Judge was named the 2024 American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday.

It's hardly surprising to see Judge take home his second MVP trophy after slashing .322/.458/.701 with 144 RBI in the regular season -- all of which represent career-best marks for the 32-year-old slugger. He also added 58 home runs on the year, which falls just four short of the Yankees' single-season record he set in 2022. After receiving all 30 first-place votes, Judge is now the first Yankee to win MVP unanimously since Mickey Mantle did so in 1956.

The Mets signed Meneses on Thursday to a minor-league deal with an invite to MLB spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Meneses elected free agency Nov. 4 after the Nationals removed him from their 40-man roster. The 32-year-old was in the middle of his third season in the big leagues before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester on July 4 as he was putting up his worst season yet. He had an OPS of .593 during 2024 with the Nationals, but was able to put up a .793 OPS in the minors after his demotion. The right-handed bat now has a chance to earn a spot on the roster of a National League East opponent.

McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.

Boushley signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday.

Boushley has struggled in the minors over the past couple of seasons, turning in a 5.17 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 270 total innings between the Brewers' and Twins' Triple-A affiliates since 2023. Nonetheless, he'll join the Rangers organization to help fill out the rotation at Triple-A Round Rock, though he likely won't be much of a factor for the big-league squad.

Sale said Wednesday that he is fully recovered from the back spasms that kept him off Atlanta's roster for the National League Wild Card Series, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Sale made his last appearance of the season Sept. 19 because of the injury, but he had progressed enough that he was scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLDS, had Atlanta advanced. The left-hander is expected to have a normal offseason. Sale was named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday after posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225:39 K:BB over 177.2 innings for Atlanta in 2024.

Kurtz slashed .353/.450/.608 with two home runs and a 16:9 K:BB in 60 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League.

He ended the regular season on the injured list at Double-A Midland due to a hamstring strain, but Kurtz was able to make up for lost time in the AFL and end his 2024 on a high note. Other than a general lack of athleticism and a bad body (listed at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds), Kurtz's only notable flaw is his injury history -- he missed time with random injuries at Wake Forest. However, after slashing .368/.520/.763 with four homers in 12 games split between Single-A and Double-A before dominating in the AFL, Kurtz's track record of hitting pro pitching is arguably tops in the 2024 draft class.

The Phillies re-signed Castro to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Castro was outrighted off the Phillies' 40-man roster earlier this month but has returned on a minors pact. The infielder missed the bulk of the 2024 season with shoulder and thumb injuries. The 25-year-old Castro sports a career .219/.292/.380 batting line over parts of three major-league seasons.

Skubal was named the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.

After turning in a 2.39 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 192 innings alongside a 228:35 K:BB, Skubal was heavily favored to win the award, and indeed he received all 30 first-place votes. The left-hander is now the fifth pitcher in Tigers history to take home a Cy Young Award -- a list that includes Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Sale was named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.

Sale finished in the top three for Cy Young Award voting twice (2014, 2017) during his 13 seasons in the American League. Now, after posting a 2.38 ERA and 1.01 WHIP alongside a 225:39 K:BB over 177.2 innings, the 35-year-old southpaw has finally taken home the trophy in his first season since shifting to the National League. He received 26 out of a possible 30 first-place votes.

The Cubs designated Wingenter for assignment Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for trade acquisition Matt Thaiss. Wingenter, 30, boasts a 30.5 percent strikeout rate but also a 12 percent walk rate over parts of four seasons at the big-league level.