MLB Player News

The ping pong balls came through for the Nationals as they secure the top selection in next year’s MLB Draft after having just 10 percent odds of landing the first overall pick. Washington hasn’t picked first overall since taking Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) in consecutive seasons. Oklahoma prep shortstop Ethan Holliday — son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday and brother of Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday — and Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette are among the top candidates for the first-overall selection next year. The biggest movers were the Mariners, who went from the second-lowest odds at less than one percent, jumping all the way to the third pick. The Marlins, who came into the lottery tied with the Rockies for the best odds to secure the first pick, fell all the way to seventh. Here are the complete lottery results: (1) Nationals, (2) Angels, (3) Mariners, (4) Rockies, (5) Cardinals, (6) Pirates, (7) Marlins, (8) Blue Jays, (9) Reds, (10) White Sox, (11) Athletics, (12) Rangers, (13) Giants, (14) Rays, (15) Red Sox, (16) Twins, (17) Cubs, (18) Diamondbacks.

Catcher is usually the weak link for the Dominican Republic on the position side, but Yainer Diaz and Wells will make for a solid duo this time around and things are even brighter going forward. Wells, whose mother is of Dominican descent, apparently got the nod over Agustín Ramírez. The D.R. used Francisco Mejia and Gary Sánchez behind the plate last time around in 2023. Come 2029, there’s a good chance Samuel Basallo will be the team’s primary catcher, with Cardinals prospect Rainiel Rodríguez also potentially in the mix.

Nittoli, a 35-year-old reliever, has been on the cusp of the majors for a long time without ever getting a real opportunity; he has a career 2.41 ERA in 18 2/3 innings in brief stints with the Mariners, Phillies, Mets, A’s and Orioles. Last year, he missed some time due to the injury and had a 4.58 ERA in 39 1/3 innings as a Triple-A reliever with the Orioles and Brewers.

García required back surgery a year ago that took him out of the mix for 2025, and now he’s choosing to call it a career at age 34. García made an All-Star team in 2017 while hitting .330/.380/.506 for the 2017 White Sox. It was easily his best year, but he was also a quality regular for the Rays in 2019 and the Brewers in 2021. After the latter season, the Marlins signed him to a four-year, $52 million deal that turned quickly went bad, and he was released 2 1/3 seasons into it after hitting just .217/.260/.322 in 153 games. He finishes his career at .263/.316/.417 with 140 homers in 1,104 games.

It’s a three-team deal that will send Mariners prospects Jurrangelo Cijinte and Tai Peete to the Cardinals, says Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, and third baseman Ben Williamson from the Mariners to the Rays, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. The Rays will be parting with outfielder Colton Ledbetter and a Comp B draft pick (slated to be the 72nd or 73rd pick overall). Donovan, who has been part of trade rumors all winter, seems likely to play third for Seattle with Williamson gone, though he’s also very much an option at second base and in left field. The Mariners would have the 2025 NL All-Star under control for the next two years.

Allard had a surprising 2.63 ERA in 65 innings (two starts, 31 relief appearances) for the Guardians last season, lowering his career mark from 5.99 to 5.34. He had just a 16% strikeout rate in the process, so there’s not really any reason to expect him to do it again. The Guardians, though, have a way of coaxing these kinds of results from journeymen.

The 27-year-old reliever was claimed off waivers from the Twins back in November. He posted a 2.86 ERA and 45/14 K/BB in his 44 innings at the Double-A and Triple-A levels before allowing one run in 7 2/3 innings in the big leagues to end the season. He was waived to make room on the 40-man roster for Yoan Moncada.

This deal was reported last week and is now official after Moncada passed a physical. The 30-year-old played in 84 games for the Angels last season, hitting .234/.336/.448 in 289 plate appearances. He will head into spring training as the favorite to start at third base, with Christian Moore battling Vaughn Grissom and Oswald Peraza for the second base job.

The Angels designated Meckler for assignment last week after claiming Kaleb Ort on waivers. Meckler was unclaimed, so he will remain in the Angels’ organization and have a chance for at-bats during the season after he hit .287/.390/.370 in Triple-A last year.

Once thought to be the White Sox’s third baseman of the future, Ramos has seen his stock drop the last two years, particularly after he hit .216/.309/.396 in Triple-A last season. He’s just turning 24 and the change of scenery might do him some good, but he’s out of options and it’s hard to see him landing a spot in Baltimore’s infield. Odds are that he’ll wind up being DFA’d again.

Wilson gets bumped three days after being claimed off waivers from the Phillies. He’s a fair 26th man playable against lefties, but at age 31, he’s already reached his ceiling.