MLB Player News

CarGo would make a $750,000 salary if he cracks the Opening Day roster. There’s a decent chance of that happening with Mitch Haniger (groin) on the mend. The 34-year-old hit just .200/.289/.283 with three homers and 10 RBI over 166 plate appearances between the Cubs and Indians in 2019, so expectations aren’t high at this point.

The deal, which is now official, includes a $1.25 million buyout, which guarantees Kinley at least $4.25 million to return to Atlanta’s high-leverage mix just a few weeks after the club declined his $5.5 million option for 2026. The 34-year-old veteran reliever finished last season with a respectable 3.96 ERA — 3.69 FIP — 1.18 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio across a career-high 72 2/3 innings split between the Rockies and Braves. He’ll help bridge the gap to Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias along with new high-priced setup man Robert Suarez.

Olney’s report comes on the heels of The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty noting earlier this week that the Yankees and Bellinger remain far apart on the length of a potential deal. The 30-year-old slugger has been connected to more than a half-dozen clubs — including the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Blue Jays, Angels and Reds — since the offseason began. It increasingly sounds like he’s headed elsewhere, with Olney adding that the two sides are at an impasse in negotiations, despite the Yankees’ efforts to bring him back.

Feinsand adds that the deal includes a $5.5 million club option for 2027 that carries a $1.25 million buyout. Kinley returns to Atlanta’s high-leverage mix just a few weeks after the club declined his $5.5 million option for 2026. The 34-year-old veteran reliever finished last season with a respectable 3.96 ERA — 3.69 FIP — 1.18 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio across a career-high 72 2/3 innings split between the Rockies and Braves. He’ll help bridge the gap to Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias along with new high-priced setup man Robert Suarez.

Jones completed his first bullpen session since undergoing internal brace procedure on his right elbow last May. The electrifying 24-year-old former top prospect represents the ultimate X-factor for Pittsburgh’s loaded rotation mix as he continues his rehabilitation process, which typically carries a shorter recovery timeline than a full Tommy John reconstructive surgery. He was outstanding in his Pirates debut back in 2024, finishing with a sparkling 4.00 FIP, 1.19 WHIP and 132/39 K/BB ratio across 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts. While durability and workload concerns temper his immediate fantasy ceiling, all signs point toward Jones making a meaningful impact at some point in the early portion of next season. He’s a worthwhile late-round lottery ticket in all fantasy drafts this spring.

There’s a shroud of mystery and uncertainty swirling around Casas as he continues to work his way back from last year’s serious knee injury. The Red Sox acquired veteran slugger Willson Contreras to take over at first base, which likely limits the former top prospect to DH until further notice. It’s too early to write Casas off completely since he’ll be just 26 years old on Opening Day but there are more questions than answers at this stage of his career. There should be some clarity regarding his immediate outlook and role based on how he performs in Grapefruit League action. He seems likely to open the year back in Triple-A Worcester but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him make Boston’s season-opening roster, especially if the Red Sox decide to move either Jarren Duran or Masataka Yoshida.

Gurriel underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee back in September and is likely to be sidelined until at least the second half of next season, even if he makes a lightning-quick recovery. The 32-year-old corner outfielder is entering the final year of his deal with Arizona and could make an impact for fantasy managers over the final few months once he makes it back. There should be a clearer return timeline once he’s officially cleared to resume baseball activities. The Diamondbacks decision to ship Jake McCarthy to the division-rival Rockies reads like a quiet vote of confidence in top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt, who hit .309/.423/.498 with nine homers and 19 steals in 300 plate appearances over 66 games for Double-A Amarillo this past season, and now enters spring training with a real opportunity to compete for a starting role while Gurriel is sidelined.

Richards bolsters Philadelphia’s relief corps entering spring training after making just five appearances last year between the Diamondbacks and Royals. The 32-year-old journeyman isn’t far removed from being a durable workhorse with the Blue Jays where he made a whopping 195 appearances over a four-year span from 2021-2024 before the metaphorical wheels came off. He’s a low-risk emergency depth addition for the Phillies.

Madrigal’s career has been derailed by physical issues the past few years as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during spring training while in Mets camp. The 28-year-old former top prospect was limited to just 51 games for the Cubs back in 2024 due to a fractured finger. He’s a decent low-risk depth addition for the Angels and it wouldn’t be shocking if he made their season-opening roster out of camp. He doesn’t offer enough power or speed potential to merit consideration for fantasy purposes even if he were to carve out a significant role with Los Angeles next season.

Cora’s remark came in response to a question at Fenway Fest about whether the club would consider moving Rafaela to the keystone to alleviate its outfield logjam. The 25-year-old’s offensive production cratered in the second half of last season after a stellar opening act that featured 14 homers and 13 steals in 88 games. The constant shuffling between second base and center field may have contributed to the slide considering the Red Sox are going out of their way to dismiss the possibility of him playing second base, prioritizing Rafaela’s elite defense in center field after he earned the AL Gold Glove at the spot. From a fantasy standpoint, the added stability represents a positive development for Rafaela as he’ll have fewer variables to worry about heading into next season. However, losing second-base eligibility down the road would be a tough break for fantasy managers.

Cora added that he’s reserving the right to change his mind, but his initial lineup projection has the newly-acquired veteran slugger occupying the cleanup spot. The 33-year-old’s arrival solves Boston’s first base quagmire and it’s a notable development from a counting stats perspective that he’ll be locked into the middle of their lineup, regardless of whether Alex Bregman returns. He should have plenty of opportunities from a run-production standpoint with Roman Anthony and Trevor Story serving as top-of-the-order table-setters next season. The big question heading into the late stages of the offseason is where Jarren Duran fits into the lineup if he’s on the roster once spring training opens up in early February.