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  • Andy Ibanez 3B | DET

    Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Should help fill void at third

    With the Tigers missing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, Ibanez is among several returning players who could see time at third base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

    Had Bregman joined the Tigers, he likely would have played almost every day at the hot corner, which would have relegated Ibanez to more of a bench role. However, Detroit now seems primed to use several players at the position. Matt Vierling is likely the top option, but he can also play in the outfield. When Vierling is not at third, lefty-hitting Jace Jung is a natural platoon candidate. Ibanez should also work into the mix, though he has the versatility to play across the diamond and in the outfield.

  • Jace Jung 2B | DET

    Tigers' Jace Jung: Clearer path to roster spot

    With free agent Alex Bregman passing up the Tigers to sign with the Red Sox, Jung (wrist) should have a clearer path to time at third base, though Matt Vierling likely remains the top option there Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

    Jung may have been pushed to the minors if Bregman had joined the team, but the former now has a clearer path to making the roster and having a meaningful role. Vierling is likely still the top option at the hot corner, though he can also play the outfield. Vierling also bats from the right side while Jung is left handed. That leaves the two players as potential platoon mates, and the 24-year-old Jung could emerge as a fantasy contributor in his second MLB season. He did undergo minor wrist surgery in December but should be good to go for spring training.

  • Luis Arraez 1B | SD

    Padres' Luis Arraez: Will play first base this season

    Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said Thursday that he sees Arraez as the team's first baseman this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

    Manager Mike Shildt also added of Arraez and Jake Cronenworth that "they're everyday guys that'll be on the field," implying that Arraez is expected to be the everyday first baseman rather than the designated hitter. Cronenworth, meanwhile, is expected to settle in at second base. The Padres don't currently have a clear favorite for DH duties, but they could use the spot to rotate players or potentially acquire some help from outside the organization.

  • Will Wagner 2B | SD

    Blue Jays' Will Wagner: Fully cleared for spring

    Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Wagner (knee) is "doing everything" during the first week of spring training and will see some exposure to first base and third base in addition to second base during camp, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    After getting his first call to the big leagues last August, Wagner played 172 of his 175 innings in the field at the keystone and slashed .305/.337/.451 over 86 plate appearances before being shut down for the season in late September for arthroscopic surgery to address inflammation in his left knee. Wagner was cleared to resume baseball activities early in the offseason and looks like he'll be operating under no restrictions during camp, where he'll get reps at three different infield spots with the hope of improving his chances of winning a spot on the Opening Day roster. While he may not have a direct path to a full-time gig at any one position, Wagner's versatility and contact skills could be enough for him to settle into a near-everyday role.

  • Red Sox's Kristian Campbell: Plans may change

    Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman could impact Campbell in 2025, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The prospect had been expected to compete for the starting job at second base prior to Bregman agreeing to a deal. If Bregman is used as the team's primary second baseman, it makes more sense for the Red Sox to have Campbell get regular at-bats at Triple-A Worcester.

    The Bregman deal should be finalized in the coming days, at which point, Campbell's role for the upcoming season should become clearer. If the Red Sox slot Bregman at second base, then Campbell could open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he would get regular plate appearances. That seems more likely than having him stick around as a utility infielder, which would limit his at-bats. Boston has a number of utility infielders that could handle a part-time role, such as David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom or Romy Gonzalez.

  • Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Gets $2.85M salary for 2025

    Donovan will earn $2.85 million in 2025 after losing his arbitration case Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

    Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.

  • Ha-seong Kim SS | ATL

    Rays' Ha-Seong Kim: Targeting late-May return

    The Rays are targeting late May for the season debut of Kim (shoulder), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Kim had said earlier this offseason that he hoped to be ready to play by mid-April following labrum repair surgery on his right shoulder in October. However, he'll be brought along more slowly than that, effectively missing the first two months of the season. The Rays will use Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero at shortstop until Kim is ready.

  • Ronny Mauricio 2B | NYM

    Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Mid-March target for games

    Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Mauricio (knee) isn't expected to play in Grapefruit League games until mid-March, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

    It effectively rules him out for Opening Day, which isn't a surprise. Mauricio underwent right ACL surgery in December 2023 and then had a cleanup operation on his knee in August, forcing him to miss the entire 2024 campaign. He will be brought along slowly and either begin the season on the injured list or at Triple-A Syracuse.

  • Bryson Stott 2B | PHI

    Phillies' Bryson Stott: Affected by sore elbow last season

    The Phillies believe Stott's offense was limited by elbow soreness last season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

    Stott never went on the injured list in 2024, but he evidently dealt with a sore elbow for much of the season that the club believes affected his ability to drive the ball. The numbers back up the theory, as the 27-year-old's regular-season slugging percentage fell from .419 to .356, his home-run total dropped from 15 to 11 and his doubles output dipped from 32 to 19. Stott is expected to be healthy at the start of spring training and could be in line for a bounce-back year at the plate.

  • Luis Guillorme 3B | HOU

    Astros' Luis Guillorme: Links up with Houston

    Guillorme agreed Tuesday with the Astros on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    Guillorme, 30, slashed just .205/.301/.273 over 77 regular-season games in 2024 while seeing action with three different teams. He's known for his steady glove and could win a reserve role in Houston, with the possibility of some starts at second base if the Astros wind up using Jose Altuve in left field extensively.

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