Union head calls for resolution in Red Sox-Dodgers trade

The holdup in the trade that would send 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers is unfair to the players involved, the head of their union said on Friday.

The Boston Red Sox had a pending trade that would send Betts and lefty David Price to the Dodgers for outfielder Alex Verdugo and Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol. The deal was agreed to on Tuesday night pending the exchange of medical information, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not final.

But Boston is said to have balked when it saw Graterol's medical records, and the deal still has not been finalized. That is holding up a side deal that would send outfielder Joc Pederson from the Dodgers to the Angels.

"The proposed trades between the Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels need to be resolved without further delay," Major League Baseball Players Association boss Tony Clark said in a statement. "The events of this last week have unfairly put several Players' lives in a state of limbo."

Separately, Pederson lost his salary arbitration case against the Dodgers on Friday. He will be paid $7.75 million instead of his request for $9.5 million.

"The unethical leaking of medical information as well as the perversion of the salary arbitration process serve as continued reminders that too often Players are treated as commodities by those running the game," Clark said.

Mendoza has new roles with ESPN, resigns as Mets adviser

Jessica Mendoza will no longer be on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" or work for the New York Mets front office after signing a contract extension with the network.

ESPN announced Friday that Mendoza will be an analyst on weekday games as well as making appearances on various network shows, including "SportsCenter" and "Baseball Tonight."

Mendoza's increased appearances on ESPN have led her to resign as a baseball operations adviser to the Mets and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. She was hired as a Mets adviser last March.

Mendoza joined ESPN as a softball analyst and college football sideline reporter in 2007. She has been an MLB analyst since 2015 and was part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" booth for four seasons. Her roles with the network and the Mets had been under discussion since the end of last season.

"I've always prioritized my growth and these new opportunities will allow me to expand my broadcasting career while challenging me at the same time," Mendoza said in a statement. "Some of the best memories of my career have been with "Sunday Night Baseball" and I will miss my time with our amazing crew, who have been like family."

Mendoza's dual roles had drawn attention and caused friction. The Los Angeles Dodgers banned her from their clubhouse last year once during the season and once during the postseason because of her position with the Mets. She also drew attention last month for saying on an ESPN show that pitcher Mike Fiers should have gone to Major League Baseball before he told a journalist that the Houston Astros had been using a camera to steal signs.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said during this week's owners meetings that he was not comfortable with Mendoza and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez being both team employees and broadcasters.

"It's a topic that remains under discussion internally," he said. "It caused a lot of complications, not just on this particular incident or comments, but in general."

Van Wagenen said in a statement that the team supported Mendoza's need to devote herself full-time to broadcasting.

"We have such respect and value her baseball insight and know her impact on the game of baseball is just beginning," he said.

As part of her new role, Mendoza will be the lone analyst on a package of weeknight games as well as being in the booth for ESPN Radio's coverage of the World Series and postseason games. Additionally, Mendoza will be making plenty of studio appearances on "SportsCenter," "Baseball Tonight" and other ESPN studio shows as well as doing features on "E:60."

Mendoza, who was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame last year, will continue as a lead analyst during ESPN's coverage of the Women's College World Series as well as reporting from the Tokyo Olympics. She was a four-time, first-team All-American at Stanford, and won gold (2004) and silver (2012) medals with the U.S. at the Olympics. She also signed a multi-year extension with ESPN in December 2018.

"We are proud that Jessica, one of our most talented and recognizable commentators, will continue blazing new trails with ESPN for several years to come," said Norby Williamson, ESPN's executive vice president for production.

ESPN is trying to finalize the rest of its MLB coverage plans for this season. Alex Rodriguez and Matt Vasgersian are entering the final year of their ESPN contracts but the only certainty right now is that Rodriguez will be back on "Sunday Night Baseball."

AP source: Pence returning to Giants

Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal said Friday that Pence had reached agreement pending a physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.

Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager Gabe Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.

The 36-year-old Pence was part of the Giants' 2012 and '14 World Series champion teams. After a more limited role in 2018 with San Francisco as he worked to retool his hitting mechanics and rediscover his swing, he spent 2019 with the Texas Rangers and resurrected himself. He batted .297 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 59 RBIs over 83 games.

San Francisco also announced Friday it had signed outfielder Billy Hamilton and right-hander Nick Vincent to minor league contracts with spring training invitations.

The Giants also were working to finalize a deal with versatile infielder Wilmer Flores, which Zaidi said had not been completed as of Thursday.

San Francisco has 28 spring training invites. Players report Tuesday to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona with the first workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday.

Pederson loses in salary arbitration

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat outfielder Joc Pederson in salary arbitration, giving teams a 3-0 record in hearings this year.

Pederson will be paid $7.75 million, while he had sought a raise from $5 million to $9.5 million. The decision Friday came while the Dodgers have been trying to work out a trade to send Pederson to the Angels.

The Dodgers went to their first arbitration case since defeating reliever Joe Beimel in 2007. The hearing was held before Elizabeth Neumeier, Walt De Treux and Howard Edelman.

Pederson hit a career-high 36 home runs last season and improved defensively. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter did not have a homer off a left-handed pitcher.

Earlier this week, Minnesota pitcher José Berríos and Atlanta reliever Shane Greene lost their cases.

Thirteen players remain scheduled for hearings, which run through Feb. 21.