MLB Player News

The 26-year-old right-hander is one of many intriguing arms in what is shaping up to be a very solid bullpen that the Marlins have assembled. He compiled a 2.83 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50/18 K/BB ratio over 70 innings of work at Triple-A Nashville in 2013, and is a strong candidate to earn a spot in the bullpen, provided he makes it to camp in a timely manner.

Ferguson pitched in 62 games in 2024 split between the Astros and the Yankees. The 28-year-old posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 54 1/3 innings; however, he was much better in Houston, posting a 3.86 ERA and 26/9 K/BB ratio in 21 innings. He likely sets up as the main late-inning left-handed pitcher in the Pirates’ bullpen at the present moment.

Rogers served as the Tigers’ starting catcher for much of 2024, hitting .197/.255/.352 with 10 home runs in 337 plate appearances. However, he posted a 2.2 WAR despite those offensive struggles thanks to elite defense behind the plate. Former top prospect Dillon Dingler will split time with Rogers this season, but the veteran’s defense will keep him in the lineup often.

Adams was a serviceable backup for the Nationals in 2023 but took a step back offensively last season, slashing just .224/.292/.336 with two home runs in 130 plate appearances. He also grades out poorly as a defensive catcher, so he’s likely best served as organizational depth behind the plate.

The Tigers declined their $3.1 million team option on Mize after the season and will wind up saving money. The 27-year-old had some optimism heading into 2024 after missing significant time in previous seasons due to injury. However, it didn’t all click for the former top pick as he posted a 4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 78/29 K/BB ratio in 102 1/3 innings. Perhaps another healthy offseason will allow Mize to take another step forward in his development, but it seems like he’s shaping up to be a fine back-of-the-rotation MLB starter, which is great for the Tigers at this cost but not something that intrigues fantasy managers.

Arenado has reportedly let it be known that he prefers to be traded to Boston; however, Boston already has Rafael Devers at third base, so they would need to shift other players around to make room for Arenado. Considering the 33-year-old is coming off a down season, there’s a chance the Red Sox don’t want to shake things up too much to bring Arenado in, which means the veteran would need to waive his no-trade clause to other teams. Morosi believes the Mariners and Tigers could have a shot if things don’t work out with Boston, and he would be a huge addition to either of those lineups.

There are plenty of rumors right now swirling around the Red Sox and Nolan Arenado, but Morosi reported that the Red Sox might instead look to swing a trade that bolsters their rotation. Alcantara would be quite a get for the Red Sox and considering Triston Casas is reportedly available, it would make sense to have a trade centered around those two players. Alcantara is 29 years old and missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he is one of the top pitchers in baseball with a career 3.32 ERA in 900 2/3 innings. If he were to end up in Boston alongside Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Tanner Houck, it would give them one of the better rotations in baseball.

The two sides are hoping to reach a deal before today’s deadline for teams and players to submit 2025 salaries for arbitration. Denton mentioned that the Cardinals “are handling Brendan Donovan much the way they did Tommy Edman last year.” Edman signed a two-year, $16.5M extension last season to avoid arbitration, so perhaps something similar is coming for Donovan.

We’re not sure how enthusiastic those check-ins are, but Cabrera hit .247/.296/.365 in 326 plate appearances in 2024. We know the Yankees are trying to add talent at second base, so it would appear that they don’t see Cabrera as a real contender for that job. The switch-hitter hit just .190/.229/.241 against left-handed pitching, so perhaps if he stops switch-hitting or improves dramatically as a right-handed hitter there could be another level of production.

Higginbotham was traded from the Braves to the Tigers in 2023 and spent all of last season in Double-A for Detroit. He posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 78/12 K/BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings. If the Padres can capitalize on that strikeout upside, he could provide depth for the MLB bullpen.

Schnell was the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft but has been held back by strikeout issues in his six minor league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2024, he made it to Triple-A, but he hit just .213 with a 39.6 percent strikeout rate in 26 games. There were concerns with his swing path when he was drafted, so it’s a longshot that the Nationals will finally find a way to fix his swing.