The New York Yankees have acquired veteran infielder Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins in a reported three-way trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays, addressing their need at third base due to injuries to DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza. In exchange, the Yankees are sending outfield prospect John Cruz to the Marlins and catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays, while the Rays are sending outfield prospect Shane Sasaki to the Marlins. Berti, known for his versatility and speed, is expected to fill the void at third base for the Yankees, while the 18-year-old Cruz and 23-year-old Sasaki are part of the trade deal as promising prospects.
The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran infielder Kolten Wong to a minor league contract, adding depth to their roster, while also securing pitcher Julio Teherán. The team won 12-3 against the Twins in a recent Grapefruit League game, bringing their spring training record to 5-1. The Orioles will face the Pirates in their next game, with Corbin Burnes scheduled to start. Additionally, the article covers various topics including player injuries, pitching prospects, and historical events.
The Detroit Tigers have signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year deal worth $1.5MM, with additional incentives based on plate appearances. The move provides the Tigers with a viable everyday option at third base while their top prospect, Jace Jung, continues his development. Urshela also offers insurance at shortstop and second base, as well as a right-handed bat to complement the team's lefty hitters. Despite his solid track record, Urshela is a rebound candidate after a season-ending pelvic fracture in 2023. The signing barely impacts the Tigers' payroll, leaving room for further acquisitions as the offseason progresses.
The Detroit Tigers signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, adding another layer to their infield situation. Urshela, known for his offensive skills and versatility, will likely split at-bats at third base with other players. Despite a decline in performance last year, the signing provides low-cost flexibility for the team and adds depth to their lineup, especially against left-handed pitching.
The Detroit Tigers have signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the potential to earn $500,000 in incentives for plate appearances in the 2024 season. Urshela, known for his performance against left-handed pitchers, primarily plays third base but has experience at other infield positions. He hit .299 with two home runs in 62 games with the Los Angeles Angels last season and has a career .290 batting average against left-handed pitchers. The Tigers now have several players in the mix at third base, including Urshela, Andy Ibáñez, Zach McKinstry, and Matt Vierling.
Infielder Amed Rosario has signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, providing the team with a strong bat against left-handed pitching and versatility in playing multiple positions. The 28-year-old, who previously played for the Cleveland Guardians and the Los Angeles Dodgers, adds depth to the Rays' infield and brings a career batting average of .272 with 60 homers and 334 RBIs in 839 games.
The New York Yankees have claimed infielder Jordan Groshans off waivers from the Marlins and designated lefty reliever Matt Krook for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Groshans, a former highly-regarded talent, struggled in the majors and spent the 2023 season in Triple-A. The Yankees can still send him to Triple-A for the next two years if they keep him on the 40-man roster. Meanwhile, Krook, who made his major league debut last season, has shown potential with high strikeout rates in Triple-A but struggles with command. The Yankees have a week to trade Krook or attempt to run him through waivers.
The New York Yankees have claimed infielder Jeter Downs off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Downs, once a highly regarded prospect, has struggled to live up to expectations in the minors and has had limited playing time in the majors. The Yankees have three open roster spots and can potentially use Downs as depth in the upcoming season. He adds versatility to the team, having played multiple infield positions and even had a brief stint in center field.
The Atlanta Braves have released veteran infielder/designated hitter Matt Carpenter after acquiring him from the Padres. Despite their attempts to trade him, the Braves were unable to find a taker for Carpenter. He will now be a free agent and can be signed for the league minimum. Carpenter had a strong season with the Yankees in 2022 but struggled in 2023 with the Padres. Despite this, he may still draw interest from teams seeking left-handed bats.
The Kansas City Royals have traded outfielder Edward Olivares to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for infielder Deivis Nadal. The move opens up a roster spot for free agent Chris Stratton, and the Royals still need to open up two more spots for Hunter Renfroe and Michael Wacha. Olivares had a decent season with the Royals, hitting .263/.317/.452 with 12 home runs in 385 plate appearances, but struggled defensively. Nadal has a high strikeout rate but can draw walks. The trade leaves the Royals with a potentially revamped outfield.
New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee and will undergo surgery. The 23-year-old prospect, who made his major league debut last season, is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming campaign. Mauricio has been playing multiple positions due to the presence of Francisco Lindor at shortstop. The Mets will now rely on internal options such as Brett Baty and Mark Vientos to fill the void at third base, but may also seek additional infield depth. This is the second consecutive offseason that the Mets have lost a player to a knee injury, with closer Edwin Díaz sitting out the entire 2023 season.
Infielder Jeimer Candelario has reached a three-year, $45 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, adding depth to their young infielders as they aim for the National League Central title. Candelario, who had a strong 2023 season, will join a Reds team that already features promising infielders. The deal includes a club option for 2027. The Reds may use their infield depth to pursue a trade for a pitcher, as they aim to improve their roster and compete with division rivals.
The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a three-year deal with third baseman Jeimer Candelario, pending a physical. The deal is worth $45 million guaranteed, with a club option that could take it to four years and $60 million. Candelario is coming off a strong season and was ranked thirteenth among free agent position players. The Reds, who have a surplus of young infield talent, may use Candelario's addition to explore trades for pitching help. Despite the signing, the Reds still have room to make additional moves to strengthen the team.
Infielder Max Muncy is reportedly finalizing a two-year, $24 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, $7 million in 2024, and $12 million in 2025, with performance bonuses based on plate appearances. Muncy, who has spent five seasons with the Dodgers, had a strong 2023 season, finishing 10th in RBI and tied for 12th in home runs. The Dodgers, however, were eliminated early in the playoffs and struggled offensively.
The San Francisco Giants have brought back rookie infielder Casey Schmitt from Triple-A after his strong performance in the Pacific Coast League. Schmitt initially made an impact with the Giants but struggled with strikeouts and inconsistency. However, he has shown improvement in his recent stint with the River Cats, slashing .311/.354/.533. With Brandon Crawford dealing with an injury, Schmitt's defensive versatility and improved hitting make him a valuable option for the Giants in the middle infield.
