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Classic new high for Onyshko

The World Baseball Classic is the tallest mountain some players climb. It won’t be long before Ben Onyshko helps Team Canada try to reach its peak.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes Wiwchar

Joe Wiwchar has spent a majority of his 87 years helping grow the game of baseball in Manitoba and across the country, an illustrious journey that began in 1953 and continues to this day.

Senga can opt out of Mets deal if 400 IP in next 3 years

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitcher Kodai Senga can opt out of his contract with the New York Mets after the 2025 season if he totals at least 400 innings in the next three seasons.

Senga, who is to be introduced at a Citi Field news conference on Monday, gets a $5 million signing bonus as part of a $75 million, five-year contract. He receives salaries of $14 million annually from 2023-27 and can opt out of the deal after the 2025 season if he pitches a total of 400 innings from 2023-25.

There is a $15 million conditional team option for 2028 that the Mets could exercise if Senga does not opt out and has Tommy John surgery or a right elbow injury that causes him to go on the injured list for more than 130 consecutive days.

His salaries through 2027 would escalate by $2 million for each Cy Young Award won and by $1 million for finishing second through fifth in the voting. The escalators would apply to the 2028 option only if the conditions for the option are met.

Judge’s 62nd home run ball sells for $1.5 million at auction

RUNNEMEDE, N.J. (AP) — The ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit for his American League-record 62nd home run has sold for $1.5 million at auction.

The price is the second highest paid for a baseball auction, according to Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. He identified the buyer as a prominent Midwestern businessman and collector.

Bidding on the ball opened on Nov. 29 and ended Saturday. The minimum opening bid was set at $1 million.

The home run ball was consigned to Goldin in November by Cory Youmans. He was sitting in the front row of section 31 in left field at Globe Life Field on Oct. 4 when Judge led off the second game of a doubleheader between the Yankees and Rangers and connected. Youmans snared the drive on the fly with his glove.

Mets, RHP Kodai Senga finalize $75 million, 5-year contract

NEW YORK (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets finalized a $75 million, five-year contract on Saturday.

Senga can opt out of the deal after the 2025 season.

New York scheduled a news conference for Monday morning to introduce him at Citi Field.

Seeking their first World Series title since 1986, the Mets have committed $476.7 million to seven free agents this offseason, adding starting pitchers Senga, Justin Verlander and José Quintana, retaining center fielder Brandon Nimmo and closer Edwin Díaz, signing reliever David Robertson and reaching an agreement with catcher Omar Narváez that is pending a physical.

AP source: Pirates, C Hedges agree to 1-year contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates and veteran catcher Austin Hedges agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move is pending a physical.

The 30-year-old Hedges played for Cleveland last season, batting .163 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 105 games. Hedges helped the Guardians win the AL Central.

Pittsburgh went 62-100 this year in its fourth consecutive losing season.

AP source: Dodgers, DH Martinez agree to 1-year contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers and designated hitter J.D. Martinez agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move is pending a physical.

The 35-year-old Martinez, who also can play the corner outfield spots, hit .274 with 16 homers and 62 RBIs last season with Boston.

The move reunites Martinez with Mookie Betts, who was traded from Boston to Los Angeles in February 2020.

AP sources: Cubs, SS Dansby Swanson agree to 7-year deal

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs and Dansby Swanson agreed to a $177 million, seven-year contract on Saturday, adding the All-Star shortstop to their rebuilding project.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was pending a physical.

Chicago went 74-88 this year and finished third in the NL Central. It was its second straight losing season, but it went 40-31 in its last 71 games.

The addition of Swanson is the biggest of three major moves by the Cubs since the end of the season. The team finalized a $17.5 million, one-year contract with 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger on Wednesday, and right-hander Jameson Taillon agreed to a four-year contract that is worth roughly $68 million.

Giants and LHP Sean Manaea complete $25 million, 2-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Sean Manaea and the San Francisco Giants finalized a $25 million, two-year contract Friday.

The left-hander gets a $5 million signing bonus, half each on March 15 in both 2023 and '24, and salaries of $7.5 million next season and $12.5 million in 2024. He can opt out of the deal after the 2023 season and become a free agent again next fall.

Manaea adds another experienced arm to a rotation that includes Logan Webb, Alex Cobb and Alex Wood. All-Star lefty Carlos Rodón is leaving in free agency after agreeing with the New York Yankees on a $162 million, six-year contract that is pending a physical.

The 30-year-old Manaea spent his first six major league seasons with the Oakland Athletics. He went 8-9 with a 4.96 ERA over 30 appearances for San Diego this year, making 28 starts and throwing 158 innings in his lone campaign with the Padres under former A's manager Bob Melvin.

Mets land catcher Narváez, sign 5 to minor league deals

NEW YORK (AP) — Not long after landing free-agent catcher Omar Narváez, the active New York Mets signed five players to minor league contracts Friday.

Narváez and the Mets agreed to a $15 million, two-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical and had not been finalized.

New York re-signed reliever Tommy Hunter to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis, outfielder Abraham Almonte and infielder José Peraza also got minor league deals with invites to spring training. Right-hander Sean Reid-Foley, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, returns to the Mets on a minor league contract.

Narváez, who turns 31 in February, was an All-Star in 2021 with Milwaukee before batting just .206 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 84 games for the Brewers last season. He joins a crowded catching situation in New York and represents the latest significant addition to the free-spending Mets.