MLB Player News

Gómez was a notable power-hitting prospect with the Cardinals a couple years ago when he launched 39 round-trippers in the upper minors during the 2022 campaign. Unfortunately, he never quite panned out for St. Louis and was ultimately released a couple months ago without ever reaching the big leagues. The 26-year-old outfielder will get a fresh start in San Diego where he’ll likely head to Triple-A El Paso to open next season.

The 33-year-old backstop spent the 2024 season in the Angels’ organization, where he slashed .247/.337/.430 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in 335 plate appearances at Triple-A Salt Lake. He’ll provide some quality depth behind the plate for the Rangers.

The market has been slow to develop this winter for the 40-year-old right-hander after registering a 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 40/10 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings in nine starts for the Rangers in 2024. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported in early January that there were four teams interested in Scherzer, though it remains unclear exactly who those teams are that the Jays are competing with for his services.

Castro elected to explore the free agent market after he was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley back in early November but ultimately chose to return to the Phillies. The 25-year-old spent the entire 2024 season in the minor leagues where he slashed .221/.286/.351 with three homers, nine RBI and a 19/6 K/BB ratio over 84 plate appearances.

The 27-year-old backstop was picked up midway through the 2024 campaign and went on to hit .230/.289/.414 with four homers and 20 RBI in 97 plate appearances at Double-A Reading before having a cup of coffee at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’ll add catching depth in big league camp for the Phillies.

Morosi also notes that the Cubs had been in the bidding for left-hander Tanner Scott before he ultimately signed with the Dodgers and are now moving onto their contingency plan in Estévez. The Blue Jays, Reds, Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox have all been linked to the 32-year-old hurler this winter and with Scott off the board, expect the remaining dominoes on the relief pitcher market to fall in line soon.

The 27-year-old hurler recently went viral on social media when a recent bullpen session was posted by Ben Brewster of Tread Athletics. Serwa features the fastest knuckleball ever recorded, averaging 87 mph and touching as high as 88.5 mph. He also mixes in a slower version of the knuckleball along with a 94-mph four-seam fastball to go with a sinker and curveball. The right-hander pitched for the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association in 2024, posting a 4.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 103/23 K/BB ratio over 119 1/3 inning. The game certainly needs more knuckleballers, so fans around the world will be rooting for Serwa to have success with the Tigers.

Winn stole seven bases over the first two months of last season, but essentially stopped running after being moved into the leadoff spot by the Cardinals, going just 4-for-6 in 102 games atop the order. These types of proclamations often don’t last as the season progresses, but Winn clearly has the speed to make it happen. He’s a borderline top 12 mixed league option for fantasy managers heading into 2025, but clearly possesses the power-speed combo upside to finish as a top 10 option.

Liberatore made six starts last season, the last of which came on July 24, and had a 6.35 ERA, compared to 3.69 in his 54 relief appearances. He’s no higher than sixth on the Cardinals’ SP depth chart at the moment, but injuries strike and there is some chance that Erick Fedde or Steven Matz will be traded.

Well, that’s one way to make sure he won’t be striking out Shohei Ohtani in October. Scott, 30, has been one of baseball’s best relievers the last two years, posting a 2.04 ERA in 150 innings. This probably settles the closer question in L.A.; though Scott doesn’t necessarily need to be in that role, the paycheck demands that he get the first try over Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips.

Goodrum played in just 13 games in 2024 at the highest level, and he slashed an awful .103/.188/.103 in his 33 plate appearances. He does offer the ability to play all over the infield and the corner outfield spots, so a good showing in the Cactus League gives him a chance of making San Diego out of spring training.