MLB News

Paul Sewald  • RP  •  Guardians

Guardians Sign Paul Sewald On Wednesday

The Cleveland Guardians announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-handed reliever Paul Sewald to an undisclosed major-league contract for the 2025 season. The deal includes a mutual option for 2026. It was a rough 2024 season for Sewald in his final year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he missed time due to injury and also lost his job as the closer. The 34-year-old veteran finished with a 4.31 ERA (3.95 FIP) and a 1.13 WHIP with 16 saves, a 26.1% strikeout rate and a 6.1% walk rate in 39 2/3 relief innings. He got a late start due to an oblique injury and saved 11 straight saves while being unhittable before everything fell apart. Although Sewald won't be the closer in Cleveland with Emmanuel Clase locked into that role, he did have 81 saves the last four years and should be worth a look in holds leagues as a setup man for the Guardians in 2025. UPDATE: Sewald will make $7 million, and his 2026 option will be worth $10 million.
4 hours ago   
Christian Bethancourt  • C  •  Blue Jays  |  Richard Lovelady  • RP  •  Blue Jays

Blue Jays Sign Christian Bethancourt, Richard Lovelady To Minors Deals

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent catcher Christian Bethancourt and left-hander Richard Lovelady to minor-league deals with invites to major-league spring training on Wednesday. Bethancourt will compete with Tyler Heineman in camp for the right to serve as Alejandro Kirk's primary backup in 2025. Meanwhile, Lovelady has had success against lefty hitters in his career and will give the Blue Jays more left-handed depth for their bullpen. Bethancourt, 33, broke into the big leagues back in 2013 with the Atlanta Braves and will be on his seventh MLB team. In 62 games with the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs last year, he hit .209 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 147 plate appearances. Lovelady, 29, has held lefties to a .232/.312/.342 line in his five years in the majors. He had a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with two saves in 34 1/3 frames with the Cubs and Rays in 2024.
5 hours ago   
Lou Trivino  • RP

Lou Trivino Works Out For Teams This Week

Free-agent right-handed reliever Lou Trivino (elbow, shoulder) threw a bullpen session in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday in front of scouts and got his sinker up to 94 mph. Trivino is already drawing interest from several teams, and the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals were among the teams in attendance and came away impressed, according to a source. The 33-year-old veteran was working to return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 before his rehab was shut down in September due to a shoulder injury. Trivino has not pitched in the big leagues since the 2022 campaign but could be a useful high-leverage setup man somewhere in 2025 if he proves he's past his arm issues. In five big-league seasons, he has a 3.86 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 37 saves in 284 2/3 innings pitched.
5 hours ago   
Pablo López  • SP  •  Twins

Pablo Lopez Named Twins Opening Day Starter

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that right-hander Pablo Lopez will get the nod for the team on Opening Day in 2025 on March 27 at the St. Louis Cardinals. Lopez, who was a first-time All-Star in his first year in Minnesota in 2023, went 15-10 for the Twins last year with a 4.08 ERA (3.65 FIP) and a 1.19 WHIP with 198 strikeouts and 41 walks in 32 starts. On the surface, he took a step back in 2024 and struggled with allowing home runs, but he pitched better down the stretch and posted a career-high 15 wins. The 28-year-old Venezuelan hurler has been durable in his career and has a pretty decent 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 889 1/3 career innings over seven major-league seasons. Lopez is by no means a fantasy ace, but he should have a pretty safe floor as an SP2 for fantasy managers to target in upcoming drafts.
5 hours ago   
Taylor Walls  • SS  •  Rays

Taylor Walls, Rays Avoid Arbitration

The Tampa Bay Rays and infielder Taylor Walls avoided salary arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million deal. The contract includes a $2.45 million option for the 2026 season with a $50,000 buyout. The 28-year-old middle infield will return to Tampa this year to provide infield insurance for the Rays. His glove is the most attractive thing about him, leaving very little fantasy upside for those in deep AL-only leagues in 2025. The former third-round selection in 2017 out of Florida State hit just .183/.282/.248 with a career-worst .529 OPS, one home run, 14 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 27 runs scored in 84 games in his fourth major-league season in 2024. In his four big-league campaigns, Walls has slashed a mere .188/.288/.293 with 18 home runs, 98 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 379 career games. If he's forced into regular playing time, the Rays will be in trouble.
5 hours ago   
Tim Anderson  • SS  •  Angels

Tim Anderson Signs Minor-League Deal With Angels

Former All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Anderson will look to return to the big leagues alongside manager and infield guru Ron Washington in Anaheim in 2025. The 31-year-old made the All-Star team in back-to-back seasons with the Chicago White So in 2021 and 2022 and also won an American League batting title back in 2019, but he's tanked the last two years offensively and ended up being released by the Miami Marlins in 2024 after hitting just .214/.237/.226 with no homers in 65 games. Anderson will have a better shot at making the Angels' Opening Day roster out of spring training since starting shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) may not be ready to go, but until further notice, Anderson won't be anywhere near the fantasy radar for those in mixed leagues in 2025.
5 hours ago   
Kristian Campbell  • SS  •  Red Sox

Kristian Campbell Will Compete For Starting Job At Second Base

According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell will be in the mix to compete for the starting second base job at spring training. Browne noted that Vaughn Grissom will likely be the other option. Grissom was given the starting job last summer but battled numerous injuries and logged only 31 games all season. He posted a disappointing .190/.246/.219 line. Campbell was recently tabbed as MLB Pipeline's top second base prospect entering the 2025 season. Last summer, Campbell spent most of his time at Double-A, where he held an impressive .362/.463/.582 line with eight home runs and 17 stole bases across 56 games. He was given a brief look at Triple-A and continued to perform as he posted a .286/.412/.486 line through 19 games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their progress during spring training, but Campbell is worth a look as a late flier in early drafts, as he could run away with the starting job, given his development last summer.
10 hours ago   
John Means  • SP

John Means Not Expected To Sign Soon

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports, free-agent pitcher John Means (elbow) is not expected to sign a contract for the 2025 season anytime soon. The left-hander underwent his second Tommy John surgery last June, and according to Kubatko, the industry perception is that Means will not find a suitor until much later in the offseason. Kubatko noted that the Orioles have not closed the door on a potential reunion. Last summer, the southpaw logged just 20 2/3 innings before being shut down. However, he was quite productive, posting a 2.61 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. He struck out 16 batters but showed elite command with a near-perfect 2.6% walk rate. In 2023, Means also logged just 23 frames and held a similar 2.66 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress, but he will likely not return to the mound until late in the 2025 season.
11 hours ago   
Alex Bregman  • 3B

Alex Bregman Remains At Standstill With Detroit

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Tigers and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman remain at a standstill in contract negotiations. The Tigers have been viewed as one of the favorites to land the Gold Glover throughout most of the offseason but have been unable to reach a final agreement. Bregman is reportedly still eyeing a long-term deal. However, seeing that both sides still have "mutual interest" suggests they could eventually work out a deal. Bregman has also been targeted by the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, among others. Last summer in Houston, Bregman posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs. He has always shown an elite eye at the plate, boasting a career 13.6% strikeout rate. Bregman would provide a much-needed veteran presence to a young Detroit infield.
11 hours ago   
Jurickson Profar  • LF  |  Pete Alonso  • 1B

Blue Jays Remain Interested In Pete Alonso And Jurickson Profar

According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays are still targeting top bats on the market, including first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Jurickson Profar. Earlier this week, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a hefty five-year $92 million contract. However, given that the team was willing to spend on Juan Soto, Feinsand believes the team remains at the top of free-agent discussions. Pete Alonso has been linked to Toronto throughout most of the winter, and given that the Mets have begun to pivot in another direction, Toronto may be the favorite. Profar has had several suitors, including the Braves, but Toronto is reportedly looking to improve their outfield further. Alonso would bring another high-upside power bat to their lineup, while Profar will bring 20+ HR upside with elite on-base skills.
11 hours ago   
Samuel Basallo  • C  •  Orioles

Baltimore Not Considering A Trade For Samuel Basallo

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports, the Baltimore Orioles are not considering a trade for their top-catching prospect, Samuel Basallo. Basallo was recently tabbed as the sport's top-catching prospect on MLB Pipeline and is one of the budding stars in the Baltimore system. However, the Orioles already have a franchise backstop in Adley Rutschman but still view Basallo as untouchable. Last summer, the 20-year-old spent most of the season with Double-A Bowie and held a .289/.355/.465 line with 22 doubles and 16 home runs. He then earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A, where he took a slight step back with a .222/.267/.370 line. Across these 21 games, he hit just three home runs. However, Basallo has begun to see starts at first base and will likely spend most of his time there when he reaches the major leagues. He should have a good opportunity to debut later this summer.
11 hours ago   
Samad Taylor  • 2B  •  Mariners

Samad Taylor Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Triple-A

Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday. Taylor was recently designated for assignment but will remain in Seattle's organization for now. The 26-year-old former 10th-round draft pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 only played in three games with the M's in 2024 and went 2-for-5 with a strikeout and two runs scored. He debut in the majors in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals and saw action in 31 games. In his time with Tacoma last year, Taylor slashed .262/.352/.380 with a .732 OPS, 11 home runs, 75 RBI, a career-high 50 stolen bases and 93 runs scored in 599 trips to the plate over 136 games played. Speed is what stands out with Taylor, but if he makes it back to the big leagues in Seattle in 2025, it will be as a utility man off the bench.
21 hours ago   
Will Klein  • RP  •  Mariners

Will Klein Traded To Seattle

According to the team, the Seattle Mariners have acquired right-handed pitcher Will Klein from the Athletics in exchange for international slot money. Klein was designated for assignment on Friday but will now take his talents to Seattle. Before the trade, Klein was ranked as the No.16 best prospect in the A's system. He logged only seven 1/3 innings at the major league level and allowed nine earned runs. Across 78 innings at Triple-A, the former fifth-round selection has posted a 4.62 ERA and a .164 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 92 batters but allowed a hefty 57 walks. Klein will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster but should be expected to spend most of the 2025 at Triple-A to continue his development.
23 hours ago   
Ron Marinaccio  • RP

Ron Marinaccio Designated For Assignment

According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox have designated right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for left-handed pitcher Martin Perez, who agreed to a one-year $5 million contract. Marinaccio was claimed by the White Sox last season but never pitched for them. During the 2022 season, Marinaccio was very productive as he posted a career-best 2.05 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP across 44 innings of work. However, during the 2024 campaign, the reliever held a much-higher 3.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 23 1/3 innings. The Delaware product will likely find a suitor before spring training and compete for a bullpen role.
23 hours ago   
José Quijada  • RP  •  Angels

Jose Quijada, Angels Avoid Arbitration

According to the team, left-handed pitcher Jose Quijada and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million to avoid arbitration. This deal also includes a $3.75 million club option for the 2026 season. Quijada missed most of the 2024 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2023. However, the southpaw returned late in the season and posted a 3.26 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP across 19 1/3 innings of relief. Throughout this short stint, he generated an impressive 28.6% K rate and .214 xBA, which were both significantly above the average marks. He logged a career-high 40 2/3 innings during the 2022 campaign and posted a 3.98 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Quijada to have a high-leverage role in the Los Angeles bullpen in 2025.
23 hours ago   
Donovan Solano  • 3B  •  Mariners

Donovan Solano Expected To Play Primarily At First Base

According to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, Seattle Mariners infielder Donovan Solano is expected to spend most of the 2025 season at first base. Solano signed a one-year contract with the Mariners earlier this offseason. Throughout his career, he has been deployed at several positions in the infield, but it appears the Mariners view him primarily as a first baseman. As a result, fantasy managers should expect him to be on the short side of a platoon with Luke Raley throughout most of the season. Last summer with San Diego, the 37-year-old posted a .282/.343/.417 line with 13 doubles and eight home runs. However, he generated poor metrics, which suggest he could be due for some regression during the 2025 season. Solano should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats, given his lack of power and potential for a limited role.
23 hours ago   
Cade Horton  • SP  •  Cubs

Cade Horton On Track For Normal Spring Training

According to Ryan Herrera of JustBaseball.com, Chicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Cade Horton (shoulder) is expected to have a normal spring training. The top arm in the Chicago system was on track to make his major-league debut last summer but was eventually shut down with a shoulder injury in May. Before the injury, Horton held a 1.10 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP at Double-A and got a brief taste of Triple-A. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training, as he may just need a short stint at Triple-A before reaching the major leagues. The former seventh-overall pick has held a career 3.22 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 122 2/3 innings in the minor leagues. He has struck out 157 batters and served up 40 free passes. He should be viewed as one of the sport's top pitching prospects and will carry value in redraft leagues when promoted.
23 hours ago   
Austin Davis  • RP  •  Padres

Padres Re-Sign Austin Davis To Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres re-signed left-hander Austin Davis to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. Davis also signed a minor-league deal with the Padres last February and ended up making seven appearances in relief for the Friars in 2024, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits while walking five and striking out six in seven innings pitched. In 47 relief appearances at Triple-A El Paso, Davis had a 3.40 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 14 saves, 61 strikeouts and 26 walks in 47 2/3 frames. He will most likely start the 2025 campaign back at El Paso as left-handed relief depth for the Padres. The former 12th-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014 out of California State Bakersfield has a career 5.77 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 151 1/3 innings in parts of six major-league seasons.
Yesterday   
Chasen Shreve  • RP  •  Braves

Chasen Shreve Signs Minors Deal With Braves

Free-agent left-hander Chasen Shreve signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Monday that includes in invitation to major-league spring training. Shreve will make $1.3 million if he's in the big leagues in 2025. Shreve signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers last February but ended up pitching just one inning in the big leagues last year with the Colorado Rockies. At the Triple-A level with three different organizations (Rockies, Rangers and Yankees), Shreve held a 2.62 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with a save, 35 strikeouts and 12 walks in 34 1/3 innings over 31 appearances out of the bullpen. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw will just be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot this spring as bullpen depth in Atlanta. After debuting in the majors in 2014 with Atlanta, Shreve has a career 3.96 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 357 innings with only two saves.
Yesterday   
Michael Kopech  • RP  •  Dodgers

Michael Kopech Could Miss First Month Of The Season

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers have added more bullpen depth with left-hander Tanner Scott and right-hander Kirby Yates in recent days with right-hander Michael Kopech (undisclosed) expected to possibly miss the first month of the regular season. At this time, it's unknown what type of ailment Kopech is dealing with, but the hard-throwing 28-year-old probably won't pitch in spring training. Stay tuned for more details on his injury. If he's not ready for Opening Day, expect Scott to serve as LA's primary closer, with Yates and Evan Phillips working in high-leverage setup roles for the defending World Series champions. Kopech leaned more on his elite fastball in 2024 to excellent results, posting a league-best 34% whiff rate on his four-seamer. He had 15 saves, 10 holds and six wins with LA and the White Sox, but his injury will drop his fantasy appeal heading into the 2025 season.
Yesterday   
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