MLB Player News

The A’s would seem to have overpaid for Severino, whose bounce-back season with the Mets came with a 101 ERA+ and a 21.2 percent strikeout rate that paled in comparison to what he did with the Yankees in his previous best years. Still, it isn’t going to be easy to get quality veterans to play in Sacramento, and he’s a pretty obvious upgrade for the rotation if he remains healthy. He’s probably not someone who should be drafted in shallow 10 or 12-team mixed leagues next spring, but he’ll probably remain a viable streaming option in deeper mixed leagues.

The switch-hitting slugger is one of the top outfielders remaining on the free agent market following Juan Soto signing his historic deal with the Mets, so expect some of the teams that missed out on Soto to pivot in his direction. Heyman notes that the Blue Jays have made him a priority while the Yankees and Red Sox are believed to be in the mix as well. A return to the Orioles could be possible as well, so there appears to be a strong likelihood that Santander remains in the American League East.

The 29-year-old southpaw was released by the Astros in early August and latched on with the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization where he went on to spin 34 2/3 innings of 4.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP baseball with a 37/12 K/BB ratio across seven starts. Lauer had plenty of success with the Brewers at the big league level in 2021 and 2022, so the Jays are hoping that he can return to that form. Either way, you can never have enough pitching and Lauer makes for a quality depth addition.

Cortes was traded Friday to the Yankees in the three-player deal with New York for All-Star closer Devin Williams. Arnold said the Brewers did extensive work on his medicals, and expect the left-hander to be fully healthy for the Brew Crew heading into 2025. Cortes unfortunately will be “best” remembered in 2024 for giving up the grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1, but the 30-year-old threw a career-high 174.1 innings with a 3.77 ERA and 162/39 K/BB prior to dealing with his flexor tendon injury at the end of the year.

In the deal, the Cubs will send the Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and 2014 first-round pick Cam Smith. Tucker is a massive upgrade to the Chicago lineup, and is coming off a season where he was able to hit 20 homers and register a .993 OPS despite missing half the year with a shin fracture. It’s worth noting that he’s hitting free agency in 2025, but his offensive upside competes with anyone in baseball.

Durbin was a 14th round pick in 2021 by Atlanta who came over to the Yankees in a deal for Lucas Luetge. He was solid in the minors in 2024, but really impressed in the Arizona fall League with a record 29 steals in 24 games. Durbin has strong bat-to-ball skills, and while he doesn’t offer much power, his strong approach at the plate and ability to play multiple positions should allow him to carve out an MLB career.

Cortes will maybe be “best” remembered for giving up the grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the World Series, but he did enjoy a solid regular season with the Yankees in 2024 with a 3.77 ERA over 174-plus innings, and he’s been a very solid starting option over the past few seasons. He should pitch in the middle of the Milwaukee rotation, and he offers a high floor for deeper fantasy formats in 2025.

Williams will head to the Yankees and presumably take over closing duties for the American League champions. The right-hander has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, and while he did miss half of 2024 with a back ailment, he should again be a dominant option at the back of the bullpen.

It was reported earlier Friday that trade talks were gaining momentum by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, and this is just another step forward. Rosenthal notes that the deal will feature Isaac Paredes, and that Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith are also in play. The Cubs didn’t seem like a team likely to acquire an outfielder to start the offseason, but the appeal of a player like Tucker — even if it’s only for one season — is apparently too tempting. Hard to blame them.

It’s been widely reported that the Cubs are interested in acquiring Tucker, and that the return would likely involve 2024 first-round selection Cam Smith and third baseman Isaac Paredes. Tucker is one of the top players in baseball, but is set to hit free agency at the end of 2025. The Yankees are also reportedly interested in Tucker, but a trade to the Cubs is sounding much more likely than anyone could have anticipated before the Winter Meetings.

In the deal, the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes to the Brewers as well as prospect and Arizona Fall League standout Caleb Durbin. Will Sammon notes that the Yankees will send some of Cortes’ salary as part of the deal. Williams missed the first half of 2024 because of a back ailment, but he’s been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball when healthy. He’ll be the stopper for the Yankees, and has a chance to pile up the saves on the defending American League champions.