fan should want from their team. Santana is getting older, but he remains a potent bat. He led MLB in walks last season and remains an on-base percentage-driven player. His power numbers dropped last season, with his eight homers in 60 being 21.6 in a 162-game season, but in 2019 his .911 OPS was still quite good.

Chicago White Sox sign Adam Eaton

The player: Eaton, 32, is a well-traveled outfielder who is returning to the White Sox, where he played from 2014 to 2016 before being traded to the Nationals.

The deal: It’s a one-year deal for Eaton, pending a physical, worth a guaranteed $8 million, according to various reports. Eaton will make $7 million in 2021 with a club option for 2022. If the option isn’t exercised, Eaton gets a $1 million buyout, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Is that a lot? Not really. It’s less than Eaton made the previous two seasons in Washington, where his production started to dip. He’d been a moderately-above-replacement-level player for most of his career in D.C. Since the trade, he hasn’t played like the 6.6 WAR player he was for the Sox in 2016. In 2019, Eaton slashed .279/.365/.428, which is about what you can expect from him typically. He can steal a few bases and hit a few homers, but nothing overwhelming. He would figure to play right field, where Adam Engel has played the last few seasons.

Is it going to work? The White Sox would seem to think so. They know what they’re getting in Eaton by now — though, again, he’s not as productive as he was in his late 20s. There’s some subtext here beyond baseball that makes this interesting too. We learned after his previous Chicago stint that it wasn’t all roses for Eaton. He had beef with teammate Todd Frazier and Ozzie Guillen (now a White Sox analyst and not a part of the team when Eaton was there) said last year that no players in the White Sox clubhouse liked Eaton. It’s a new era in White Sox baseball, though, with plenty of young talent in the lineup. Tony La Russa — not exactly a new talent — is also the new White Sox manager, and Eaton seems like the type of player La Russa would like to have in his lineup. Now he can.

New York Mets sign Trevor May

The player: May, 31, has developed into one of baseball’s most reliable setup men. Since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2016, he’s posted a dominant 13.2 K/9 mark. Just as impressive is his 3.2 BB/9.

The deal: May is joining the Mets bullpen, the first significant free-agent signing of the Steve Cohen era. It won’t be the last. Andy Martino of SNY was first to report a deal was in place and Jeff Passan of ESPN reports it’s for two years. The deal is pending a physical.

Is that a lot? MLB Trade Rumors projected two years and $14 million for May, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the deal is worth $15.5 million, so this is right in the range that was expected. The Mets simply acted early to get a reliever it seems they targeted.

Is it going to work? Seems like it. The Mets need bullpen help. May isn’t the biggest name on the market — he’s also not a closer, so it goes — but he’s proven himself a reliable option over the years. And when it comes to bullpens, reliability is just about the No. 1 thing you can ask for. That goes double in Queens, where the Mets don’t often do “reliable.” Just look at Edwin Diaz. The Mets had the fifth-worst bullpen ERA last season, so there’s plenty of work to be done, but May is a step in the right direction.

An added bonus for this particular fit — May will be reunited with Jeremy Hefner, the Mets pitching coach, who was previously May’s bullpen coach in Minnesota. That seems to bring good vibes to this signing.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? This is probably a better real life move than a fantasy one. May has great talent and elite-level strikeout numbers, but he’ll be joining a packed Mets bullpen featuring Edwin Diaz, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro, and Jeurys Familia. If May leapfrogs everyone for the primary setup job, then he’s absolutely worth a draft pick. But until we get more clarity, he’s best left on waivers to start the season.

Atlanta Braves sign Charlie Morton

The player: Fresh off another strong postseason — 2.70 ERA in 20 innings — Morton turned 37 while making his decision. The Tampa Bay Rays declined his $15 million option, but Morton had previously said he would likely retire before he roamed too far afield of his family’s Florida home. Don’t let his flirtation with retirement fool you, though. Morton was an AL Cy Young finalist in the most recent 162-game season. Those don’t grow on trees.

The deal: One year, $15M

Is that a lot? It’s exactly the same deal he would have been playing on in 2021. However, it’s almost double the one-year, $8M deal Morton was projected to receive, according to MLB Trade Rumors. It’s a sign the Braves aren’t messing around this winter as they look to acquire depth for another postseason run. The Braves previously signed left-handed starter Drew Smyly to a one-year, $11M deal.

Is it going to work? Morton is a perfect fit for a Braves team that will have World Series or bust expectations. The veteran right-hander is playoff tested, having won three consecutive winner-take-all games for the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. In fact, Morton is the only pitcher in MLB history to hold that distinction. On multiple occasions, Morton has said he wouldn’t return if he didn’t think he could maintain his current level of excellence. If he believes it and the Braves believe it, we believe Morton will have another quality season.

What does it mean for your fantasy team? Morton has apparently been drinking from the pitching fountain of youth, as he’s been able to maintain himself as an above-average middle-of-the-rotation pitcher even as he continues into the latter half of his 30s. The move from the Rays to the Braves isn’t a massive change, as Morton is going from one contender to another, but he can be a much-needed veteran presence in a rotation featuring some uber-talented young arms.

Morton was actually a bit unlucky in 2020 (.355 BABIP) so there’s a chance he could improve on his final surface stats from last season (after all, his 4.74 ERA was much higher than his 3.45 FIP). The biggest questions with Morton is how long he can keep this going and stay healthy and how much the Braves are going to put on his plate, but if he can check off those boxes (and of course, make the Braves starting rotation — and it would be a shock if he didn’t) he’s a virtual lock for double-digit wins and safe ratios, making him a solid SP option in the middle rounds of drafts. Be sure to track his fastball velocity in Spring Training, however — a couple more drops in points would be a bad sign for a pitcher his age.

More from Yahoo Sports:

Originally published January 28, 2021, 4:57 PM