MLB Player News

It was a bit surprising that the Rangers elected to hold a closer competition this spring after Leclerc wrapped up last year in the role. The 30-year-old righty has looked sharp this spring in the Cactus League and appears to be ostensibly locked-in as the Rangers’ primary ninth-inning option. We can’t rule out veteran stopper David Robertson vulturing the occasional save chance, but it seems like Leclerc is in the proverbial driver’s seat for now. This latest development cements his status as a borderline top-20 closing option for fantasy managers.

The 24-year-old right-hander had another rough season on the surface in 2024 — registering a 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 31/17 K/BB ratio over 45 innings at High-A Spokane. He has some of the best stuff in the Rockies’ organization though and they’re hopeful that there’s a big breakout on the horizon.

The veteran catcher played in 92 games for the Rays during the 2019 campaign where he slashed .263/.323/.459 with 16 long balls and 67 RBI. While they were unsuccessful in bringing him back, it shows that the Rays are looking to improve behind the plate. Expect them to continue to explore the free agent market and the trade front for upgrades at the position.

Jarvis is best known for being the player the Mets got from the Brewers for Mark Canha at the 2023 trade deadline. The 24-year-old had a 4.55 ERA in 10 starts and 18 relief appearances between the Mets’ Double- and Triple-A teams last season, winding up with an 84/30 K/BB in 87 innings.

Saenz got the nod in the title game after going 2-1 with a 5.52 ERA and a 12/4 K/BB over 14 2/3 innings in the regular season. That line is nothing special, of course, but he did better the overall league ERA of 5.89 in the circuit this year. Saenz, a Texas A&M product drafted in the fourth round in 2021, was limited to 13 starts during the minor league season, finishing 1-6 with a 6.54 ERA and a 30/17 K/BB in 42 2/3 innings. A left-hander who relies on an 89-92 mph sinker, he’ll be available in the Rule 5 draft next month unless the Nationals make a surprising decision to add him to the 40-man roster this week.

All three hits were on grounders and only one was a hard-hit ball, but that’s fine. Not counting last night, Caglianone hit .236/.300/.449 with five homers and 21 RBI over 21 regular-season AFL games. The sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft, he could open next season in Double-A.

This one doesn’t count as an official AFL outing, but if it did, Church would have finished up with a 3.11 ERA and a 13/1 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings. He has a chance of emerging as a setup man or perhaps even a closing candidate for the Rangers next year.

Martinez would have been in line for a nice two-year deal without the qualifying offer hanging over his head, but as is, he’s probably best off taking the $21 million. He’ll rejoin Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo in the Reds rotation, leaving one spot for Graham Ashcraft, Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers or anyone else the team might bring in this winter.

A former top prospect, Barrero spent 2024 with the Rangers’ organization, and struggled to a .188 average and .477 OPS with Triple-A Round Rock. That was over a sample of just 49 games due to injury, and the Cardinals will hope Barrero can add some solid depth up the middle for the 2025 campaign at a low cost.

If Severino was to take the offer, he’d be paid $21.05 million for 2025. The right-hander instead will be looking for a multi-year deal that will likely pay him a similar amount per year, but on a long-term deal. Severino was good in 2024 with a 3.91 ERA and 161/60 K/BB over 182 innings with the Mets, so there should be a strong market.

Anderson signed in Korea back in April, and the 30-year-old will remain overseas for at least the 2025 campaign.