MLB Player News

Jon Heyman of the New York Post adds that the deal includes a vesting option for 2028 that would push the total value of the deal to $100 million. Rodriguez will head to Arizona to bolster a formidable starting rotation that already features a pair of frontline arms in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. The 30-year-old southpaw, who opted out of the final two years and $49 million left on his deal with Detroit earlier this offseason, spent the last two seasons with the Tigers, compiling a strong 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 215/82 K/BB ratio across 243 2/3 innings (43 starts). It’s a nice landing spot for Rodriguez, who figures to wind up as a borderline top-50 starting pitcher next spring in fantasy drafts.

The deal is backloaded, so King will make $22 million if he opts out after 2026 or $45 million if he opts out after 2027. It’s a little odd he allowed it to be structured that way, given that he didn’t seem to have a shortage of suitors, but it suggests San Diego is where he wanted to be all along. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Orioles were also thought to be interested in him.

Short fortifies New York’s middle infield depth heading into next season after hitting .220/.291/.380 with two homers across 56 plate appearances over 30 games for the Astros this past season. The 30-year-old journeyman shortstop is the prototypical emergency stopgap option for an organization like the Yankees after getting into 243 games in the big leagues between five different teams over the past half-decade.

Walton got into a pair of games for the Phillies this past season, going 1-for-8 with one RBI across nine plate appearances. He spent most of the year at the Triple-A level, hitting .270/.356/.396 with 13 homers and four steals in 123 games. The well-traveled 31-year-old infielder has gotten into 72 games at the highest level between the Mariners, Giants and Phillies since 2019. He’ll bolster Los Angeles’ infield depth heading into spring training.

Van Belle underwent elbow surgery earlier this offseason and is expected to miss all of next season. The 29-year-old righty was jettisoned from Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster earlier this offseason after making four relief appearances in the big leagues last year. He spent most of the year as a starter at the Triple-A level, recording a solid 3.17 ERA — 3.66 FIP — and 88/17 K/BB ratio across 105 innings of work.

Herget provides New York with some experienced relief depth heading into next season after posting a 2.77 ERA — 3.37 FIP — and 6/5 K/BB ratio across 13 innings over seven appearances between the Mets and Braves. The 34-year-old journeyman has made 31 relief appearances in the big leagues since 2022.

Henry hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the 2022 campaign when he got into 15 games for the Marlins. The 28-year-old backstop posted a .249/.323/.415 slash line with 11 homers in 65 games at the Triple-A level this past season. He’ll function as emergency organizational catching depth for the Yankees.

Duran returns to Los Angeles after being shipped to the Athletics back in April in the Esteury Ruiz trade. The flame-throwing 24-year-old reliever boasts triple-digit fastball velocity but has battled control issues throughout his career. He posted a lackluster 5.03 ERA — 5.21 FIP — and 67/55 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this past season.

The deal is now official. Austin returns stateside following a six-year odyssey overseas in Japan. The 34-year-old slugger batted .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers over 65 games for the Yokohama BayStars this past season. He figures to occupy a bench role with the Cubs, splitting time at first base and DH, mostly against tougher left-handed starters. The over-the-fence pop is real but it’s challenging to envision enough playing time to make an impact outside of NL-only formats.

It’s a crushing blow for Means, who underwent surgery this week and is facing a lengthy rehabilitation process that could sideline him for most of next season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw never made it back to the majors this past season after spending the entire year working his way back from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. He became a free agent after the Guardians declined his $6 million club option for 2026.

Davis was universally-regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball roughly a half decade ago with the Cubs before injuries derailed his promising career. The 26-year-old outfielder, who has yet to ascend to the big leagues, fits the mold of a zero-risk flyer for the Mariners as extra outfield depth at Triple-A Tacoma. He .271/.364/.612 with 17 homers in 198 plate appearances, albeit with a lofty 28.8 percent strikeout rate, over 50 games at the Triple-A level this past season.