Free-agent RHP Wade Davis signed a minor-league contract with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with veteran left-hander J.A. Happ on Wednesday, according to sources. The 38-year-old will add some depth to a starting rotation that was thinned by the departures of Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill from last season. Happ should fit into the back of the rotation behind Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Michael Pineda. He has a 3.98 ERA in 324 career appearances and has pitched in 15 playoff games. Happ struggled with homers in 2019, but he's been durable over his 14-year career and had a 3.47 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in the shortened 2020 campaign. The southpaw lowered his hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity allowed by relying less on his four-seam fastball and more on his sinker. He also missed more bats with his slider in 2020, an encouraging sign that the veteran could be useful in spot starts for fantasy managers in 2021.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Astros reached an agreement on Wednesday to re-sign outfielder Michael Brantley to a two-year deal worth $32 million, according to a source. It was falsely reported hours earlier that the Blue Jays had agreed to a three-year deal to pair Brantley with George Springer. Brantley is likely to start in left field again in 2021, with Kyle Tucker in right. He'll turn 34 in May and has slashed .309/.370/.497 (126 OPS+) with 27 home runs and 112 RBI in 194 games with Houston the last two years. The left-handed hitter is a .297/.354/.440 (116 OPS+) hitter over 12 seasons with Cleveland and Houston in his career. Brantley hit .300 with 15 doubles, five homers and 22 RBI in 46 games and had an .840 OPS last season. He would have been in a prime spot for increased fantasy value if he had landed in Toronto, but sticking in Houston isn't a bad consolation. The veteran also hit a cool .346 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 13 games in the playoffs and finished with an 11-game hitting streak. Brantley figures to spend most of his time in the outfield with Yordan Alvarez (knees) expected to return to full-time designated hitter duties.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent LHP J.A. Happ agreed to a one-year, $8-million contract with the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, Jan. 20, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical.

Free-agent OF Michael Brantley signed a two-year, $32-million contract with the Houston Astros Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The Philadelphia Phillies chances of re-signing star catcher J.T. Realmuto received a boost when the Toronto Blue Jays signed outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million deal. The Blue Jays didn't view catching as a big weakness to begin with, and it's hard to envision them making room for another nine-figure player. The Phillies are believed to be offering around $110 million to Realmuto on a five-year deal. The Mets signed James McCann, the Angels inked Kurt Suzuki and the Yankees opted to hold onto Gary Sanchez while also re-signing second baseman DJ LeMahieu, so there don't appear to be many competitors for Realmuto at this juncture. The All-Star catcher is the best hitting backstop in baseball and should once again be the top catcher off the board in fantasy drafts this year.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, the Toronto Blue Jays remain among the teams interested in free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley, but they have not reached an agreement on a contract, according to a source familiar with the situation. It was reported earlier on Wednesday that Toronto and Brantley had agreed on a three-year deal. The 33-year-old left-handed hitter remains a coveted free agent because of his high contact rate, low strikeout ratio and overall polish as a hitter. He played left field and designated hitter in 2020 with the Astros and hit .300 with five home runs, 22 RBI and an .840 OPS. Brantley has hit at least .300 in five seasons since 2014 and has struck out in just 10.1 percent of his plate appearances since 2014. He isn't the biggest power threat, but as long as he's healthy, Brantley should contribute excellent hitting ratios to fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent LHP Jon Lester agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals Monday, Jan. 18, worth $5 million, according to sources.

San Diego Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi was acquired by the New York Mets Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez in the trade. The Padres acquired RHP Joe Musgrove in the trade.

San Diego Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi was acquired by the New York Mets Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez in the trade. The Padres acquired RHP Joe Musgrove in the trade.

San Diego Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi was acquired by the New York Mets Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez in the trade. The Padres acquired RHP Joe Musgrove in the trade.

San Diego Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi was acquired by the New York Mets Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez in the trade. The Padres acquired RHP Joe Musgrove in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was acquired by the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was acquired by the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was acquired by the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove was acquired by the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Jan. 19, as part of a three-way trade involving the New York Mets. The Pirates acquired OF Hudson Head, LHP Omar Cruz, RHP David Bednar, RHP Drake Fellows and C/OF Endy Rodriguez. The Mets acquired LHP Joey Lucchesi in the trade.