MLB Player News
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Ryan Helsley RP | STL
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Move to rotation not considered
The Cardinals are not mulling a move to the rotation for Helsley, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
All 239 appearances for Helsley at the major-league level have come in relief, but he came up through the minors as a starting pitcher. While there has been some speculation that the Cardinals might consider giving the 30-year-old another chance to start, it does not appear that is in the plans following Helsley's major-league-leading 49 saves in 2024. They will, however, reportedly entertain trade offers for Helsley, who is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.
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Tanner Houck SP | BOS
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Open to contract extension
Houck is "always open" to discussing a contract extension with the Red Sox, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Houck is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason and is under team control through 2027, so it's not clear how much of a priority he is for the team to lock up on a long-term deal. The 28-year-old is coming off a terrific 2024 campaign, having collected a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154:48 K:BB over 178.2 frames covering 30 starts.
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Adam Oller RP | MIA
Adam Oller: Signs with KBO club
Oller has agreed to a contract with the KIA Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Oller will likely slide into the rotation of the defending KBO champions. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 6.54 ERA over 36 appearances (23 starts) across parts of three seasons at the major-league level.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Charlie Morton: Planning to pitch in 2025
Morton plans to continue his baseball career in 2025, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 41-year-old has not yet confirmed it himself, but recent reports had suggested Morton was likely to keep pitching next season rather than retire. Morton's strikeout rate fell to 23.8 percent in 2024, which was the lowest it's been since 2015. He still misses bats at an above-average rate, however, and has made 30-plus starts in each of the last six non-COVID seasons. Morton shouldn't have trouble netting a sizable one-year contract, likely from a contender.
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Enoli Paredes RP | CHC
Braves' Enoli Paredes: Latches on with Atlanta
Paredes agreed to a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Paredes returned to the big leagues in 2024 after spending the entire 2023 campaign at Triple-A. He made stops with the Cubs and Brewers, posting a 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 16:10 K:BB over 18 regular-season relief appearances (21.2 innings). Paredes will get the opportunity to make the Opening Day roster with his new club, who is looking for bullpen help following the news that Joe Jimenez is out for the next 8-to-12 months while recovering from knee surgery.
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Nick Allen SS | OAK
Braves' Nick Allen: Traded to Atlanta
Atlanta acquired Allen from the Athletics on Monday in exchange for Jared Johnson.
Allen, 26, has managed just a .209/.254/.283 batting line over parts of three seasons at the major-league level. He does have a reputation as a solid glove at shortstop, although he came in at negative-2 Outs Above Average during his 41 games with the Athletics in 2024. Allen offers an alternative at shortstop to Orlando Arcia, who is coming off a disappointing season, but ultimately Allen should be more of a depth option.
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Jared Johnson SP | ATL
Athletics' Jared Johnson: Traded to A's
The Athletics acquired Johnson from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for Nick Allen.
Johnson spent the entire 2024 regular season with High-A Rome. Across 38 outings he registered a 2.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, eight saves and a 61:27 K:BB across 52 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander will look to work his way up through the Athletics' organization.
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Anthony Rendon 3B | LAA
Angels' Anthony Rendon: Won't be handed starting job
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Monday on Foul Territory TV that Rendon will have to "show us he can still play and earn the right to play every day" next season.
When healthy, Rendon was employed as an everyday player in 2024, ultimately playing just 56 games while making three different trips to the injured list. However, he slashed only .218/.307/.267 with no home runs and it does not sound like a starting job will be handed to him heading into the 2025 campaign. As things stand right now, Rendon would appear tentatively penciled in as the Angels' starting third baseman. He has two years remaining on his seven-year, $245 million contract.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Arrested following altercation
Franco (personal) was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday following an altercation Sunday during which guns were drawn, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Franco is being held for questioning and it's not yet clear whether he faces charges as a result of the incident. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. If convicted, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison. MLB is also performing a concurrent investigation of Franco under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
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Jasson Dominguez CF | NYY
Yankees' Jasson Dominguez: Boone sees big role in 2025
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he expects Dominguez to be a "big part" of the team in 2025, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Much to the chagrin of many Yankees fans, Boone largely stuck with Alex Verdugo as his primary left fielder over Dominguez during the regular season and postseason. However, Verdugo is now a free agent and seems unlikely to return, clearing a spot in the everyday lineup for Dominguez. What position the 21-year-old plays could depend on whether the Yankees' re-sign Juan Soto, but Dominguez is likely to be an everyday player either way. He has a .747 OPS with six homers and six steals over 100 career plate appearances in the majors and boasts ample fantasy upside.