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 […]

Giants Interested In Jung Hoo Lee

The San Francisco Giants are among the teams that heavily scouted free-agent outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and could attempt to sign him to bolster their outfield, per MLB's Maria Guardado. The 25-year-old has a .340 career batting average over his seven seasons in the KBO and slashed .318/.406/.455 with six home runs and 45 RBI […]

Martin Maldonado Drawing Interest From Several Teams

Free-agent veteran catcher Martin Maldonado is drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, and Chicago White Sox, per the Athletic's Chandler Rome. The 37-year-old spent the last four full seasons with the Astros. However, the team reportedly signed Victor Caratini Tuesday, which would suggest there will not be a reunion […]

Astros Reportedly Sign Victor Caratini To Two-Year Deal

The Houston Astros reportedly signed free-agent catcher Victor Caratini to a two-year, $12 million deal Tuesday, per MLB's Theo DeRosa. The team has not confirmed the deal. The Astros needed a backup catcher to Yainer Diaz with Martin Maldonado also a free agent and will seemingly turn to the 30-year-old Caratini. Caratini served as the […]

Marco Gonzales Traded To Pirates

The Atlanta Braves traded newly-acquired starting pitcher Marco Gonzales and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later. The Braves acquired the left-handed veteran from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night as part of a deal for outfielder Jared Kelenic. Gonzales will now slot into a […]

Yankees Acquire Alex Verdugo In Four-Player Trade

The Boston Red Sox traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to the division-rival New York Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for three right-handed pitchers, the most notable being 23-year-old right-hander Richard Fitts. The 27-year-old Verdugo fulfills the Yankees' search for a left-handed bat. Verdugo finished 2023 as a Gold Glove finalist while slashing .264/.324/.421 with 13 home […]

Shohei Ohtani, Blue Jays Believed To Have Met Monday

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Monday that it is believed that free-agent superstar Shohei Ohtani met with Toronto Blue Jays club officials at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida. While an official timetable for Ohtani's signing decision is unknown, previous reporting suggested that he was expected to make a decision within the week. […]

Rays Simply "Listening" To Trade Talk For Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes

Tampa Bay Rays baseball operations president Erik Neander said Monday, "I would very much classify anything as listening," referring to trade talks related to key players other than starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow. This includes outfielder Randy Arozarena and infielder Isaac Paredes, whose names have popped up in trade rumors this offseason. While Glasnow is due […]

Orioles Among Teams Interested In Dylan Cease

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday that the Baltimore Orioles are among the teams that have talked with the Chicago White Sox about starting pitcher Dylan Cease. General manager Mike Elias said, "I'm hopeful that this pitching staff will look stronger at the end of the offseason than it did a month ago." The O's […]

White Sox, Mets Top Contenders For Erick Fedde

The Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets appear to be the top two teams interested in free-agent starting pitcher Erick Fedde, MLB's Mark Feinsand reported Monday. The 30-year-old is coming off a fabulous 2023 season with KBO's NC Dinos, going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 29.5% strikeout rate. A deal, […]

Dodgers "Among Most Aggressive" Teams For Dylan Cease

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that more than a dozen teams have inquired about Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are "among the most aggressive." The Dodgers' current starting rotation contains some young, exciting players but is much shallower than it has been in some time. They also […]

Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto "Above All Other Options" For Giants

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that acquiring one of free-agent two-way star Shohei Ohtani and top free-agent starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a priority "above all other options this offseason" for the San Francisco Giants. The Giants had a disappointing 2023 season, finishing in fourth place in the National League West with a 79-83 […]

Juan Soto "Almost Certain To Be Traded"

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that San Diego Padres superstar outfielder Juan Soto is "almost certain to be traded" this offseason. Rosenthal cited the team's current payroll issues and lack of pitching as reasons for a trade. The 25-year-old is entering his final year of team control and is projected to make $33 million […]

Cody Bellinger Earns NL Comeback Player Of The Year Award

Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the 2023 National League Comeback Player of the Year Tuesday. After winning the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year Award and the 2019 NL MVP, the 28-year-old struggled mightily offensively through the 2020 through 2022 seasons. However, he looked like his old self in 2023 with the Cubs, […]

Liam Hendriks Earns AL Comeback Player Of The Year Award

Free-agent relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) was named the 2023 American League Comeback Player of the Year Tuesday. The recognition was very fitting for the 34-year-old, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last December but went into remission and made five appearances during the 2023 season in May and June with the White Sox. Unfortunately, […]

Jason Heyward Reportedly Re-Signs With Dodgers Monday

Free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward and the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal Monday, per MLB.com's Juan Toribio. The deal is pending a physical and the club has not confirmed the agreement. The 34-year-old veteran had a resurgent offensive 2023 season with the Dodgers, slashing .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and […]

Several Teams Showing Interest In Shane Bieber

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that "several teams have been showing interest" in trading for Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber. Morosi thinks trade interest in the 28-year-old could pick up after the Winter Meetings. Bieber has one year of team control remaining, and while he did miss time in 2023 with right elbow […]

Could Dodgers Sign Shohei Ohtani And Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers are considering the possibility of signing both two-way star Shohei Ohtani and top Japanese starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. Both players are considered the top free agents this offseason and could command combined contracts of more than $700 million in guaranteed money, making […]

Yankees Hire Brad Ausmus As Bench Coach

The New York Yankees hired Brad Ausmus as their bench coach Tuesday, per MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan. The 55-year-old began his professional career in the Yankees organization and will bring five years of big-league managerial experience to the team. He also played for 18 seasons across four teams, earning three Gold Glove Awards as a catcher. […]

Yankees Reportedly Interested In Jung Hoo Lee

The New York Yankees are interested in left-handed Korean star outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, New York Post Sports reported Tuesday. The 25-year-old has hit .340 with 65 home runs, 69 stolen bases, and an .898 OPS through seven seasons in the KBO. Lee played just 86 games in 2023 due to an ankle injury but […]