MLB Player News

The 21-year-old shortstop will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. He finishes his rookie campaign hitting .100 (4-for-40) with four runs scored, one RBI and three stolen bases. He also posted a 17/4 K/BB ratio in his 46 plate appearances. He’ll be fully recovered by the time spring training rolls around.

Montas getting a two-year deal for this kind of money is quite a surprise. Even more so that it comes with a player option; if he pitches well, he’s gone after one year, and if not, he’ll be back for $17 million or so in 2026. Montas was thoroughly mediocre for the Reds and Brewers last season, going 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA. Maybe he’ll be better in a second full year back from shoulder surgery... the Mets obviously believe so.

If the 25-year-old is seeking an opportunity to make a big-league roster, the White Sox seem like a perfect choice. Mitchell spent the entire 2024 campaign at Triple-A El Paso where he slashed .277/.359/.512 with 22 homers, 70 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a 95/55 K/BB ratio across 469 plate appearances. He could wind up being a sneaky late-round option in the deepest of mixed league drafts if he finds his way into regular at-bats.

McCullough elaborated, “He looked great, he sounded great, felt like he was really right on track at this point… All signs point to things looking very positive for the start of the season.” The star 29-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He should provide a major boost atop the Marlins’ rotation to begin the 2025 season. Early fantasy drafters haven’t fotgotten about him, as his average draft position currently sits just outside the top-150 players overall.

The 27-year-old will earn $1 million in 2025 including a signing bonus of $200,000. De Jesus had been receiving interest from MLB teams this off-season, but ultimately decided that it was in his best interest to remain in Korea. Th right-hander went 13-11 with a 3.68 ERA and a 178/44 K/BB ratio over 171 1/3 innings with the Kiwoom Heroes in 2024.

Mike Ford, on the other hand, has become a free agent after struggling to establish himself in his first year in Japan. Austin, who came up with the Yankees in 2016, is well established as one of Japan’s best hitters after five seasons with Yokohama. In 2024, he led the Central League in average, just edging out Domingo Santana, and OPS, coming in at .316/.382/.601 in 445 plate appearances.

It’s a one-year deal for $900,000 for Thompson. The 28-year-old has been in the Cubs’ organization since being drafted in the 11th round back in 2018, and in 2024 he forged a 5.95 ERA with a 99/44 K/BB over 107 1/3 innings.

The deal is now official after passing his physical. Snell is a major boost to the Los Angeles rotation, and when healthy he’s been among the most effective pitchers in baseball; an understatement as seen in two Cy Young awards. He should pitch near the top of the rotation, and while managers need to take some precautions based on his durability, this is a wonderful fit for both fantasy and reality.

Ramirez was released by the Blue Jays back in November, and it’s not surprising the 30-year-old is heading overseas. A strong season in the NPB could give him a wider market come 2026.

Tough business. Perlaza, a former Cubs minor leaguer, was the Eagles’ best hitter last season, coming in at .275/.364/.486 with 24 homers. He’s still just 26 and he had a .922 OPS in Triple-A in 2023, so he could receive interest from major league teams, presumably on a minor league deal. Other players non-tendered by Korean clubs this week include former big leaguers Eric Lauer, Roenis Elias, Jordan Balazovic and Brandon Waddell. Waddell was cut despite having gone 23-10 with a 2.98 ERA in 43 starts since 2022.

Vosler, 31, crushed the ball in Triple-A last season, hitting .303/.371/.573 with 31 homers and 110 RBI for Tacoma, but he’s thus far come in at just .207/.274/.395 in 107 major league games with the Giants, Reds and Mariners. With the choice of taking a minor league contract with a chance to compete for a job in spring training or getting guaranteed money overseas, he’s opted for Japan. He could take over as Chunichi’s first baseman. That was a spot long held down by former White Sox player Dayan Viciedo, but at age 35, he lost his hold on the job last season.