MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell and general manager Carter Hawkins indicated Saturday that Morel will likely continue to be used in a super utility role rather than focusing on one position, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Morel has made starts at every position other than first base and catcher during his two seasons in the majors, and he began working out at the former position during winter ball. The 24-year-old hasn't been able to master any spot yet and was used almost exclusively at designated hitter in the second half. As things currently stand, the Cubs would seem to have openings in center field and at third base (as well as DH), positions Morel has played plenty. However, the club doesn't appear anxious to keep Morel at one spot. The good news is Morel's bat should still be in the lineup plenty. He slashed .247/.313/.508 with 26 home runs over 107 games in 2023.

Garver agreed to a two-year, $24 million contract with the Mariners on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The M's now have their primary replacement for Teoscar Hernandez in Garver, who posted an .870 OPS and 19 home runs in 87 regular-season games last season (while adding three more long balls during the Rangers' World Series run). Primarily a designated hitter at this stage in his career, Garver can also chip in occasionally behind the plate. He made 28 appearances at catcher last season.

Dickerson signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Dickerson last played affiliated baseball in 2022 as part of Atlanta's organization. He played independent ball in 2023 and will now head overseas in an attempt to revitalize his career.

Pittsburgh re-signed McCutchen (Achilles) to a one-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen missed the final month of the 2023 campaign due to a partial tear of his left Achilles tendon, but he posted a respectable .776 OPS with 12 homers and 11 steals over 112 games for the Pirates when healthy. The 37-year-old will likely again serve as Pittsburgh's primary designated hitter in 2024, also possibly sprinkling in a bit of action in the corner outfield if his lower left leg cooperates. McCutchen is sitting on 299 career home runs as he enters his 16th major-league season.

Carpenter was released by Atlanta on Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta had hoped to find a trade partner willing to take on at least some of the $4 million it owed Carpenter in 2024 (the Padres also owe him $1.5 million), but it wasn't to be. The 38-year-old slashed an ugly .176/.322/.319 during his lone season in San Diego and there's a distinct possibility we've seen the last of the three-time All-Star in the big leagues.

Atlanta acquired Carpenter (elbow), Ray Kerr and cash considerations from the Padres on Friday in exchange for Drew Campbell.

Carpenter, 38, posted a dreadful .176/.322/.319 slash line with five home runs over 76 games (237 plate appearances) for San Diego in 2023 and finished the year on the injured list because of right elbow inflammation. With no need at first base or designated hitter, Atlanta could quickly flip him to another team. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 after exercising his final-year player option earlier this offseason, but the Padres will cover $1.5 million of that.

Ohtani (elbow) announced Saturday via his personal Instagram account that he will be signing with the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays were rumored to be the frontrunners for Ohtani's services, but the two-way superstar will instead swap Los Angeles teams on what his agents are announcing as a 10-year, $700 million deal, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September that will prevent him from pitching next season, but he'll settle in as a full-time designated hitter for the Dodgers and immediately becomes arguably the biggest threat in a lineup that also features Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

Ohtani (elbow) is expected to sign with the Blue Jays, JP Hoornstra of DodgerNation.com reports.

Meanwhile, Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca report that Ohtani has not made his decision, and there's no timeline for when the two-way superstar will determine his landing spot in free agency. The momentum at least seems to be in Toronto's favor, but perhaps it's not a done deal just yet. Per Hoornstra, the Dodgers and Angels were the other two finalists for Ohtani.

Pittsburgh selected Beer from the Diamondbacks in the minor-league phase of Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft.

Beer never quite got it going at the major-league level in Arizona, but he holds a career .863 OPS on the farm and is only 27 years old. He could get a legitimate look with the Pirates at first base or DH at some point in 2024.

Buxton (knee) is expected to begin baseball activities next week and the Twins plan for him to be the team's starting center fielder next season, the Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "We're going to go into spring training planning on, if everything continues to go well, having him out there in center field and very hopeful that the procedure he had puts him in the spot he needs to be in," manager Rocco Baldelli said, "but we also have to plan for everything, as usual."

Buxton underwent an arthroscopic procedure in October on his right knee to clean up scarring from a 2022 surgery that led to irritation. Buxton had a workout at Target Field last week and was able to do some activities that he was unable to last season. Buxton wasn't able to play in the field last season due to his knee issues (aside from one game during a minor league rehab stint). While the Twins are optimistic he'll be able to play in the field, the team will seek to find options for a backup given that Buxton hasn't played more than 100 games in any of the past seven years and Michael Taylor elected free agency.