MLB Rumors: Rangers Sign Hunter Pence to Minor League Deal
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than one week, but superstar free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are still waiting to sign deals.
The San Francisco Giants met with Harper recently and joined a growing list of teams that have shown interest in signing the outfielder. While the Hot Stove waits to heat up, the Philadelphia Phillies made a splash by reportedly acquiring highly sought after catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins.
Here are all of the latest rumors and news around baseball:
• The Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Hunter Pence to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training camp. (Texas Rangers) Pence gets a $2 million deal with $1.25 million in incentives. (Jon Heyman, MLB Network)
• The Phillies acquired J.T. Realmuto in exchange for catcher Jorge Alfaro, pitching prospects Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart and an international bonus slot. (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
• There has been some "momentum" building between the Phillies and Marlins as they continue to discuss a possible trade deal for catcher J.T. Realmuto. While the Marlins are interested in Phillies prospect Sixto Sanchez, it's not certain he would be included in a final deal. (Jon Morosi, MLB Network)
• The Marlins want top Phillies prospect and pitcher Sixto Sanchez in any trade for catcher J.T. Realmuto and are "focused" on dealing Realmuto before spring training. (Joe Frisaro, MLB.com)
• The Giants sent president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, CEO Larry Baer and manager Bruce Bochy to Las Vegas to meet with Bryce Harper, his wife Kayla and agent Scott Boras on Tuesday. San Francisco's chances of signing Harper is a "long shot." (Alex Pavlovic, NBC Sports Bay Area)
• The Nationals have agreed to a one-year deal to bring back free-agent starter Jeremy Hellickson. (Jamal Collier, MLB.com)
• The Blue Jays are targeting a one-year contract agreement with reliever Sergio Romo, but no deal is close to being finalized. (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
• Veteran infielder Jose Reyes is working out and is hoping for a camp invite. Reyes hit .189 in 110 games with the New York Mets last season. (Jon Heyman, FanCred/MLB Network)
