MLB News
Cubs Acquire Eli Morgan From Guardians
The Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Cubs sent Cleveland in return. Morgan went 3-0 with a strong 1.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 34 strikeouts and 11 walks last year for Cleveland in 42 innings out of the bullpen and has a 3.23 career ERA in 173 innings as a reliever in the big leagues. The 28-year-old has pitched a total of 265 1/3 innings at the major-league level over 161 appearances (19 starts) since making his debut in 2021 with the Guardians. Morgan sports a career 23.8% strikeout rate and a nice 6.4% walk rate, although his strikeout rate fell to a career-low 20.4% in 2024. He will likely work in the middle innings for the Cubbies in 2025 and won't be on the fantasy radar. UPDATE: The Guardians received outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario in return.
Yesterday
Mariners Acquire Austin Shenton From Rays
The Seattle Mariners acquired infielder Austin Shenton from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Mariners designated right-hander JT Chargois for assignment. Shenton was originally drafted by Seattle in the fifth round in 2019 out of Florida International. The 26-year-old made his major-league debut with the Rays in 2024 but played in only 19 games, going 9-for-42 (.214) with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored. He also appeared in 83 games with Triple-A Durham on the farm and slashed .258/.361/.497 with an .858 OPS, 20 home runs, 65 RBI and 49 runs scored in 363 plate appearances. Shenton will provide the M's with minor-league infield depth heading into spring training next year after hitting .283/.388/.527 in his five seasons in the minors.
Yesterday
Guardians' Stephen Vogt Named AL Manager Of The Year
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was named the American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday evening. It was a pretty special first season as manager in the big leagues for Vogt, as he had a winning record, won the AL Central title and helped his club advance to the AL Championship Series. It's the third time in the last decade that a Guardians skipper has won the award, with Vogt being the fifth-youngest manager to win the award. Vogt becomes the fastest person to go from being a player to Manager of the Year winner. He finished playing on Oct. 5 of 2022 and was hired as Cleveland's manager just 397 days after with zero managerial experience. It was an impressive turnaround after the team went 76-86 in 2023. Vogt leaned heavily on his bullpen that combined to post a 2.57 ERA, the fourth-best among all bullpens since 1995.
Yesterday
Yankees Protect Caleb Durbin From Rule 5 Draft
The New York Yankees added infielder Caleb Durbin and catcher Jesus Rodriguez to their 40-man roster on Tuesday so that they cannot be taken in the upcoming Rule 5 draft by another team. The Yankees also received right-hander Carson Coleman as a Rule 5 draft return from the Texas Rangers. It's quickly become clear that the Yankees are high on Durbin heading into 2025 and beyond, and it's hard to blame them after the 24-year-old looked good at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before tearing it up in the Arizona Fall League. Surprisingly, he's not listed among the team's top-30 prospects by MLB Pipeline after slashing .287/.396/.471 with 10 homers, 60 RBI and 29 steals in 82 games at Triple-A this year. If Durbin keeps his strong play going into spring training early next year, he could open the regular season on the Opening Day roster.
2 days ago
Cardinals Add Tink Hence To 40-Man Roster
In moves made to protect some of their better young prospects from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, the St. Louis Cardinals added right-handers Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby and Matt Svanson and outfielder Matt Koperniak to their 40-man roster on Tuesday. Hence is the team's most decorated prospect, with MLB Pipeline listing him as their No. 2 prospect. Injuries have been a problem for the 22-year-old, but when healthy, he has displayed promising upside on the mound. The former second-round pick in 2020 had a nice 2.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 79 2/3 innings over 20 starts for Double-A Springfield in 2024. Roby checks in as St. Louis' No. 6 prospect, while Svanson and Koperniak aren't listed among the team's top-30 prospects. All four of the young players cannot be claimed in the Rule 5 draft now by other organizations.
2 days ago
Cubs Protect Owen Caissie From Rule 5 Draft
To protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, the Chicago Cubs added outfield prospect Owen Caissie to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, according to a source. As ESPN's Kiley McDaniels' 63rd-best prospect in baseball (back in August), the move doesn't come as much of a surprise. Per MLB Pipeline, Caissie is listed as Chicago's No. 2 prospect, behind only infielder Matt Shaw. The 22-year-old Canadian hits from the left side but throws right-handed. In 127 games at Triple-A Iowa in 2024, Caissie hit .278/.375/.473 with an .848 OPS, 19 home runs, 75 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 69 runs scored in 549 plate appearances. He impresses talent evaluators the most with his raw power at the plate, giving him 40-homer upside in the majors. If Caissie impresses the Cubs' coaching staff in spring training early in 2025, it's not out of the realm of possibilities that he opens the year on the Opening Day roster.
2 days ago
Nick Pivetta Declines Boston's Qualifying Offer
Free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta declined the Boston Red Sox's $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday. It means that if Pivetta signs with another team on the free-agent market this offseason, the Red Sox will receive draft-pick compensation. The 31-year-old should be able to receive a pretty lucrative long-term contract on the open market, but it remains to be seen if he'll return to Beantown. In his eighth year in the big leagues in 2024, the Canadian hurler went 6-12 with a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP and a 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over his 27 outings (26 starts). He has a career 4.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 26.0% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate, although his strikeout rate has been over 30% in the last two seasons in Boston. Leaving the tough American League East could be good news for Pivetta's fantasy value.
2 days ago
Mets Acquire Jose Siri From The Rays
The New York Mets acquired outfielder Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in exchange for pitcher Eric Orze, according to a league source. Siri could see a considerable amount of playing time next year for the Mets with Harrison Bader potentially leaving in free agency. However, the 29-year-old Dominican is going to need to pick it up offensively after hitting just .187/.255/.366 with a weak .620 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, a career-high-tying 14 stolen bases and 50 runs scored in 130 games played (448 plate appearances). Siri struck out 37.9 percent of the time. His glove is probably his most attractive attribute, but he can also provide some modest speed in NL-only leagues. Orze is a 27-year-old reliever who had a 2.92 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and three saves in 61 2/3 innings for Triple-A Syracuse in 2024 before making his major-league debut (1 2/3 frames).
2 days ago
Cubs Likely To Designate Adbert Alzolay For Assignment
The Chicago Cubs are likely to designate former closer Adbert Alzolay (elbow) for assignment on Tuesday, according to a source. Alzolay underwent Tommy John surgery in August and won't put again until late 2025, at the earliest. The 29-year-old Venezuelan right-hander had a career-high 22 saves in 2023 and entered the 2024 campaign as the favorite for saves in Chicago, but he certainly didn't have the year the Cubs were hoping for. Before his season-ending elbow injury, Alzolay had a rough 4.67 ERA (7.38 FIP), a 1.44 WHIP, four saves, 13 strikeouts and six walks in 17 1/3 innings over 18 appearances out of the bullpen. If another club doesn't claim Alzolay on waivers, there's a chance the Cubs could work out a trade to send him elsewhere. Obviously, Alzolay will be off the fantasy radar in 2025 as he recovers from elbow surgery.
2 days ago
Phillies To Meet With Juan Soto
The Philadelphia Phillies plan to meet with superstar free-agent outfielder Juan Soto at some point, although nothing has been scheduled yet. Soto has already met with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and New York Yankees and is scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles Dodgers next. However, it's believed that no offers have been made to Soto yet. The Phillies already have one of the most complete rosters in the game, but they continue to look for ways to improve, and their ownership has shown a willingness to pay for some of the top free agents. It's believed that Soto prefers to stay in New York, but the Phillies could become a "stalking horse," according to Phillies CEO John Middleton. However, Mets owner Steve Cohen is willing to beat any other club's offer to Soto by $50 million, according to a source.
2 days ago
Luis Severino Rejects Qualifying Offer From Mets
Free-agent right-hander Luis Severino is officially rejecting the New York Mets' $21.05 million qualifying offer for one year on Tuesday, according to a source. The Mets and Severino are allowed to discuss a potential deal for a reunion, but if he signs elsewhere on the open market, the Mets will get an extra draft pick as compensation. The Mets could get additional compensation if left-hander Sean Manaea also rejects his qualifying offer and signs with another club. Severino will be heading into his age-31 season in 2025 coming off a year in which he went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA (4.21 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP and 161:60 K:BB in 182 innings over his 31 starts in his first year in Queens. The two-time All-Star was able to stay healthy all year, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect a second straight year of good health for the oft-injured hurler.
2 days ago
Willy Adames Declines Brewers Qualifying Offer
Free-agent shortstop Willy Adames has officially declined the Milwaukee Brewers' $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday, as expected. With Adames declining, the Brewers will be assured draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team on the open market this offseason. This was the first time that the Brewers have ever extended a qualifying offer. Adames is 29 years old and is the top SS in the free-agent class, which made it a no-brainer move for him to decline the offer. Assuming he signs for more than $50 million, Milwaukee would be given a draft pick between the end of the first round and the start of the competitive balance Round A. Adames was one of the team's top offensive performers in 2024, slashing .251/.331/.462 with a .794 OPS and career-highs in homers (32), RBI (112) and steals (21) in 161 regular-season games. He's reportedly open to the idea of moving to third base for a new team.
2 days ago
Teoscar Hernandez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers
Free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez declined the Los Angeles Dodgers' $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday, as expected, according to sources. Hernandez is looking for a richer long-term deal on the open market this winter after excelling in his first year with the Dodgers, which led to a World Series title. It's believed that there is plenty of mutual interest in a reunion, but the Dodgers will at least receive draft-pick compensation if Hernandez signs elsewhere. The 32-year-old Dominican outfielder most likely won't have the type of lineup protection that he had with the Dodgers if he departs in free agency. If 589 at-bats with LA in 2024 during the regular season, Hernandez hit a strong .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, career-high 33 home runs, 99 RBI, a career-high-tying 12 steals and 84 runs scored in 154 games. He had three homers and 12 RBI in 16 playoff games.
2 days ago
Juan Soto Declines Yankees' Qualifying Offer
As expected, free-agent outfielder Juan Soto declined the New York Yankees' $21.05 million qualifying offer on Tuesday. It means that if Soto signs with another team on the free-agent market this offseason, the Yankees will receive draft-pick compensation. The 26-year-old is expected to land a mega deal for over 10 years and potentially for more than $600 million after leading the Yankees to the World Series in his first year in the Bronx in 2024. The Yankees would really like to bring him back, but the crosstown New York Mets could be looking to outbid them and steal Soto away. Other teams already involved are the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Soto is a generational talent and had a career-high 41 home runs and 109 RBI in 157 regular-season games for the Yankees while leading the league with 128 runs scored.
2 days ago
Yankees Sign Pablo Reyes, Cristian Hernandez To Minors Deals
The New York Yankees signed utilityman Pablo Reyes and right-hander Cristian Hernandez to minor-league deals on Monday. Reyes, 31, has six seasons of MLB experience, most recently playing for the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets in 2024, where he hit a combined .183/.234/.217 with no homers and five RBI in 22 games played. He has played every position on the field except catcher and sports a career .248/.309/.349 slash line with eight homers, 54 RBI and 13 steals in 233 games. Hernandez, 24, has not pitched above Double-A and had a 3.40 ERA with 44 strikeouts and nine stolen bases in 42 1/3 innings for Double-A Reading in the Philadelphia Phillies organization this past season. Reyes, given his experience, is probably the better bet to play for the Yankees during the 2025 season as a utility bench option.
3 days ago
Juan Soto Meets With Yankees, Dodgers Up Next
Free-agent outfielder Juan Soto has already met with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, and his agent, Scott Boras, met with the New York Yankees on Monday. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the next team up to meet with Soto, possibly as early as Tuesday, according to sources. No conclusion is expected before Thanksgiving next Thursday, but the feeling around the industry is that he could make a decision before the winter meetings, which begin on Dec. 9. The superstar outfielder is expected to sign a deal for at least 10 years and for a dollar amount that could exceed $600 million. One source said Soto has spoken with at least one other mystery team. Other teams that could meet with Soto include the Giants, Phillies and Rays, with Tampa being the biggest long shot. The Mets and Yankees are considered the favorites to secure Soto's services this offseason.
3 days ago
Deivi Garcia Agrees With Brewers On Minor-League Deal
Free-agent right-hander Deivi Garcia agreed with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to sources. Garcia was once a top prospect in the New York Yankees system and will now become a reclamation project for the Brewers. The 25-year-old's stuff still grades out well despite sporting a 7.07 ERA (5.24 FIP), 1.93 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and 11 walks in 14 innings out of the bullpen at the major-league level with the Chicago White Sox in 2024. He was no better at Triple-A Charlotte on the farm with a 6.18 ERA. Garcia debuted with the Yankees in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and has a 5.02 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with a 20.4% strikeout rate and 10.3% walk rate. He's going to need to lower his walk rate significantly if he wants to resurface in the big leagues with the Brew Crew.
3 days ago
Luis Gil Wins AL Rookie Of The Year Award
New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil was named the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday night. Gil had a phenomenal year, considering he was two-plus years removed from Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old received 15 of the 30 first-place votes to narrowly top Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser. Gil was initially expected to begin the year in the minors to work on his command after throwing just four innings at Single-A in 2023. He ended up making the Opening Day rotation, though, and took advantage, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts. Gil led all AL rookies in wins, innings pitched (151 2/3) and strikeouts (171). The Dominican hurler allowed one or fewer hits in five outings, which tied for the most by a rookie since the mound was moved in 1893. In winning the award, Gil became the 10th Yankees player to do so.
3 days ago
Paul Skenes Named 2024 NL Rookie Of The Year
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday evening. Skenes, last year's first overall pick out of LSU, debuted less than a year after being drafted and is a generational talent at the position. The 22-year-old went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts in 133 innings for the Pirates this year, and his 170 strikeouts were a franchise record. His ERA was the lowest for a rookie pitcher with at least 20 starts in the live-ball era (dating to 1920) and the lowest of any pitcher in 2024 with at least 130 innings. Skenes' fWAR was 10th among big-league pitchers, and he was also named one of the finalists for the NL Cy Young, joining lefty Chris Sale and right-hander Zack Wheeler. Skenes is already one of the most dominant pitchers in the sport and will be a highly-coveted fantasy ace in 2025.
3 days ago
Cubs Hiring Tyler Zombro As Special Assistant
The Chicago Cubs are hiring Tyler Zombro as a special assistant in their front office, according to source. The 30-year-old has become one of the sport's preeminent trainers at Tread Athletics and will now work in the Cubs' organization to help improve the performance of their pitchers. Not only will the addition of Zombro hopefully improve the effectiveness of Cubs' pitchers, but he could help lure one of the top free-agent arms, right-hander Corbin Burnes, to the Cubbies this offseason. Manager Craig Counsell also has experience working with Burnes in Milwaukee. Despite not having many big-name arms in their starting rotation and bullpen in 2024, the Cubs had a team ERA of 3.78 under manager Craig Counsell, which ranked 10th in all of baseball.
3 days ago
Eli Morgan
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Cubs
