MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Williams will be the team's closer in 2025, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Boone indicated that Luke Weaver could receive the occasional save opportunity, but it's going to be Williams in the ninth inning when he's available. The announcement comes as no surprise, as Williams has been one of the game's best relievers since arriving in the big leagues, having collected a 1.83 ERA and 39.4 percent strikeout rate in six seasons.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that it has yet to be determined which position Bellinger will play in 2025, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It was reported Tuesday when the Bellinger trade went down that the 29-year-old had been told he would be the Yankees' center fielder, but that report was inaccurate. While Bellinger might very well wind up in center field, Boone noted that first base and left field remain possibilities, as well. Where Bellinger ultimately settles in on the diamond will depend largely on what other additions the Yankees make this offseason.

The Cubs traded Thaiss to the White Sox on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The Cubs acquired Thaiss from the Angels in November, but after signing Carson Kelly to a two-year deal, the former became expendable and will now compete for playing time with the Sox. Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with 16 RBI in 186 plate appearances last season, and his main competition during spring training figures to be Korey Lee and prospect Edgar Quero.

Baddoo cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Baddoo will remain within the Tigers organization after being designated for assignment Dec. 10. 2024 was the outfielder's worst season yet in the majors, recording a .521 OPS and just five RBI across 82 plate appearances. The 26-year-old may factor to be a four-A player as he has posted a .802 OPS in 123 games for Triple-A Toledo since the 2022 season.

The Yankees signed Brewer to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Brewer's 2024 season with the Cubs was cut short in early July after he punched the dugout wall with his left hand and fractured it as a result. The right-hander started throwing to batters in August and began a rehab assignment in September, but he was not activated before the season ended. The 32-year-old went unclaimed while on waivers after the Cubs removed him from their active roster in November. After posting a 5.22 ERA in 2024, Brewer will look to rebound with the Yankees.

The Yankees acquired Bellinger and cash considerations from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for Cody Poteet, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The long-rumored deal has finally come to fruition, with the Cubs agreeing to send $5 million to the Yankees to cover part of Bellinger's salary. Bellinger has been told he will play center field, which means Aaron Judge will shift back to right field and Jasson Dominguez will remain in left. Bellinger had an uninspiring .751 OPS with 18 home runs in 2024, but as a left-handed flyball hitter with heavy pull tendencies, he could take advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.

The Royals and Wright (shoulder) avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright will make the same salary in 2025 as he made in 2024 when he missed the season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. The right-hander has been throwing off a mound and hopes to be without restrictions during spring training as he competes for a spot in the Royals' rotation.

Crochet said last Friday that he doesn't intend to have any radical change to his pitch mix for the upcoming season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Crochet toyed with a sinker late last season and felt it gave him a fifth pitch to throw at any time, but the left-hander indicated he won't deviate much from the four-seamer/cutter usage this season. He made quite the jump in 2024, moving from the bullpen to the rotation while throwing 146 innings over 32 starts. Crochet projects as Boston's No. 1 starter.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said on Dec. 10 in an interview on MLB Network that he expects McClanahan (elbow) to throw "150-ish" innings in 2025.

McClanahan missed the 2024 season following August 2023 Tommy John surgery but has been able to go through a normal throwing program this offseason. The left-hander threw 115 innings in 2023 and had a career-high 173.1 frames in 2022 between the regular season and playoffs. This is McClanahan's second Tommy John surgery, however, and Walker Buehler's 2024 (Buehler was coming back from his second TJS) is an example of the downside involved with McClanahan in 2025. It's not yet clear how the Rays plan to manage McClanahan's workload, but it could involve some early removal from starts and/or extra rest in between outings.

Stewart (shoulder) started throwing in mid-November, but the Twins are unsure if he will be ready for the start of spring training, the Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Stewart underwent season-ending arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August, and his initial recovery timeline was 5-to-6 months. He's been a lockdown reliever for Minnesota when healthy, collecting a 0.66 ERA and 56:17 K:BB through his first 41 innings with the Twins in 2023 and early 2024. However, he hurt his shoulder in May last year and wasn't the same pitcher thereafter, leaving his status for 2025 somewhat in question. If healthy and back to his prior form, he'd be a top setup option in the bullpen.