MLB Player News

Hess, who was diagnosed with a cancerous germ cell tumor in his chest earlier this offseason, is back with the Rays, where he spent the majority of last season. The 28-year-old righty allowed 24 runs (22 earned) on 32 hits with an 18/11 K/BB ratio across 20 innings with the Marlins and Rays at the major-league level last year. He’ll serve as organizational relief depth moving forward.

Zuniga has been removed from Los Angeles’ 40-man roster to make room for newly-signed veteran backstop Travis d’Arnaud.

Atlanta declined d’Arnaud’s $8 million club option for 2024, and while the veteran catcher won’t get quite as much in 2025, he secures a multi-year deal with a (relatively) similar AAV. he hit .238/.302/.436 with 15 homers last year while spelling Sean Murphy and seeing time as the designated hitter. With Logan O’Hoppe behind the plate, Murphy will likely see a similar role with the Angels, and while his eligibility behind the plate makes him a decent option, he’s not joining a lineup that’s going to provide much chance for quality run production.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the incident occurred Sunday and Franco was arrested in San Juan de la Maguana. Guns were reportedly drawn in an apartment complex, and Franco has been held for questioning with a provisional release Tuesday. Prosecutors report that police found Glock with its magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition but no registration papers was found in Franco’s black Mercedes-Benz, with the weapon registered to another person instead. Franco is currently on administrative leave with the Rays, and will stand trial on Dec. 12 in a separate case involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking

Turner was acquired at the deadline by Seattle from the Blue Jays, and while the 39-year-old isn’t the same player he was with the Dodgers, he still gets on base and can hit left-handed pitching while playing first base and designated hitter. He’s assuredly looking at a one-year deal, but this one makes almost too much sense to not happen.

Kaplan comes to the Diamondbacks after serving last year as the assistant pitching coach with the Phillies; a position he held for the last three season with Philadelphia. He replaces Brent Strom after Strom was fired following the disappointing 2024 season for Arizona.

Morton is now 41 — Tuesday was his birthday — and he’s coming off a season with Atlanta where he forged a 4.19 ERA while showing some decent durability with 165 2/3 innings. He’ll assuredly be looking at another one-year deal, but Morton has been effective enough to earn that right to be in the back of someone’s rotation in 2025. Atlanta should be considered the favorites just based on their history.

Martin’s homer gives him five for the Rafter in the AFL. The product of Austin Peay homered 12 times in 87 games in High-A Valley, and he won the Home Run Derby at the AFL showcase earlier in November. Martin is not a high-profile prospect and the fact he hasn’t played at the higher levels at the age of 24 is concerning, but there is offensive upside in his right-handed bat.

St. Peter, who had served as Twins president for 22 years, will stick around as an advisor. The change means that Falvey, who was already POBO, will now head the business side of things, as well. Zoll, who had been an assistant GM, is taking on the role that Thad Levine held before walking away after the season.

Most seem to expect the Blue Jays to be among the high bidders for Soto. It’d be a surprise if the Red Sox were competitive, given their reticence in recent years, but if they were even going to break the bank, this would be the occasion.

De Vries connected for an absolute no-doubter to left field -- his second round-tripper of the AFL season -- which traveled 418 feet and carried a 104 mph exit velocity. The switch-hitting 18-year-old prodigy, who has recorded some elite batted ball data this fall, is arguably a top five dynasty prospect already, and projects as a potential fantasy superstar down the road, if everything comes together. He’s a hyperspace jump or two away from the majors entering the 2025 season, but he’s going to move extremely quickly towards San Diego.