MLB Player News

A union invesitgation found complaints from other agents about improper benefits given to players under the agency, according to the report. Rimas Sports, which was launched around this time last year by Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny, focused on signing Latin American players such as Francisco Alvarez, Ezequiel Tovar, Santiago Espinal, Mets INF prospect Ronny Mauricio and Los Angeles Dodgers C prospect Diego Cartaya. “At Rimas Sports, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of our industry,” the company said in a statement. “Out of respect for an ongoing process within the context of the MLBPA Agent Regulations, we will refrain from making any comments at this time. We remain committed to continue serving our clients with excellence.” The agency has the right to appeal, but there is no word if Arroyo will challenge the decision made by the MLBPA.

Some minor league relief depth. Milacki, 28, had a 4.75 ERA and a 49/13 K/BB in 55 innings in the Padres system last season; he excelled at Double-A San Antonio, but he gave up 13 runs over nine innings in his stint at Triple-A El Paso.

Heyman says the deal still could happen, but he also thinks the Yankees are threatening to move on. Bellinger is guaranteed $52.5 million over the next two years, though he could walk away from the second season of the deal.

Valdez was DFA’d by the Red Sox last week. The 25-year-old has hit .235/.286/.400 with 12 homers in 372 plate appearances the last two seasons, and it’s easy to imagine him doing a little better than that going forward. The problem is that he’s a subpar defender at second base, and he just doesn’t project very well anywhere else. The Pirates will give him a look at second in spring training, but that still figures to be Nick Gonzales’s spot. Valdez could wind up seeing DH time if the team doesn’t acquire a full-timer for that spot.

Vogatsky, a 19th-round pick in the 2024 draft, has yet to make his pro debut. He was a reliever at James Madison, finishing with a 3.24 ERA in 49 innings last season.

It’s a non-guaranteed deal, so De La Cruz will still have to make the team. The addition of a righty probably doesn’t take the Braves out of the market for a lefty outfielder to help fill in for Ronald Acuña Jr. and maybe supplant Jarred Kelenic in time. De La Cruz’s stock plummeted after he hit just .200/.220/.294 as a trade-deadline acquisition in Pittsburgh. He’s a poor defender in the outfield corners with a career 90 OPS+, so he’s very much in danger of falling out of the league.

Muller didn’t fare too badly as a reliever for the A’s last season, but they still DFA’d him in August and he wound up going unclaimed on waivers. Brought back in September, he was again outrighted after the season and became a free agent. The 27-year-old heads to Japan with a 4-11 record and a 5.90 ERA in 24 starts and 30 relief appearances as a major leaguer. He’s a threat to resurface stateside as a superior pitcher in a year or two.

Castillo, 32, has been the subject of trade rumors as of late, with the Red Sox and Cubs being mentioned as the top suitors for the right-hander. Rosenthal note that the Mariners won’t just dump Castillo and will only move him if it makes the team better, and both New York and Baltimore — among others — have players that could make Seattle’s lineup better. It won’t be a big surprise if Castillo plays elsewhere before the start of 2025.

Lambert elected free agency after being designated for assignment at the end of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old is a former top prospect who has struggled considerably at the highest level of play, and he’ll get a chance to revitalize his career overseas.

Fabian Ardaya reports that the contract includes an invitation to spring training. Bote was last with the Cubs before the Cubs designated the 31-year-old for assignment in August. The 31-year-old could compete for one of the final spots on the Dodgers in the Cactus League, but more than likely he’ll just be organizational depth.

On paper, this sure seems like a perfect fit. Wisdom was non-tendered by the Cubs near the end of November, but the 33-year-old has been a consistent source of power. He just hasn’t consistently helped anywhere else. A good showing in the KBO could see him return to the states.