MLB Player News

Meadows’ home run was his ninth of the season. He hit a solo shot in the first inning off Zack Littell. Meadows is perhaps a better real life player than fantasy player. His gold glove defense will keep him in the lineup for years to come and leadoff hitters are valuable. Still, we expected more speed from the 24-year-old. He has nine steals in 78 games this year after stealing eight in 37 games last year. Meadows can fly and the potential is still there for at least a 20/20 season in 2025.

Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the New York Yankees and the summer home of the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees A-ball team. According to Statcast data, the stadium played average amongst A-ball stadiums for runs, slightly above average for hits but below average for home runs. The dimensions are 318 feet down the line to left field, 318, 408 feet to dead center field, and 314 feet down the line to right field. Tropicana Field was deeper in the gaps and down the right field line and tended to play more pitcher-friendly, so this will seem to be a slight down grade for pitchers in Tampa Bay and a boost for left-handed hitters.

The Angels seem to be scooping up all the veterans this offseason, trading for Jorge Soler and signing Travis d’Arnaud and now Newman. The 31-year-old hit .278 in 288 at-bats in 2024 with three home runs, 28 RBI, and eight steals. However, the veteran’s real value will come with his elite defense across the infield, which has led him to be a positive-WAR player over his career. He will likely fill a utility role off the bench for the Angels.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says it will be for one year and include a club option. Newman is coming off a nice season as a utilityman for the Diamondbacks, having hit .278/.311/.375 in 311 plate appearances. He could open up as the Angels’ starting shortstop if Zach Neto requires an IL stint after shoulder surgery. He’ll also likely help out at third base after Anthony Rendon gets hurt.

Hill was released by the White Sox in June after posting a 5.87 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, and 13/10 K/BB ratio in 23 innings. However, after signing with the Yankees, the left-hander had a 2.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 18/9 K/BB ratio in 44 innings. He won’t be a fantasy asset but would be a strong addition to the Yankees’ bullpen.

Moncada is a free agent who has reportedly been attracting interest from a few teams this offseason, so a potential injury for an oft-injured player would be a killer to his market. However, it was revealed after the game that he didn’t suffer any fractures, so he should be fully healthy heading into 2025.

It’s a pretty interesting wrinkle for the Pirates as Strom played a pivotal role last decade in building the Astros juggernaut before a three-year stint with the Diamondbacks. He brings a wealth of experience to a talented Pittsburgh staff headlined by the tandem of Paul Skenes and Jared Jones with top prospect Bubba Chandler on the doorstep of the big leagues.

Briceño is the first prospect to launch double-digit homers in the AFL since Mike Olt accomplished the feat back in 2011. The 20-year-old backstop was limited to just 40 games last season at Low-A Lakeland and figures to open up next year back in the lower minors. His over-the-fence pop is unquestioned and he figures to hit for plenty of power once he arrives in the big leagues. That’s unlikely to happen in 2025, but he’s definitely increased his long-term dynasty appeal with his AFL performance.

Duarte remains with Minnesota shortly after being removed last week from the club’s 40-man roster. The 27-year-old righty, who has made 36 relief appearances in the big leagues since 2022, is expected to miss the vast majority of next season as he recovers from UCL revision surgery.

Curvelo officially joins the Rangers after it was reported Sunday that the 24-year-old would be joining the Rangers. He’s coming off a fantastic season in Double-A Arkansas with a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 78/18 K/BB ratio over his 66 2/3 innings of work. He’ll get a chance to win a spot in the Texas bullpen, and he may have the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever.

Fink was the Guardians’ minor league hitting coordinator the last three years, so he’ll have some familiarity with some of the Cleveland hitters. He replaces Chris Valaika, who left the Guardians to join Terry Francona’s staff in Cincinnati.