MLB Player News

The slam came in a 2-0 game after the Mets walked Francisco Lindor with first base open and two outs in the second. To be fair, Lindor did homer in the first. That was off opener Ryan Brasier, though, and the Dodgers had Landon Knack in the game at that point. Lindor may have a postseason advantage over Vientos with all of his experience, but the choice was between two guys with very similar regular-season numbers, and all margin for error was gone with the bases loaded, whereas there would have been some with the base open working to Lindor. After the homer, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pretty much gave up on winning this one, saving all of his best relievers for Wednesday’s Game 3. Walker Buehler and Luis Severino are the scheduled starters then.

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.

This one doesn’t count as an official AFL outing, but if it did, Church would have finished up with a 3.11 ERA and a 13/1 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings. He has a chance of emerging as a setup man or perhaps even a closing candidate for the Rangers next year.

Martinez would have been in line for a nice two-year deal without the qualifying offer hanging over his head, but as is, he’s probably best off taking the $21 million. He’ll rejoin Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo in the Reds rotation, leaving one spot for Graham Ashcraft, Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers or anyone else the team might bring in this winter.

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.