MLB 2022 | Gurriel Jr. traded, Mets released RHP Yoán López, Roenis Elias signed by the Cubs

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2022 offseason. A compendium from several sources

Blue Jays acquired outfielder Daulton Varsho from the Diamondbacks for catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Gurriel had a solid season at the plate in 2022. He hit .291 with a .743 OPS. But his power took a step back as he hit just five home runs in 121 games, the fewest of his five-year career. He is entering the final season of the seven-year, $22 million extension he inked with Toronto back in 2016, and he will spend the final year of the deal in Arizona. It is true that the 29-year-old saw his power drop with a .109 ISO while playing through a wrist issue, but he still had a .291/.343/.400 slash line in 121 games. Gurriel Jr. underwent wrist surgery in October and is expected to be healthy for the start of Spring Training in February, and he should be a key piece of the D-backs' lineup in 2023.

Yoán López has signed a contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

López has been ostensibly granted his release by the Mets, who received cash from the Giants to relinquish his contract, to pursue an opportunity overseas in Japan. He'll earn $1.1 million this season and can make another $400,000 in performance-based incentives. His departure also opens up a spot on New York's 40-man roster. The hard-throwing 29-year-old righty compiled a lackluster 5.73 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 51/10 K/BB ratio across 11 innings (eight appearances) last year at the big league level.

Cubs signed LHP Roenis Elías to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The 34-year-old left-hander made seven appearances with the Marlins during the 2022 season, registering a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 6/3 K/BB ratio across 7 2/3 innings. He'll compete for a spot in the club's Opening Day bullpen.