MLB Player News

Last week, Breslow mentioned that the Red Sox would likely need to trade away a left-handed hitting outfielder or middle infielder this offseason due to a roster crunch, but it appears that any player could be traded for the right return. While that likely doesn’t include players like Rafael Devers or Brayan Bello, who signed long-term contracts this season, but other big names like Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, or Masataka Yoshida might be available if the Red Sox can get help for their rotation or bullpen, which Breslow admitted was a major priority this offseason.

This was reported over the weekend but is now official. Martinez was solid for the Reds in 2024, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 116/18 K/BB ratio across 142 1/3 innings in 42 appearances and 16 starts. It’s a huge pay raise for Martinez and one would assume the Reds will slot him into the rotation now that they’re paying him that much money. With Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott all but assured of being in the rotation as well, that leaves only one remaining spot in the Reds rotation.

It’s a 15-year agreement with Daikin Industries, which is known for producing air conditioners. Originally Enron Field, Houston’s ballpark had been known as Minute Maid Park or, better, The Juice Box, for the last 22 years.

Slater was typically a very useful platoon outfielder for the Giants, but he’s coming off a poor age-31 campaign in which he hit .209/.321/.266 in 212 plate appearances. Signing with baseball’s worst team here will probably get him some extra playing time as he looks to rebound. Slater has hit .271/.364/.429 against lefties and .229/.316/.333 against righties in 634 career games.

The 24-year-old shortstop spent the first seven seasons of his minor league career in the Pirates’ organization. In 2024, Acuña played in just 15 games at Double-A Altoona, slashing .290/.405/.387 with no homers, three RBI, one stolen base and a 6/6 K/BB ratio in 39 plate appearances. He’ll begin his Padres’ career as depth at Double-A San Antonio.

Passan notes that the Red Sox have already had discussions with Snell and his representatives as they look to upgrade their starting rotation this winter. Most contenders are going to be in the market for high-end starting pitchers this off-season, so expect that the competition for his services will be robust. Ultimately, Snell is projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to land a deal in the range of five years and $160 million.

The 24-year-old right-hander had another rough season on the surface in 2024 — registering a 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 31/17 K/BB ratio over 45 innings at High-A Spokane. He has some of the best stuff in the Rockies’ organization though and they’re hopeful that there’s a big breakout on the horizon.

The veteran catcher played in 92 games for the Rays during the 2019 campaign where he slashed .263/.323/.459 with 16 long balls and 67 RBI. While they were unsuccessful in bringing him back, it shows that the Rays are looking to improve behind the plate. Expect them to continue to explore the free agent market and the trade front for upgrades at the position.

Jarvis is best known for being the player the Mets got from the Brewers for Mark Canha at the 2023 trade deadline. The 24-year-old had a 4.55 ERA in 10 starts and 18 relief appearances between the Mets’ Double- and Triple-A teams last season, winding up with an 84/30 K/BB in 87 innings.

Saenz got the nod in the title game after going 2-1 with a 5.52 ERA and a 12/4 K/BB over 14 2/3 innings in the regular season. That line is nothing special, of course, but he did better the overall league ERA of 5.89 in the circuit this year. Saenz, a Texas A&M product drafted in the fourth round in 2021, was limited to 13 starts during the minor league season, finishing 1-6 with a 6.54 ERA and a 30/17 K/BB in 42 2/3 innings. A left-hander who relies on an 89-92 mph sinker, he’ll be available in the Rule 5 draft next month unless the Nationals make a surprising decision to add him to the 40-man roster this week.

All three hits were on grounders and only one was a hard-hit ball, but that’s fine. Not counting last night, Caglianone hit .236/.300/.449 with five homers and 21 RBI over 21 regular-season AFL games. The sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft, he could open next season in Double-A.