The Opener

With Spring Training underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. Bohm, Phillies await arbitration results:

Just two arbitration cases have yet to reach their conclusion: that of Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, and that of Marlins southpaw Tanner Scott. According to a report from Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bohm had his hearing yesterday with a verdict expected sometime today. Bohm requested a $4MM salary for the 2024 campaign while the Phillies countered with a $3.4MMM figure. Both figures come in below MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz’s projection for Bohm, which landed at $4.3MM. Bohm appeared in 145 games for Philadelphia last year, slashing an above-average .274/.327/.437 while splitting time between first and third base. With Bryce Harper set to take over first on a permanent basis this year, Bohm figures to get everyday reps at the hot corner in 2024.

2. Will Orioles look to add more pitching?

Yesterday was a tough day for the Orioles pitching staff, as the club announced that right-hander Kyle Bradish is suffering from a UCL sprain and will start the season on the injured list. To make matters worse, left-hander John Means is a month behind schedule entering camp.

The club’s rotation now figures to be led by a duo of Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez entering the season, with Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and Cole Irvin rounding out the group. Means would likely replace Irvin or Wells whenever he’s cleared to return to the roster. Solid as that group is, it’s easy to see how Baltimore could benefit from the addition of another arm, particularly given the ominous nature of Bradish’s injury. If the club looks to make an addition this spring, Dylan Cease has been subject to trade rumors all throughout the winter, while Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Michael Lorenzen, Hyun Jin Ryu and Mike Clevinger linger on the open market.

3. Merrifield signing on the horizon?

Recent reporting has indicated that veteran second baseman Whit Merrifield is likely to sign on with a new club this weekend as he fields interest from five teams. A three-time All Star, the 35-year-old sports a career .284/.330/.420 line and has generally augmented that production with strong stolen base totals, the versatility to play both the infield and the outfield, and relatively low strikeout rates.

It’s unknown which teams are interested in the veteran’s services at this time, though the Pirates could be a strong speculative fit as a club that had reported interest in adding a second baseman earlier this winter but has yet to do so. The Padres could also make sense as a fit for Merrifield given their glaring need for outfielders and the small chance that incumbent second baseman Ha-Seong Kim could still be moved at some point.

As baseball’s preseason gets underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will Hendriks sign?

Reporting yesterday indicated that All–Star closer Liam Hendriks has set a deadline of today for his free agency. Hendriks reportedly already has multiple offers in hand, and if he hasn’t signed somewhere today, the 35-year-old veteran figures to continue rehabbing Tommy John surgery on his own without signing on with a club in hopes of finding a deal over the summer once he’s ready to closer to game-ready. Hendriks has been among the sport’s most dominant relievers for half a decade now, with a 2.32 ERA and 2.19 FIP in 231 appearances since the start of the 2019 season. During that time, he’s collected 115 saves and struck out a phenomenal 38.3% of batters faced.

The right-hander made a triumphant return to the mound in May of last year after a months-long battle with cancer, but made just five appearances before going on the shelf with elbow inflammation in early June. Though he initially hoped the stint on the injured list would last only the minimum 15 days, he ultimately did not pitch again in 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery in August, leading Chicago to decline his club option back in November. The right-hander makes at least some sense as a target for all 30 clubs given his dominance in recent years, though it’s unclear which teams will be willing to meet his asking price in the midst of his atypical free agency.

2. Day 2 of pitchers and catchers reporting:

With two-thirds of the league’s pitchers and catchers already reporting to Spring Training for their organizations, the final 10 clubs have set their reporting dates for today. The group of clubs kicking off spring activities today include the 104-win Braves and 101-win Orioles, both of whom are surely hoping for deeper postseason runs after having their incredible seasons cut short with a quick exit in the playoffs last year at the hands of the Phillies and Rangers, respectively. Also reporting today is a new-look Brewers team that lacks co-aces Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, as well as a Yankees club that added Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman to the mix on the heels of a disappointing 82-80 season.

3. A’s to meet with local officials in Oakland:

It was reported earlier this week that the A’s are set to meet with city and county officials in Oakland today to discuss a possible extension of the club’s lease at the Coliseum that would cover the 2025-27 seasons, while the club’s planned ballpark in Las Vegas is constructed. The A’s have been searching for an interim home over the past few months, a hunt that has led them to consider locations such as Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and even sharing Oracle Park with the Giants.

Oakland mayor Sheng Thao has previously indicated that the A’s wouldn’t be granted an extended lease in Oakland without major concessions, such as the club forgoing the “Athletics” name when it heads to Nevada. Still, the organization stands to benefit financially from either working out an extended lease in Oakland or sharing Oracle Park with the Giants due to the club’s TV deal only being valid for as long as the club is playing in the Bay Area. Today’s meetings could offer some clarity regarding the options the A’s have at their disposal as they search for an interim home with just over a year until Opening Day 2025.

On the heels of an overnight splash on the free agent market, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye out for today:

1. Cooper nearing a decision?

One area of the free agent market that remains fairly deep as Spring Training begins is the first base market, where the likes of Joey Votto, Brandon Belt, and Donovan Solano linger as available options. According to Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald, the list of available veteran first baseman in free agency could thin out a bit in the coming days, as he writes that slugger Garrett Cooper “could make a decision soon” with around five teams in the market for the 33-year-old’s services. Cooper struggled somewhat in 2023, slashing a slightly-below-average .251/.304/.419 in 123 games with the Marlins and Padres last year.

Prior to that dip in production last year, however, Cooper had established himself as a reliably above-average hitter at first base who could also moonlight in the outfield corners. From 2019-22, Cooper slashed .274/.350/.444. The righty-swinging slugger sports a notable platoon split for his career, as he’s hit .286/.338/478 (120 wRC+) against lefties and .262/.337/.417 versus righties (107 wRC+). It’s solid production against pitchers of both handedness, but he’s been particularly potent against southpaws. Speculatively speaking, Cooper could be a sensible target for clubs like the Red Sox, Pirates, or Guardians which struggled against left-handed pitching last year and could use another veteran bat in the mix for reps in a corner spot.

2. Preller to hold spring presser:

Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller is set to be made available to the media at noon CT today, per a team announcement. The Padres have faced a great deal of upheaval this offseason as they watched three-time Reliever of the Year award winner Josh Hader and rotation arms Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez all depart via free agency. Reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell is likely to follow them out the door, setting the stage for further turnover, but as of now he remains unsigned. To help address the club’s sudden exodus of pitching talent, Preller dealt superstar slugger Juan Soto to the Yankees back in December alongside center fielder Trent Grisham.

That left San Diego to enter camp with just two outfielders on the club’s 40-man roster in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jose Azocar, though the club did reunite with Jurickson Profar yesterday on a one-year deal to help fill out its outfield mix somewhat. Still, with question marks remaining in the outfield, at DH, and in the rotation, plenty of uncertainty remains for the Padres as Spring Training begins. Preller’s presser this afternoon could begin to shed some light on the club’s plans for those areas headed into the season.

3. MLBTR Chat:

While teams around the league gear up for Spring Training, a handful of the winter’s top free agents remain unsigned and plenty of offseason shopping lists around the league remain unfulfilled. Are you wondering if there’s more in store for your team as camps open in Arizona and Florida? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.

With Spring Training creeping ever closer, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. What’s next for the Marlins?

The Marlins swung a trade with the Twins over the weekend, parting ways with lefty reliever Steven Okert to acquire utilityman Nick Gordon from Minnesota. Gordon, 28, missed most of the 2023 season but slashed a solid .272/.316/.427 back in 2022 while splitting time between second base, shortstop, and the outfield for the Twins. The former first-rounder struggled at the plate in both 2021 and in an injury-ruined 2023 season. The addition of Gordon adds some versatility to a club that entered the offseason in need of additional talent at shortstop and in the outfield. Gordon has just 33 games at shortstop in the majors, and the Twins viewed him as a better fit in the outfield and at second base. Of Jon Berti’s 86 games started at short, 52 came last season. He handled himself well in part-time duty there, but he’s a 34-year-old utilityman with only 764 career innings at short. Given that, the club could be best served relying on Gordon as a member of the outfield mix and pursuing a free agent shortstop. They’ve been tied to names like Tim Anderson or Amed Rosario, among others.

2. Signings to be made official:

A pair of free agents found new homes over the weekend as catcher Yasmani Grandal landed with the Pirates while the Phillies reached an agreement with right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Both clubs have full 40-man rosters at this point in the winter and will need to make a corresponding move to clear space for the new arrivals. For the Pirates, that can be accomplished by simply waiting a few days until the 60-day injured list open upon the start of Spring Training and the club can utilize the roster spots of injured players such as Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodriguez. The Phillies have no obvious candidates for the IL, however, meaning they’ll likely need to designate a player for assignment or work out a trade of some sort to open up space on the 40-man for Turnbull.

3. Last minute deals in free agency?

Spring Training is a matter of days away for most clubs, and plenty of free agents remain on the open market. While the quartet of star free agents at the top of the market in Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Matt Chapman are unlikely to feel added pressure to sign with the start of camp looming, it’s possible some players lower on the free agent hierarchy could have extra incentive to find deals in order to enjoy a full spring with their new club. The likes of Brandon Belt, Adam Duvall, and Michael A. Taylor are among the mid-tier positional free agents who remain on the market, while the mid-tier pitching market includes names such as Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger, and Hyun Jin Ryu.

With Spring Training now partially underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. Padres camp to open:

The Dodgers kicked off Spring Training for their club ahead of the rest of the league yesterday as they look to prepare for the Seoul Series, when the Dodgers and Padres will kick off the 2024 regular season with a two-game set in South Korea starting on March 20. This weekend, San Diego will follow suit and open camp early to give their players a chance to get a head start on their spring preparations. The 60-day injured list will also become available to the Padres once camp officially opens, and while the club does have at least one player who could make use of it, the club still has four open spots on its 40-man roster for the time being.

2. Signings to be made official:

The Brewers agreed to terms with catcher Gary Sanchez on a one-year deal earlier this week in a move that will give the club a strong tandem behind the plate between Sanchez and 2024 All-Star William Contreras. Once the agreement becomes official, the Brewers will have to clear space on their 40-man roster. This could be accomplished simply by designating a player for assignment, though teams will occasionally attempt to work out a minor trade to clear roster space instead, thereby recouping some value while still freeing up a roster spot.

Sanchez’s signing isn’t the only one that needs to be made official around the league. The Rays’ deal with Phil Maton, the Dodgers’ newest pact with Clayton Kershaw, and the Blue Jays’ agreement with Yariel Rodriguez all have yet to be made official and will also require corresponding moves. Rodriguez has reportedly been delayed by visa issues. The Dodgers can simply put a player such as Tony Gonsolin on the 60-day IL to make room for Kershaw when necessary (and place Kershaw himself on the 60-day IL if/when another spot is needed for future moves), and the Rays have a similar path to clear space for Maton should they wait until camp opens next week to make his deal official. Any of Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery), Drew Rasmussen (flexor surgery) or Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery) could open the season on Tampa Bay’s 60-day IL.

3. Sanchez throwing for teams:

Right-hander Aaron Sanchez is throwing a bullpen for interested teams today, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. A former All-Star, Sanchez posted a 3.01 ERA and 3.98 FIP across his first four seasons in the majors but has struggled to a 5.40 ERA and 4.82 FIP since the start of the 2018 season amid battles with injuries, culminating in him not appearing in the majors at all last year as he split time between the Twins’ and Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliates. Sanchez is still just 31 years old and flashed big league caliber production as recently as the 2021 season, when he pitched to a 3.06 ERA in 35 1/3 innings with the Giants. Given his relative youth and previous success, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a pitching-needy club like the Padres take a flier on the right-hander this spring, though he’ll presumably be limited to minor league offers.

On the heels of some early morning news out of St. Petersburg, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Spring Training begins! (For one club):

Dodgers players are reporting to camp today, marking the official beginning of Spring Training for the club. While most clubs are reporting next week, L.A. and San Diego are both reporting early in preparation for the Seoul Series, where the Dodgers and Padres will kick off the 2024 regular season with a two-game set in South Korea. That series is set to begin on March 20, just over a week before Opening Day for the other 28 clubs occurs back in the states on March 28. With the Dodgers’ spring ending a week early, the club is kicking preparations for the season off ahead of time as well to ensure its players get a full Spring Training.

It’s been an exciting offseason for Dodgers fans, highlighted by the club’s acquisition of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Looking beyond their most famous acquisition, L.A. overhauled its rotation by adding Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and James Paxton to a group that already featured the likes of Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller.  They also transformed the outfield mix with the additions of Teoscar Hernandez and Manuel Margot, as well as a reunion with Jason Heyward.

2. Kershaw to undergo physical:

Longtime franchise face Clayton Kershaw returned to the Dodgers earlier this week on a two-year deal earlier this week. The tentative pact between the sides is pending a physical, which will take place today. After pitching through shoulder woes last season to post a strong 2.46 ERA in 131 2/3 innings of work, Kershaw went under the knife back in November. Assuming the contract becomes official post-physical, the club will need to open up a 40-man roster spot for Kershaw going forward.

Fortunately, with camp opening for the club today, the Dodgers will now be able to place players on the 60-day injured list, which removes them from the 40-man roster for the length of their stay on the IL. With Kershaw not expected back on a pitcher’s mound until August at the earliest, the veteran figures to be placed on the 60-day IL himself alongside righties Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery last August) and Dustin May (Tommy John revision and flexor surgery last July).

3. Manfred to hold press conference:

As noted by Evan Drellich of The Athletic, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to speak with reporters later today following the conclusion of the owners’ meetings in Florida. The comments from Manfred come not only at the cusp between the offseason and the return of baseball, but also amid a push for MLB players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics. Prior to the World Series back in October, Manfred declined to discuss potential rule changes for the 2024 season, though he noted that any changes would be smaller than the ones implemented last year. 2023 saw the league implement a pitch clock, larger bases, and infield shift restrictions among other rules.

With Spring Training just around the corner here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Astros, Altuve to hold press conference:

As noted by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Astros have scheduled a press conference for this afternoon in Houston where star second baseman Jose Altuve and team leadership will be available to discuss Altuve’s five-year extension. An eight-time All Star with three batting titles, six Silver Slugger awards, a Gold Glove award, and the 2017 AL MVP award, Altuve owns a career .307/.364/.471 slash line in 13 seasons in Houston since he made his MLB debut back in 2011. The deal keeps Altuve in an Astros uniform through his age-39 season.

2. Guerrero arbitration result:

Eleven arbitration cases have yet to reach a conclusion, and among the most high-profile of the remaining cases could be nearing a decision. The Associated Press has reported that first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays went to a hearing yesterday. Guerrero filed at $19.9MM while Toronto countered at $18.05MM. Both those figures come in below MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz’s projection of $20.4MM, which would be a result of the 24-year-old slugger’s “down” season at the plate last year (by his lofty standards, anyhow). In 682 trips to the plate, Guerrero slashed .264/.345/.444 with 30 doubles and 26 home runs. While that’s certainly strong production, it left something to be desired after the youngster crushed the ball to the tune of a .292/.370/.539 slash line over the previous two seasons.

Yesterday saw five players sweep arbitration decisions, as right-handers Jacob Webb and Phil Bickford, outfielders Austin Hays and Taylor Ward, and utility player Mauricio Dubon all won their cases against their clubs, putting players ahead of teams 5-2 in this year’s slate of arbitration hearings.

3. Players to exit DFA Limbo:

When players are designated for assignment, they can remain in transactional limbo for up to a week while their team looks to trade them or attempts to pass them through waivers. For right-hander Declan Cronin of the Astros, outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba of the Pirates, and right-hander Zack Weiss of the Red Sox, that one-week period expires today, meaning resolutions to each player’s DFA should be announced today. All three of the aforementioned players are unable to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency, meaning their club’s can retain them as non-roster depth entering the season if they pass through waivers successfully.

Cronin, 26, posted a 9.00 ERA across 11 appearances during his first season as a big leaguer last year, though he enjoyed more success at Triple-A with a 3.88 ERA in 51 2/3 innings of work. Smith-Njigba, 25 in April, came to the Pirates as part of the return in the Jameson Taillon trade and owns a .273/.366/.469 slash line at the Triple-A level, though he’s struggled badly in his first 44 trips to the plate in the majors. Weiss, 31, made his big league debut back in 2018 but had a disastrous outing for the Reds where he surrendered four runs on two walks and two homers while failing to record an out. That first cup of coffee was the only taste of major league action Weiss would get until his age-30 season four years later, when he reemerged as a member of the Angels. Since then, he’s pitched to a 3.29 ERA with a 5.27 FIP in 27 1/3 innings of work.

As Spring Training approaches, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Arbitration hearing results expected today:

Utilityman Mauricio Dubon went to arbitration against the Astros yesterday. The 29-year-old requested a $3.5MM salary while the club countered with a $3MM figure. Dubon enjoyed a career year in 2023, hitting .278/.309/.411 while appearing in a career-high 132 games. Dubon also flashed his versatility with the glove by appearing at every position on the diamond except for pitcher and catcher, though the overwhelming majority of his playing time was split between second base and center field. Dubon’s strong performance last year led to an arbitration projection of $3.1MM from MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.

The Associated Press reported yesterday that Dubon figures to be one of several players to have decisions handed down today in arbitration cases. Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, Orioles outfielder Austin Hays, and Orioles right-hander Jacob Webb are all also expected to receive resolutions to the salary disputes with their respective clubs. Ward requested a salary of $4.8MM for the 2024 campaign, while the Halos countered at $4.3MM. Hays requested $6.3MM while Webb requested $1MM, with the Orioles countering at $5.85MM and $925K respectively. Teams have typically won arbitration cases more often than players have in recent years, and that’s held up so far this season with a 2-0 record over players in hearings to this point.

2. Could more extensions be on the horizon?

It’s fairly common for teams and players to start looking into extension possibilities when the calendar flips to February and players begin to report for Spring Training. A few teams have gotten a head start on such negotiations this winter: most notably, the Royals extended star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to a record-shattering deal yesterday. Looking beyond that, the Brewers and Tigers got together with top prospects Jackson Chourio and Colt Keith on pre-debut extensions earlier this winter. Could more extensions be on the horizon before Opening Day?

The Phillies reportedly plan to prioritize hammering out an extension with veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler, who’s currently slated to hit free agency after the 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, superstar outfielder-turned-first-baseman Bryce Harper has expressed interest in an extension that would allow him to remain in Philadelphia beyond the term of his current contract, which runs through his age-38 season. Looking beyond the Phillies, the Astros notably tried to extend several players last winter, finding success only with right-hander Cristian Javier. The club has reportedly not yet reopened talks with those players, though with both Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman ticketed for free agency after the coming season its possible negotiations could start in the near future.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

Even as Spring Training looms, there’s plenty of boxes still unchecked on the offseason shopping lists of clubs all around the league. Are you wondering what’s next for your favorite team, or perhaps curious about what the market for a particular free agent looks like? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after its completed.

As Spring Training approaches, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Ward, Angels await arbitration decision:

Per the Associated Press, outfielder Taylor Ward and the Angels went to arbitration on Friday, with a decision expected sometime this week. Ward requested a salary of $4.8MM for the 2024 campaign, while the club countered at $4.3MM. Teams have typically won arbitration cases more often than players have in recent years, and that’s held up so far this season. Both center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and southpaw Jose Suarez lost their cases against the Marlins and Angels, respectively. In addition to Ward, a pair of Orioles players are awaiting decisions on their 2024 salaries after going to arbitration: outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Jacob Webb.

Ward took a step back from his All-Star level 2022 campaign last season but still provided above average offensive production. The 30-year-old slashed .253/.335/.421 in 97 games before having his season cut short by facial fractures caused by Ward getting struck in the face by a pitch from Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz’s projections indicate Ward is expected to earn $4.5MM in his second trip through arbitration, though the panel of three arbiters who heard the case must choose between one of the two salaries submitted.

2. Twins roster moves upcoming:

The Twins agreed on big league deals with a pair of veterans over the weekend. First baseman Carlos Santana came aboard on a one-year, $5.25MM contract while right-hander Jay Jackson is in line for a one-year deal with as-of-yet unreported salary terms. Both deals are pending physicals. The Twins have a full 40-man roster as things stand, meaning both additions will require a corresponding move before they can be made official. Corresponding moves typically take the form of a simple DFA of a player on the roster, though occasionally a team will try to clear 40-man roster space by trading excess talent near the back of their 40-man for lower-level talent that doesn’t yet require a roster spot. One such example occurred late last month, when the Rangers shipped outfielder J.P. Martinez to Atlanta in a deal that made room for right-hander David Robertson on the 40-man roster.

3. White Sox getting active:

The White Sox made a pair of trades over the weekend, shipping relief arm Gregory Santos to the Mariners in exchange for right-hander Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and a Competitive Balance Round B draft selection while sending right-handed prospect Cristian Mena to the Diamondbacks to land outfielder Dominic Fletcher. The additions of Fletcher and DeLoach, in particular, leave the club with vastly improved outfield depth at the big league level to plug one of the most glaring holes on the Chicago roster.

While the two trades the Sox made over the weekend were fairly minor, the club has not been shy about the fact that right-hander Dylan Cease is being shopped to interested teams this winter. While the righty has garnered interest from plenty of teams this winter including the Orioles, Reds, and Mariners, no club has been willing to meet Chicago’s lofty asking price to this point. With Spring Training creeping closer by the day, will either GM Chris Getz or a rival club give in to make a deal happen?

On the heels of a late-offseason blockbuster, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. What’s next for the Brewers?

The Brewers parted ways with ace Corbin Burnes yesterday, shipping him to Baltimore in exchange for youngsters DL Hall, Joey Ortiz and Baltimore’s Competitive Balance draft pick — the No. 34 overall selection this summer. While the deal provides the club with an infusion of cost-controlled talent, it leaves a Milwaukee team that has been defined by its twin aces at the top of the rotation in recent years without either player headed into the 2024 campaign after Brandon Woodruff was non-tendered following shoulder surgery. The moves beg the question of what’s next for this new-look Brewers club. The organization clearly isn’t punting on 2024 after signing Rhys Hoskins to a two-year deal less than two weeks ago, and the club could have a new superstar to build around emerge this year when outfielder Jackson Chourio makes his big league debut. The trade of Burnes also freed up more than $15MM and dropped the team payroll to just under $102MM. That should free up some resources to replace some of Burnes’ lost value in free agency, should Milwaukee choose to go that route.

On the other hand, Ortiz’s presence would make it significantly easier for the club to part ways with shortstop Willy Adames while still aiming to remain competitive, and it’s even possible to imagine the club deciding to cash in on closer Devin Williams with a two pennant races of team control remaining as they did with Josh Hader back in 2022. Virtually any contending club would figure to have at least some level of interest in Williams’s services if Milwaukee were to accept offers on the righty, while teams like the Dodgers, Marlins, and Rays could stand to improve at shortstop and may have some level of interest in Adames.

2. Angels, Suarez await arbitration decision:

Per the Associated Press, the Angels and left-hander Jose Suarez went to arbitration yesterday with a decision expected sometime today. The southpaw requested a $1.35MM salary while the Angels countered with a figure of $925K. Teams have won more arbitration cases than players in recent years, and the clubs are off to a good start in maintaining that record after the first arbitration decision of the winter favored the Marlins over center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. yesterday.

Suarez’s first trip through arbitration comes on the heels of a brutal 2023 campaign where he was limited to just 33 2/3 innings of work by injury and was shelled to the tune of an 8.29 ERA. Difficult as last year was for the lefty, the 26-year-old enjoyed back-to-back strong campaigns while swinging between the rotation and bullpen for the Angels in 2021 and 2022, where he combined for a 3.86 ERA in 207 1/3 innings of work. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected Suarez for a $1.1MM salary earlier this winter.

3. Two relievers nearing deals:

A pair of bullpen pieces were reportedly closing in on deals yesterday as right-hander Keynan Middleton has reportedly reached an agreement with the Cardinals while southpaw Jake Diekman is on the verge of a pact with the Mets. Diekman has reportedly been offered a one-year deal at an unreported salary that includes a vesting option for 2025 while the details of Middleton’s arrangement with St. Louis, which is pending a physical, are not yet known. Both teams have full 40-man rosters, meaning each will need to make a corresponding move to clear space for their new signing if a deal is completed. Quality options for teams in search of bullpen help continue to thin as right-handers Ryan Brasier, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek stand as the best relief arms still available, while lefty relief options include bounceback candidates like Brad Hand, Aaron Loup, and Joely Rodriguez..