NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball has transformed at dizzying speed since Edgar Martinez took his final swing and Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Roy Halladay threw their final pitches."We don't have enough time to talk about that," the ever erudite Mussina said Wednesday when a trio of newly minted living Hall of Famers appeared at a news conference. "The game always evolves — it always has. I'm not sure I love the way it's changed lately, but that's just the nature of it."When Mussina retired Boston's Dustin Pedroia on a double-play grounder to end his final outing in 2008, a start that made him a first-time 20-game winner at age 39, strikeouts in the major leagues totaled 32,884. That broke a mark that had stood since 2004.There were 41,207 whiffs last year, setting a record for the 11th straight season.When Martinez took his final swing in 2004, grounding into a double play against Texas reliever Brian Shouse, infield shifts weren't even totaled, employed only for a few lefty pull hitters like... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball has transformed at dizzying speed since Edgar Martinez took his final swing and Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Roy Halladay threw their final pitches."We don't have enough time to talk about that," the ever erudite Mussina said Wednesday when the trio of newly minted living Hall of Famers appeared at a news conference. "The game always evolves — it always has. I'm not sure I love the way it's changed lately, but that's just the nature of it."When Mussina retired Boston's Dustin Pedroia on a double-play grounder to end his final outing in 2008, a start that made him a first-time 20-game winner at age 39, strikeouts in the major leagues totaled 32,884. That broke a mark that had stood since 2004.There were 41,207 whiffs last year, setting a record for the 11th straight season.When Martinez took his final swing in 2004, grounding into a double play against Texas reliever Brian Shouse, infield shifts weren't even totaled, rarely employed only for a few lefty pull... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Drew Pomeranz is eager to return to his top form from two years ago and forget an injury-shortened year in 2018.The left-hander agreed Wednesday to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants to provide depth in their rotation, and the deal includes $3.5 million in possible roster and performance bonuses.Pomeranz is very familiar with the NL West, having pitched for Colorado and San Diego, and also knows the Bay Area. He spent the 2014-15 seasons with Oakland."The big thing for me was opportunity," Pomeranz said. "My big thing is getting back on track to doing what I can do and just being myself again because it's very frustrating when you have to fight through a year where you know this isn't me, how do I fix this, what I can I do to make this never happen again? In that regard, this just felt like a great fit for me."Pomeranz pitched the past three years with Boston. He won a career-high 17 games for the Red Sox in 2017. But he went 2-6 with a... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki has agreed to a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, paving the way for the 45-year-old to play in the Mariners' season-opening series in Japan.Suzuki's agent, John Boggs, confirmed the agreement on Wednesday and said Suzuki's deal would become a major league contract if he is added to Seattle's expanded roster for the two games the Mariners will play against Oakland to open the season in March in Tokyo. Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto has said Suzuki is expected to be on the roster for those games.Suzuki started last season playing for the Mariners but transitioned into a front-office role as a "special assistant to the chairman" that allowed him to take part in pregame workouts and batting practice but not to be in the dugout during games. The move ended his season abruptly but with the knowledge that Seattle was opening 2019 in Japan, which would be a highly anticipated opportunity for him to play in his home country. Suzuki was hitting .205... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki has agreed to a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, paving the way for the 45-year-old to play in Seattle's season-opening series in Japan.Suzuki's agent, John Boggs, confirmed the agreement on Wednesday. He said Suzuki's deal would become a major league contract if he's added to Seattle's expanded roster for the two games the Mariners will play against Oakland in March in Tokyo.Suzuki started last season playing for the Mariners but transitioned into a front-office role as a "special assistant to the chairman" that allowed him to take part in pregame workouts and batting practice but did not allow him to be in the dugout during games.The move ended his season abruptly, but with the knowledge that Seattle was opening 2019 in Japan with what would be a highly-anticipated opportunity for him to play in his home country.The 10-time All-Star has a .311 average and 3,089 hits, not including the 1,278 hits he amassed in nine seasons in Japan.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Left-hander Drew Pomeranz has agreed Wednesday to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, a deal that includes $3.5 million in possible roster and performance bonuses.He is very familiar with the NL West, having pitched for Colorado and San Diego, and also knows the Bay Area. He spent the 2014-15 seasons with Oakland.Pomeranz pitched the past three years with Boston. He won a career-high 17 games for the Red Sox in 2017. But he went 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA last season and was limited to 11 starts and 26 appearances for the World Series champions because of two stints on the disabled list — first with a strained left forearm followed by biceps tendinitis in his pitching arm.He did not pitch in the World Series but was on the roster. If he can stay healthy, Pomeranz gives the Giants a reliable arm in the rotation after two injury-plagued years by starters Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.Pomeranz can earn $1.5 million in active roster bonuses: $500,000 for opening day, $250,000 each for 90 and 120 days and $500,000 for 150 days.He also has $500,000 in innings bonuses: $250,000 each for 25 and 50. And he has $1.5 million in bonuses for starts: $125,000 each for two, four, six and eight; $100,,000 apiece for 10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27 and 30, and $200,000 for 32.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Left-hander Drew Pomeranz has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants.The club announced Pomeranz's deal Wednesday. He is very familiar with the NL West, having pitched for Colorado and San Diego, and also knows the Bay Area. He spent the 2014-15 seasons with Oakland.Pomeranz pitched the past three years with Boston. He won a career-high 17 games for the Red Sox in 2017. But he went 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA last season and was limited to 11 starts and 26 appearances for the World Series champions because of two stints on the disabled list — first with a strained left forearm followed by biceps tendinitis in his pitching arm.He did not pitch in the World Series but was on the roster. If he can stay healthy, Pomeranz gives the Giants a reliable arm in the rotation after two injury-plagued years by starters Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted general manager David Stearns, adding president of baseball operations to his title and giving him a contract extension after the team came within one win of the World Series.The Brewers also elevated chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger to president of business operations and boosted his contract. The club announced the moves Tuesday without detailing the length of the extensions.Stearns joined the Brewers in September 2015, hired at 30 as the youngest GM in the majors. The team finished out a 68-94 season, and has increased its victory total each year under his leadership.The Brewers went 96-67 last season, including a win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in an NL Central tiebreaker, and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Milwaukee swept Colorado in the NL Division Series, then lost Game 7 of the NL Championship Series at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Stearns traded for eventual NL MVP Christian Yelich before the season and also signed star outfielder Lorenzo Cain to a long-term deal.Schlesinger is going into his 17th season with the Brewers. He is overseeing the $60 million-plus renovation of the team's spring training complex in Arizona.

DETROIT (AP) — Infielder Gordon Beckham agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and was invited to major league spring training.If Beckham is added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract paying $700,000 while in the majors and $138,000 while in the minors. Beckham played in only 33 major league games over the past two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.Catcher Hector Sanchez also agreed to a minor league deal.Pitcher Casey Mize, taken by the Tigers with the No. 1 pick in last year's amateur draft, also was among 20 players invited to major league camp, the Tigers said Tuesday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — All-Star outfielder Nick Markakis took a significant pay cut to remain with the Atlanta Braves, even coming off one of the best seasons of his career.Markakis and the Braves agreed Tuesday to a deal that is worth a guaranteed $6 million and includes a club option for 2020.The 35-year-old Markakis became a free agent after completing a $44 million, four-year deal that he signed with the Braves for the 2015 season when he left the Baltimore Orioles.In another sign of the dwindling demand for veteran free agents, Markakis generated only minor interest on the open market. His deal includes a $4 million salary this season, and Atlanta has a $6 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.Markakis said remaining with the Braves was his primary objective. He brushed off the big cut in salary."I'm not mad at all," he said. "I play a kids' game and get paid a lot of money. How can I be disappointed in that?"The Braves won the NL East title for their first playoff appearance since... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Infielder Gordon Beckham agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and was invited to major league spring training.If Beckham is added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract paying $700,000 while in the majors and $138,000 while in the minors. Beckham played in only 33 major league games over the past two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.Catcher Hector Sanchez also agreed to a minor league deal.Pitcher Casey Mize, taken by the Tigers with the No. 1 pick in last year's amateur draft, also was among 20 players invited to major league camp, the Tigers said Tuesday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sonny Gray knows what he's getting into even before he arrives in Cincinnati.His father tried out for the Reds and failed to make the cut, but remained a huge fan. Gray attended his first major league game at Great American Ball Park, and he knows about the town's affinity for a unique style of chili.The starter also knows that Great American is akin to Yankee Stadium, where he struggled mightily last season. Gray agreed to a trade from the Yankees anyway, along with a $38 million, four-year contract adding $30.5 million in guaranteed money from 2020-22.The deal announced Monday includes a $12 million club option for 2023 that could increase the value to $50 million for five seasons and has additional performance bonuses for innings and escalators."The relationships just felt right," Gray said during a conference call Tuesday.The Reds made their third offseason move to upgrade their troublesome rotation on Monday, sending infield prospect Shed Long and a high pick in this... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have found a veteran to play third base after the retirement of Adrian Beltre.Free agent Asdrubal Cabrera has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers, according to a person familiar with the deal. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a successful physical for the 33-year-old infielder.Texas also announced a $1 million, one-year contract with right-hander Zach McAllister, a deal allows him to earn an additional $200,000 for games as a pitcher: $100,000 each for 50 and 60.Cabrera split last season, his 12th in the majors, with the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies.After playing 90 games at second base for the Mets, Cabrera was traded July 27 to Philadelphia, where he also played shortstop and third base. In 147 games overall, he hit .262 with 23 homers and 75 RBIs, his most since 2011 when he had career highs of 25 homers and 92 RBIs in the first of his two consecutive... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have found a veteran to play third base after the retirement of Adrian Beltre.Free agent Asdrubal Cabrera has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers, according to a person familiar with the deal. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a successful physical for the 33-year-old infielder.Texas also announced a $1 million, one-year contract with right-hander Zach McAllister, a deal that also includes performance bonuses.Cabrera split last season, his 12th in the majors, with the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies.After playing 90 games at second base for the Mets, Cabrera was traded July 27 to Philadelphia, where he also played shortstop and third base. In 147 games overall, he hit .262 with 23 homers and 75 RBIs, his most since 2011 when he had career highs of 25 homers and 92 RBIs in the first of his two consecutive All-Star seasons as Cleveland's shortstop.Beltre... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sonny Gray knows what he's getting into even before he arrives in Cincinnati.His father tried out for the Reds and failed to make the cut, but remained a huge fan. Gray attended his first major league game at Great American Ball Park, and he knows about the town's affinity for a unique style of chili.The starter also knows that Great American is akin to Yankee Stadium, where he struggled mightily last season. Gray agreed to a trade from the Yankees anyway, along with a contract extension that could keep him in Cincinnati for the next four years."The relationships just felt right," Gray said during a conference call Tuesday.The Reds made their third offseason move to upgrade their troublesome rotation on Monday, sending infield prospect Shed Long and a high pick in this year's amateur draft to the Yankees in exchange for the 29-year-old Gray and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin. New York then sent Long to Seattle for 21-year-old outfielder Josh Stowers.The deal was completed... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — All-Star outfielder Nick Markakis took a significant pay cut to remain with the Atlanta Braves, even coming off one of the best seasons of his career.Markakis and the Braves agreed Tuesday to a deal that is worth a guaranteed $6 million and includes a club option for 2020.Markakis became a free agent after completing a $44 million, four-year deal that he signed with the Braves for the 2015 season when he left the Baltimore Orioles.In another sign of the dwindling demand for veteran free agents, Markakis generated only minor interest on the open market. His deal includes a $4 million salary this season, and Atlanta has a $6 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Markakis did have better offers but was intent on remaining with the Braves, who won the NL East title for their first playoff appearance since 2013 and have one of baseball's most exciting young rosters."He was clear that we were his first choice," Anthopoulos said.... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have claimed right-hander Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.The 27-year-old Bridwell went 1-0 with a 17.55 ERA in five games with the Angels last season. He was 1-1 with an 8.68 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Salt Lake. He missed four months over two stints with an inflamed right elbow.Bridwell was claimed off waivers by the Yankees in November before returning to the Angels on another claim a month later. He was then designated for assignment last week before being claimed by the A's on Tuesday.Bridwell is 11-3 with a 4.60 ERA in 28 appearances, including 21 starts, in three seasons in the majors.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have found a veteran to play third base after the retirement of Adrian Beltre.Free agent Asdrubal Cabrera has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rangers, according to a person familiar with the deal. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a successful physical for the 33-year-old infielder.Cabrera split last season, his 12th in the majors, with the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies.After playing 90 games at second base for the Mets, Cabrera was traded July 27 to Philadelphia, where he also played shortstop and third base. In 147 games overall, he hit .262 with 23 homers and 75 RBIs, his most since 2011 when he had career highs of 25 homers and 92 RBIs in the first of his two consecutive All-Star seasons as Cleveland's shortstop.Beltre announced his retirement in November with 3,166 hits in 21 big league seasons, the last eight with the Rangers.Texas acquired young... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves agreed Tuesday to one-year contract to bring back All-Star outfielder Nick Markakis, who took a significant pay cut coming off one of the best seasons of his career.The deal is worth a guaranteed $6 million and includes a club option for 2020.Markakis became a free agent after completing a $44 million, four-year deal that he signed with the Braves for the 2015 season when he left the Baltimore Orioles.In another sign of the dwindled demand for veteran free agents, Markakis generated little interest on the open market and settled for a $4 million salary this season. Atlanta has a $6 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.The agreement solidifies the lineup for the defending NL East champions, whose major acquisition of the offseason was free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson.A Georgia native, the 35-year-old Markakis is coming off the first All-Star appearance of his 13-year career. He earned both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors last season, hitting... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves have agreed to one-year contract to bring back All-Star outfielder Nick Markakis, a deal worth a guaranteed $6 million.Markakis' deal, announced Tuesday, includes a $4 million salary this year and $6 million club option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout.The agreement solidifies the lineup for the defending NL East champions, whose big acquisition of the offseason was free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson.The 35-year-old Markakis is coming off one of the best seasons of his 13-year career and first All-Star appearance. A Georgia native, he took a significant pay cut to remain with the Braves, who signed him to a $44 million, four-year contract before the 2015 season.Markakis earned both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors last year, hitting .297 with 14 homers and 93 RBIs while starting all 162 games in right field.___Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports