MLB Player News

Mathisen was just released by the Mariners late last week before quickly latching on with the Giants. This is his fourth organization of the season. The 27-year-old will give the club some upper-level infield depth.

The big surprise here is Seager since his name hasn’t come up at all in trade discussions this offseason. It’s abundantly clear that the Red Sox, who have a surplus of young big-league caliber pitching prospects to deal, are planning to upgrade at either second or third base this offseason since they’ve been active in trade discussions for multiple targets while also pursuing free agents Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette and Eugenio Suárez. Get your popcorn ready.

Ghiroli is the first with the exact financial terms of the deal after multiple reports surfaced that the two sides were in agreement on a two-year pact. It’s a bit unclear how Tampa Bay will deploy Matz since he was used exclusively as a reliever this past season with the Cardinals and Red Sox where he posted a respectable 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances. He’s been vocal about his desire to transition back to a starting role and it’s possible the Rays were willing to accommodate that request. There should be some clarity regarding his role once spring training kicks off.

Divish and Jude add that Polanco is seeking a four-year contract, while the Mariners are believed to have offered the switch-hitting 32-year-old second baseman a two-year deal. A reunion makes plenty of sense for both sides after he delivered a strong bounce-back last season, posting an .821 OPS with 26 homers and six steals across 138 games. Still, his checkered injury history makes it difficult to envision another club stepping up to meet his current asking price, leaving Seattle as the most logical landing spot unless the market shifts dramatically.

Counsell elaborated that Steele won’t be ready for Opening Day but believes he’ll make it back to Chicago at some point in the first half. The 30-year-old southpaw made just four starts before undergoing season-ending UCL surgery, not a full Tommy John reconstructive procedure, in April. He was able to resume throwing in late October and figures to be ramping up his throwing program by the time spring training rolls around.

Olson hit the injured list with a shoulder strain in late July and never made it back in time for Detroit’s postseason run. The 26-year-old received a PRP injection and was able to avoid undergoing offseason surgery. The hope is that he’ll be a full-go in time for spring training after posting a career-best 3.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65/25 K/BB ratio across 68 2/3 innings over 13 starts this past season.

The ping pong balls came through for the White Sox as they secure the top selection in next year’s MLB Draft after having the highest odds — 27.73 percent — of landing the first overall pick. Chicago hasn’t picked first overall since taking future Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977. Their likely prize: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is one of the best collegiate shortstop prospects in recent memory and is considered a slam-dunk to be taken first overall. Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson is widely-regarded as the top prep player in the draft class. The Giants and Royals were the big movers in this year’s lottery, jumping up double-digit spots into the top six overall, while the Rays also made a massive leap, going from seventh to second overall. Here are the full draft lottery results: (1) White Sox, (2) Rays, (3) Twins, (4) Giants, (5) Pirates, (6) Royals, (7) Orioles, (8) Athletics, (9) Braves, (10) Rockies, (11) Nationals, (12) Angels, (13) Cardinals, (14) Marlins, (15) Diamondbacks, (16) Rangers, (17) Astros and (18) Reds.

Campbell will compete for a spot in Arizona’s bullpen next spring after getting lit up to the tune of an inflated 11.30 ERA (6.36 FIP) across 14 1/43 innings over 14 appearances for the Red Sox over the past two seasons. The 28-year-old righty was a notable relief prospect a couple years ago with the Mariners but hasn’t quite panned out at the highest level.

Castellano was shipped back to the Phillies last spring after the Twins made him the ninth overall pick in the offseason Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old reliever posted a pedestrian 5.14 ERA (4.18 FIP) and 24.2 percent strikeout rate over 35 innings over 20 appearances for Double-A Reading last season. He’s a low-risk dice roll for Colorado’s new-look front office.

Simon fortifies Pittsburgh’s bench depth heading into next season after being non-tendered last month. The 25-year-old former prospect hit .234/.299/.273 with seven RBI and one steal in 27 games this past season between the Pirates and Marlins. He figures to have a decent shot at making the club’s season-opening roster in a versatile utility role.

Perdomo represents a worthwhile low-risk flyer for the Angels after making four relief appearances this past season for the division-rival Athletics. The hard-throwing 31-year-old lefty has compiled a robust 34.2 percent strikeout rate across 52 innings over 56 career appearances in the big leagues since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.