MLB Player News

Even though the writing has been on the wall for weeks, this still feels like a stunning development, and a serious indictment on the current financial landscape in Major League Baseball. Unless, of course, Tanaka simply wanted to return home after a seven-year run in New York. The right-hander began his professional career with the Rakuten Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball way back in 2007 at the age of 18. Now age 32, he posted a sharp 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 44/8 K/BB ratio in 48 innings (10 starts) last year with the Yankees.

Arenado has been at the epicenter of trade rumors all offseason and would make plenty of sense for the Astros as an Alex Bregman replacement, especially from a defensive standpoint. However, the deal appears to be dead for the moment. Feinsand adds that the Cardinals were willing to send $15-20 million to the Astros as part of the deal to help pay down Arenado’s salary. He’s set to earn $74 million over the next three years. There’s optimism from the Cardinals that they’ll be able to move Arenado prior to spring training, but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent. The Athletic’s Katie Woo reports that the two sides will continue discussions and there’s still a possibility Arenado ultimately winds up in Houston.

Gerber will augment Tampa Bay’s organizational relief depth after missing most of the last four years due to injury. The 27-year-old righty made 17 relief appearances for the Mariners during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, posting a serviceable 4.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 6/5 K/BB ratio across 15 2/3 innings of work. He’s the definition of a low-risk lottery ticket.

The deal is now official. Wilson hit free agency last month following his removal from Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. The soon-to-be 27-year-old righty finished last year with a respectable 4.04 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 82/31 K/BB ratio across 104 2/3 innings (34 appearances, nine starts). He’ll most likely operate in a versatile swingman-type role for Chicago, which is unlikely to translate into significant fantasy appeal.

De La Cruz registered a .669 OPS while working at the Double- and Triple-A levels in the Phillies’ organization. He provides depth at the higher levels for Washington and nothing more.

Uwasawa returns to Japan after an unsuccessful venture last year with the Red Sox that saw him designated for assignment in the middle of the season, and he went unclaimed. The 30-year-old has been effective at the NBP level, and that’s likely where he’ll finish his career.

Daniel, 27, is booted off the 40-man roster to make room for Chuckie Robinson after the White Sox traded Robinson to Los Angeles in the corresponding transaction. Daniel could see interest on waivers as a right-hander who showed flashes of competence back in 2023.

Robinson played in 26 games for the White Sox in 2024 and he hit just .129 with an OPS of 326 over 70 at-bats. He’s viewed as a strong defensive backstop, however, and will give the Angels some organizational depth behind Logan O’Hoppe and the occasional catching appearance from Travis d’Arnaud.

It seems pretty obvious, but it’s nice to hear some confirmation. Williams was acquired by the Yankees in the deal for Nestor Cortes earlier in December, and the 30-year-old has been as good as any closer in baseball when healthy. Luke Weaver looked solid in his job as the stopper, but he’ll be a bridge to Williams that the Yankees can use in high-leverage situation. If he was to get hurt, Weaver would seem to be the next player up.

Reyes has not pitched since 2021 as he has undergone multiple shoulder surgeries with the most recent occurring in 2023. The 30-year-old was once considered the best pitching prospect in baseball and has had success, but to say that he’s an unknown at this stage is quite the understatement.

Wilson, 26, elected free agency after being outrighted off the Milwaukee roster at the end of the 2024 campaign. The right-hander will be given a chance to be a starter by the White Sox, but won’t offer a ton of fantasy upside to begin 2025 even if he does earn a rotation nod.