UPDATE: 3/14/22, 2:02 PM EST

Let’s catch up on some news and notes from this morning, shall we?

There was also a report that came out indicating Japanese star Seiya Suzuki will sign a five-year, $70 million deal with the San Diego Padres. He worked out for the team on Sunday. We’ll keep an eye on this one because this isn’t confirmed.

UPDATE: 3/13/22, 11:30 PM EST

In a bit of a shocker, Nelson Cruz reportedly is going to Washington on a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman clarifies it’s a one-year deal with a second-year mutual option.

In another bit of a shocker, the Yankees are acquiring Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (just acquired by the Twins Saturday) from the Twins, according to Jeff Passan. Gary Sanchez is heading back to Minnesota (who just traded Mitch Garver in the Kiner-Falefa deal), according to Jon Heyman, as is Gio Urshela, according to Ken Rosenthal.

UPDATE: 3/13/22, 4:40 PM EST

More rumors and signings have surfaced over the last couple hours. They include:

  • Anibal Sanchez signed with the Nationals (last pitched in the majors in 2020 with the Nats)
  • Vince Velasquez joined the White Sox
  • Nelson Cruz reportedly has narrowed down his team choice to the Dodgers and Padres, with the Braves potentially waiting in the wings, according to Hector Gomez

UPDATE: 3/13/22, 1:39 PM EST

The Reds traded starting pitcher Sonny Gray and prospect Francis Peguero to the Twins in exchange for pitching prospect Chase Petty—the Twins’ first-round pick from the 2021 draft and No. 7 in the team’s system.

UPDATE: 3/13/22, 1:08 PM EST

The Mets made a signing! The team inked Adam Ottavino to a one-year deal worth $4 million.

In other reliever news, the Red Sox signed Jake Diekman.

UPDATE: 3/13/22, 11:30 AM EST

A handful of signings occurred overnight and Sunday morning:

UPDATE: 3/12/22, 9:19 PM EST

Well, well, well! Old friend Jeurys Familia signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Philadelphia Phillies. He reportedly can earn up to an extra million on the deal.

UPDATE: 3/12/22, 7:18 PM EST

While the Mets traded J.T. Ginn and Adam Oller for Chris Bassitt, multiple signings occurred around baseball:

UPDATE: 3/12/22, 4:24 PM EST

The Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million deal. He was one of the better arms left on the free-agent market and one the Mets kept tabs on before the lockout.

If the Mets are still looking for starting pitching, it may come in the form of a trade.

UPDATE: 3/12/22, 11:24 AM EST

The Twins have traded for the Rangers’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported. He added that catcher Mitch Garver is headed to the Rangers in the deal. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN added that the third player in the deal is right-handed pitcher Ronny Henriquez, going from the Rangers to the Twins.

UPDATE: 3/12/22, 10:47 AM EST

As Saturday morning rolls around, there are a couple lighter rumors and reports floating around:

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 9:39 PM EST

MMO’s own Michael Mayer says the Mets have talked to Reds about Tyler Mahle. He’s one of three Reds pitchers–along with Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray–who could be dealt before the season.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 9:08 PM EST

Jon Heyman reports five teams are in the mix for Seiya Suzuki‘s services: the Giants, Dodgers, Mariners, Cubs and Red Sox. The Japanese star has about 30 days left to sign a deal with a Major League Baseball team.

The Mets had previously done scouting on Suzuki.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 8:08 PM EST

The Dodgers’s talks with Freddie Freeman are intensifying, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The report comes following his first tweet that the Dodgers were making a strong push for Freeman. Morosi says Freeman’s decision will come within 24 hours.

UDPATE: 3/11/22, 5:36 PM EST

As Buster Olney reported earlier, Clayton Kershaw is officially heading back to the Dodgers on a one-year deal.

Also, Andrelton Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs worth $4 million. He can earn more based on incentives. Ken Rosenthal reports this doesn’t stop the Cubs from pursuing Carlos Correa, though that would seemingly put some level of a dent in those plans.

UDPATE: 3/11/22, 5:36 PM EST

The Mets have been linked to a handful of bullpen arm by ESPN’s Buster Olney and MMO’s own Mike Mayer. Those names are Milwaukee’s Josh Hader and free agents Collin McHugh and Andrew Chafin.

Hader would obviously need to be acquired in a trade (and he’d be a hefty price), but it’s clear the Mets are at least looking at premium arms to improve its bullpen.

UDPATE: 3/11/22, 4:05 PM EST

Carlos Rodón, the top free-agent left-handed arm left on the market, signed a two-year, $44 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan.

On top of that, Buster Olney reports there is “heavy industry expectation” that Clayton Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers in 2022.

So that’s two lefty starters off the market. Yusei Kikuchi still remains.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 3:05 PM EST

Joe Frisaro of Man on Second reports that the Marlins are targeting outfielders Bryan Reynolds via trade from the Pirates and free agent Michael Conforto.

Conforto has received interest from the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Mariners as well.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 2:37 PM EST

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Texas Rangers have signed left-handed pitcher Martin Perez. Jon Heyman of Audacy reports that it’s a one-year dal worth $4 million.

Pérez had a 4.74 ERA in 22 starts and 14 relief outings for the Red Sox in 2021. The 30-year-old was originally signed by the Rangers back in 2007 and made his big league debut with the team in 2012.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 11:55 AM EST

We have the first big league deal post lockout! Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the St. Louis Cardinals have signed right-hander Drew VerHagen to a major league deal.

The deal is for two-years, $5.5 million for the former Detroit Tiger. The 31-year-old spent the last two seasons pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 8:50 AM EST

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Cubs are among the favorites for star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa. The Cubs did engage talks with the top remaining free agent before the lockout started.

UPDATE: 3/11/22, 8:00 am EST

Andy Martino that the Mets are not likely to sign Kris Bryant or bring back free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto.

ORIGINAL POST: 3/10/22, 16:30 pm EST

With the collective bargaining agreement negotiations resolved, Major League Baseball lifted its lockout of the players, opening up free agency to resume Thursday night. It will be the first time in nearly 100 days a player can sign with a major-league club.

Free agency is expected to resume around 6:30 p.m. Thursday night once the MLB owners officially ratify the CBA.

We’ll keep you updated here with deals Mets- and non-Mets-related as they come in through the night and over the next couple days. Larger signings and Mets-related signings will get their own news posts, as well. Some of the big names left on the market include: Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Kris Bryant, Carlos Rodón, Kyle Schwarber, Trevor Story and others.

For now, strap in, and get ready for a whirlwind of a couple days as hundreds of players try to lock in new deals before spring training games start next week.