BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a Puerto Rico native who has been outspoken about its need for hurricane relief, indicated on Thursday that he may skip the World Series celebration at the White House over President Donald Trump's policies toward the island.Cora previously said he would make the traditional champion's visit to Washington to argue for more help for the American island that was devastated by Hurricane Maria. But in the wake of reports this week that Trump tried to redirect funds from Puerto Rico to Florida and Texas, Cora repeatedly prefaced his comments on Thursday with, "If I go ....""We'll see what happens," Cora said before the annual dinner of the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. "There's a lot of stuff going on right now as far as the government and the shutdown and all that. If I go, I'll represent Puerto Rico the right way."Once a routine, non-partisan perk of winning it all, the traditional champions' visit to Washington... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a Puerto Rico native who has been outspoken about its need for hurricane relief, indicated on Thursday that he may skip the World Series celebration at the White House over President Donald Trump's policies toward the island.Cora previously said he would make the traditional champion's visit to Washington to argue for more help for the American island that was devastated by Hurricane Maria. But in the wake of reports this week that Trump tried to redirect funds from Puerto Rico to Florida and Texas, Cora repeatedly prefaced his comments on Thursday with, "If I go ....""We'll see what happens," Cora said before the annual dinner of the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. "There's a lot of stuff going on right now as far as the government and the shutdown and all that. If I go, I'll represent Puerto Rico the right way."Once a routine, non-partisan perk of winning it all, the traditional champions' visit to Washington... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen.Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn and Northeastern University. He wore No. 0 with Colorado, a number not likely to be assigned by the tradition-bound Yankees.He had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for the Colorado Rockies, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances. The right-hander reduced his fastball percentage, relying primarily on sliders and sinkers. He walked 36.Taken 30th overall by St. Louis in the 2006 amateur draft, Ottavino made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2010 and was... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says reliever Adam Ottavino and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal was subject to a successful physical.Ottavino is a 33-year-old New Yorker who went to Berkeley Carroll High School in Brooklyn. The right-hander had a career-high 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings last year for Colorado, going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 75 relief appearances.He will join Dellin Betances and Zach Britton as setup men in the Yankees' bullpen for closer Aroldis Chapman. He is the second free agent to leave the Rockies for the Yankees this offseason, following infielder DJ LeMahieu.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with former New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not been announced. The deal includes a $6 million club option for 2020 with a $500,000 buyout.The 27-year-old Flores spent his entire six-year career playing a variety of infield positions with the Mets. He played 83 of 126 games at first base last season, hitting .267 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs.The Diamondbacks traded All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis, but will likely shift Jake Lamb from third to first.The Diamondbacks also acquired infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro from the New York Yankees for minor league left-hander Ronald Roman.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas City Royals pitcher Eric Skoglund was suspended Monday for the season's first 80 games after testing positive for two performance-enhancing substances.The commissioner's office said the positive tests were for selective androgen receptor modulators S-22 (Ostarine) and LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement Skoglund "unknowingly made a mistake" and "we remain proud of who Eric is as a person and will support him as an organization."Skoglund was 1-6 with a 5.14 ERA last season. The 26-year-old lefty was in the rotation in April and May, missed the next three months because of an elbow sprain and pitched well in September.The 6-foot-7 Skoglund made his big league debut in 2017, going 1-2 with a 9.50 ERA in seven games. He was a candidate to begin this season in the rotation, a year after the Royals went 58-104 and finished last in the AL Central.Skoglund is the first player to be suspended this year under the major league drug program.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts.A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield."I was told to bring a lot of gloves," he said Wednesday on a conference call.That's fine with LeMahieu, who became a free agent after the season and got a $24 million, two-year contract with the Yankees.LeMahieu was a three-time Gold Glover for the Rockies and hasn't played anywhere else the last four seasons. He has made 24 starts at third base in past years and also dabbled at first base and shortstop.LeMahieu said he's "pretty comfortable playing multiple positions."New York has plenty of infielders — and, the Yankees being the Yankees, no one is willing to completely rule them out of making a late play for All-Star free agent Manny Machado.Second baseman Gleyber Torres and third baseman Miguel Andujar were among the top rookies in the majors last year. Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return this summer after offseason... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jed Lowrie would rather talk about wine than whine.The infielder visited Citi Field on Wednesday after finalizing a $20 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets, likely less money and a shorter term than he would have gotten before the free-agent market for solid-but-less-than-stellar veterans buckled a year ago."I think that argument could be made," he said. "But you deal in reality, and so I'm excited to be a Met."A switch-hitter who turns 35 in April, Lowrie and is coming off his first All-Star appearance. In his 11th major league season, Lowrie set career highs last year for Oakland with 23 homers, 99 RBIs, 78 walks and 128 strikeouts, hitting .267."He's a big wine connoisseur. He gets better with age like many of the wines that he collects," said new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Lowrie's former agent.Lowrie, wife Milessa, daughter Saige and son Miles likely will live in New York City, possibly in Brooklyn. They have homes in Houston and his hometown... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have finalized their coaching staff by hiring infield coach Bobby Dickerson and first base coach Paco Figueroa.Dickerson spent the past six seasons with the Baltimore Orioles as third base coach and worked closely with Manny Machado, an All-Star free agent the Phillies are pursuing.Figueroa will oversee outfielders and baserunning in addition to coaching first base. He replaces Jose Flores, who joined Baltimore's staff.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas City Royals pitcher Eric Skoglund has been suspended for the season's first 80 games after testing positive for two performance-enhancing substances.The commissioner's office said Wednesday the positive tests were for selective androgen receptor modulators S-22 (Ostarine) and LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).Royals general manager Dayton Moore says in a statement Skoglund "unknowingly made a mistake" and "we remain proud of who Eric is as a person and will support him as an organization."Skoglund was 1-6 with a 5.14 ERA last season. The 26-year-old lefty was in the rotation in April and May, missed the next three months because of an elbow sprain and pitched well in September.The 6-foot-7 Skoglund made his big league debut in 2017, going 1-2 with a 9.50 ERA in seven games.Skoglund is the first player to be suspended this year under the major league drug program. Ten players were suspended under the program last year, including Robinson Cano, Jorge Polanco and Welington Castillo.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts.A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield."I was told to bring a lot of gloves," he said Wednesday on a conference call.That's fine with LeMahieu, who became a free agent after the season and got a $24 million, two-year contract with the Yankees.LeMahieu was a three-time Gold Glover for the Rockies and hasn't played anywhere else the last four seasons. He has made 24 starts at third base in past years and also dabbled at first base and shortstop.LeMahieu said he's "pretty comfortable playing multiple positions."New York has plenty of infielders — and, the Yankees being the Yankees, no one is willing to completely rule them out of making a late play for All-Star free agent Manny Machado.Second baseman Gleyber Torres and third baseman Miguel Andujar were among the top rookies in the majors last year. Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return this summer after offseason... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ LeMahieu is putting away his mittens and packing more mitts.A star second baseman for Colorado, LeMahieu is set to join a crowded New York Yankees infield."I was told to bring a lot of gloves," he said Wednesday on a conference call.That's fine with LeMahieu, who became a free agent after the season and got a $24 million, two-year contract with the Yankees.LeMahieu was a three-time Gold Glover for the Rockies and hasn't played anywhere else the last four seasons. He has made 24 starts at third base in past years and also dabbled at first base and shortstop.LeMahieu said he's "pretty comfortable playing multiple positions."New York has plenty of infielders — and, the Yankees being the Yankees, no one is willing to completely rule them out of making a late play for All-Star free agent Manny Machado.Second baseman Gleyber Torres and third baseman Miguel Andujar were among the top rookies in the majors last year. Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return this summer after offseason... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent infielder Jed Lowrie and the New York Mets have finalized a $20 million, two-year contract.A switch-hitter who turns 35 in April, Lowrie and is coming off his first All-Star season."We are really fortunate and thrilled that Jed bought what we were selling," new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday.Lowrie played mostly second base for the Oakland Athletics during the past three seasons. Van Wagenen says he will play second, shortstop and third for the Mets, who acquired All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano from Seattle last month"He's going to be in our lineup virtually every day," Van Wagenen said.Lowrie is the fifth All-Star added by the Mets this offseason, following Cano, closer Edwin Diaz, catcher Wilson Ramos and reliever Jeurys Familia, traded to Oakland last summer and then re-signed by New York as a free agent.Like Cano, he used to be represented by Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball before he became New York's general manager in October.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent infielder Jed Lowie and the New York Mets have finalized a $20 million, two-year contract.A switch-hitter who turns 35 in April, Lowrie and is coming off his first All-Star season."We are really fortunate and thrilled that Jed bought what we were selling," new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday.Lowrie played mostly second base for the Oakland Athletics during the past three seasons. Van Wagenen says he will play second, shortstop and third for the Mets, who acquired All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano from Seattle last month"He's going to be in our lineup virtually every day," Van Wagenen said.Lowrie is the fifth All-Star added by the Mets this offseason, following Cano, closer Edwin Diaz, catcher Wilson Ramos and reliever Jeurys Familia, traded to Oakland last summer and then re-signed by New York as a free agent.Like Cano, he used to be represented by Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball before he became New York's general manager in October.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have traded reliever John Curtiss to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league infielder Daniel Ozoria.Curtiss pitched in 17 games for the Twins over the past two seasons, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in 15 innings. He walked six and struck out 17. The right-hander was designated for assignment Monday to make room for pitcher Blake Parker.The 18-year-old Ozoria played for two rookie-level teams last season, batting a combined .195 with 12 RBIs in 51 games.Minnesota announced the deal Tuesday night.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brian Dozier turned down a more lucrative deal to join what he hopes is a playoff team with the Nationals.The 31-year-old signed a $9 million, one-year contract with Washington that makes him the new second baseman and potentially a bridge from Daniel Murphy to prospect Carter Kieboom. Dozier said Tuesday other clubs offered him more money and longer deals, but he and his wife opted for the opportunity to win now."We're not the ones to go with the highest bidder by any means or any of that kind of stuff," Dozier said on a conference call. "With more years and dollars out there, we felt like this one-year deal with the Nats would be the best fit for us."Dozier's contract includes $2 million deferred without interest until Jan. 15, 2020. Next winter could bring an even bigger windfall if he's able to get his swing back on track.Last season, Dozier battled a bone bruise in his left knee and hit a career-low .215 with 21 homers with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Asked why he agreed to a one-year deal with Milwaukee rather than multiyear offers from other teams, catcher Yasmani Grandal gave two simple reasons: the chance to win and family.Grandal lives in Peoria, Arizona, not far from the Brewers' spring training camp."My wife told me: 'You get to have spring training here and be with your kids a little more,'" Grandal said Tuesday, a day after his $18.25 million deal was announced. "I have a 14-month-old right now who's running crazy around the house."Grandal's deal includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day.He spent the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the last two NL pennants but lost in the World Series each time. The Brewers extended the Dodgers to Game 7 of last year's NL Championship Series.Brewers general... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said Monday. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have completed a $1.8 million, one-year contract with right-handed reliever Blake Parker, the team's first offseason addition to the bullpen.Parker could make an additional $1.4 million in bonuses for days on the active roster: $400,000 for 130, $500,000 for 140 and $250,000 each for 150 and 160.The Twins have an opening for closer after trading Fernando Rodney on Aug. 9, and Parker will be in the mix in spring training. Returners Addison Reed, Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger and Trevor May could also be candidates for the ninth-inning role. Parker's deal, which gives him the opportunity through incentives to earn as much as $3.2 million in 2019, was finalized on Monday.The 33-year-old Parker had a breakout season for the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, with a 2.54 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. Last year, Parker led the Angels with 14 saves in 17 opportunities and posted a 3.26 ERA, but he was not offered a contract for 2019 and became a free agent.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gold Glove-winning second baseman DJ LeMahieu and the New York Yankees have finalized a $24 million, two-year contract.The deal, which would appear to eliminate New York as a destination for Manny Machado, was agreed to Friday subject to a successful physical. He will earn $12 million in each of the next two seasons.The 30-year-old LeMahieu spent the previous eight seasons with Colorado at hitter-friendly Coors Field and won the NL batting title in 2016 with a .348 average. He hit .276 last year with 15 homers and 62 RBIs, and he won his second straight Gold Glove and third overall.New York was seeking infielders in the absence of shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until summer. The Yankees signed former Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki last week and said he will be their starting shortstop. LeMahieu likely will see time at second, third and possibly even first.Outfielder Tim Locastro for was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports