MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: A Busy Day of Free Agency

Published

5 months ago

December 13, 2023

Rowdy Tellez, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB offseason

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

Free agents galore! Tuesday proved to be an active day of the MLB offseason with a handful of reported free agent contracts.

The most notable of the bunch was Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, whose six-year, $113 million deal raised some eyebrows. Jon Heyman of the New York Post was first to report Lee’s deal, an agreement that comes with an opt-out after year four.

It’s certainly a splash for the Giants, but Lee’s nine-figure deal far exceeded the expectations of the type of contract the 25-year-old would receive. For instance, MLB Trade Rumors pegged Lee to land a five-year contract worth $50 million.

Lee does have age on his side and upside coming stateside from the Korean Baseball Organization. The Giants are betting on that upside by handing out a big deal to acquire his services.

ROYALS ADD TO ROTATION, BULLPEN

It was quite a day for the Kansas City Royals, who landed a pair of free agent pitchers.

According to multiple reports, the Royals agreed to a three-year deal worth $45 million with starting pitcher Seth Lugo. Additionally, the club reached an agreement with reliever Chris Stratton on a one-year deal plus an opt-out, as Heyman reported. Stratton’s deal ensures him a guarantee of $4 million.

Lugo was utilized as a starting pitcher with the Padres last season after several seasons pitching as a reliever. The 34-year-old more than held his own and went 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts.

Stratton, meanwhile, split this season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, with whom he won the World Series. Between the two teams, Stratton finished the season with a 3.92 ERA.

PIRATES GET ROWDY

The Pittsburgh Pirates had been searching for a first baseman, and they’ve agreed to a one-year deal with Rowdy Tellez, a source confirmed to Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Tellez receives a $3.2 million base salary and can earn an additional $800K in incentives.

Tellez is coming off of a down 2023 season in Milwaukee where he managed a .667 OPS and 13 home runs in 105 games. This comes on the heals of a 2023 season in which Tellez hit 35 home runs and drove in 89 RBIs in 153 games played.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

The Washington Nationals signed right-handed reliever Dylan Floro to a one-year deal for 2024.
The Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million with right-hander Cooper Criswell, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.