Outside The Confines: Justin Verlander is a Giant

The remaining free agents are starting to move.

With just over a month left until pitchers and catchers report, we now know where one specific pitcher will be reporting in February, and that’s Justin Verlander. The three-time Cy Young winner who most recently played with the Houston Astros and has battled injury for the last several seasons, will now be headed to the Bay Area, joining the San Francisco Giants on a one-year deal.

Verlander isn’t the only player who has found a new stomping ground in the last few days, with several other big-name players re-signing with old clubs, or getting traded to new teams.

The Rays stadium drama continues, the Padres are going to have to sort out a lawsuit to figure out ownership, can the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado, and who have the A’s spent money on now?

Find out in today’s links!

• Will Laws and Nick Selbe update the status of available free agents and make predictions of what’s to come.
• Jim Bowden tries to determine where the remaining top free agents will land. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Chad Jennings reviews the dwindling options on the free agent market. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• The Rays saga takes another interesting twist. Story by Collen Wright.
• Justin Verlander has signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. Story by Maria Guardado.
• Kiri Oler explains why the Charlie Morton signing isn’t a positive move for the Orioles.
• What mystery team has joined the fray for Roki Sasaki. (MLB)
• Madison Williams reports on who the “last chance” team is for the Cardinals to execute a Nolan Arenado trade.
• Ken Rosenthal tries to unpack the Braves’ slow offseason. (The Athletic subscription required)
• Brett Taylor reports that Sheel Seidler, Widow of the Late Peter Seidler, is suing for control of the San Diego Padres.
• Davy Andrews shares that Michael Lorenzen is back with the Royals.
• Jonathan Mayo figures out which prospects have the best tools.
• The Reds have finalized a deal to acquire Gavin Lux from the Dodgers. Story by Karl Rasmussen.
• The Rays have extended Drew Rasmussen for two years, proving they can in fact do something other than trade their best players. (AP)
• Michael Baumann reports that Chris Martin is doing a reunion tour with the Rangers.
• What free agents might be good targets for the Blue Jays? (MLB)
• It’s time for teams to come to terms with arbitration-eligible players, and the Tigers especially need to get a move on. Story by Chris McKosky.
• Sonja Chen assesses which players the Dodgers might be willing to trade if they’re not done making moves.
• Brent Rooker has signed a 5-year extension with the A’s. Story by Ben Clemens.
• How do you feel about this breakdown?

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.