MLB News

The Cleveland Guardians signed free-agent right-hander Luis Frias to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training camp. Frias will join Cleveland this year after spending time with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays in 2024. In only 9 2/3 innings pitched in 11 appearances in relief, Frias allowed a whopping 16 runs (15 earned) on 19 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 12. However, the 26-year-old Dominican did post a 1.35 ERA during the Diamondbacks' run to the World Series in the fall of 2023. Most of his struggles in 2024 could be attributed to a right-shoulder injury that he dealt with. Frias could bounce back with Cleveland in 2025 if he stays healthy and could be a decent source of strikeouts in deep holds leagues.

Free-agent designated hitter/first baseman Mike Ford signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. Ford will try to win a roster spot with the Twins out of spring training in 2025 after hitting .150 (9-for-60) with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored in only 17 games played for the Cincinnati Reds this past season. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed hitter finished last year in Japan while playing for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars. Ford made his major-league debut with the New York Yankees back in 2019 and has a career .205/.298/.402 slash line with a .700 OPS, 37 home runs and 89 RBI in 781 plate appearances over 251 games in six seasons. The Twins have an opening at first base for 2025, but at best, Ford will likely be a bench bat for Minnesota.

The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they re-signed left-hander Austin Cox to a minor-league deal. Cox will return to the Royals after he went 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 65 strikeouts and 40 walks in 60 2/3 innings over 42 appearances (five starts) for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the minors in 2024. The 27-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Royals in the fifth round back in 2018 out of Mercer University. He made his major-league debut with Kansas City in 2023 and made 24 appearances (three starts), finishing with a 4.54 ERA (3.73 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, his first career save and a 33:17 K:BB in 35 2/3 innings pitched. Cox is most likely to open the 2025 campaign back at Omaha while giving the Royals some left-handed pitching depth out of the bullpen.

According to the transaction log on MLB.com, former power-hitting prospect Moises Gomez has agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. Gomez was released by the Cardinals at the end of July after a rough season in Triple-A. He hit only .194 with three home runs in 45 minor league games in 2024, but he has shown signs of turning things around in winter ball. In Venezuela, he is hitting .273/.396/.613 with 15 home runs in 48 games this winter. Earlier in his career, the right-handed hitter had 39 minor league homers in 2022 and 30 homers in 2023. In his previous work at Triple-A, he has shown plenty of power but also posted a very high strikeout rate. It's unclear if his new deal will include an invite to Spring Training, but if he can rediscover his power stroke, he could be a prospect to monitor since he's still just 26 years old.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the market for veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer is starting to heat up a bit as we head into 2025. Heyman reports there are four teams involved in the market but did not identify exactly who is in the mix. Scherzer is 40 years old and was limited to under 50 innings last year for the Rangers due to a variety of ailments, but he has indicated he's not ready to retire and hopes to pitch again this year. In 2023, he went 13-6 while splitting time between the Mets and Rangers with a 3.77 ERA, 4.32 FIP, and 10.26 K/9. His ERA rose to 3.95 in his limited work last year while his strikeout rate dropped to 8.31 K/9, his lowest mark since 2011. While he is not nearly the dominant, Cy Young candidate he was 10 years ago, Scherzer could still have enough in the tank to be a veteran contributor for a team needing rotation depth. He is a big name to watch in the next few weeks and will likely land a short-term deal with hopes of helping a contending team reach the next level.

Outfielder Anthony Santander is one of the biggest bats remaining on the free agent market, and the top two suitors for the 30-year-old at this point are the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Both teams could definitely use a power bat in the middle of their lineup like Santander's as they look to contend in the American League. Santander is coming off a career-high 44 home runs and 102 RBI last year for the Orioles while hitting .235 with a .345 wOBA and 129 wRC+. Santander has at least 28 homers in each of the last three years for the O's and would fit into the middle of either Detroit's or Toronto's lineup. The Tigers made a surprise playoff run last year while the Blue Jays had a disappointing season in a stacked AL East. Both will look to be in the playoff chase again this year but need to add some thump to their lineup like Santander. From an individual perspective, the Park Factor in Toronto would give Santander much more power potential than the cavernous environs of Comerica Park.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, infielder Josh Rojas has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox. Before being non-tendered earlier this offseason by the Mariners, Rojas hit .225 with a .286 wOBA and 91 wRC+. He hit eight home runs and finished with 31 RBI and 48 runs scored while adding 10 stolen bases. He has double-digit stolen bases in each of the last three seasons and could be a regular contributor this season for Chicago, who has plenty of question marks in the infield. The 30-year-old lefty has been very versatile, playing mostly 2B and 3B with a little SS mixed in as well. He also played a little in a corner outfield spot, setting him up as a potential utility option for Chicago this season. The fact that he's a lefty should keep him on the strong side of platoons, and he actually had a 104 wRC+ against righties last season. In 2023, Rojas was a key piece of the trade that sent closer Paul Sewald to Arizona back, but he struggled during his time in Seattle. This one-year, "prove it" deal will give him a chance to hit the market as a free agent again next year or possibly be moved to a contender at the Trade Deadline if he has a good start to the year. If he earns an everyday role out of Spring Training, he has enough upside to be an end-of-draft option in AL-only leagues.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets and free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso remain apart on the potential length of his new contract. Heyman noted that, "I do think the years are the hang-up right now," when discussing the current state of their negotiations. While they may be on the same page in terms of money, both sides remain apart on the length of a new contract. Alonso is one of the top bats remaining on the free-agent market and is the clear top first baseman available. He has spent his entire six-year MLB career in Queens. Last summer, Alonso hit 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 slash line. Alonso has gone deep at least 30 times in each of his full seasons, excluding the 2020 season. If Alonso were to return to the Mets, he would continue to bat in the top half of a lineup that is welcoming Juan Soto.

According to James Fegan of Baseball America, the Chicago White Sox designated shortstop Braden Shewmake for assignment to make room for left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert. The White Sox acquired Gilbert from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier on Wednesday. Shewmake appeared in 29 games with the White Sox last summer and held a poor .125/.134/.203 slash line with two doubles, one home run and five stolen bases. Across 209 career games at the Triple-A level, the infielder has posted a career .239/.299/.395 line with 23 home runs and 36 stolen bases. If Shewmake finds a new club, he will likely spend most of the 2025 campaign in the minor leagues given his struggles in the big leagues.

Free-agent catcher Jake Anchia signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to his agent, Gavin Kahn. Anchia was previously with the Seattle Mariners and was ranked by Baseball America as the organization's best defensive prospect at his position. The 27-year-old former seventh-round selection by Seattle in 2018 out of Nova Southeastern University spent all of the 2024 campaign at Double-A Arkansas, slashing .210/.246/.358 with a weak .604 OPS, nine home runs, 39 RBI, three stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 290 trips to the plate over 79 games played. Anchia's calling card is obviously his defense, leaving him very little fantasy upside if he ever reaches the major-league level in Cleveland.

Colorado Rockies outfielder/designated hitter Kris Bryant (back) said he is doing well while recovering from back injuries that have limited him to 159 games since he signed with the team before the 2022 season. All checkups on Bryant this offseason have gone well, according to the Rockies. "He's doing good," general manager Bill Schmidt said. "From my understanding, he really hasn't shut down since the end of the season. He's working out. He's swinging the bat." Over his three seasons in Colorado, Bryant has produced a minus-1.3 fWAR, which tied him for 2,069th among major-league players in that span. The Rockies plan to use him as their DH and right fielder in 2025 if he can stay healthy. He could also play first base, but Michael Toglia could play there full time. The 32-year-old only played in 37 games in 2024 and hit .218 with a 31% strikeout rate. Bryant's fantasy stock has plummeted the last few years.

The Chicago White Sox acquired left-hander Tyler Gilbert from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Aaron Combs. Gilbert had been designated for assignment by the Phillies on Dec. 22. Gilbert will head to the American League in 2025 after appearing only six times out of the Phillies' bullpen in 2024. In his 8 1/3 innings pitched, he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out four. The 31-year-old former sixth-round selection by the Phillies in 2015 out of the University of Southern California (USC) debuted in the bigs with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 and holds a career 4.23 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 100 innings over 34 outings (13 starts) in his four seasons. Gilbert will give the rebuilding White Sox a swing arm in 2025, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back, elbow), who was acquired from the Miami Marlins this offseason, said he feels 100 percent after missing time with left-elbow tightness and not pitching after June 16 due to a stress reaction in his lower back. 2024 was a tough year for the lefty, but he did have a 3.48 ERA and 328 strikeouts in 279 innings in 2022 and 2023 with Miami. He's optimistic that his back issues are behind him as the 27-year-old southpaw embarks on his first season in Philly. Luzardo had a rough 5.00 ERA and made only 12 starts for the Fish this past season because of his injuries, but if he can stay healthy in 2025, he'll give the Phillies the deepest starting rotation in the sport. However, with only one season with 20 starts in the big leagues, Luzardo remains a pretty big fantasy risk on draft day.

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent infielder/outfielder Nick Gordon on a minor-league deal. Gordon will give the Orioles some extra utility depth in both the infield and outfield heading into spring training in February. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter was the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2014 out of a high school in Florida. He debuted in the big leagues in 2021 and has slashed .244/.283/.386 with a .669 OPS, 23 homers, 112 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 106 runs in 338 games over his four seasons. Last year he played in 95 games with the Miami Marlins and hit .227 (59-for-260) with eight homers, 32 RBI, five steals and 29 runs scored. Gordon's best season came in 2022, when he slashed .272/.316/.427 with nine homers, 50 RBI and six steals in 136 games. At best, he'll likely be a bench player for the O's.

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-hander David Buchanan to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Buchanan made his major-league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2014 and made 20 starts. He then made 15 starts the following year but struggled to an ERA just under 7.00 with 44 strikeouts and 29 walks in 74 2/3 innings pitched. The 35-year-old former seventh-round pick by the Phillies in 2010 out of Georgia State University resurfaced in the majors in 2024 with the Cincinnati Reds but only pitched 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. Buchanan pitched in both Japan and Korea during his long stint out of the big leagues. He'll now try to return to the big leagues in the American League in 2025 while providing relief depth for the Rangers. Buchanan will not be on the fantasy radar.

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed former Minnesota Twins left-hander Caleb Thielbar to an undisclosed one-year deal. Thielbar will provide veteran left-handed depth for Chicago's bullpen heading into the 2025 season. The 37-year-old former 18th-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2009 out of South Dakota State University has pitched for the Twins in all eight of his big-league seasons since debuting in 2013. He held a 5.32 ERA (4.10 FIP) and a 1.56 WHIP with a career-high three saves, 53 strikeouts and 24 walks in 47 1/3 innings over 59 relief appearances in 2024. It was one of Thielbar's worst seasons of his career, but the Cubs are hoping he can bounce back after striking out a third of the batters he faced from 2021 to 2023.

According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, right-handed pitcher Ben Heller has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. Heller logged just 12 innings with an 11.25 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. However, at Triple-A, he held a 3.55 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 33 innings of work. In this stint, he struck out an impressive 55 batters. Heller was on the injured list with a shoulder injury towards the end of the season but has not shown any signs of being in danger of missing Spring Training. The 33-year-old could earn a spot on the major league roster but will likely open the 2025 season at the Triple-A level, given his lack of success in the big leagues.

According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the Texas Rangers have designated right-handed pitcher Grant Anderson for assignment to open a roster spot for Joc Pederson. Anderson has spent the past two seasons in the Texas organization. Last summer, through 26 2/3 innings of work, the 27-year-old posted an 8.10 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP. He struck out batters at a modest 24.2% rate but generated a poor 5.18 xERA and a .261 xBA. In 2023, Anderson carried a 5.10 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP through 35 2/3 innings of work. In 74 1/3 career innings at Triple-A, Anderson has posted a 3.87 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. If Anderson were to find a new club, he would likely operate a low-leverage relief option.

According to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, free agent left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart is drawing interest from five clubs on the free agent market. According to a source, the Yankees, Twins, Astros, Orioles, and Brewers are among the suitors. The southpaw has not pitched in the MLB since 2020 but has begun to revive his career by pitching overseas in South Korea. This past season in South Korea, Hart posted a 2.69 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP with 182 strikeouts across 157 innings of work. In 2020, Hart logged 11 innings in San Francisco to the tune of a 15.55 ERA and a 3.09 WHIP. Across 334 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, he posted a 4.36 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. If Hart were to find a suitor, he would likely operate as a long-relief option.

Free-agent right-hander Miguel Castro has signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros that includes an invitation to big-league spring training camp. Castro, a 30-year-old veteran from the Dominican Republic, heads to the American League West after spending the 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his 11 relief appearances over 13 2/3 innings with Arizona, Castro had a 5.93 ERA and 1.68 WHIP with eight strikeouts and three walks. The previous year in the desert, he had a career-high seven saves in a league-high 75 appearances out of the bullpen. Castro debuted in the big leagues back in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies and has a career 4.20 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 14 saves and a 410:233 K:BB in his 460 2/3 innings. If he makes the big-league roster in 2025 in Houston, he'll battle for setup duties out of the bullpen.