MLB Player News

Edwards said Friday that his goal is to steal 60 bases this season, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Edwards pilfered 31 bags while being caught only four times over 70 games with the Marlins in 2024, so it's not unreasonable to think he could get to 60 stolen bases in 2025 if he has a full, healthy season. The 25-year-old speedster is light on power but should be an asset in the steals and batting average categories in 2025.

Mauricio seems likely to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse even if he's fully healthy following last year's knee surgery, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The Mets have little incentive to rush Mauricio's recovery given that he originally tore his ACL in winter ball after the 2023 season, but then needed a clean-up procedure in August and wound up missing the entire 2024 campaign. The 23-year-old infielder also lost his clearest path to a starting job when New York re-signed Pete Alonso, which will keep Mark Vientos at third base. Mauricio appeared to have mastered Triple-A prior to the injury, slashing .292/.346/.506 for Syracuse over 116 games in 2023 with 23 homers and 24 steals, so assuming he proves he's healthy and has shaken off the rust, he could be pushing for a big-league job very quickly. Second base might be his most likely position with the Mets, as the team heads into spring training with Jeff McNeil still atop the depth chart despite a disappointing 2024 campaign that featured career lows in batting average (.238) and OBP (.308).

The Twins traded Helman to the Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for cash.

Helman spent most of last season with Triple-A St. Paul, where he slashed .270/.349/.482 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI across 315 plate appearances. He also fared well in a small sample size during his first career MLB stint, going 3-for-10 at the plate while scoring two runs over nine games for Minnesota. Now with the Cardinals, the 28-year-old's defensive versatility could give him a leg up in the race for a bench spot, though there's a decent chance he begins the season at Triple-A Memphis.

Yorke will have to prove he can handle right field defensively to earn the starting role to begin the regular season, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates have an unresolved playing time situation in right field with Billy Cook and Joshua Palacios the other two primary options in addition to Yorke. Yorke could have the best bat after posting a 127 wRC+ at Triple-A last season, though he's played only four games in right field and 41 total in the outfield during his time as a pro. He's certainly in contention for regular at-bats in right field, but his ability with the glove will be key to monitor during spring training.

Lopez and the Cubs agreed on a minor-league contract Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Lopez spent the 2024 campaign with the White Sox, batting .241 with one home run, 21 RBI, 40 runs scored and five stolen bases over 398 at-bats in 124 games. The infielder will presumably receive an invitation to major-league spring training in the coming weeks, though that is not confirmed. If Lopez is able to crack the Cubs' 26-man roster this season, he'll earn $1.5 million.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said last weekend during the Mets' fan festival that he expects Acuna to have a "huge role" for the club this season, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports. "Luisangel will get his," Mendoza said. "He's taking groundballs at third base, so he's part of that mix. He showed us he can play at this level, and he will continue to get opportunities."

Even if he doesn't wind up winning a starting job in spring training, Acuna could break camp as one of the Mets' primary utility players and get reps at third base, second base and center field. The 22-year-old made a splash in his big-league debut last year, posting a .966 OPS in 40 plate appearances with three homers, but his .258/.299/.355 slash line in 587 PAs for Triple-A Syracuse offers a better glimpse at his likely production in an expanded MLB role. Acuna's primary fantasy appeal would come on the basepaths -- in 145 games across the two levels in 2024, he swiped 40 bags in 55 attempts.

The Pirates signed Frazier to a one-year, $1.525 million contract Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Frazier's first five-and-a-half seasons in the majors were with the Pirates before he made stops with the Padres, Mariners, Orioles and Royals. The 33-year-old slashed only .202/.282/.294 this past season in Kansas City and has managed just a .632 OPS over the last three seasons. Frazier had thumb surgery in October but should be ready to roll for spring training. He'll likely serve in a utility role in Pittsburgh this season.

Edwards said earlier this month of his right shoulder that it's the "best it's felt in years" since he began a new throwing program this offseason, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Edwards first suffered a right shoulder impingement back in 2022 and had resigned himself to having to throw through discomfort. However, after working with Marlins director of catching Maxx Garrett on a new throwing program, Edwards said "it's not bothering me to throw at all" anymore. The shoulder issue didn't seem to impact Edwards at the plate in 2024, as he slashed .328/.397/.423 with one homer and 31 stolen bases in 70 games for the Marlins. However, being free and easy in all phases of his game can only help the 25-year-old's prospects heading into 2025.

Hoerner (elbow) has not resumed throwing or hitting, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hoerner spoke at the Cubs' offseason fan event and disclosed that he dealt with the flexor tendon injury throughout the 2024 season. While the issue should be repaired heading into 2025, his status is unclear to begin the campaign. Hoerner will also have roughly 10 fewer days to recover because the Cubs will open the season in Japan on March 18 against the Dodgers before returning stateside to play at Arizona on March 27.

Acuna is expected to compete for the Mets' third-base job during spring training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Assuming Pete Alonso moves on -- which is the expectation -- Mark Vientos will slide to first base, creating an opening at third. Acuna has never played the hot corner in pro ball, but he's a capable defender at shortstop and second base and the Mets evidently feel he can handle the switch. Slated to turn 23 in March, Acuna slashed .308/.325/.641 in 14 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024, although that was after he managed a .258/.299/.355 line at Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets would probably prefer to give him more seasoning at Syracuse, but Acuna will get a chance to compete with Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio (knee) for reps at third base with the big club.