Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young named several players currently on the roster as potential options to serve as the team's closer in an interview Saturday, per the Athletic's Levi Weaver. This included Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, Ian Kennedy, Danny Duffy, Brett Martin, and Brock Burke. Joe Barlow would also be considered in this mix. However, it sounded as though Leclerc would be the initial candidate given his history. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery, converting seven of nine save opportunities with a 2.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 27.3% strikeout rate. There are a number of players on the Rangers who have some closer experience, including Leclerc. The biggest issue for him has been walks, as he owns a career 5.32 BB/9 rate. The Rangers appear slated to be a more competitive team this season, so whoever is closing for them would hold fantasy value, although the role may not be consistent. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on further developments as things get closer to the start of the season.
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported Monday that the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a Minor League contract with free agent utilityman Chad Pinder. The deal would include an invitation to big league camp as a non-roster player. The 30-year-old spent most of his time in the outfield in 2022 with the A's, but he also saw time at first and third base. The Reds currently have an opening at third base, so Pinder would likely be competing for playing time at that position. Offensively, Pinder slashed .235/.263/.385 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 379 plate appearances. It sounds as though the Reds may still be looking to bring in additional players and Pinder's recent offensive production has not been so great that he would be fantasy relevant even if he were to see somewhat-regular playing time.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Monday that the New York Mets are expected to pursue Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in 2023 should he enter free agency. The 28-year-old phenom would be in high demand given his elite hitting and pitching talent. Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances in 2022 while also going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 33.2% strikeout rate in 28 starts. While the Mets and owner Steve Cohen have been one of baseball's spendiest teams of late, Cohen said of potentially going after Ohtani, "Hard to think about next year. I'm focused on this season." Ohtani will remain a top fantasy asset wherever he goes, but a move to the Mets would be a clear upgrade over his current team.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that the Los Angeles Angels have "strong interest" in free agent relief pitcher Zack Britton if his price tag were to drop. The 35-year-old lefty was one of baseball's better relief pitchers from 2014-2020 with the Orioles and Yankees. However, a number of injuries limited Britton to just 19 innings pitched between the 2021-22 seasons. The Angels have already somewhat bolstered their bullpen this offseason by signing Carlos Estevez and health is a concern for Britton. However, given his experience as a closer and track record of solid pitching, he could have a shot to see considerable save opportunities if he were to join the Angels, which would instantly make him fantasy relevant.
Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman said that if he had to guess now, he sees Max Muncy at third base, Gavin Lux at shortstop, Miguel Vargas at second base and Chris Taylor in the outfield, with Miguel Rojas serving in a utility-infield role. The Dodgers have plenty of defensive versatility and competition heading into spring training, though, so nothing will be guaranteed for Vargas. The 23-year-old made his big-league debut in 2022 and went just 8-for-47 with a homer, eight RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base in 18 games. But with Trea Turner and Justin Turner both gone, Vargas will have plenty of opportunity for consistent playing time in what is still one of the best lineups in baseball. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't forget about Vargas.
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that he expects pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to open the 2023 regular season in the starting rotation. Elias also thinks outfield prospect Colton Cowser will make his MLB debut at some point this year. Rodriguez is Baltimore's No. 2 prospect and seventh overall in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. It's likely that the 23-year-old right-hander would have debuted last year, but a Grade 2 lat strain set him back. Rodriguez was fantastic once he returned from a three-month absence at Triple-A Norfolk, showing that he doesn't have much left to prove on the farm. He'll likely face workload restrictions in 2023, but Rodriguez should have an immediate fantasy impact in all leagues if he stays healthy.
Minnesota Twins outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff (wrist) started swinging a bat early in January and said he's taking 50 to 60 swings per day and is on track with what his doctors wanted to see. He's hoping for "mostly a normal" spring training, but the goal is to be healthy for the most possible regular season games in 2023. Kirilloff, a former first-rounder, tore a ligament in his right wrist in 2022 that required season-ending surgery. Wrist issues continue to be a concern for the 25-year-old left-handed slugger, as he's yet to play in more than 59 games in either of his first two MLB seasons. It remains to be seen if Kirilloff can develop high-end power in Minnesota, but he's worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues as a young hitter that could still become an impact bat with better health.
The Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins have reportedly made a deal, per a tweet from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Monday morning. According to Rosenthal's tweet, Boston is trading reliever Matt Barnes to Miami for fellow relief pitcher Richard Bleier. Barnes pitched to a 4.31 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, 34 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 39.2 innings for Boston last season while adding eight saves and four holds. Bleier, meanwhile, turned in a 3.55 ERA and a 3.27 FIP in 50.2 innings for the Marlins, while adding 32 strikeouts, 10 walks, seven holds and a save. Of the duo, Barnes likely has more potential for save opportunities this coming season in Miami than Bleier does in Boston given Kenley Jansen's presence at the back end of the Red Sox bullpen.
The Kansas City Royals are reportedly re-signing veteran starting pitcher Zack Greinke, per a tweet from Bob Fescoe of 610 Sports in Kansas City on Monday morning. Fescoe tweeted the following: "Royals have reached a deal to bring Zack Greinke back for one more year, per source. Deal will be officially announced tomorrow afternoon. #royals." The 39-year-old made his return to Kansas City this past season, making 26 starts. In those 26 starts, the right-hander pitched to a 3.68 ERA, a 4.03 FIP, 73 strikeouts, and just 27 walks allowed in 137 innings of work. Kansas City's other rotation options include the likes of Jordan Lyles, Brady Singer, Ryan Yarbrough, and Brad Keller.
Relief pitcher Darren O'Day announced on Monday he's retiring from the league in a tweet. O'Day made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008 and has appeared in every Major League season since. The 40-year-old made 644 appearances over the years, pitching for Los Angeles, the New York Mets, Texas, Baltimore, Atlanta, and the New York Yankees. He most recently appeared in 28 games for Atlanta in 2022, pitching to a 4.15 ERA and a 4.04 FIP in 21.2 innings of work while logging 26 strikeouts compared to 10 walks. For his career, the 40-year-old owns a 2.59 and a 3.48 FIP in 609-lifetime innings at the Major League level. He struck out 9.41 batters per nine frames while allowing just 2.54 walks per nine innings.
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