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It took quite a bit longer than expected, but a deal got done. What leverage Rizzo seemed to have when things opened up with the White Sox disappeared when they chose to stay in house. Rizzo, the Nationals’ GM since 2009, brought a world championship to D.C. in 2019. The team has struggled since, but if he was the right man to preside over the rebuild that saw Juan Soto, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner get shipped out, then he deserves the chance to see it out.

That probably wouldn’t have boded very well for Miguel Andujar’s chances of playing regularly for his new (but still unofficial) team. But it still seems likely that the Padres will add one more bat, potentially affecting the playing time of Andujar, Sung-Mon Song and Gavin Sheets. Rhys Hoskins and Ty France are probably the closest comparables to Goldschmidt, so perhaps one of them is next on the team’s list. Mitch Garver would also make some sense, especially given Luis Campusano’s similar potential to contribute as more than a backup catcher. Nathaniel Lowe and Marcell Ozuna are also out there as potential starters at first base and DH, respectively.

It’s been said that Ben Rice was going to get a shot against lefties this year, but that hardly seems to be case now, at least not while everyone is healthy. It’s certainly an understandable move by the Yankees. Goldschmidt, a future Hall of Famer perhaps entering his last season at age 38, hit .336/.411/.570 in 168 plate appearances against southpaws last season. Besides diminishing Rice’s role, his return figures to push Jasson Domínguez back to Triple-A, again assuming that the starting lineup makes it through the spring healthy.

He’ll be sentenced on May 22. The 35-year-old faces up to 15 years in federal prison, though it doesn’t sound like prosecutors will aim for that. Puig initially made a deal to plead guilty to charges back in 2022 and would have gotten probation and a fine, but he backed out of it, resulting in the greatly delayed trial. Puig lied during a Jan. 2022 interview he voluntarily participated in regarding his bookmaker, Wayne Nix. Nix later pleaded guilty of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business.

Laweryson was claimed off waivers from the Twins in November and then DFA’d on Monday. That he’s being released here after clearing waivers would seem to suggest he’s on his way to Asia. Otherwise, he’d seem like someone the Angels would want to hang on to as a non-roster player.

Barlow was able to command a major league deal, though it’s from a team playing games in a minor league ballpark. The 33-year-old has finished with ERAs in the 4.20-4.40 range three years running, though he did so with both the worst strikeout rate (24.8%) and highest walk rate (14.9%) of his career in Cincinnati last season. Just about anyone could emerge as the Athletics’ closer, but Barlow doesn’t seem like a good bet at this point.

Wisely, who was acquired from the Braves in a minor deal last month, goes to make room for Victor Mesa Jr. on the 40-man. The 26-year-old is a career .214/.265/.319 hitter in 466 major league plate appearances, most of which came with the Giants in 2023 and ’24.

Wilson was designated for assignment on Sunday, but he cleared waivers and will now be sent to Triple-A.

The 24-year-old Mesa, who was DFA’d on Tuesday, hit .286/.352/.460 with seven home runs and four steals in 210 plate appearances at Triple-A last season, but he struggled over 38 plate appearances in his brief MLB debut. The Rays figure to burn his last option year by sticking in Triple-A and seeing if he continues to develop. In return, the Marlins a 19-year-old infielder who has yet to play in the U.S. While splitting time between second and short, Brachi hit .337/.453/.408 in 228 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League last year. He’s yet to homer in 434 career plate appearances.

The Red Sox are loading up on infield depth over the last few days, but the team, and fans, probably hope that none of them have to play a meaningful role for the team in 2026. Cheng hit .207/.305/.267 slash line with one home run and 18 stolen bases in 107 Triple-A games last season with the Pirates organization. He has speed and can play mutliple positions on the field, but the 24-year-old is likely ticketed for Triple-A, no matter where he ends up.

The Dodgers needed a roster spot for Ben Rortvedt, so they will hope that Banda’s $1.65 million contract prevents anybody from claiming him on waivers. Of course, that gamble didn’t pay off with Rortvedt earlier in the offseason. Banda posted a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings for Los Angeles last season.