MLB Player News

So, it’ll go down as just a cleanup. This is certainly good news, though now we’re starting to run out of reasons to qualify Kirilloff’s performance as, well, he’s never been healthy. To be fair, Kirilloff did post a fine 117 OPS+ in his 319 plate appearances this year. It’s just that his exit velocity numbers were pretty uninspiring along the way. He’ll probably get another shot to serve as the team’s starting first baseman next year, but there might be some temptation to bring in more of a sure thing.

It’s the first managerial job for the 44-year-old, though he has interviewed for many openings over the past couple of seasons. McCullough spent the past four seasons as the Dodgers’ first base coach under Dave Roberts and spent six years prior to that as the club’s minor league field coordinator. He’ll take over the helm of a Marlins’ team that lost 100 games under Skip Schumaker during the 2024 campaign, so he’ll definitely have his work cut out for him. It wouldn’t be surprising if McCullough attempted to poach some of his Dodgers’ colleagues as he builds his staff over the next few weeks.

The 29-year-old slugger is one of the top free agents available this winter and is going to land a highly lucrative contract that the Brewers to expect to be able to compete with. Murphy also noted that while the team has discussed sliding Brice Turang over from second base to fill that void, his inclination is to keep Turang at second base where he was just named as the Platinum Glove Award winner in the National League.

The 24-year-old has elected free agency after toiling in the minor leagues for the Mariners for the past six seasons. He was brilliant at Double-A Arkansas in 2024 — registering a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 78/18 K/BB ratio over his 66 2/3 innings of work. Despite the fact that he has yet to play above Double-A ball, Curvelo has been a very popular name on the open market. The Rangers seem to think that he can jump right in and help their bullpen immediately.

The 36-year-old right-hander was moved to the bullpen in early July and spent the rest of the year functioning mainly in a bulk innings role. Maeda ultimately registered a troublesome 6.09 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 96/31 K/BB ratio over 112 1/3 innings in 29 appearances (17 starts) on the season. While the Tigers would like him to win a job, poor performance during the spring or in April could lead to another quick hook or ultimately his removal from the roster altogether.

Helvey has made 193 minor-league appearances, all of them with the Giants after being drafted by San Francisco in 2018. He appeared in 41 games with a 4.96 ERA for Triple-A Richmond in 204, and he struck out an impressive 102 batters over his 74 1/3 innings. He’ll have an outside chance of helping the Nationals’ bullpen to begin 2024.

Ramirez was designated for assignment to make room for Michael Petersen after the Blue Jays claimed him from the Dodgers. Ramirez will now hit the free-agent market, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he looked overseas for a new club.

The actual timing of the move will likely be delayed, allowing Sasaki to be signed during the 2025 international period after Jan. 15. After all, the vast majority of those limited 2024 dollars have already been spent. Because he’s just 23 and MLB doesn’t want teams paying youngsters what they’re worth, Sasaki will have to sign a minor league deal, probably capped out at $6 million or so, instead of the $200 million or even $300 million he’d surely command as an actual free agent. The hard-throwing righty went 30-15 with a 2.02 ERA and a 524/91 K/BB over 414 2/3 innings in his four seasons with the Marines. That he’s had some injury issues is a concern, and his stuff last season wasn’t as good as it was previously. Still, he’s one of the world’s most talented pitchers.

The 24-year-old defensive wizard became the first member of the Brewers to win the award, which recognizes the top overall defender in the National League. Turang led the N.L. in putouts, assists and total zone rating while somehow managing to make the unbelievable play look routine. Don’t be surprised when he takes home his second consecutive Gold Glove Award in 2025.

It’s the first time that any member of the Mariners has won the award — which recognizes the league’s top overall defender. Raleigh is just the second American League catcher to receive the honor, joining Jose Trevino who won the award in 2022. Yadier Molina is the only catcher to win it in the National League, but he did so four different times. The 27-year-old backstop led American League catchers in framing runs (13) and tied for the lead in defensive runs saved (16) while pacing all of baseball in runners caught stealing (26).

The 28-year-old southpaw appeared in 10 games for the Astros during the 2024 season, posting a 6.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 3/5 K/BB ratio over his 11 frames. The Guardians have done a terrific job in recent years of turning scrap heap relievers into viable high-leverage options, so don’t be surprised if we end up seeing Mushinski get some very important outs for them before the 2025 season is through.