MLB rumors: News on free-agent contracts, trades and more

Stay up to date on the latest MLB news and rumors this off-season.

The off-season hot stove is warming up with trade rumors and free agency decisions coming down the pipeline.

The rumor mill has picked back up after a brief lull when the passage of a new collective bargaining agreement was in question, but now that the new CBA is in place, free-agent dealings have commenced.

Keep up to date on the latest MLB news and rumors below:

5 p.m. ET

• The Diamondbacks announced their one-year deal with Fernando Rodney.

• The Braves have a minor league deal in place with Emilio Bonifacio. (Chris Cotillo, SB Nation)

• The Red Sox have signed outfielder Junior Lake to a minor league deal. (Chris Cotillo, SB Nation)

• Sean Burnett signed a minor league deal with the Phillies with an invite to spring training. The deal is comprised of a $1.25 million base salary if he makes the MLB team. (Ben Nicholson-Smith, Sportsnet.ca)

4 p.m. ET

• The Braves have acquired left-handed pitcher Tyler Pike from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later. (The team announced.)

•  The Pirates are unlikely to move Andrew McCutchen this winter as general manager Neal Huntington says, “Our intent coming in here was to have Andrew McCutchen in our lineup going forward. No one changed that. It’s unlikely that someone changes that going forward. We’re not going to close the door, but we’re not going to be making calls.” (Adam Berry, MLB.com)

 Noon ET

• Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is being considered by President-elect Donald Trump for the job of ambassador to Japan. (New York Daily News)

• The Houston Astros have signed lefthanded pitcher Cionel Perez to a $2 million contract. (Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com)

10 a.m. ET

• The St. Louis Cardinals have a deal with free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler, most recently of the rival Cubs, reported to be worth $82.5 million over five years with a full no trade clause. (Multiplereports)

• The San Diego Padres traded for No. 1 overall pick Miguel Diaz and have agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Reds to acquire catcher Luis Torrens, the No. 2 pick.

• New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the team will not trade third baseman Chase Headley.