MLB Player News

With this year’s free-agent market being particularly top-heavy, with players like Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, and Josh Hader leading the way, there’s an expectation that many free agents want these big name players to sign first in order to set the market. Feinsand reports that MLB executives have said they “think the big dominos need to fall” first. When they do, teams will move on to the next crops of players who will see their own value increase. While anything can happen in the coming days, it seems like we could be waiting for a select few big moves before the floodgates open for the MLB offseason.

Mauricio was starting to steal second, but he changed his mind after a few steps and then went down awkwardly. He was able to walk off the field without assistance, but he still seemed to be in some pain. There should be an update at some point today.

It’s the closest thing we’ve heard to a Stroman rumor thus far this winter. It seems like he’s being considered more on the Giolito-Michael Wacha-Seth Lugo tier of pitchers, even though his performance puts him much closer to Jordan Montgomery and Sonny Gray. Really, though, at this point, most of the starters should wait and see how the Yoshinobu Yamamoto pursuit pans out, since there will then be several disappointed teams with plenty of room for pitching left in their budgets.

The 25-year-old was once one of the Twins’ best starting pitching prospects, but he will transition to a bullpen role for the foreseeable future. Balazovic had a rough 2023. During spring training, he broke his jaw in an altercation before posting a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 18 appearances with the big league club. The right-hander is out of options and would be exposed to waivers if he doesn’t make the roster out of camp.

The deal is now official. The veteran backstop hit .225/.254/.381 with 11 homers and 33 RBI across 332 plate appearances. He and Nick Fortes will likely split time behind the plate in Miami, but he isn’t fantasy-relevant in fantasy formats at this time.

The Marlins will be sending cash to the Guardians in exchange for the veteran backstop. Bethancourt was picked up by the Guardians off waivers from the Rays in November and seemed to be out of a job, with Cleveland inking a one-year deal with Austin Hedges earlier on Sunday. The 32-year-old has a cannon for an arm but struggled to a .225/.254/.381 slash line across 332 plate appearances with the Rays last year. He and Nick Fortes will likely share catching duties in Miami this season.

The 25-year-old missed most of the season with an ankle sprain and tossed just three innings in the majors before the Mets placed him on waivers. The Cubs picked him up but released him after five relief appearances with Triple-A Iowa. He’ll serve as organizational depth for the Rays.

While the full terms haven’t been announced, Hedges will likely become Bo Naylor’s backup. The veteran backstop is known more for his defensive abilities, posting a dreadful .184/.234/.227 slash line across 212 plate appearances with the Pirates and Rangers. The move will likely impact Christian Bethancourt’s playing time, as he was picked up by the Guardians off waivers from Tampa Bay in November.

Will Smith began his career with the Royals in 2012 so it is a homecoming for the 34-year-old reliever. He began last season as the Rangers closer but fell out of favor when his production dipped, and Texas traded for Aroldis Chapman at the trading deadline. On the season, he posted a 4.04 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 saves, and a 55/17 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings and could be a factor for saves in Kansas City unless James McArthur continues his late-season performance.

Chafin can earn up to $1.25 million in incentives in 2024, and there is a $6.5 million club option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. It is a reunion for the Tigers and the veteran southpaw as he was with the ballclub during the 2022 season. In 2023, he posted a 4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and eight saves across 51 1/3 innings. He will likely pick up a save or two next season, but it is still Alex Lange’s job to lose.

The 26-year-old catcher spent last season with the Brewers organization, hitting .294/.341/.454 with nine homers across 255 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville. He will add depth at the catching position in the upper minors for the Blue Jays.