MLB Player News

Hays has started all three games since coming off the IL, including two against righties, so it looks like the Phillies are considering playing him regularly over Johan Rojas in the postseason, even though such a move would weaken the outfield defense by putting Brandon Marsh in center. Fortunately, Hays is no slouch in left. It’s just a matter of whether he’ll hit enough to justify it. He’s at .256/.275/.397 in 80 plate appearances for the Phillies and .255/.303/.396 in 255 plate appearances overall.

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.

Simon, 24, will join Miami from the Tampa Bay organization. In 2024, the 24-year-old hit .283/.356/.429 with 20 stolen bases for Triple-A Durham. There’s not a ton of pop in his bat, but he can slash the baseball and run while also being able to play multiple positions. It’s not crazy to think he could make the Marlins with a strong showing in Jupiter.

Both players have three years of control left. The Royals could use India as a part-time second baseman alongside Michael Massey and have him DH much of the rest of the time. He’d definitely be helpful in the leadoff spot, but Singer would be a significant price to pay over just going and signing a free agent bat for help.

Garcia, 31, has made in 119 major league games, though just three have come in the last two seasons, and hit .211/.248/.325 in 327 plate appearances. He’ll could compete with Jose Herrera and Adrian Del Castillo for a spot backing up Gabriel Moreno next spring, though he’ll be a big underdog.

Jacques, 29, had a 4.01 ERA in 29 2/3 innings out of the pen for the Red Sox and Diamondbacks the last two seasons. He’ll be a long shot to win a relief gig in the spring, but he’ll likely resurface at some point.

The Rays and the county reached an agreement for a $1.2 billion heir to Tropicana Field in Sept. 2023, but between Hurricane Milton and the election of county commissioners skeptical of the deal, things have gone sideways since. The Rays might now resume looking at other cities for a permanent home. They’ll be playing the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa as a result of hurricane damage to the Trop. That damage is capable of being repaired in time for the 2026 campaign, but it’s unclear if the money will be spent to make that happen. The Rays were originally planning for three more years at Tropicana Field before the new stadium opened in 2028.

At least, that’s according to MILB’s official transactions page. It’s reporting he was signed to a Triple-A contract on Thursday and then released on Friday. Either the initial signing was simply an error or perhaps the Braves noticed the sexual assault allegations against Pozo from several years back and decided against taking him on. Either way, he’s currently a free agent.

Adding some infield depth. Walton, 30, finished last season in the majors with the Giants, going 3-for-22 with a homer. He previously hit .306/.380/.441 in 99 games for Triple-A Sacramento.