From Mirror, wire reports

PITTSBURGH — Left-hander Caleb Ferguson and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract.

The agreement Thursday is pending a successful physical.

The 28-year-old is 19-13 with five saves and a 3.68 ERA in 263 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Houston Astros. Ferguson split time between the Yankees and Astros last season, going 1-4 with a 4.64 ERA.

The Pirates plan to stretch Ferguson out in spring training to see if he is an option to join the starting rotations. Ferguson has made 14 starts in his big league career, most as an opener. He made a couple of spot starts during his rookie season with the Dodgers in 2018, including working five innings against San Francisco in his second major league appearance.

The Dodgers quickly moved Ferguson to the bullpen and he has served as a reliever for the vast majority of his career.

Pittsburgh has a need for a left-hander in a rotation anchored by right-handers, including 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Jared Jones.

Guerrero gets deal

NEW YORK — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a salary arbitration hearing when the first baseman agreed Thursday to a $28.5 million, one-year contract on the day players and teams exchanged proposed figures.

Houston left-hander Framber Valdez also reached a deal, an $18 million, one-year contract.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker asked for the highest amount among players who swapped at $17.5 million. He was offered $15 million.

Rockies ink Estrada

DENVER — Thairo Estrada and the Colorado Rockies have finalized a one-year contract, a deal that includes a mutual option for 2026.

Primarily a second baseman during the last three seasons, the 28-year-old hit .217 with nine homers and 47 RBIs last year with the San Francisco Giants. He was assigned outright to Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 30 and on Oct. 1 elected to become a free agent.

Estrada has a .251 average with 48 homers, 195 RBIs and 52 stolen bases in 469 games over parts of six seasons with the New York Yankees and the Giants.

Dodgers get Vasquez

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired minor league pitcher Jose Vasquez from the Minnesota Twins for catcher Diego Cartaya.

Vasquez had a 4.99 ERA while striking out 45 batters in 31 innings while going 4-0 for the Dominican Summer League last season. The 20-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with an 8.05 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 57 innings over two seasons.

A’s, Rooker agree

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Brent Rooker and the Athletics finalized a $60 million, five-year contract Wednesday for the designated hitter and outfielder, a deal that could be worth up to $92 million over six seasons if he regularly finishes high in MVP voting.

Rooker gets a $10 million signing bonus and salaries of $2 million this year, $6 million in 2026, $12 million in 2027, $13 million in 2028 and $17 million in 2029.

Arenado still there

ST. LOUIS — Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak made it perfectly clear during the Winter Meetings that the team intended to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado. One month later, however, Arenado is still with St. Louis, and the chances of the 33-year-old being dealt before Opening Day appear to have diminished considerably.

The Cards thought they had a deal to send Arenado to the Astros in mid-December, but Arenado exercised his full no-trade clause to block the trade. Houston signed first baseman Christian Walker, locking in Isaac Paredes as its starting third baseman and taking the club out of the mix for a potential Arenado trade.

The Yankees were also among the small number of teams to inquire about Arenado in early December, but they balked at St. Louis’ demands, with the Cardinals unwilling to eat a large portion of his contract.