MLB Player News

Gelof took Spencer Arrighetti deep for a solo homer to lead off the second inning. He added a base hit in the fourth, then later started the 12th as the runner on second before scoring on a bunt to put the A’s ahead. The 24-year-old second baseman is hitting .211/.273/.376 with 17 homers, 56 runs scored, 45 RBI, and 23 steals across 481 plate appearances.

The Cubs are viewed as the favorites here, as they have already had substantial discussions with Seiya Suzuki and Isaac Paredes rumored to be going back to the Astros in the return package. Ortiz also notes that the Yankees could be a team to keep an eye on. It’s certainly an intriguing situation and something to closely monitor over the next few days.

The versatile 27-year-old infielder spent the 2024 season in the Diamondbacks’ organization where he slashed a healthy .305/.356/.503 with seven homers, 29 RBI and a 43/16 K/BB ratio over 225 plate appearances across three minor league levels. He’s likely to start the year at Triple-A Reno and could ultimately see action in a utility role with the Snakes if he continues to swing the bat like that.

The 28-year-old right-hander returned stateside in 2024 after spending a pair of seasons in Japan and a year in the Colombian Winter League, posting a 4.68 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 44/23 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings across three minor league affiliates for the Cubs. He has looked sharp in the Dominican Winter League and will add organizational bullpen depth for the Rangers.

The deal, which was agreed to last Friday, was officially announced on Thursday afternoon. Jansen will earn an $8 million salary for the 2025 season and the contract also includes a $12 million mutual option for the 2026 campaign with a $500,000 buyout. The 29-year-old backstop slashed an underwhelming .205/.309/.349 with nine homers and 24 RBI in 324 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Red Sox in 2024. He makes for an intriguing second catcher option in deeper mixed leagues.

There have been expectations that the three prospects, all ranked inside the top 15 overall prospects would be major players for the Red Sox in 2025. Breslow suggested that would be the case and said, “It could be early 2025 but I don’t think it makes a ton of sense to pressurize that timeline.” It’s most likely that all three players will need to fight for playing time in spring training, and the likelihood of them breaking camp with the team could be dictated by what moves the Red Sox make during the rest of the offseason.

It’s unclear what the Angels thought of those asking prices or if there is any serious interest, but it’s clear that the team is looking to find a replacement for Anthony Rendon, who will go down as one of the worst contracts in team history. The Angels are reportedly one of the six teams Nolan Arenado would approve a trade, which is shocking to us, and the Phillies are allegedly asking for a big return if they were to trade Bohm. It’s also unclear if Eugenio Suarez is even on the trade block, so none of these players seems incredibly likely to wind up with the Angels in 2025.

The oft-injured reliever had pitched just 11 1/3 total MLB innings between 2020 and 2022 but has thrown at least 60 innings in each of the last two seasons. While his 2023 season in Atlanta was good, his 2024 in Texas was great, earning an All-Star bid while registering 33 saves and pitching to a 1.17 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Even though the Tigers got a good season out of closer Jason Foley, Foley was also removed from the role at times throughout the season, so Yates would give them another dependable option at the end of games.

Altavilla will get a chance to compete in spring training for a spot in Chicago’s bullpen after making five appearances last year for the division-rival Royals. The 32-year-old righty holds a serviceable 4.36 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 134/63 K/BB ratio across 119 2/3 innings (124 appearances) in the big leagues since 2016.

The free agent left-handed pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery in June of this past season. It was his second elbow surgery in the last three years and will likely keep Means out for all of 2025. However, the 31-year-old had a 2.64 ERA in his eight starts for the Orioles over the last two years in between his injuries, so the Red Sox may sign him to a two-year contract, as they did with Michael Fulmer and Liam Hendriks, and then let him rehab for one season in the hopes of getting at least one fully healthy season out of him in 2026.

There has been rampant speculation this off-season that the Red Sox are looking to add a third baseman and move Devers to first base; however, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said those conversations never happened with Devers. Now Breslow is stating firmly that Devers will indeed be the starting third baseman in 2025. Perhaps he will move at some point in his career but that doesn’t figure to be happening next year.