MLB Player News

Arnold specified that the team still believes Williams is the best closer in baseball and won’t be defined by one pitch that led to a postseason loss to the Mets. However, the Brewers are “the smallest market in the league,” so Arnold knows that being open-minded is “something that’s required in this.” With plenty of high-upside arms in their organization, it’s not far-fetched to believe the Brewers would look to move Williams at his peak value.

Rivera was excellent down the stretch for the Orioles, but the team made a deal for Luis Vázquez, and need room on the 40-man roster. It would be surprising if a team didn’t put a claim in for the infielder, and it’s just as likely — if not more so — that there’s a trade made for the 28-year-old.

Vázquez was designated for assignment after the Cubs signed Jon Berti. The 25-year-old infielder will provide depth for the Orioles; likely at the Triple-A level in 2025.

Graveman missed all of 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he’s been a highly-effective relief option when healthy. The right-hander will likely be looking at a deal that is heavily based on incentives, but could be a high-leverage option by the end of 2025.

The exact details of the deal are not known, but it’ll be between the $8.8 million he asked for and the $7.325 the Padres offered. King has been the subject of trade talks lately, but assuming he’s not dealt he’ll pitch in the middle of the San Diego rotation in 2025.

Hampson hit .230/.275/.300 for the Royals last year, but he’s a speedy utility player capable of playing several positions. He’ll compete for one of the final spots on the roster this spring, but will need to be added to the 40-man roster if Arizona deems him worthy of the roster to open 2025.

Hughes, 29, was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks at the end of the season after forging an 8.15 ERA for Arizona in 2024. The 29-year-old left-hander will likely be a candidate for one of the final spots in the Chicago bullpen, but he’ll have to pitch well in the Cactus League to earn a spot.

The Angels were offering $1.5 million. Moniak slashed just .219/.260/.380 with 14 homers over 124 games. The former first-overall pick will be a fourth outfielder for Los Angeles to open the 2025 campaign.

There’s no real point in having Bautista pitch in the first 7-10 days of games, so he probably won’t. Bautista underwent Tommy John in October 2023 and had a followup procedure last February.

The 26-year-old southpaw was originally a fifth-round pick by the Angels from the 2020 draft class. He spent the last two seasons in the Brewers’ organization where in 2024 he registered an uninspiring 6.15 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and a 73/23 K/BB ratio over 74 2/3 innings at Double-A Biloxi. He has the ability to work out of the rotation or the bullpen and will give the M’s some added pitching depth.

The 28-year-old hurler had been sent outright to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians, but Avila rejected the outright assignment and will hit the free agent market instead. He did a nice job for the Guardians in 2024 — posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 73/30 K/BB ratio across 74 2/3 innings in his 50 appearances. He shouldn’t have trouble landing on his feet elsewhere.