Twins, Josh Bell agree to deal
Minnesota has made its first free-agent signing of the offseason, agreeing to a deal with first baseman Josh Bell. He’ll reportedly receive a guaranteed $7 million ($5.5M in 2026, a $125,000 signing bonus, and a $1.25M buyout on a mutual option for 2027). The 33-year-old switch-hitter batted .237/.325/.417 (110 OPS+) with 16 2B and 22 HR last season with the Nationals.
Bell has hit .256/.341/.443 (114 OPS+) over his 10-year career, but the Twins will be his seventh franchise. Despite weighing in at 6’3” and 260 pounds, Bell has never hit for a lot of power in his career (he has a propensity to hit more balls on the ground than drive them in the air), but he’s long been able to get on base and he’s put up the lowest SO% of his career in two of the last four seasons.
The signing leaves the Red Sox, Rockies, and Nationals as the only MLB teams that have yet to sign a free agent to an MLB contract.
Phillies sign Adolis García, but should have aimed higher
Well, the Phillies were going to add another outfielder, but I think most everyone thought they’d aim a little higher. The team reached an agreement on Monday with Adolis García on a one-year, $10 million deal.
García, 33 in March, was a key piece of the Rangers’ lineup in 2023, but his on-base ability has cratered over the last two seasons. He’s hit just .225/.278/.397 (a 96 OPS+ helped heavily by his power) in that stretch before Texas non-tendered him following the season. The Phillies reportedly plan to use him in right field, where he’ll replace Nick Castellanos (who the team has been expected to trade or release this offseason; a release looks far more likely).
Between swallowing the $20 million owed to Castellanos and García’s deal, Philadelphia may be spending a great deal for minimal production in right field this season. There are several remaining free agents — Rob Refsnyder, Ryan O’Hearn, and Willi Castro, to name a handful — who the team might have been able to land for that same $10M (or less).
Nationals, Red Sox swap pitching prospects
The Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox swapped a pair of pitching prospects coming back from Tommy John surgery on Monday, trading left-hander Jake Bennett and right-hander Luis Perales.
Bennett, 25, was Washington’s 2nd-round pick in the 2022 Draft. The 6’5” southpaw has pitched to a 2.67 ERA in 138.1 IP since turning pro. He returned from TJ surgery to make 19 appearances (18 starts) across three levels last season, before pitching another 20.0 innings in the Arizona Fall League.
Perales, 23 in April, was an international amateur free agent signing by Boston. He has a 3.31 ERA over 163.1 IP as a pro, but worked just 2.1 IP this past season (and another 11.1 in the AFL).
Braves to re-sign Ha-Seong Kim
The Braves continued their aggressive efforts this offseason and finally addressed the hole at shortstop on Monday night, agreeing to a one-year, $20 million deal to re-sign Ha-Seong Kim. Kim’s return will push Mauricio Dubón into a utility role, where he’s more valuable to the roster.
The 30-year-old Kim ended the 2025 season in Atlanta after being claimed on waivers on September 1. He hit .253/.316/.368 (93 OPS+) in 98 PA down the stretch for the Braves, but turned down a $16 million player option to reach free agency.
Kim slashed .294/.373/.493 during his seven-year career in the KBO. He’s a .242/.324/.377 (97 OPS+) hitter over five years in MLB.
Munenori Kawasaki named MVP of the first Baseball United Series Championship
Baseball United concluded its inaugural season this weekend, with the Mid East Falcons topping the Mumbai Cobras in the best-of-three United Series. Both teams finished the regular season with 6-3 records, with the Cobras winning two of their three matchups.
Falcons infielder Munenori Kawasaki, who slashed .381/.500/.476 in 52 PA during the regular season, was named the Series MVP.
Kawasaki, now 44, hit .237/.320/.289 (72 OPS+) over parts of five seasons with the Mariners, Blue Jays, and Cubs from 2012-16. He also played for a dozen seasons in Japan, hitting .292/.344/.376.
Around the sport ….
Dutch left-hander Tijn Fredrikze has signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, according to the teenager’s Instagram. The southpaw spent the last two seasons pitching in the Dutch Major Leagues, working to a 4.25 ERA with 98 SO in 78.1 IP.