MLB Player News

Stewart will get an opportunity in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup to face Dodgers co-ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto after coming off the bench during the late stages of Tuesday’s series opener. The 21-year-old top prospect adds some serious thunder to the middle of the order in a win-or-go-home spot for the Reds after homering five times in 18 regular-season contests after being called up in early September. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Spencer Steer (LF), Gavin Lux (DH), Austin Hays (RF), Stewart (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Passan notes that the Brewers will receive left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan along with infielder David Hamilton in return. Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that the Red Sox will also get Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler and a competitive balance round B pick with Durbin. Durbin, who finished third in the voting for National League Rookie of the Year in 2025, slashed .256/.334/.387 with 11 homers, 53 RBI and 18 stolen bases over 506 plate appearances. He should step right in as the Red Sox’ starting third baseman.

Jeff Passan of ESPN adds that the deal includes a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season with a $1.5 million buyout. The Pirates have been trying all winter to add thump to the middle of their lineup and despite missing out on some of the bigger names available, they have done a nice job overall. Ozuna joins Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn as offseason additions that should drastically improve the Pirates’ offensive outlook. The 35-year-old slugger had a down year offensively in 2025, slashing .232/.355/.400 with 21 homers, 68 RBI and a 144/94 K/BB ratio over 592 plate appearances with the Braves, but clobbered 79 home runs and drove in 204 runs over the previous two seasons.

The 27-year-old slugger will also have the ability to make up to an extra $500,000 in incentives. The former top prospect has slashed a miserable .215/.297/.388 with 52 homers, 163 RBI and a 437/166 K/BB ratio over 1,652 plate appearances to begin his big league career. He’ll add some left-handed thump off of the Mets’ bench.

The 22-year-old hurler spent the 2025 season in the Braves’ organization where he compiled a troublesome 5.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 44/28 K/BB ratio over 43 innings between Single-A Augusta and the club’s Rookie League affiliate. He’ll add organizational pitching depth for the Cardinals.

The 26-year-old finds himself scrapping for playing time anywhere that he can find it after the Mets brought in Bo Bichette to be their regular third baseman. If Baty can show that he can adequately handle himself defensively in the outfield, it seems like that would be his clearest path to regular at-bats.

Akin filed at $3.375 million. He’s still doubling his 2024 salary of $1.475 million after a year in which he finished with a 3.41 ERA despite diminished peripherals. Akin had a 97/19 K/BB in 78 2/3 innings in 2024 but finished at 59/33 in 63 1/3 innings last year.

Rome added that the Red Sox and Pirates are among five legitimate suitors in the Paredes sweepstakes. With spring training kicking off next week it makes sense that Houston would attempt to resolve their existing corner infield logjam before the situation gets uncomfortable. With Carlos Correa taking over at the hot corner and Christian Walker’s albatross contract seemingly unmovable, Paredes lacks a clear role with the Astros heading into next season. His pull-centered approach would be an excellent fit in Fenway Park’s hitter-favorable dimensions although his lackluster defense at third base would adversely impact Boston’s pitching staff. Meanwhile, PNC Park is among the worst in the league for right-handed pull power, which would certainly diminish his fantasy appeal. There should be a resolution on the Paredes sweepstakes at some point in the coming days.

Phillies president Dave Dombroswki has routinely re-stocks the club’s relief cupboard with proven veteran arms at the Triple-A level with Trivino becoming the latest addition to fit that specific mold. The 34-year-old journeyman has plenty of high-leverage experience and actually finished last season with Philadelphia after making 37 appearances in the NL West between the Dodgers and Giants. He’ll compete for a spot in the Phillies bullpen during spring training.

Bañuelos heads to Minnesota as emergency catching depth behind starter Ryan Jeffers. The 29-year-old backstop got into two games for the Orioles over the past two seasons while spending most of his time at Triple-A Norfolk during that period. There’s a clearer path to regular playing time in a backup role with the Twins than most situations around the league, but he’s not a fantasy-relevant option.

Meyer was a popular late-round fantasy sleeper last spring and showed some flashes of big-time upside — most notably a 14-strikeout gem against the Reds last April — before struggling in his final few outings and undergoing season-ending hip surgery in mid-June. The mercurial 26-year-old former top prospect is tentatively penciled into Miami’s rotation mix with Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers no longer in the picture and shouldn’t have any limitation during his ramp-up process this spring. He’s a name to monitor closely during Grapefruit League outings, especially in deeper mixed leagues, given his strikeout upside. However, omnipresent health and performance question marks limit his appeal to a late-round dart throw at this stage of his career.