MLB notes

Jonathan Broxton is shown in this photo.
Jonathan Broxton is shown in this photo.

ROYALS

Soria agrees to $25M deal

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AP Photo

Craig Gentry is shown in this photo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals finalized a three-year, $25 million deal with Joakim Soria on Thursday, reuniting the former All-Star reliever with the club where he spent his first five seasons.

Soria will make $7 million next season, $8 million the following and $9 million in 2018, with up to $4 million in incentives each year. The $10 million option for 2019 has a $1 million buyout.

Soria was one of the game's premier closers during his first stint in Kansas City from 2007-2011, but he missed the 2012 season for Tommy John surgery and the Royals decided not to exercise their option on him.

He signed with Texas and since pitched for Detroit and Pittsburgh, going 3-1 with 24 saves and a 2.53 ERA for the Tigers and Pirates last season.

ANGELS

Gentry gets $1M contract

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Outfielder Craig Gentry and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract.

A seven-year major league veteran, Gentry (Fort Smith, Arkansas Razorbacks), 32, spent the past two seasons with Oakland and hit .120 this year (6 for 50) in 26 games. He batted .256 at Class AAA Nashville with 5 home runs, 25 RBI and 25 stolen bases.

Gentry played for Texas from 2009-13 and has a .265 career average in the majors.

CARDINALS

Broxton pact finalized

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A month or so after declining the large option they inherited from Cincinnati (by way of Milwaukee), the Cardinals finalized a deal Thursday with reliever Jonathan Broxton.

The contract is for two years and it includes a no-trade clause.

It is worth less than the $9 million option declined.

Broxton, 31, joined the Cardinals at the July trade deadline. He appeared in 26 games for the team and had a 2.66 ERA in 23 2/3 innings. The former closer was asked to help bridge leads from the starter to closer Trevor Rosenthal, and he will return to the team in the same role. The Cardinals cannot be sure of the status of setup reliever Jordan Walden as he returns from a shoulder injury, and the team has wanted to fortify their bullpen in case they cannot expect as many innings from the rotation in 2016.

General Manager John Mozeliak earlier Thursday said the team only had "lines out" and that no deal was completed.

The team announced the contract as the front office was making its way back to St. Louis from the annual winter meetings, which concluded early Thursday morning.

The deal with the Brewers, which got Broxton at the end of the deal he originally signed with the Reds, also included cash to cover the $2 million buyout for the option.

The Cardinals remain in conversations with other relievers.

PIRATES

Nicasio, team agree

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Right-handed reliever Juan Nicasio has agreed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, one week after he was cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nicasio, 29, had a 1-3 record with a 3.86 ERA and 1 save for the Dodgers this year in 52 relief appearances and one start, striking out 65 in 58 1/3 innings. He held right-handed hitters to a .226 batting average (35 for 155).

Nicasio is 22-25 with a 4.88 ERA and 1 save in five big-league seasons with Colorado (2011-14) and the Dodgers (2015). He has made 70 starts and 71 relief appearances.

"Juan Nicasio is an experienced pitcher with the pitch repertoire and versatility to fill a variety of roles on our pitching staff," Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said Thursday. "He had a strong season pitching primarily as a relief pitcher last year and we look forward to Juan's impact on our major league club."

ROCKIES

Reynolds comes to terms

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- First baseman Mark Reynolds and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $2.6 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Reynolds hit .230 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI and 121 strikeouts in 382 at-bats for the St. Louis Cardinals this year. Reynolds, 32, a nine-year big league veteran, set career highs in 2009 with Arizona when he had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 223 strikeouts -- a major league record.

A right-handed batter, Reynolds figures to compete for playing time with left-handed-hitting first baseman Ben Paulson. Reynolds also could back up third baseman Nolan Arenado.

The agreement was first reported by CBS.

YANKEES

Miller planning to stay

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Pitcher Andrew Miller wants to stay with the New York Yankees, saying he has no control over trade talks.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman didn't rule out dealing players such as Miller and left fielder Brett Gardner while speaking at this week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

Miller said players "all want stability" and he hopes he gets it at some point.

Additional bullpen moves by the Yankees are expected following trades this week of relievers Adam Warren and Justin Wilson.

Miller was stellar last season, going 3-2 and converting 36 of 38 save opportunities. He has three seasons remaining on a $36 million, four-year free-agent contract signed in December 2014.

On Thursday, Miller participated in the Steinbrenner family children's holiday concert and read a book to school students.

ASTROS

Source: Sipp deal pending

HOUSTON -- A person familiar with the negotiations says reliever Tony Sipp has agreed to an $18 million, three-year contract to remain with the Houston Astros.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement was pending a physical and had not been announced.

Sipp, 32, had a career-best 1.99 ERA in 60 games last season. The left-hander was 3-4 with 62 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings.

Sipp signed with the Astros in May 2014 after he was released by San Diego. He pitched for Arizona in 2013.

Sports on 12/11/2015

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