Justin Verlander and the Giants agree to a $15 million, 1-year contract, AP source says

Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $15 million, one-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical. It's the latest big move by new Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey since he was hired in September. San Francisco also signed free agent shortstop Willy Adames to a $182 million, seven-year contract in December. This will be the 20th major league season for Verlander, a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner who turns 42 next month. The right-hander went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts for Houston last year.

Infielder Bobby Dalbec agrees to minor league contract with Chicago White Sox

Infielder Bobby Dalbec has agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and will report to major league spring training. A 29-year-old who spent the last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Dalbec was assigned outright to Triple-A Worcester on Sept. 10, then on Nov. 4 elected to become a free agent. He made his big league debut with Boston on Aug. 19, 2020, and hit .240 with 25 homers and 78 RBIs and 156 strikeouts in 2021. He slumped over the next three seasons and was demoted to the minors.

Drew Rasmussen and Rays agree to $8.5M, 2-year deal that could be worth $28M over 3 seasons

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to an $8.5 million, two-year contract that could be worth up to $28 million over three seasons. Rasmussen receives a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2 million this year and $5.5 million in 2026. Tampa Bay holds an $8 million option for 2027 with a $500,000 buyout, and the option has $6 million in escalators based on health and $6 million based on starts. Rasmussen returned to the Rays on Aug. 7 following his third elbow surgery and had a 2.82 ERA and 0-2 record in four starts and 12 relief appearances.

Joc Pederson gets $5.5 million signing bonus as part of $37 million, 2-year deal with Rangers

Joc Pederson gets a $5.5 million signing bonus as part of his $37 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The designated hitter and outfielder will receive salaries of $13 million this year and $18.5 million in 2026 under the agreement announced Dec. 30. The deal includes an $18.5 million mutual option for 2027. Pederson can opt out of the contract after the 2025 World Series, but if he opts out Texas can exercise options for 2026 and '27 at $18.5 million annually. The options must be exercised simultaneously.

Walker Buehler guaranteed $21.05 million in 1-year contract with Boston Red Sox

Right-hander Walker Buehler is guaranteed $21.05 million in his one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox and can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses based on starts. Buehler gets a $3.05 million signing bonus under the agreement announced Dec. 28 and a $15 million salary this year. The deal includes a $25 million mutual option for 2026 with a $3 million buyout. A 30-year-old two-time All-Star, Buehler was on the mound when the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the World Series last fall.

Athletics agree to $60M, 5-year contract with slugger Brent Rooker, AP source says

The Athletics have agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with slugger Brent Rooker, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. The deal includes a $22 million vesting option for the 2030 season and escalators that could increase the value to $92 million over six seasons. Rooker was set to swap proposed arbitration salaries with the A's on Thursday. He also would have been eligible for arbitration after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and could have become a free agent following the 2027 World Series.