SAN DIEGO — A person with knowledge of the situation says the San Diego Padres have a deal in place to acquire outfielder Matt Kemp and catcher Tim Federowicz from the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers for catcher Yasmani Grandal and two pitchers.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal hadn't been announced by either team.
The Padres are due to receive some $30 million to help offset the $107 million still remaining on Kemp's deal, which must be approved by the commissioner's office.
San Diego has been desperate for a power bat to punch up its woeful offense. Kemp had a strong second half in 2014 for the NL West champion Dodgers, finishing with a .287 average, 25 home runs and 89 RBIs.
Red Sox, Tigers swap Cespedes/Porcello
SAN DIEGO — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to trade outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Rick Porcello, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
Right-handed pitching prospect Alex Wilson also will go to Detroit as part of the trade, the person said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
The Red Sox acquired Cespedes in the deal that sent Jon Lester to Oakland. Cespedes finished the year with a .260 average, 22 home runs and 100 RBIs.
MLB
The 29-year-old Cespedes gives Detroit another power-hitting presence in the middle of its lineup, along with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, but the Cuban slugger came at a significant price. Porcello does not turn 26 until later this month, and he is coming off a season in which he set career bests with 15 wins, a 3.43 ERA and 204 2-3 innings pitched.
Cespedes and Porcello could both be free agents after this season. Cespedes will make $10.5 million in 2015. Porcello is arbitration eligible after making $8.5 million this year.
Marlins land Latos
SAN DIEGO — The Miami Marlins have acquired right-hander Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds for pitching prospect Anthony DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach, their second big deal in less than 12 hours.
The Reds traded away two starters in quick succession Thursday morning. They sent Alfredo Simon to the Detroit Tigers for two more youngsters, right-hander Johnathon Crawford and infielder Eugenio Suarez.
The Marlins dealt top pitching prospect Andrew Heaney to the Dodgers late Wednesday night as part of a seven-player trade that brought speedy second baseman Dee Gordon to the Marlins.
DeSclafani was the next best minor league pitcher in the Marlins' farm system behind Heaney.
Latos, who turned 27 on Tuesday, was limited to 16 starts in 2014 due to left knee surgery. But he was 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA upon his return June 14.
Tigers acquire Alfredo Simon
SAN DIEGO — The Detroit Tigers have obtained pitcher Alfredo Simon from the Cincinnati Reds for a pair of young players.
Cincinnati got right-hander Johnathon Crawford and infielder Eugenio Suarez as part of the deal, announced Thursday on the last day of baseball's winter meetings.
Simon, a 33-year-old right-hander, was 15-10 with a 3.44 ERA last season.
Crawford, 23, was a first-round draft pick in 2013 and went 8-3 with a 2.85 ERA this year at Class A West Michigan.
The 22-year-old Suarez hit .242 with four homers and 85 RBIs for Detroit last season.
Royals add DH Morales
SAN DIEGO — A person familiar with the negotiations says slugger Kendrys Morales and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement with the AL champions was subject to him passing a physical.
Morales figures to take over at designated hitter from Billy Butler, who left as a free agent and agreed to a $30 million, three-year deal with Oakland.
Morales will get $6.5 million next year and $9 million in 2016. The deal includes an $11 million mutual option for 2017 with a $1.5 million buyout. Morales can make an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses in each of the first two seasons based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 375 and $100,000 apiece for 400 and each additional 25 until 550.
Mets sign John Mayberry, Jr.
SAN DIEGO — The New York Mets have agreed to a $1.45 million, one-year contract with outfielder John Mayberry Jr.
The team did not announce the deal, which is guaranteed and subject to a physical. Manager Terry Collins said Thursday at the winter meetings he liked "everything" about Mayberry and was pleased to add a right-handed bat with power to New York's bench.
Mayberry, who turns 31 next month, had seven homers and 23 RBIs in 146 at-bats for Philadelphia and Toronto this year. Mayberry has 53 homers in six big leagues seasons.
"He kills left-handed pitching. He can play first and play the outfield," Collins said.
Sources: Twins, Ervin Santana near $55M deal
MINNEAPOLIS — Two people with direct knowledge of the deal say the Minnesota Twins and free-agent right-hander Ervin Santana are working to finalize a four-year contract worth $55 million.
The agreement was reached Thursday in San Diego at baseball's winter meetings. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been signed. They said Santana's guarantee will include a $1 million buyout of a fifth-year option on the contract.
The Twins again brought a need for better starting pitching into the offseason, and Santana has been one of the steadiest around. He turns 32 Friday. Santana was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts for Atlanta last year.