MLB

The Orioles have their five starters after adding Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, but it seems they’re still hoping for more depth beyond Tyler Wells and Cade Povich. Verlander, who finished strong in his age-42 season, would presumably want to be promised a rotation spot wherever he landed.

The gold standard there is the 10-year, $225 million deal that Joey Votto signed 14 years ago. The proposal was somewhere in between there and the 11-year, $288.8 million contract that Bobby Witt Jr. signed with the Royals two years ago. Like Witt then, De La Cruz currently has two years of service time. He’s slated to be eligible for free agency after the 2029 season.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand says it’s a $14 million deal. It’s not surprising that Caratini is quickly following J.T. Realmuto off the board, but this is an unexpected fit, given the Twins’ budget issues and their already having a starting catcher in Ryan Jeffers. Caratini deserves to be a starter, but he could help just about anyone starting 70 games behind the plate and another 20 or 30 at DH and first base. That’s probably what he’ll do in Minnesota, unless the team now pivots to trading Jeffers. The Astros had interest in bringing Caratini back, and it was also thought that the Red Sox might jump in, given that they had interest in Realmuto.

It’s the second time in two weeks that the 24-year-old shortstop has changed teams through waivers. The Rays claimed him from the Pirates on January 8, then designated him for assignment just a few days later to make room for Brett Wisely. He’ll now join the Mets. Cheng slashed an underwhelming .209/.307/.271 with just one home run and 18 stolen bases across 107 games at Triple-A Indianapolis during the 2025 season.

The Rays tried to sneak the hard-throwing right-hander through waivers earlier in the week but the Marlins were ready to bounce. The 30-year-old hurler struggled to a 5.87 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 68/35 K/BB ratio over 79 2/3 innings with the Athletics during the 2025 campaign, but he’s just one year removed from a very strong season overall. It’s likely that he’ll operate in a swingman role for the Marlins in 2026.

The 28-year-old saw most of his action with the Reds in left field or as a designated hitter in 2025 while playing a bit at second base and third base. It sounds like he’ll step in as the Rays’ regular second baseman, filling the void left by Brandon Lowe. Neander also noted that he’s fully confident in what Lux can provide both at the plate and in the field. Even if he’s slated for full-time action, it’s difficult to envision Lux having much fantasy value in 2026.

Robert Murray of Fansided adds that it’ll be a three-year, $45 million deal with incentives that could run the total as high as $60 million. It always felt like a reunion with the Phillies made the most sense for the 34-year-old backstop, and now it looks like they’re close to pushing that deal across the finish line. Realmuto hit .257/.315/.384 with 12 homers, 52 RBI and eight stolen bases across 550 plate appearances in 2025 — his seventh season with the Phillies.

The 27-year-old right-hander was released by the Guardians last June after giving up three runs on four hits over two innings in his lone appearance at the big league level. He’ll add bullpen depth for the Astros.

Keller’s addition should round out the pitching staff, though it’s quite possible one or two guys will drop out before the tourney. Keller busted out with the Cubs in relief last season, posting a 2.07 ERA and a 75/22 K/BB in 69 2/3 innings. He signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies last month.

Conforto, 32, disappointed during his lone season with the Dodgers, slashing a meager .199/.305/.333 with 12 homers and 36 RBI in 486 plate appearances. Any chances of a potential return to the Dodgers were likely squashed on Thursday when they agreed to a mega deal with Kyle Tucker. He represents an affordable way for the White Sox to add some left-handed thump to the middle of their lineup.