MLB Player News

Fabian Ardaya reports that the contract includes an invitation to spring training. Bote was last with the Cubs before the Cubs designated the 31-year-old for assignment in August. The 31-year-old could compete for one of the final spots on the Dodgers in the Cactus League, but more than likely he’ll just be organizational depth.

Mexico’s rotation is rather shaky, with Javier Assad, Taj Bradley, José Urquidy and Taijuan Walker likely the team’s best option to start, but the bullpen should be asset, with Robert Garcia and Victor Vodnik around to set up for Muñoz. The lineup is pretty solid too: CF Jarren Duran, LF Randy Arozarena, 1B Jonathan Aranda, C Alejandro Kirk, DH Rowdy Tellez, 2B Nick Gonzales, 3B Luis Urías, RF Alek Thomas/Alejandro Osuna and SS Joey Ortiz.

It’s hard to see how López was cleared when so many others ran into insurance issues, but the Twins have indicated that he was slated to be fully healthy this spring. Ranger Suárez and Eduardo Rodríguez should also be a part of Venezuela’s rotation. The lineup should look something like: RF Ronald Acuña Jr., CF Jackson Chourio, C William Contreras, 1B Willson Contreras, DH Salvador Perez, LF Wilyer Abreu, 3B Eugenio Suárez/Maikel Garcia, 2B Gleyber Torres/Luis Arraez, SS Andrés Giménez/Exequiel Tovar.

Díaz and Austin Wells was the expected catcher duo for the club, but something changed there. Even with José Ramírez available, Albert Pujols’ club has arguably the best lineup in the tournament: RF Fernando Tatis Jr., LF Juan Soto, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2B Ketel Marte, 3B Manny Machado, CF Julio Rodríguez, DH Junior Caminero, SS Jeremy Peña/Geraldo Perdomo, C Wells. The rotation isn’t great beyond Cristopher Sánchez, but the team is a definite top contender.

It’s difficult to reconcile Clase’s outstanding numbers with the idea that he was actually working against himself a fair amount of the time, but that’s the accusation here. Clase remains on non-disciplinary paid leave from MLB, and his trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 4.

It’ll be Goldschmidt’s third straight time on the roster, though the 38-year-old should be in a bit role this time as one of two free agents on Team USA. Of course, unlike Clayton Kershaw, he still might sign with a team before the tournament. The Yankees are believed to have considered bringing him back to face lefties.

We assumed France’s potential ability to eat innings at a minimum salary would make him attractive to non-contenders, especially since he has an option year left, but obviously no one thinks he’s a very good bet going forward after he returned from shoulder surgery last summer. He’ll stick with the Astros and head to camp as a non-roster player.

With Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo gone, the Orioles needed a utilityman, and Alexander can hit lefties and play quality defense. He spent a chunk of last year as the D-backs’ third baseman and finished at .230/.323/.383 in 266 plate appearances, albeit with an ugly 32% strikeout rate. Alexander figures to play second base over Jackson Holliday against tough lefties, and he could also log some outfield time if players get hurt. His departure from Arizona would seem to increase the chances of Jordan Lawlar breaking camp with the team, but we assume there’s still more to come from the Diamondbacks.

Despite strong strikeout rates, Strowd’s track record as a minor league reliever is pretty bad. However, he did muster a 1.71 ERA in 26 1/3 innings for the Orioles as a rookie last season. Strowd works at 94-98 mph with his fastball, but his low-90s cutter is his best pitch, making him about as effective against lefties as righties. He doesn’t project especially well going forward, but in a wide open Arizona pen, pretty much anyone who gets off to a good start could wind up closing for a time.

Kade Strowd will get top billing because he’s a major leaguer, but Aracena is probably the more important pickup in the Alexander trade. The Orioles got him from the Mets for Gregory Soto over the summer, and he wound up with a 2.25 ERA and a 114/51 K/BB in 92 innings, most of them in Low-A ball, between the two organizations. Aracena can reach triple-digits with his fastball and has a promising slider, as well. He might not be able to hold up as a starting pitcher, but he could turn out to be a closer someday.

Mejía, who received a $410,000 bonus to sign out of the Dominican Republic three years ago, made his U.S. debut last summer, hitting .274/.418/.411 with a 16/26 K/BB in 124 plate appearances in the Florida Complex League. We’re not sure if any power is on the way from the 20-year-old, but the approach is certainly nice. The Orioles mostly had him split time between second and third base.