MLB Player News

The crown jewel of Tampa Bay’s prospect haul from the Astros as part of a three-team swap that also included the Pirates, Melton struggled in his first taste of the big leagues this past season during a brief 32-game cameo where he batted .157 (11-for-70) with 29 strikeouts. Still, the Rays clearly view the 25-year-old as their long-term answer in center field, with veteran Cedric Mullins signed to a one-year deal as a temporary bridge. Neander added that Melton is not terribly far off and will have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Rays’ season-opening roster next spring. He boasts an enticing power-speed profile for fantasy purposes and his immediate path to playing time feels more likely in the outfield corners which are occupied by Chandler Simpson and Josh Lowe for now. The move to Tampa Bay offering a clean reset — positioning him as a potential core piece of a younger roster rather than a fringe component behind Houston’s veteran-heavy group. He checks in as a borderline top-100 dynasty outfielder with the athleticism and upside to take a meaningful leap if everything clicks in spring training.

Scott fell off the map completely this past season, getting lit up for a calamitous 7.90 ERA — 6.32 FIP — across 24 appearances between the Astros and Diamondbacks this past season. The unexpected implosion came after posting a career-best 2.23 ERA across 68 2/3 innings for Houston during the 2024 campaign. The 33-year-old journeyman represents a low-risk depth addition for Atlanta in the event they can help him re-discover his previous form. He’ll compete for a bullpen role in spring training.

Lavastida bolsters the Athletics’ catching depth behind starter Shea Langeliers and veteran journeyman Austin Wynns. The 27-year-old former prospect appeared in six games for the Guardians back in 2023 and hasn’t been back to the majors ever since. He’s merely an emergency depth addition at this juncture.

The Pirates made Siani the 37th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft but he never reached Pittsburgh, topping out at Triple-A Indianapolis this past season where he batted .261/.337/.424 with four homers and three steals in 104 plate appearances over 25 games. The change of scenery is the wild card variable, but it seems unlikely he’ll morph into an impact fantasy contributor at this stage of his development. The 25-year-old is likely ticketed for Triple-A Tacoma after spring training.

Kloffenstein didn’t reach the majors with the Blue Jays after coming over from the Cardinals last offseason. The 25-year-old former third-round pick made one relief appearance for the Cardinals back in 2024 and posted a lackluster 6.30 FIP and 23.9 percent strikeout rate across 82 innings over 19 appearances at the Triple-A level this past season. He’s a low-risk depth addition for the Yankees.

Corona heads to New York after being removed from Houston’s 40-man roster at the outset of the offseason. The 25-year-old former prospect got into three contests for the Astros in early July before spending the rest of the year at Triple-A Sugar Land, finishing with a lackluster .220/.308/.326 slash line with seven homers and 18 steals across 433 plate appearances in 121 games. His prospect star burned a lot brighter a couple seasons ago, but he’s a decent low-risk depth addition for the Yankees and will likely head to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre once spring training wraps up.

Leibrandt holds an underwhelming 6.44 FIP and 11.8 percent strikeout rate across 15 1/3 big-league innings from 2020-2024. The 33-year-old southpaw spent last season in the Yankees’ system, compiling a 2.85 ERA — 4.62 FIP — 1.12 WHIP and 37/14 K/BB ratio across 41 innings at the Triple-A level. He made two relief appearances for Cincinnati back in 2024 and should have a chance to compete for a bullpen role in spring training.

Olivarez fortifies Kansas City’s left-handed relief depth heading into spring training after spending last year in the Giants’ minor-league system. The 25-year-old southpaw was a somewhat notable prospect with the Rockies a couple years ago when he was added to their 40-man roster, but has yet to ascend to the big leagues. He compiled a pedestrian 5.84 ERA and 46/43 K/BB ratio across 37 innings over 34 appearances in the upper minors last year. He’s a low-risk depth addition and will likely open up at Triple-A Omaha next season.

Carlson represents the latest lottery ticket addition for the Astros as they throw metaphorical darts at their bullpen depth chart. The 27-year-old former starter has yet to reach the big leagues after the Mariners made his a second-round selection in the 2017 MLB Draft. The 27-year-old posted a serviceable 4.44 FIP and 78/36 K/BB ratio across 59 2/3 innings over 45 appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers’ system this past season. He’s likely to wind up at Triple-A Sugar Land at the conclusion of spring training.

English joins Atlanta’s outfield mix after going 2-for-22 with one RBI in seven games during a brief stint with the Diamondbacks this past season. The 28-year-old finally reached the big leagues after six seasons in Arizona’s system. He’s merely a depth addition for Atlanta at this stage of his career.