1 month agoThe Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with a total guarantee of $6.5 million with free-agent catcher Tucker Barnhart on Thursday. The deal includes a player option for the 2024 season, and with performance bonuses and escalators, Barnhart has the potential to earn up to $9.5 million. The deal is still pending a physical. It was a rough year offensively for the 31-year-old in 2022, as he hit just .221/.287/.267 with a home run, 16 RBI and 16 runs scored in 308 plate appearances over 94 games played in his only season with the Detroit Tigers. Barnhart has never been much of an offensive weapon (career high of 11 home runs in 2019), so he'll only be worth looking at in two-catcher formats. In Chicago, he's set to platoon with Yan Gomes in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman

1 month agoThe New York Mets and free-agent infielder Danny Mendick agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the deal. The 29-year-old was non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox after he hit a strong .289/.343/.443 in 106 plate appearances and 31 games for them in 2022. The Mets will get four years of control with Mendick, who underwent surgery on his right knee in June to fix a torn ACL. The 29-year-old may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season, but he'll provide the Mets with a strong utility infield bat once he's ready to return. In his four major-league seasons (all with the White Sox), Mendick has hit .251/.309/.366 with a .675 OPS, 10 home runs, 45 RBI, 53 runs scored and a stolen base in 151 games played.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

1 month agoThe Cincinnati Reds and free-agent outfielder Wil Myers agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million deal on Thursday, according to a source. The deal will move to $9.5 million based on playing time or if he's traded in 2023, and it also includes a mutual option for the 2024 season. Myers became a free agent when the San Diego Padres declined his $20 million option for next season. With Fernando Tatis Jr. moving to the outfield next year and Jake Cronenworth set for regular duties at first base, there wasn't going to be regular playing time for the 32-year-old in SD anymore. He played in just 77 games in 2022 due to knee issues and hit .261/.315/.398 with only seven home runs, 41 RBI, 29 runs scored and two steals. Cincy won't be a terrible landing spot for him, and he figures to play every day in the Reds outfield.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

1 month agoThe Baltimore Orioles acquired catcher James McCann and cash considerations from the New York Mets on Wednesday night in exchange for a player to be named later, according to sources. The Mets are covering $19 million of the $24.3 million that is still owed to McCann over the next two seasons. In Baltimore, the 32-year-old backstop will serve as the backup to up-and-coming catcher Adley Rutschman, who just completed his first MLB season for the O's. McCann's already cratered fantasy value will take even more of a hit with sporadic playing time in the American League East. In his second season with the Mets in 2022, McCann only played in 61 games due to injury and slashed a poor .195/.257/.282 with a .538 OPS, three home runs, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored and three stolen bases in 191 plate appearances.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

1 month agoThe Texas Rangers agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent infielder/outfielder Joe McCarthy on Wednesday, according to a source. McCarthy spent last season playing for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. His deal includes an invite to spring training in 2023. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder made his major-league debut with the San Francisco Giants in the shortened 2020 season and played in only four games, going hitless with five strikeouts in 10 plate appearances. He slashed .236/.345/.401 with eight home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs scored in 72 games last year in Japan. McCarthy will be hoping to find his way onto Texas' major-league roster as outfield depth next season.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FanSided - Robert Murray

1 month agoThe Seattle Mariners signed right-hander Ryder Ryan to a minor-league deal this week. Ryan has pitched in the minor leagues for the Texas Rangers the last two years. In 47 relief appearances for Triple-A Round Rock in 2022, he went 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, one save, 29 walks and 67 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings pitched. It was an improvement over his 2021 campaign with Round Rock, when he went 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, 19 walks and 55 strikeouts in 45 innings over 38 relief outings. It's unknown if the 27-year-old will be invited to big-league camp in spring training, but there's a pretty good chance he'll open the 2023 back in the minor leagues for Seattle.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 month agoThe Oakland Athletics signed free-agent left-hander Jake Fishman to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. The 27-year-old southpaw made his big-league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2022 and made seven relief appearances, allowing five earned runs on 13 hits while walking none and striking out six in 11 innings. In 33 relief appearances for Triple-A Jacksonville in the minors, Fishman posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while walking 20 and striking out 54 over 56 innings. He'll be hoping to make an impression on the rebuilding A's coaching staff next spring, but he'll likely be a long shot to make the Opening Day bullpen.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Oakland A's Communications

1 month agoSan Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford will now remain at shortstop heading into the 2023 season after the team's 13-year, $350 million deal with superstar shortstop Carlos Correa fell apart this week due to medical concerns. After the Giants agreed with Correa, Crawford said he would be moving to either second or third base next year. That won't be the case now. The 35-year-old is going into the final year of his contract in 2023. He dealt with some knee issues in 2022 and hit just .231/.308/.344 with nine home runs and 52 RBI in 118 games. Crawford is still considered an elite defender at the 6, but the left-handed hitter saw a big drop from 24 homers in 2021 to just nine last season. Expecting him to bounce back to All-Star form could be a big stretch at this point in his career.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser

1 month agoThe San Francisco Giants have some interest in free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto, according to sources. The Giants suddenly have a bunch of money to give players after swinging and missing on star shortstop Carlos Correa, who signed with the New York Mets after the Giants had concerns with Correa's physical. Conforto could end up being one of those players if he's healthy as the Giants look to add some offensive pieces to the mix for 2023. Conforto, like Correa, is represented by agent Scott Boras. The 29-year-old Conforto didn't play at all in 2022 while recovering from right shoulder surgery that he had in mid-April. But he resumed hitting and throwing in November and should be ready for the 2023 season, barring any setbacks. He was an All-Star in 2017 and has a .255/.356/.468 slash line with an .824 OPS and 134 homers in seven seasons with the New York Mets, so he could be a relatively cheap power option for San Fran's outfield.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser

1 month agoFree-agent third baseman Jake Lamb has reportedly signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman on Wednesday morning. Lamb spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners during the 2022 campaign, hitting .216 with a 3.15 on-base percentage and three home runs in 111 plate appearances. Capable of playing first base, third base, left field and right field, the 32-year-old will provide the Angels with some additional depth around the diamond heading into next season.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman

1 month agoPer a tweet from FanSided's Robert Murray on Wednesday morning, pitcher Tyler Chatwood has reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 32-year-old recently appeared in the Majors during the 2021 season, logging 32 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants. He pitched to a 5.63 ERA and a 3.95 FIP in those 32 innings, striking out 38 batters while allowing 21 walks. He'll provide the Pirates with some bullpen depth ahead of the upcoming season. The National League Central team's current late-inning options include closer David Bednar, Duane Underwood Jr. and Robert Stephenson.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murrray

1 month agoInfielder/outfielder Niko Goodrum and the Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to a minor-league contract, per a tweet from FanSided's Robert Murray on Wednesday morning. The veteran hit .116 with a .156 on-base percentage and a stolen base in 45 plate appearances for the Houston Astros last season. He logged a .311 average and a .500 on-base percentage to go along with a pair of home runs and stolen bases in 62 plate appearances for Houston's Triple-A affiliate during the 2022 campaign.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray

1 month agoFree-agent catcher Willians Astudillo has reportedly signed with Nippon Professional Baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, per a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman on Wednesday morning. The MAS Agency client receives a $1.35M million guarantee with a chance to double that with incentives. Astudillo has appeared in 190 games at the Major-League level since 2018, hitting .267 with a .291 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and a stolen base in 588 plate appearances. He's seen playing time at every position except shortstop and pitcher in his big-league career. Most recently, the 31-year-old hit .241 with a .255 on-base percentage, a home run and a stolen base in 55 plate appearances for the Miami Marlins during the 2022 season. He previously appeared in parts of four seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 2018 through the 2021 season.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman

1 month agoThe Oakland Athletics and free-agent right-hander Drew Rucinski agreed to a deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The New York Post's Jon Heyman later reported the deal is worth $3 million guaranteed on a one-year deal that includes a team option for $5 million in 2024. Rucinski will turn 34 years old on Dec. 30 and spent the last four years playing professionally in Korea, posting a strong 3.06 ERA over 121 starts. In four seasons with the Angels, Twins and Marlins, Rucinski had a 5.33 ERA (4.34 FIP), 1.59 WHIP and 17.9 percent strikeout rate in 54 innings across 41 outings (one start). The 33-year-old will be competing for a chance to stick at the back of the starting rotation next season for the rebuilding A's.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal

1 month agoShortstop Carlos Correa signed a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets after his previous deal with the Giants fell through. According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, the deal with the Giants hit a snag due to an unspecified issue that arose during his physical. He initially agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants on December 13th. San Francisco postponed Correa's press conference, and the Mets swooped in and signed the All-Star shortstop to a deal. The 28-year-old slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs, 47 extra-base hits, 64 RBI, and 70 runs across 136 games for the Twins in 2022. He will be the Mets' everyday third baseman in a loaded lineup that includes Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. Correa’s move to New York shouldn't limit his fantasy value, and he will be a top-10 shortstop with third-base eligibility heading into drafts in 2023.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman of the MLB Network