MLB Player News

ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed the agreement shortly after Romero’s initial report. It looks like the Phillies have replaced Nick Castellanos before the inevitable trade that will ship him out of town. García, the 2023 ALCS MVP, is coming off back-to-back down seasons, but he has a Gold Glove in his past and 30-home run power, so perhaps moving to Philadelphia for a change of scenery could help him recapture some of that magic. It certainly hasn’t helped his cause that Globe Life Field has been about as tough of a ballpark for right-handed hitters as any in the league the last couple of years. He should benefit from hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park and Philadelphia’s strong lineup, which makes him a top-60 range outfielder in fantasy drafts next spring.

Bell is coming off a mediocre season where he batted .237/.325/.417 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI for the Nationals. He did post a 10.7 percent walk rate and lowered his strikeout rate to 16.5 percent, which is the second-lowest of his career. He also registered a 12 percent barrel rate, which is the second-highest of his career, so there remains some value in his bat. The Twins love to platoon, but since Bell is a switch-hitter, he could play every day at first base next season as a short-term solution.

Rosenthal reports that “The Royals are under the impression Duran would cost them left-hander Cole Ragans,” who the Red Sox will most certainly ask for as part of a deal. However, Rosenthal also noted that “the Red Sox view the initial talks as more informal and exploratory, according to people briefed on the conversations.” These two teams have been circling each other for a while, but it doesn’t seem like anything is imminent.

This fits with the Mets’ stated goal this offseason to improve their team defense. Vientos has been a below-average defender for much of his professional career, but he also took a step back offensively this year, hitting .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 121 games. He did make more contact, lowering his strikeout rate below 25 percent, but he was essentially a league-average player for the Mets. With Brett Baty outplaying Vientos at third base and Jorge Polanco now in town, there may not be room for Vientos, so the Mets could deal him to acquire an impact starting pitcher.

Martin, 39, had a 2.16 ERA for the Red Sox between 2023 and ’24 and the Red Sox wanted to bring him back last winter, but he decided he was going to pitch for one more year and wanted to finish up close to his home in Texas. Apparently, he’s reconsidered now, even though he ended the season on the shelf with thoracic outlet syndrome. Before that, Martin had a 2.98 ERA in 42 1/3 innings for the Rangers. There are probably several contenders that would be interested in bringing on board if he shows he’s healthy.

The saga continues. Sanó, who is somehow only 32 years old heading into next season, heads overseas following a sizzling-hot run in the Dominican Winter League where he’s clobbered nine homers in just 24 contests. He didn’t appear in the majors this past season after getting into 28 games for the Angels back in 2024. It’s fair to wonder if his major-league career is over, but we’ve seen more unlikely late-career comebacks before. The stratospheric over-the-fence pop remains intact and he’ll attempt to make some noise in Japan next year.

The trade is now official. It appears a bit lopsided on the surface with Collins coming off a fourth-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting and Mears providing steady middle relief last season. Zerpa heads to Milwaukee after posting a serviceable 3.97 ERA — 4.13 FIP — and 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 177 innings for Kansas City since 2021. If history is any guide, the Brewers must believe there’s more in the tank — and they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to squeezing value out of overlooked relief arms. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters that they’re open to considering the 26-year-old southpaw as a starter and have been trying to acquire him for a long time. The possibility that he’ll be stretched out as a starter provides some legitimate intrigue for fantasy purposes heading into next spring.

Collins lands in Kansas City as the kind of underrated hitter who quietly forces his way into relevance, providing the Royals with a versatile corner outfield option after slashing a robust .263/.368/.411 with nine homers and 16 stolen bases across 130 games for Milwaukee in his first taste of the majors. He finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. The 28-year-old represents an intriguing low-risk addition for the Royals as a classic floor-raising position player capable of filling in across multiple spots.

It would be unfair to label Mears a throw-in, but he clearly profiles as the ancillary piece in the trade. The 29-year-old middle reliever is coming off the strongest season of his career where he finished with a 3.49 ERA — 3.86 FIP — across 56 2/3 innings. He’ll operate in middle relief for Kansas City and can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes.

Elko returns to Chicago a couple weeks after being non-tendered. The 26-year-old first baseman posted some impressive power numbers at the Triple-A level but flopped in his first taste of the majors, hitting .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances for the White Sox. He’ll be sidelined at the outset of next season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.