MLB Player News

Rea allowed just two hits and struck out seven in one of his best showing in another quietly fine season; he ends up 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA and a 127/33 K/BB in 159 1/3 innings. As in 2024 when he was with the Brewers, his team is postseason bound, though he didn’t get to pitch last October. We’re guessing he’ll be on the Wild Card roster as a middle reliever, but it’s not assured, especially if the Cubs carry only 12 pitchers.

Martin, 39, had a 2.16 ERA for the Red Sox between 2023 and ’24 and the Red Sox wanted to bring him back last winter, but he decided he was going to pitch for one more year and wanted to finish up close to his home in Texas. Apparently, he’s reconsidered now, even though he ended the season on the shelf with thoracic outlet syndrome. Before that, Martin had a 2.98 ERA in 42 1/3 innings for the Rangers. There are probably several contenders that would be interested in bringing on board if he shows he’s healthy.

The saga continues. Sanó, who is somehow only 32 years old heading into next season, heads overseas following a sizzling-hot run in the Dominican Winter League where he’s clobbered nine homers in just 24 contests. He didn’t appear in the majors this past season after getting into 28 games for the Angels back in 2024. It’s fair to wonder if his major-league career is over, but we’ve seen more unlikely late-career comebacks before. The stratospheric over-the-fence pop remains intact and he’ll attempt to make some noise in Japan next year.

The trade is now official. It appears looks a bit lopsided on the surface with Collins coming off a fourth-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting and Mears providing steady middle relief last season. Zerpa heads to Milwaukee after posting a serviceable 3.97 ERA — 4.13 FIP — and 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 177 innings for Kansas City since 2021. If history is any guide, the Brewers must believe there’s more in the tank — and they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to squeezing value out of overlooked relief arms. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters that they’re open to considering the 26-year-old southpaw as a starter and have been trying to acquire him for a long time. The possibility that he’ll be stretched out as a starter provides some legitimate intrigue for fantasy purposes heading into next spring.

Collins lands in Kansas City as the kind of underrated hitter who quietly forces his way into relevance, providing the Royals with a versatile corner outfield option after slashing a robust .263/.368/.411 with nine homers and 16 stolen bases across 130 games for Milwaukee in his first taste of the majors to finish fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. The 28-year-old represents an intriguing low-risk addition for the Royals as a classic floor-raising position player capable of filling in across multiple spots.

It would be unfair to label Mears a throw-in, but he clearly profiles as the ancillary piece in the trade. The 29-year-old middle reliever is coming off the strongest season of his career where he finished with a 3.49 ERA — 3.86 FIP — across 56 2/3 innings. He’ll operate in middle relief for Kansas City and can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes.

Elko returns to Chicago a couple weeks after being non-tendered. The 26-year-old first baseman posted some impressive power numbers at the Triple-A level but flopped in his first taste of the majors, hitting .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances for the White Sox. He’ll be sidelined at the outset of next season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

Dunn bolsters Chicago’s infield depth and will compete for a reserve role during spring training. The 28-year-old infielder batted .167 (6-for-36) in 14 games for the Brewers this past season. He’s merely organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Kelly returns to fortify Arizona’s rotation mix that also features Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodríguez, Michael Soroka and, eventually, Corbin Burnes once he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old veteran was shipped to the Rangers at the trade deadline after the Diamondbacks fell out of playoff contention and finished last season with a strong 3.52 ERA — 3.76 FIP — and 22.3 percent strikeout rate across 184 innings over 32 starts. His familiarity with the NL West’s unforgiving ballparks is a quiet boost to his fantasy appeal, and his combination of elite control and durability keeps him in the top-60 starter range heading into drafts next spring after eclipsing 27 starts in five of the last six full seasons since 2019.

The Cardinals, who are in full rebuild mode, are seeking multiple prospects in return for the versatile 28-year-old. Where there’s this much smoke, there’s usually fire, so expect Donovan to be donning a new uniform by the time Opening Day rolls around.

Collins finished in fourth place in NL Rookie of the Year balloting this past season after slashing a healthy .263/.368/.411 with nine homers, 54 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 441 plate appearances. The door should be open for him to see everyday action with the Royals, which should boost his overall appeal for fantasy purposes. It seems like a lopsided deal on the surface, especially since Mears is coming off the best season of his career, posting a 3.49 ERA — 3.86 FIP — across 56 2/3 innings. It’s abundantly clear that Milwaukee sees something in Zerpa’s profile that made him a clear target. The 26-year-old southpaw boasts a serviceable 3.97 ERA — 4.13 FIP — and 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 177 innings in the big leagues since 2021.