MLB Player News

Choi will reportedly receive $3.5 million as part of a split contract, if he makes New York’s roster at any point this upcoming season. The 32-year-old first baseman posted a lackluster .624 OPS with six homers and 13 RBI in 117 plate appearances last year in an injury-plagued campaign split between the Pirates and Padres. He’s a long shot to unseat DJ Stewart and Mark Vientos for a spot on the Mets’ season-opening roster, but he could work his way into the club’s DH mix at some point.

Rosenthal, Lin and Sammon add that the Padres have shown interest in New York’s trio of top pitching prospects – Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat – while adding that superstars like Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. haven’t come up in negotiations. It would be a certifiable blockbuster if the two sides were able to agree to a deal involving any of these names but the real shocker would be McLean’s inclusion since he’s been viewed as virtually untouchable in any trade contest since breaking into the majors late last season. The Mets have a clear need for another established front-line starter and another high-leverage arm to pair with newly-added Devin Williams following Edwin Díaz’s departure to Los Angeles. It’s unclear how close the two sides are at this juncture with The Athletic’s report indicating that nothing appears close. However, fantasy managers should keep an eye on the developing situation.

Detroit continues fortifying their high-leverage mix with Jansen joining Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest as ninth-inning options for manager A.J. Hinch. The 38-year-old veteran enters next season just 24 saves shy of the 500 mark after converting 29 chances to accompany a strong 2.59 ERA — 3.98 FIP — and 24.4 percent strikeout rate across 59 innings for the Angels this past season. It’s a phenomenal landing spot from a fantasy perspective as Jansen projects as the clear favorite to handle closing duties with Finnegan and Vest positioned as contingency plans rather than true competition.

Heyman is the first to report the financial terms of the agreement, which surfaced earlier this week. The move comes as a bit of a surprise since the Marlins are bringing Morel in with the expectation that he’ll play first base next season, something he hasn’t done before. The 26-year-old possesses an interesting blend of talent and raw power but he’s struck out just a shade over 30 percent of the time in 1,770 plate appearances in the majors since 2022. He’s the textbook definition of a low-probability lottery ticket for Miami as they search for a solution at the cold corner.

Rodríguez recoded an impressive 1.64 ERA – 3.82 FIP – and 28.4 percent strikeout rate across 44 innings over 39 appearances across three levels in the Athletics’ system this past season. The 24-year-old reliever will presumably open next season back at Triple-A Las Vegas but could be in line to reach the big leagues in short order.

Rodríguez heads overseas in an effort to rebuild his long-term value after posting a catastrophic 9.15 ERA – 8.47 FIP – and 18/7 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings over seven appearances (two starts) between the Brewers and Orioles this past season. The 27-year-old finished the year in the Diamondbacks’ system before they decided to decline his club option for 2026. There’s a chance he returns to the majors at some point down the road.

Reynolds heads to Japan a couple weeks after being non-tendered by the Padres to attempt to bolster his long-term value after posting a serviceable 4.03 ERA – 4.14 FIP – and 27.7 percent strikeout rate over 38 innings across 28 appearances for San Diego over the last two seasons. The 27-year-old righty has pitched exclusively in relief since being drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Rosario returns to New York in a bench role after slashing .276/.309/.436 with six homers, 23 RBI and one steal in 62 games between the Nationals and Yankees this past season. The 30-year-old veteran offers ample defensive versatility, logging time between four different positions last year, but he’s strictly a lefty-mashing platoon option at this stage of his career. He’ll presumably split time at the hot corner with Ryan McMahon next season. There’s minimal mixed-league fantasy appeal, though he retains some usefulness in AL-only formats — particularly daily leagues where his matchups against southpaws can be exploited.

Polanco makes a ton of sense as a short-term first base and DH stopgap option for the Mets in the aftermath of losing middle-of-the-order force Pete Alonso to the Orioles earlier this week. Durability will always be the caveat — chronic knee issues have limited him at an average of just 118 games per season over the last four years — but last year’s resurgence with the Mariners was real, as he produced a robust .821 OPS with 26 homers and six steals across 138 games. With eligibility at second base, one of the thinnest positions in the fantasy landscape, Polanco quietly carries late-round intrigue thanks to his counting-stats upside in New York’s strong lineup.

Shuster has presumably been cut loose to pursue an opportunity to pitch overseas after being jettisoned from the Athletics’ 40-man roster last month. The 27-year-old southpaw has posted a recorded an underwhelming 5.27 ERA — 4.70 FIP — and 15.5 percent strikeout rate across 141 2/3 innings over 62 appearances (17 starts) between the White Sox and Braves dating back to 2023.

Stevens heads to Colorado as extra middle infield depth entering next year after going 2-for-13 with seven strikeouts during his first taste of big-league action with the Angels this past season. The 26-year-old shortstop batted .290/.375/.480 with 18 homers and 20 steals in 528 plate appearances over 126 games at the Triple-A level in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this past season.