Free agent OF Tommy Pham is close to signing a minor league deal with the White Sox. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The expectation is that the minor league deal would allow Pham time to ramp up and give the White Sox flexibility on when they call him up. With multiple injuries in the team’s outfield, the team would likely call up Pham as soon as he is ready.
The Houston Astros are reportedly in heavy pursuit of free-agent left-hander Blake Snell. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Snell also tossed a four-inning simulated game for interested clubs on Friday. Snell is coming off his second career Cy Young Award as he tossed an MLB-best 2.25 ERA and despite leading the league in walks, he also posted big-time 31.5% K% in his 32 starts a season ago.
The Chicago White Sox are increasingly speaking about bringing back right-hander Mike Clevinger. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Clevinger spent the 2023 season with the White Sox and worked to a solid 3.77 ERA across 24 starts, going 9-9- in that time. He had his club option declined by the team earlier in the offseason but it appears a reunion is possible with fellow righty Michael Kopech being moved to the bullpen.
Wed, Mar 13th 10:46am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Dylan Cease is reportedly being discussed in trade talks with the Yankees, Rangers, and Padres. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The trade talks have heated up after they quieted down, and now a trade seems "plausible" according to Morosi ahead of Opening Day. This will remain a situation to monitor. The trade talks appeared to re-open with the Yankees after Gerrit Cole got banged up and it was announced he wasn't expected to be healthy for Opening Day.
The New York Mets have resumed contract discussions with J.D. Martinez. (Source: New York Post)
Fantasy Impact: The market has been very quiet recently surrounding Martinez as he remains a free agent. There appears to be mutual interest with Opening Day a little more than two weeks away.
The Giants are reportedly still interested in Matt Chapman. (Source: SFChronicle.com)
Fantasy Impact: According to Susan Slusser, there is nearly a 50/50 chance one of Chapman or Blake Snell end up signing with the Giants. The market has been fairly quiet for Chapman as of late with the regular season less than one month away.
Matt Barnes has reportedly made good progress on a deal with the Nationals. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Barnes was with the Marlins last season after nine years with the Red Sox. He would likely hold a role towards the end of the bullpen with Washington if a deal is finalized.
The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly expressed interest in Brandon Crawford. (Source: Susan Slusser on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: There were some talks about Crawford returning to the Giants, but their signing of Nick Ahmed put that to an end. The veteran would likely backup Masyn Winn at shortstop if he lands with the Cardinals.
Francisco Mejia could return to the Rays after being released by the Angels. (Source: Marc Topkin)
Fantasy Impact: Mejia has reportedly had talks with the Rays about a return. He spent the past three seasons with Tampa Bay, and would likely backup Rene Pinto if he does return to the Rays.
Mon, Feb 26th 10:41am EST
By Ari Koslow
According to Peter Gammons, Scott Boras and the Red Sox had a "good meeting recently" on Jordan Montgomery. (Source: Peter Gammons on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It was added that a deal may get done soon for Montgomery with Boston. The market has been fairly quiet for him as of late as we continue to get closer to Opening Day. This remains a situation to monitor.
Kolten Wong’s free agent market is picking up now that Tim Anderson and Gio Urshela have signed. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wong finished last season with the Dodgers after starting the year in Seattle. He'll look to find a new team as Spring Training games are starting.
The Boston Red Sox are among the teams who have expressed interest in Gio Urshela. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Cotillo, the Red Sox aren't aggressors in the market (yet) and it's unclear if they will be. He could be an alternative for Bobby Dalbec. Urshela got off to a solid start to last season with the Angels before suffering a season-ending injury in June.
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said the team has had discussions with Cody Bellinger. (Source: Jesse Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: “There’s been some discussions but it hasn’t become a negotiation yet," Ricketts said. Bellinger should sign with a team soon with Spring Training games starting next week.
Michael A. Taylor could still reunite with Twins. (Source: Bob Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Fantasy Impact: The Twins reportedly have not ruled out bringing Taylor back to the club. The free-agent outfielder made 110 starts in center field for the Twins last year while also posting a .720 OPS with 21 home runs and 13 steals across 388 plate appearances. Taylor was believed to be targeting a two-year deal this offseason, but that has yet to come to fruition.
Kike Hernandez reportedly drawing some consideration from Angels. (Source: Jon Heyman of the New York Post)
Fantasy Impact: Hernandez underwent hernia surgery back in November, but he is believed to be fully ready to go for Spring Training. The veteran utility man is capable of filling any spot on the field aside from catcher and pitcher, as versatility is his main calling card and makes him potentially valuable to a number of suitors around the league. The Angels are said to be interested in Hernandez, as the club is known to be looking for additional depth on the infield. Hernandes spent his time between the Red Sox and Dodgers last year, hitting .237 with 11 homers and 23 doubles over 508 plate appearances.
Amed Rosario is reportedly getting some interest from the Angels. (Source: Jon Heyman of the New York Post)
Fantasy Impact: The Angels are believed to be searching for more depth, particularly on the infield, and Rosario fits the bill. The versatile 28-year-old has spent most of the last three seasons in Cleveland, but he finished up 2023 with the Dodgers following a late-July trade. Rosario has played second base, shortstop, and outfield in that span while hitting .276 with per-season averages of nine homers, 25 doubles, and 15 steals.
San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim is drawing strong trade interest. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The 28-year-old middle infielder is coming off a big season in 2023 when he hit .260 with 17 home runs, 38 stolen bases, and a .749 OPS across 152 games played. He is a free agent after the season but the club reportedly is not compelled to move him.
Liam Hendriks has multiple offers and has set a deadline of Thursday to sign with a team. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Passan, if Hendriks doesn't sign now, he would keep rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his own and throw for teams in late July before signing for the stretch run. He had his club option declined by the White Sox back in November.
The Pirates are reportedly in trade talks with the Marlins for Edward Cabrera. (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Fantasy Impact: The Pirates have reportedly talked to multiple teams about trading for a starter, but the talks with the Marlins have appeared to gone the farthest and Cabrera is the starter they're both willing to move. He has had some control issues early in his career, which he would look to fix with the Pirates.
The Red Sox are reportedly entertaining trade offers for Kenley Jansen. (Source: Boston Globe)
Fantasy Impact: Jansen is in the final year of his contract, and could be moved before Opening Day. This will be something to monitor from a fantasy perspective as where he lands will impact his fantasy value.
