MLB

It’s unlikely that the Nationals make many (if any) impact additions to their starting rotation this winter, so it sounds like you can pencil Williams into one of those final starts barring any drastic changes. The 31-year-old hurler went 6-10 with a disappointing 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP — and he served up 34 home runs over 144 1/3 innings during the 2023 season.

The 23-year-old hit .266/.304/.384 with nine homers, 50 RBI and nine stolen bases in 482 plate appearances with the Nationals during the 2023 season. In all likelihood, this is a motivational tactic and he’ll wind up back as their regular second baseman, he’ll just have to actually go out and earn the job with his performance on the field in the spring.

Wow, thanks for the update now skip. He also failed to give any additional information on the type of injury, how Meneses is doing now, and whether or not he’ll require any additional treatment. Perhaps that played a role in his power outage in 2023. Martinez did say that Meneses will see time at first base and at designated hitter in 2024, so there’s that at least.

James McArthur finished the 2023 campaign in the role — and some fantasy managers were hopeful that he’d be given the first shot at the gig heading into 2024 — but it sounds like he’s going to have to earn it. Quatraro also added that the Royals are “actively trying to find guys that are quality relievers”. So don’t be surprised if they try to add an arm or two from the middle tier of free agent relievers this winter — think of one-year rental that they can flip at the trade deadline types.

A lot can change between now and the regular season, but this was also the same sentiment offered by Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes earlier in the offseason. Lux is coming off a torn ACL and MCL and was unable to play in any games in 2023 at any level. The 26-year-old slashed .276/.346/.399 in 129 games in 2022 with six home runs, 66 runs scored, 43 RBI, and seven steals. He still has a lot to prove at the MLB level, but he was the Dodgers’ top prospect for a couple of years and has the upside to be a difference-maker in fantasy baseball if he can hold onto the starting job.

While it was never a question that Betts would be a starter in 2024, there was some doubt as to where he would play. The 31-year-old had been a full-time outfielder since Boston converted him from middle infield prior to making his MLB debut in 2014. As a big leaguer, Betts had only appeared in 30 games at 2B in his first eight seasons before starting 62 games there for the Dodgers in 2023. He graded out just below average with a -1 Outs Above Average despite putting up an Outs Above Average of 2 in center field and -1 in right field. Roberts suggested that moving Betts to second base would provide some relief for Mookie, physically, and give him a better chance to be in the lineup as much as possible. With Betts locked in at 2B in 2024, that should be good news for James Outman’s playing time, as well as the potential playing time for newly re-signed outfielder Jason Heyward.

Roberts went on to mention that the only question is the timing and what team Kershaw will pitch for. Earlier in the offseason, Kershaw underwent a procedure to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and his left shoulder capsule, so he will miss the first few months of the season at minimum. Roberts and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman have both spoken publicly this offseason about wanting Kershaw back in L.A., and while a reunion does appear likely, it’s not a sure thing at this point in the offseason. We wouldn’t expect any word on Kershaw’s future for another few weeks at least.

The Phillies had signed Thomson to a two-year extension after the 2022 season, so this will now add one more year to his contract with the team. Earlier this offseason, the Phillies also extended their hitting coach Kevin Long to a contract through 2025. Thomson took over the Phillies top coaching job in the middle of 2022 after the team dismissed Joe Girardi. The team went 65-46 under his leadership to close the season and made the World Series before losing 4-2 to the Astros. They then won 90 games this year and lost in the NLCS to the Diamondbacks. Thomson previously spent 15 seasons as a coach between the Yankees and Phillies.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds the deal includes a $7 million salary for 2024 to go along with a $12 million mutual option for 2025 and a $1.5 million buyout. Miley turned down a $10 million mutual option earlier in the offseason, but he could eclipse that figure, if his 2025 option is picked up. The 37-year-old lefty had a solid season in 2023 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 79/38 K/BB ratio across 120 1/3 innings for the Brewers. With Brandon Woodruff no longer in the picture, and trade rumors swirling around ace Corbin Burnes, Miley figures to be a safe innings-eater at the back of the Brewers’ rotation in 2024.

The deal is pending a physical. Ross pitched 14 innings in the minor leagues last year after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery back in 2022. The 30-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2021, when he threw 108 innings for the Nationals with a 4.17 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 23.7 percent strikeout rate. Ross was reportedly averaging 95.9 mph on his sinker in his three Triple-A games in 2023, which would be a career high by almost two mph. The Brewers clearly saw enough in that minor league sample to offer Ross a major league deal, but there’s no word yet on whether he’ll be given a chance to battle for a spot in the rotation or will be used out of the bullpen.