MLB Player News

It doesn’t look all that interesting in the box score, but this one was scary. Bednar nearly gave up a two-run homer to Jake Bauers, but the ball went just foul. Caleb Durbin, who had a leadoff single, was caught stealing afterwards because he overslid the bag. Bauers then walked, but the Brewers went quietly from there. Bednar has gone 13 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. He’ll probably be down Tuesday after working back-to-back days, so Dennis Santana might get a save then.

The deal has yet to be officially announced as the 31-year-old right-hander still needs to pass his physical. Harvey was limited to just 12 appearances during the 2025 campaign due to recurring adductor and shoulder issues. When healthy though, he has proven to be a weapon at the back end of any bullpen and he should find himself in a setup role in front of closer Daniel Palencia.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier this offseason that Brett Baty would get the majority of playing time at third base in 2026, but it’s noteworthy that Mauricio is being used exclusively at third in the winter leagues. He’s a player who has played shortstop, second base, and outfield as well, so the Mets may be looking to position him as the primary competition for Baty at third base.

The deal, which was agreed upon on Wednesday, is finally official after the 32-year-old right-hander passed his physical. The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus and Fairbanks will have the potential to pick up an additional $1 million in incentives. He’ll step in as the Marlins’ closer after recording 75 saves over the past three seasons with the Rays.

Burgos, 23, spent the first seven years of his minor league career in the Guardians’ organization. He spent the entire 2025 campaign at Double-A Akron where he slashed an underwhelming .206/.295/.386 with 14 homers, 73 RBI and a 95/43 K/BB ratio over 407 plate appearances. He’ll add depth in the upper minors for the Jays.

The 28-year-old hurler split his 2025 season between the Rangers and Brewers organizations where he compiled a 4.94 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and a 55/28 K/BB ratio over 51 innings at the Double-A level. He’ll add minor league bullpen depth for the Yankees.

The Pirates have been mentioned as the favorites to land the 29-year-old third baseman, but it sounds like there are other teams in the mix as well. Okamoto slashed a healthy .322/.411/.581 with 27 homers and 83 RBI in 611 plate appearances with the Yomiuri Giants in 2025. He has until January 4 to sign with an MLB team.

Romero notes that the Angels, Pirates, White Sox and Blue Jays have all inquired on the veteran infielder. The former top prospect spent the 2025 season with the Halos where he slashed .234/.336/.448 with 12 long balls, 35 RBI and a 75/32 K/BB ratio across 289 plate appearances in his 84 games. Wherever he ultimately signs, it’s likely to be in a reserve role and Moncada won’t have much value from a fantasy perspective.

It’s a split contract for the 28-year-old hurler, who will earn a larger salary if he cracks the Guardians’ roster at any point during the 2026 campaign. Avila spent the 2025 season pitching for the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. There, he registered a 3.33 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 74/42 K/BB ratio across 102 2/3 innings in 21 appearances.

Burleson figures to move to the cold corner full-time next season after the Cardinals shipped Willson Contreras to the Red Sox earlier this week. The 27-year-old hit .279/.328/.439 with 39 homers, 147 RBI and 14 steals in 291 games over the past two seasons. He’s a decent bet to reach the 20-homer plateau with double-digit steals and a respectable batting average. That makes him a borderline mixed-league starter at first base, especially in deeper formats, heading into drafts next spring.

There was no avenue for Myers to play regularly next season in Miami with Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee emerging as core building blocks and Griffin Conine coming back from shoulder surgery. The 29-year-old, who posted a pedestrian .617 OPS with six homers and 19 steals over 333 plate appearances across 106 games for the Marlins last season, provides the Reds with a decent insurance policy behind center fielder TJ Friedl. He’ll enter spring training in competition with Will Benson and JJ Bleday for a corner-outfield role, with a bench assignment the most probable outcome.