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  • Athletics' Jeffrey Springs: Headliner in offseason swap

    The Rays traded Springs and Jacob Lopez to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for Joe Boyle, Jacob Watters, Will Simpson and a compensatory draft pick, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    After signing Luis Severino to the largest guaranteed deal in franchise history, the A's continue to invest into their rotation by acquiring Springs. The 32-year-old southpaw missed the first half of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but returned to start seven games for Tampa Bay, recording a 3.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 33 innings. He and Severino will almost certainly slot in at the top of the Athletics' rotation, but because Springs has surpassed the 45-inning mark only once in his seven-year career, the A's may look to limit his workload in 2025.

  • Matt Canterino RP | MIN

    Twins' Matt Canterino: Moving to bullpen

    Canterino (shoulder) is expected to work as a reliever next season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's starting to ramp up his throwing again," Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said.

    Canterino missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned for spring training but suffered a rotator cuff strain in mid-March and missed the rest of the season. It's a good sign he's started throwing again and it sounds like he'll be ready for spring training. The 2019 second-round draft pick was a rising pitching prospect when last on the mound in 2022 when he posted a 1.83 ERA with a 13.2 K/9 in 34.1 innings at Double-A. He has some upside as a reliever as a result -- if he can stay healthy.

  • Red Sox's Michael Fulmer: Could be stretched out to start

    Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Fulmer (elbow) could be used as a starting pitcher in 2025, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

    Fulmer missed the 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and has been used as a reliever almost exclusively since 2021. He was a starter in his first four big-league seasons, however, and while it's much likelier that he'll ultimately settle into a relief role, it doesn't hurt to stretch him out a bit to give the Red Sox options. Fulmer is expected to be ready for spring training.

  • Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Goes to Houston in Tucker trade

    The Astros acquired Wesneski, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Wesneski put up a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 67.2 innings with the Cubs this past season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The Houston native will be stretched out during spring training, but the right-hander's ultimate role next season could depend on what other moves Houston makes this winter, and how far Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) have progressed in their recoveries.

  • Devin Williams RP | NYM

    Yankees' Devin Williams: Headed to Yankees

    The Yankees acquired Williams from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Williams was limited to just 21.2 regular-season innings in 2024 due to back problems, but he finished the year healthy and was his usual, dominant self when on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB. He's set to make around around $8 million in 2025 in his final year of arbitration eligibility and will give the Yankees an upper echelon closer. Luke Weaver will shift to a setup role.

  • Dan Altavilla RP | CHW

    White Sox's Dan Altavilla: Gets NRI from ChiSox

    Altavilla signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Thursday and received an invitation to spring training.

    Altavilla made five appearances for the Royals in 2024, giving up six earned runs over just 3.2 innings while striking out five batters and walking three. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A, however, where he logged a 3.51 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 41 frames. The lack of depth in Chicago's bullpen will give the 32-year-old righty better odds at cracking the Opening Day roster, but Triple-A Charlotte remains his most likely destination.

  • Yankees' Jonathan Loaisiga: Returning to Yankees

    Loaisiga (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

    Loaisiga's new deal also includes a team option for the 2026 season. The 30-year-old reliever made three appearances for New York last season, throwing four scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one, but his year was cut short by a torn UCL in early April. The surgery he received to repair his elbow wasn't a full Tommy John procedure, so his return timeline is a few months shorter than it could've been, but it's still unlikely Loaisiga is ready to return to the Yankees' bullpen by Opening Day.

  • Jacob Brentz RP | TB

    Rays' Jake Brentz: Latches on with Tampa Bay

    The Rays signed Brentz to a minor-league contract Dec. 7.

    Brentz hasn't been the same since coming back from Tommy John surgery, most recently posting an 11.40 ERA while walking 52 over 30 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The lefty showed promise in his rookie season back in 2021 and the Rays will try to coax that back out of him.

  • Jacob Webb RP | CHC

    Rangers' Jacob Webb: One-year deal with Texas

    The Rangers signed Webb to a one-year, $1.25 million contract Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

    Webb was non-tendered by the Orioles last month but has landed on his feet with a major-league deal. The 31-year-old posted a 3.02 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 56.2 regular-season innings with Baltimore in 2024.

  • Shane Smith RP | CHW

    White Sox's Shane Smith: First pick of Rule 5 draft

    The White Sox selected Smith with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

    Smith has a chance to be a viable rotation option for the White Sox as early as this season, and he'll need to be kept on the big-league roster (or injured list) all season, otherwise the White Sox would have to return him to the Brewers. Smith, who has a 93-mph fastball and throws a pair of breaking balls, logged 94.1 innings across Double-A and Triple-A, with all his work as a starter (16 starts) coming at Double-A. He logged a 2.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 67 innings as a starter, and also struck out 39 in 27.1 innings as a reliever. Smith may be eased into his big-league career as a low-leverage multi-inning reliever, but he could also get some starts in the first half.

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