MLB Player News

Thomson didn’t dismiss the possibility that Harper could be activated for Monday’s series opener against the Padres. It certainly sounds like he’ll be ready to return to Philadelphia’s lineup at some point in the coming days after progressing to taking on-field batting practice and going through his full pregame routine the last few days. The 32-year-old fantasy superstar has been out since early June recovering from right wrist inflammation.

No word on the exact financial terms. Tucker’s market is beginning to crystallize, as he’s reportedly weighing a short-term offer from the Mets that would pay roughly $50 million annually, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray, against the long-term security of a deal with the Blue Jays. The defending World Series champion Dodgers remain the true wild card in the Tucker sweepstakes. He’s the kind of hitter whose production travels — park, lineup, and league factors tend to bend around him rather than the other way around. The real decision here isn’t about fit so much as timing: whether it makes sense to circle back to free agency again in the near future or lock in the certainty of a long-term deal now, knowing his bat will almost certainly age well enough to justify either path.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters the deal is now official. The hard-throwing 34-year-old middle reliever fortifies St. Louis’ bullpen after recording an underwhelming 5.30 ERA — 4.40 FIP — 1.57 WHIP and 58/32 K/BB ratio across 56 innings for the Mets last year. He’s been a durable innings-eater, making 55 appearances or more in each of the past five seasons, and has some experience in high-leverage spots. He isn’t a threat to close with the Cardinals but it wouldn’t be shocking if he wound up vulturing the occasional save from Riley O’Brien or JoJo Romero.

Dean served as a late-game defensive replacement for the World Series champion Dodgers last postseason before being claimed off waivers by the division-rival Giants in early November. The speedy 29-year-old center fielder makes a ton of sense as a bench outfielder for the Cubs since he’s capable of handling all three spots in a pinch.

There are multiple pathways to a starting role for Wetherholt next season in the wake of Nolan Arenado being dealt to the Diamondbacks and with Brendan Donovan continuing to surface in trade rumors. The 23-year-old top prospect batted .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals in 109 games in the upper minors last season and could fit at either third base or second if St. Louis is willing to start his service-time clock and let him compete for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Wetherholt projects as an immediate five-category fantasy contributor with a chance to break camp as the Cardinals’ top-of-the-order table-setter. Nolan Gorman is the leading internal candidate to take over at third base, if Wetherholt opens the year back at Triple-A Memphis, though his persistent struggles against left-handed pitching remain an obstacle to everyday at-bats.

Hjelle’s wife’s accusations of spousal abuse over the summer never drew an official reaction from MLB, but the Giants cut him loose at season’s end and he obviously didn’t find much of a market as a free agent. The 28-year-old heads to Japan after posting a 5.11 ERA in 149 2/3 innings for the Giants these last four seasons.

Shugart, who was DFA’d last week, had a 3.40 ERA in 45 innings for the Pirates last season, though his peripherals weren’t very impressive; his K/BB was 31/17 and his groundball rate was only 33%. He does have an option year left, though, and the Phillies were surely attracted to that. Loreto, an 18-year-old signed out of Venezuela two years ago, wasn’t regarded as one of the Phillies’ better prospects. He hit .237/.332/.396 in 47 games in the Florida Complex League last season.

John Mincone first reported the offer. The Athletic’s Will Sammon earlier wrote that the Mets were offering $40 million-$47 million per season over three years. It’s unclear if they’ve upped that to $150 million total or if they’ll only do $50 million for one or two years. Regardless, it’s certainly starting to see like Tucker could make a decision this week. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are also known to be in the running.

This finalizes a deal that was agreed to on Friday. Ibáñez, who hit .239/.301/.352 for the Tigers last season, will probably get a spot on the Dodgers bench initially, though he might just be keeping a seat warm for Kiké Hernández, who is widely expected to be re-signed by the Dodgers and who is due to miss the first month or so after elbow surgery. Until then, Ibáñez figures to see starts at second and third versus left-handed pitchers.

Fitzgerald was just claimed from the Twins on Friday. That he made it all of the way to the Dodgers on waivers the first time around suggests that he’ll probably clear this time, unless maybe some other team wants him after taking note of the Dodgers’ interest.