The Hamilton Spectator

Judge, Jansen winners in free agency

STEVE GARDNER

Major League Baseball’s winter meetings shopping spree continued Wednesday with the biggest prize of the free agent market, American League MVP Aaron Judge, returning to the New York Yankees for a nine-year, $360-million (U.S.) deal.

But that wasn’t the only activity as player agents and team executives gathered in San Diego.

Even with Judge, Trea Turner, Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander no longer available, there’s still plenty of talent to go around.

Here are the latest developments and signings as the Hot Stove continues to sizzle:

■ Boston Red Sox land closer Kenley Jansen Longtime Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen left Los Angeles as a free agent last season and thrived after signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. Jansen, 35, led the National League in saves with 41 — which strengthened his case for another big-money deal.

He’ll move to the AL for the first time in his career after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The addition of Jansen will allow the Red Sox to move Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock into the starting rotation after both occasionally served as closers over the past couple of seasons.

■ New York Mets bolster rotation with lefty José Quintana Left-hander José Quintana revitalized his career at age 33 after a midseason trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his final dozen starts for the Cardinals, Quintana posted a 2.01 ERA and finished the season with a 2.93 ERA.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports Quintana is headed to the Mets on a two-year deal, joining Verlander in a rebuilt rotation that also includes Max Scherzer, Tylor Megill and Carlos Carrasco.

■ Chicago Cubs pick up starter Jameson Taillon

The Cubs are expected to be major players in the free agent market, with most of the attention centring around shortstops Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson.

They did add former NL MVP Cody Bellinger on a one-year deal Tuesday. However, they also have some holes in the starting rotation to fill. One of those rotation spots will go to Taillon, who spent the past two seasons with the Yankees.

ESPN reported Taillon will receive a four-year deal.

SPORTS

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2022-12-08T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-08T08:00:00.0000000Z

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