MLB Player News

“I don’t like the negotiations,” Cohen said. “I don’t like [the structure of the offer that’s] been presented to us. Maybe that changes...If it stays this way, I think we have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with existing players.” Existing players likely means Mark Vientos at first, with third base turning into a competition between Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio.

It’s not great that this is still a thing, but Nimmo believes it’s manageable. “The biggest thing is to be ready for Opening Day. To that point, we are just going to try and go as fast as the foot will let us,” Nimmo said. “I’m in the jogging progression now. Hopefully, that will go to the sprinting [level], and then we’ll be able to get back into it. It should be good to go. But obviously, there will be steps forward and backwards through all of it.” The Mets could have Nimmo spend more time at DH this year. It wound weaken the defense, with Jesse Winker presumably taking his place in left field, but it’d be worth it to keep his bat in the lineup.

Manager Joe Espada sounded a bit more optimistic, but we’ll see. Brown did make it clear that Bregman would play third if brought back. That would presumably shift Isaac Paredes to second and Jose Altuve to the outfield.

No word yet on the finances. Ogasawara was posted by the Chunichi Dragons in December, and the left-hander has his new home for at least the next two seasons. The 27-year-old is coming off a season where he forged a 3.12 ERA over 24 starts and 144 1/3 innings, and is considered a command artist with a similiar — if not quite as good — profile as Shota Imanaga. Ogasawara should have a starting role with the Nationals, and is worth a look at the very end of drafts this spring.

Marinaccio’s time with the White Sox was short, as he was claimed off waivers from the Yankees near the end of September and designated for assignment Tuesday. The 29-year-old will likely be at risk of a DFA himself if San Diego needs 40-man room at some point, but assuming he sticks around, he should get a chance to win one of the final spots in the Padres’ bullpen.

There was initially optimism that Acuña could return before Opening Day after he suffered his torn ACL, but that has faded, and now the outfielder is all but assuredly going to open the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. With the former MVP sidelined, it’s expected that Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will split time in right field with newly-signed Jurickson Profar handling left field and Michael Harris lined up in center. Even with the missed month, Acuña is well worth a (relatively) early draft selection this spring.

And that the Tigers and Red Sox are still involved. If the Astros and Cubs are really battling this out, it’s funny that they’re also reportedly trying to swing a Ryan Pressly trade that would seemingly help the Astros create some financial flexibility as they try to re-sign their All-Star. If the Cubs were to land Bregman, perhaps they could then trade Nico Hoerner, potentially for bullpen help and/or prospects.

Heyman believes Pressly has ruled out a deal to the Blue Jays but is still considering one to the Cubs. The 36-year-old Pressly showed obvious signs of decline last season, and unless the Astros are paying down his $14 million salary, he seems like a weaker acquisition than several free agent relievers still out there. Nevertheless, teams are interested.

Coming off a rough 2024 in which he hit .218/.293/.338 in 157 plate appearances, Davis will be a fallback option at third and first for the Angels. The 31-year-old is a lifetime .257/.340/.425 hitter, and while he could get back to that, his defense at third is an increasing problem, making him a fringe major leaguer.

Profar will earn $12 million for the 2025 season and $15 million in each of the next two years. The 31-year-old outfielder will step in as the Braves’ regular left fielder, joining Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna Jr. to form one of the most dynamic outfields in all of baseball. His arrival (and Acuna’s return) will drastically cut into the playing time for both Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz. Profar was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 fantasy baseball season and he could reach new heights in 2025 with a stronger supporting cast around him.