MLB Player News

Johnson was acquired from the Orioles for Gregory Soto at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old was a long shot to get to this point. He was a junior college shortstop and the 40th overall pick in the 2019 draft but transitioned to the mound. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, so he only made 37 starts in pro ball before this season. However, 2024 has been a bit of a breakout for him. In 65 innings in Triple-A for the Orioles, he posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 61/35 K:BB ratio. In 16 innings for the Phillies’ Triple-A squad, he has allowed just one run on five hits while striking out 13 and walking six. Obviously, the walks will need to come down for him at the next level, but his team context could make him a decent deep-league streamer against a poor offense.

McAdam mentioned that it’s “a crowded market for Tanner Scott,” who will set the relief pitcher market when he finally does sign with a team. Mass Live’s Chris Cotillo also reported that there are “likely multiple big-market bidders” who could meet Scott’s asking price. Edwin Diaz currently has the most expensive contract for a relief pitcher in terms of AAV (Average Annual value), coming in at $20.4 million. It sounds like Tanner Scott might have a chance to match that or perhaps leapfrog Josh Hader with the second-largest relief pitcher contract in baseball.

White, the Rangers’ 25th-ranked prospect, was designated for assignment at the end of December to clear space on the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old split 2024 between the rotation and the bullpen for Texas’ Triple-A team, posting a 5.64 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 87/48 K/BB ratio in 99 innings. He has a true five-pitch mix that had previously graded out as above-average; however, both his raw stuff and his command have faltered over the last two seasons. It’s unclear what role he will serve in Cincinnati, but he seems to fit best as a multi-inning reliever.

Weathers recently discovered that he had high insulin resistance and switched to a keto diet that allowed him to drop significant weight this offseason. The 25-year-old is looking to cement a spot in the starting rotation after Jesus Luzardo was traded to the Phillies in the offseason. Weathers posted a 3.55 ERA in his first 13 starts of the season before being forced to miss three months due to a left index finger strain. He made three starts in September and finished with 86 2/3 innings on the year. Perhaps the weight loss will help him maintain his cardio and strength through a full season as he looks to strengthen his case for a full-time spot in the Marlins rotation.

While the Yankees are reportedly inquiring about trading for Luis Arraez or Gavin Lux to fill their void at second base, Hoch mentions that the team has not ruled out using DJ LeMahieu at either second or third base, depending on where they decide to play Jazz Chisholm Jr. As Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone said “it comes down to health. I feel really good about where he was at the very end of the season physically. Now, can he maintain that and improve upon that in the winter and put himself in the mix heading into Spring Training?” If the Yankees don’t sign a free agent then the in-house candidates for second and third base include LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Andrew Velazquez. Hoch believes that, if he’s healthy, “LeMahieu would likely become the front-runner in that group.”

Both Garcia and McCullers underwent surgery and missed the entirety of the 2024 season. There has been some thought that Garcia would be on track to start the season in the rotation since he will be almost 21 months removed from surgery on opening day, but this report pours some cold water on that. It’s too early to tell for sure, but it seems like the Astros may be comfortable going into the season with a rotation of Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, and Hayden Wesneski and then bring Garcia and McCullers along in the middle of the season, or if Wesneski can’t stick as a starter.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said a week ago that Triston Casas isn’t being shopped in trade discussions, but I guess other general managers feel differently. Perhaps the Red Sox are listening and “willing” to trade Casas but aren’t actively “shopping” him. That could make both of these reports correct. Cotillo mentioned Casas while discussing that the Red Sox appear to be Nolan Arenado’s preferred destination. It seems like all of these Casas rumors stem from the fact that Rafael Devers’ defense at third base has gotten to the point where the Red Sox would rather move him to first base for the foreseeable future. Coming off an injury-marred season, Casas’ value is pretty low, so the Red Sox may be better off waiting before they decide if he’s their long-term future at first base or if that needs to be Devers.

That alone isn’t really news since most teams at least listen when another team inquires about a player. However, the Padres just acquired Cease last season and seem to be at least open to the possibility of moving him this year, which is noteworthy. The biggest impact on Dylan Cease’s trade market is likely Roki Sasaki If the Padres were to land Roki Sasaki in free agency then they would add him to a rotation that includes Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, and Matt Waldron. The Padres could feel like that rotation is deep enough to move Cease for an outfielder, but it feels like a long shot.

On one hand, the Yankees do have a hole at second base and a lineup filled with players who have elite power and issues with consistent contact. Arráez, one of the best contact hitters in baseball, would be a great counter to those big bats. On the other hand, the Yankees have a first baseman in Paul Goldschmidt and a DH in Giancarlo Stanton, which means Arráez would need to play second base where he is a well below-average defender. There are no rumors yet on what it would take for the Yankees to trade for Arráez, but this would be the third time Arráez has been traded in three years which should tell you a lot about how hard teams have found it to find a place for him in their lineup despite his elite contact rates.

The Cardinals had a deal in place a few weeks ago to send the veteran third baseman to the Astros, but Arenado utilized his no-trade clause and vetoed the deal. It’s unclear how strong the Red Sox’ interest is in acquiring Arenado, but if they do put a package together and work something out with the Cardinals, Arenado would not block the trade. The Red Sox would have to move Rafael Devers either to first base or to a full-time designated hitter role if acquiring Arenado, and it’s unclear if that’s something they are actually exploring.

Ragazzo notes that the Yankees called about Lux several weeks ago — before the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to add to their infield mix. He also notes that the Mariners have been much more aggressive in their pursuit of Lux. The Dodgers haven’t publicly said that they’re listening to offers on Lux, but it seems like something has to give there after signing Kim to a three-year pact earlier in the week. Stay tuned.