Rangers Searching For Catcher Depth For 2024

The Texas Rangers will enter spring training with only one of their three main catchers from 2023, with that being starter Jonah Heim. General manager Chris Young said, "We need to keep him healthy and manage his workload." The 28-year-old All-Star slashed .258/.317/.438 with 18 home runs and 95 RBI in 131 games, 124 of […]

Tucker Barnhart, Jose Herrera To Compete For Backup Catcher Role

Newly-signed catcher Tucker Barnhart will reportedly compete with 26-year-old Jose Herrera to serve as the backup catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, per MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. While Gabriel Moreno has the starting spot, it is not yet determined who will serve as the backup, and the team could even bring in another backstop to add into […]

Giants Searching For More Power In Lineup

San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi mentioned several potential avenues for replacing the power in their lineup lost from trading outfielder Mitch Haniger, per MLB's Maria Guardado. One was to bring in another outfielder with pop, as newly-signed outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is known more for his contact skills. Zaidi also mentioned […]

Los Angeles Prosecutors Decline To Charge Julio Urias With Felony

Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file felony charges against free-agent starting pitcher Julio Urias in connection with his September arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, per the Orange County Register. Urias was placed on administrative leave by MLB shortly after the incident while he was on the Dodgers. The case has instead been referred to […]

Dylan Lesko Tabbed As Breakout Prospect Of 2024

MLB's 2024 MLB Pipeline Poll, which asks front-office executives from all 30 organizations for their opinions on prospects, named San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Lesko as the breakout prospect of 2024. The 20-year-old righty was the team's first-round pick in 2022, but he did not pitch competitively until June 2023 because he had Tommy […]

Colt Emerson A Dynasty Name To Remember

MLB's 2024 MLB Pipeline Poll, which asks front-office executives from all 30 organizations for their opinions on prospects, named Seattle Mariners middle infielder Colt Emerson as the most underrated prospect. The 2023 first-round pick slashed .302/.436/.444 in 79 plate appearances with Single-A Modesto as a 17-year-old. While he is not in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 […]

Mets "Actively Trying" To Trade For Starting Pitching

MLB's Mark Feinsand reported Monday that New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is "actively trying" to trade for starting pitching this offseason. While the team has already made a few moves to bolster their rotation, they do not seem to be in the running for any remaining free agents but have recently […]

Shoto Imanaga Signing "Pointing To The Giants"

MLB's Mark Feinsand reported Monday that the signing of free-agent Japanese starting pitcher Shoto Imanaga "is all pointing to the [San Francisco] Giants." The Nippon Professional Baseball veteran's posting period expires on Thursday, and while the Red Sox, Cubs, and Angels have been mentioned as potential finalists, sources seem to suggest that the Giants have […]

Padres, Woo Suk Go Close To Deal

The San Diego Padres and KBO relief pitcher Woo Suk Go are reportedly close to signing a deal, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The 25-year-old has served as the closer for the South Korean baseball champions LG Twins since 2019, racking up 139 saves over five seasons. He missed some time in 2023 due to […]

Diamondbacks, Tucker Barnhart Agree To Minor-League Deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent catcher Tucker Barnhart agreed to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invite to spring training, per FanSided's Robert Murray. The 32-year-old veteran slashed just .202/.285/.257 with one home run and nine RBI in 123 plate appearances last season with the Cubs. However, Barnhart brings defensive prowess with him, having […]

Mariners In On Dylan Cease?

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that the Seattle Mariners could be a potential trade destination for Chicago White Sox right-handed starter Dylan Cease. The 28-year-old's name has been at the center of trade talks this offseason, and while the Baltimore Orioles have been one of the teams popping up more frequently, Morosi said the […]

Red Sox Have Had "Consistent Communication" With James Paxton

The Boston Red Sox have had "consistent communication" with free-agent starting pitcher James Paxton, per MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. While a reunion with the veteran lefty is possible, it is not currently a certainty. The 35-year-old made 19 starts with the Red Sox in 2023, going 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and a […]

Red Sox "Remain Engaged" With Lucas Giolito

The Boston Red Sox have "remained engaged" with free-agent starting pitcher Lucas Giolito along with many other clubs, per MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. Despite his proven upside, the 29-year-old posted his second consecutive poor season with the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians, going 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 25.7% strikeout rate in 33 […]

Dodgers, Angels, Red Sox Interested In Teoscar Hernandez

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shown renewed interest in free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, while the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox have recently shown interest. The 31-year-old slugger took a step back in the power department in 2023 with the Mariners but still slashed a respectable .258/.305/.435 with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, and […]

White Sox, Martin Maldonado Reportedly Agree To One-Year Deal

The Chicago White Sox have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal plus an option with veteran free-agent catcher Martin Maldonado. The team has not confirmed the deal. Known for his defensive prowess and pitching management, the 37-year-old spent the last six seasons with the Astros and owns a career .207/.282/.349 slash line over 13 seasons. […]

Giants Looking Into Trade Market For Shortstop

The San Francisco Giants are reportedly looking at the trade market to fill their needs at shortstop, SF Chronicle's Susan Slusser reported Monday. The team has seemingly parted ways with long-time starter Brandon Crawford. They also have prospect Marco Luciano who slashed just .231/.333/.308 in 45 plate appearances last season. The team recently signed catcher […]

Angels "Have Had Recent Dialogue" With Blake Snell

The Los Angeles Angeles "have had recent dialogue" with free-agent starting pitcher Blake Snell, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi. It is expected that the 2022 National League Cy Young winner will wait for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to sign before making his own free-agent decision. However, the Angels are not expected to be involved in the Yamamoto […]

Red Sox Hire Dillon Lawson As Hitting Coordinator

The Boston Red Sox hired Dillon Lawson as a hitting coordinator Monday, per The Athletic's Brendan Kuty. Lawson had served as the New York Yankees' primary hitting coach from the start of the 2022 season through the middle of last season, at which time the team released him amid major offensive struggles. While the Yankees […]

Kyle Hart Signs With NC Dinos In KBO

Free-agent starting pitcher Kyle Hart signed with the NC Dinos of the KBO on Monday, per NY Post's Jon Heyman. The deal is worth $900,000. The 31-year-old lefty spent the majority of the 2023 season with the Mariners' Triple-A Tacoma, making 18 starts with a 4.58 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 22.1% strikeout rate. Most of […]

Yankees To Be Aggressive In Bolstering Pitching Staff

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday that the New York Yankees will be aggressive in adding to their pitching staff this offseason regardless of whether they sign top free-agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto would be a significant addition to improve their rotation, but the team could still benefit from additional support given recent trades as well […]

Cooper Criswell Signs Major-League Deal With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox and pitcher Cooper Criswell agreed to a one-year, major-league deal Tuesday, per Boston Globe's Alex Speier. The 27-year-old will make a guaranteed $1 million. Criswell spent time mostly as a starter with Triple-A Durham and as a reliever with the Rays in 2023, compiling a 3.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 21.6% […]

Endy Rodriguez To Miss 2024 Season Due To Elbow Surgery

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (elbow) will miss the 2024 season due to UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow and a repair of his right flexor tendon, per MLB.com's Jake Crouse. The Pirates stated that the 23-year-old initially sustained an injury in mid-November during a Dominican winter league with Estrellas Orientales. Rodriguez was one […]

Jeter Downs Designated For Assignment Tuesday

Washington Nationals infielder Jeter Downs was designated for assignment Tuesday, per MLB.com's Jessica Camerato. The move came to make room on the 40-man roster for recently-signed relief pitcher Dylan Floro. The 25-year-old Downs was a former top shortstop prospect for the Boston Red Sox, but he spent most of his time in 2023 with the […]

Dodgers Reportedly Targeting Josh Hader

Despite recently making a massive signing of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow), the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly targeting top free-agent closer Josh Hader, per Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. The salary deferrals in Ohtani's contract may allow the Dodgers to bring in one or several top-tier additional players. Hader had an excellent bounce-back 2023 season […]

Mets To Pursue Blake Snell If Yoshinobu Yamamoto Signs Elsewhere

The New York Mets will reportedly target free-agent starting pitcher Blake Snell if they do not end up signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. While Yamamoto is the team's top pitching target, his high intrigue and potentially hefty deal could result in the Mets not landing him. Snell is the reigning National League Cy Young winner […]

Shohei Ohtani Deal, Further Details Officially Announced Monday

The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced their 10-year, $700 million deal with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) on Monday. According to MLB's Mark Feinsand, Ohtani will be deferring $68 million of his $70 million average salary over the life of the contract. The $680 million in deferrals will begin in 2034 and carry through 2043. […]

Payton Henry Reportedly Signs With Blue Jays

Free-agent catcher Payton Henry posted on his X account Monday that he has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 26-year-old has not seen consistent big-league time to this point in his career but did have a successful offensive 2023 season with the Brewer's Triple-A Nashville, slashing .294/.341/.454 with nine home runs and 35 RBI […]

Cardinals Bolster Pitching Coaching Staff For 2024

The St. Louis Cardinals finalized their major-league coaching staff for 2024 on Monday afternoon and will add former relief pitcher Dean Kiekhefer as an assistant pitching coach, among other additions. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak and manager Oliver Marmol said this offseason that they planned to add to the pitching side of the coaching […]

Yankees, Dodgers To Meet With Yoshinobu Yamamoto This Week

Free-agent starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to meet with both the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers this upcoming week. The 25-year-old KBO star was scheduled to meet with Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, and pitching coach Matt Blake on Monday in Los Angeles. […]

Orioles "Seriously Engaged" With Craig Kimbrel

The Baltimore Orioles have been "seriously engaged" with free-agent relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, MLB Network's Joel Sherman reported Tuesday. The O's will be without their All-Star closer Felix Bautista (elbow) in 2024 while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. While the team does have several late-inning relievers, a player with Kimbrel's career numbers could help […]