MLB Player News

It’s a three-year, $54 million deal with easily reached bonuses that will net Imai an extra $3 million per season if he stays relatively healthy (he needs only to reach 100 innings each year). It includes opt outs after each season, so Imai will probably head right back to free agency if he performs as a rookie. The Astros needed to replace Framber Valdez, and Imai is plenty intriguing while coming off a season in which he posted a 1.92 ERA and a 178/45 K/BB in 163 2/3 innings for the Seibu Lions. The 27-year-old throws in the mid-90s and mixes in sliders and splitters from a low arm angle. With his command having taken a big step forward, he projects as a fine middle-of-the-rotation starter in MLB, though he’ll probably be a better bet in year two than in 2026.

Gambadoro is quick to note that there’s no deal close between the two sides and that the Diamondbacks are interested in other first baseman as well. It seems like they’re not content to enter the season with Pavin Smith as the unquestioned starter at the position. Santana, who will turn 40-years-old in April, slashed a meager .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers, 54 RBI and seven stolen bases in 474 plate appearances between the Guardians and Cubs in 2025.

The deal also includes a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season. The 34-year-old slugger previously played for the Reds from 2015-2021. He clobbered 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs in 657 plate appearances between the Diamondbacks and Mariners in 2025 despite slashing an underwhelming .228/.298/.526. His arrival could push Sal Stewart out of an everyday role to start the season.

After a pair of productive seasons with the Rays, Siri had a rough 2025 campaign with the Mets, slashing .063/.167/.125 with zero homers, one RBI and a 17/4 K/BB ratio in 36 plate appearances and missing several months with a fractured tibia. If he finds his way into regular playing time with the Angels, his intriguing blend of power and speed makes him an interesting late-round option from a fantasy perspective.

The 32-year-old southpaw spent the 2025 season pitching for the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization. There, he compiled a 4.48 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 128/79 K/BB ratio over 144 2/3 innings in his 28 starts. He’ll add pitching depth for the World Champions.

Iriarte, 24, spent the majority of the 2025 season at Triple-A Charlotte where he posted a 7.24 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and a 48/37 K/BB ratio over 46 innings of work. There’s a decent chance that he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the White Sox.

The White Sox needed to clear a couple of spots on their 40-man roster after acquiring Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin from the Red Sox on Sunday and unfortunately for Romo he was left on the outside of that roster bubble. The 24-year-old backstop has already been claimed three times off of waivers this winter — by the Orioles, Mets and White Sox — so there’s a good chance that he’ll be on the move again in the next few days.

If it seems like a lopsided deal on the surface, it’s because it’s basically a salary dump for the Red Sox who are getting out from $16 million or so of the $25 million that’s remaining on Hicks’ contract over the next two seasons. We’ll wait and see how the players to be named later shake out. Ziehl, 22, was acquired by the White Sox in last season’s deadline deal that sent Austin Slater to the Yankees. He registered a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 90/19 K/BB ratio over 107 innings across three minor league levels in 2025. The Red Sox had conversations about acquiring Jordan Leasure instead but ultimately thought that Ziehl was too good to pass up.

By taking on around $16 million in salary from Hicks in the trade, the White Sox were able to get a much better prospect in return. Sandlin, 24, made 32 appearances (14 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2025, compiling a 4.50 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 107/40 K/BB ratio across 106 innings of work. He should pitch out of the White Sox’ rotation at some point during the 2026 campaign.

As reported earlier, Hicks will head to the White Sox in a salary dump by the Red Sox. The Red Sox are reportedly sending $8 million to the White Sox in the deal, meaning that the White Sox will take on around $16 million that’s still owed to Hicks over the next two seasons. The 29-year-old hurler has struggled through injury and ineffectiveness over the past two seasons, but when he’s right, he has proven to be a capable high-leverage bullpen arm. He’s likely to function in a setup role in front of new closer Seranthony Dominguez.

It’s a salary dump more than anything else for the Red Sox. Hicks is owed $25 million over the next two seasons and they’ll send the White Sox $8 million to help pay that down. They’ll also send them pitching prospect David Sandlin. Ziehl, 22, was acquired by the White Sox from the Yankees at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for Austin Slater. He posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 90/19 K/BB ratio over 107 innings across three minor league levels in 2025.