The Kansas City Royals signed veteran pitcher Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract to bolster their pitching depth, especially with injuries affecting their starting rotation. Keuchel, a former Cy Young Award winner, has experienced a decline in recent years but brings extensive MLB experience to the team. He will join a pitching staff that includes other journeymen and young prospects, providing additional options for the Royals as they navigate injuries and performance issues.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed pitcher Zach Plesac to bolster their thin starting rotation, leveraging his connections with new front office members and his experience as a former Cleveland Guardians starter. Plesac, who has struggled recently but has a solid pedigree, provides valuable depth for the team amid injuries and limited options, and joins another recent minor league signing to strengthen their pitching staff.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made several roster moves, including designating right-hander Yosver Zulueta for assignment. Zulueta, known for his control issues, has been moved to a relief role but still struggles with walks. Despite his potential, the Jays will now have one week to trade him or pass him through waivers, with the possibility of him remaining with the team in a non-roster capacity if unclaimed.
The Houston Astros missed out on signing pitcher Blake Snell, leaving their starting rotation thin and injury-ravaged as Opening Day approaches. General manager Dana Brown indicated that the team is not actively pursuing other options, but some within the club have expressed concern about the dwindling depth. The Astros' pursuit of Snell highlighted their worry about the rotation, but owner Jim Crane's hesitation to exceed budget constraints and concerns about preserving draft picks may have contributed to the team missing out on the aggressive move. With key pitchers dealing with injuries, the Astros face uncertainty and must grapple with the challenge of maintaining a competitive rotation.
The Minnesota Twins are facing pitching depth challenges as three key pitchers, Jhoan Duran, Anthony DeSclafani, and Caleb Thielbar, will start the season on the injured list. With uncertain return timetables and limited payroll flexibility, the team is looking to fill the gaps in their rotation, potentially turning to rookie and minor-league depth or exploring free-agent options to bolster their pitching staff.
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will undergo further elbow exams in Los Angeles and is not expected to pitch until at least May, dealing a significant blow to the team's pitching depth. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner's absence creates an immediate and potentially extended gap in the rotation, forcing the team to rely on other pitchers and potentially seek external options to address the situation.
Despite concerns over Gerrit Cole's injury, the Yankees are finding hope in their pitching depth as prospects Clayton Beeter, Luis Gil, and Will Warren showcase their potential during spring training, offering a silver lining for the team's rotation. Beeter and Gil impressed with strong performances, while Warren also demonstrated readiness for the majors, providing optimism for the team's pitching future.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray's opening day start is in question due to a "mild" hamstring tear sustained during an exhibition game. The team is encouraged by the MRI results, but it remains uncertain if Gray will be ready for the season opener. Gray, who signed a three-year, $75 million contract, has a history of hamstring injuries and is now facing potential time on the injured list. The Cardinals are considering alternative options for their pitching rotation as they monitor Gray's recovery.
The Chicago Cubs are set to announce the signing of outfielder Cody Bellinger, but a corresponding roster move is needed before the deal is official. Speculation surrounds a potential trade involving a pitcher to clear space for Bellinger, with the Boston Red Sox being a likely trading partner. Pitcher Keegan Thompson is mentioned as a possible candidate for a trade, given the Cubs' pitching depth and his performance in recent seasons.
The Baltimore Orioles are facing a sudden need to fill out their starting rotation due to injuries to key pitchers Kyle Bradish and John Means. The team is considering internal options such as Cole Irvin and Tyler Wells, as well as prospects like Chayce McDermott and Cade Povich. They may also explore free agent signings like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, or potential trade candidates like Dylan Cease and Jesús Luzardo. The Orioles' approach to addressing their pitching needs will be a major storyline during spring training.
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed 26-year-old left-hander Kolby Allard to a one-year deal, adding pitching depth to their roster. Allard, who spent last season with the Braves, could provide rotation depth for the team and has one option year remaining, giving the Phillies flexibility to move him between Triple A and the majors as needed.
The Philadelphia Phillies had shown interest in signing Jordan Hicks before he joined the Giants, but the team viewed him as a reliever, while the Giants plan to use him as a starting pitcher. The Phillies are still looking to bolster their bullpen despite president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski's statement about making "more around the edges" additions. They face a challenge in acquiring more pitching depth due to their already set starting rotation. The team has made changes to keep their pitchers healthy, including hiring a new director of pitching and bolstering their research and development team with the addition of Ani Kilambi.
The New York Yankees, who recently acquired Juan Soto, are reportedly looking to fill their pitching depth and could target free agent Seth Lugo. Lugo, a former teammate of Soto's, declined his player option with the San Diego Padres and could be a suitable replacement for Michael King, who was traded to the Padres. Lugo has experience as both a starter and reliever and had a solid season in 2023 as a starter. With the Yankees in need of pitching, Lugo could be a cost-effective option to fill the void. However, it was later reported that Lugo signed with the Kansas City Royals for a higher price than expected.
In the SB Nation offseason simulation, the fake 2024 Cubs made several roster moves to address their goals of staying under the luxury tax line, finding a playoff starting pitcher, capitalizing on 2023's second-half star, hoarding prospect depth, and adding depth at the corner infield, center field, and catching positions. They traded Mike Tauchman and Kohl Franklin for Matt Manning, David Bote for Trevor Williams and Roismar Quintana, and Brian Kalmer for Ramon Laureano. They also signed Kyle Higashioka, Reynaldo Lopez, Jeimer Candelario, Andrew Chafin, Josh Hader, Lucas Giolito, Hunter Renfroe, and Ryne Stanek. The resulting roster is deep and the payroll is under the luxury tax line.
San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, stated that the team's focus leading up to the MLB trade deadline is on lengthening their lineup rather than adding starting pitchers. The Giants have been hit with injuries to their pitching staff, but Zaidi believes they have enough depth to be comfortable. The team is looking to supplement their lineup and add complementary pieces to improve production from the bottom third. Zaidi mentioned the importance of depth and expressed interest in adding more options to create consistency in their lineup. The Giants have until Tuesday afternoon to make any further moves.
