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Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Mariners' Donovan Solano: Expected to be used mostly at 1B
The Mariners plan to deploy Solano mostly at first base, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Solano could also be used some at third base, but he appears likely to see most of his action at first base as the short side of a platoon with Luke Raley. Seattle does not intend to use Solano at second base, per Kramer. The 37-year-old Solano slashed .286/.343/.417 with a career-high eight home runs over 96 regular-season contests for the Padres in 2024.
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Brandon Eisert RP | PIT
Blue Jays' Brandon Eisert: DFA'd by Toronto
Eisert was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Eisert was booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the signing of Anthony Santander. Eisert made three appearances in the big leagues a season ago and figures to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in camp.
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Anthony Santander RF | TOR
Blue Jays' Anthony Santander: Agrees to deal with Toronto
The Blue Jays have agreed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Santander, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The deal includes an opt-out after 2027 season that can be voided if a 2030 club option is exercised. If the latter occurs, the total value of the contract would reach $110 million. It's a much-needed "win" for Toronto, as it has been in the running to sign numerous big free agents the last couple years but routinely has come up short. Santander is coming off a 2024 season which saw him slash .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 91 runs and 102 RBI in 155 regular-season games with the Orioles. He will likely see plenty of starts both in left field and in the designated hitter slot.
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Anthony Misiewicz RP | CIN
Twins' Anthony Misiewicz: Finds work with Minnesota
Misiewicz signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Misiewicz appeared in just one game for the Yankees last season while spending most of the year in Triple-A, where he finished with a 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 55.1 innings. He'll attempt to win a spot in the Twins' bullpen during spring training, but there's a better chance he begins the year with Triple-A St. Paul.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Invited to spring training
The Athletics have extended Kurtz an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz hit the ground running in his pro debut, slashing .368/.520/.763 with four homers in 12 games between Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland. He then went on to mash in the Arizona Fall League as well with a 1.058 OPS in 13 contests. Kurtz, who will turn 22 in March, will likely go back to Midland to begin 2025 but could push to make his MLB debut late in the season if things go well.
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Will Klein RP | LAD
Athletics' Will Klein: Taken off 40-man roster
The Athletics designated Klein for assignment Friday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Jose Leclerc, who was signed Friday. Klein, who was acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline as part of the return for Lucas Erceg, allowed nine runs with a 7:6 K:BB over 7.1 innings in his first go-round in the majors in 2024. However, the big righty throws hard and has 30.4 percent strikeout rate at the minor-league level, so he figures to draw some interest via trade or waivers.
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Jose Leclerc RP | SD
Athletics' Jose Leclerc: Inks one-year deal with Athletics
The Athletics signed Leclerc to a one-year, $10 million contract Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Although he finished with a 4.32 ERA, Leclerc also posted a 30.9 percent strikeout rate in 2024, his highest mark since 2019. The 31-year-old has never had a single-season walk rate in the single digits, so the A's are likely just hoping he can miss enough bats to overcome the inevitable lapses of control. Leclerc will be a setup man ahead of star closer Mason Miller.
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Shintaro Fujinami RP | SEA
Mariners' Shintaro Fujinami: Signed to NRI deal by Seattle
The Mariners signed Fujinami to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Fujinami dealt with a shoulder injury this past season and posted a 6.68 ERA and 38:33 K:BB over 32.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse in the Mets organization. The 30-year-old struck out 83 in 79 frames between the Athletics and Orioles in 2023 but also walked 45 and held a 7.18 ERA.