MLB Player News

The Pirates signed Pham to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

It's a good landing spot for Pham, who could get regular reps in right field, assuming the plan is for Andrew McCutchen to be a full-time designated hitter. Pham, who turns 37 in March, slashed .248/.305/.368 with nine home runs and seven stolen bases over 116 regular-season contests between the White Sox, Cardinals and Royals last season.

Alonso agreed to terms on a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alonso previously rejected a three-year deal worth roughly $70 million, but the 30-year-old slugger will end up remaining in New York for the foreseeable future as the Mets' everyday first baseman. His new deal will pay him $30 million in 2025 and includes an opt-out after the first season, which could allow him to enter free agency once again next winter.

De Los Santos cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

De Los Santos, 26, slashed .260/.375/.441 with 16 RBI across 152 plate appearances with Toronto's Triple-A affiliate last season. His minor-league success failed to translate into the majors, however, as he went 5-for-29 at the plate in 13 games with the Blue Jays.

Covey cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Covey was DFA'd on Thursday to make room on the roster for Ryne Stanek, but the former will remain in the Mets organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He posted a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 15 innings with Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate last season, and he could find his way back to the big leagues if he performs similarly at Syracuse.

With the Cubs trading for Ryan Brasier on Wednesday, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, and adding Caleb Thielbar, Eli Morgan and Ryan Pressly earlier in the offseason, Miller may see less high-leverage work in 2025.

Porter Hodge was closing games for the Cubs at the end of last season, but Miller was seeing important setup work ahead of him. The veteran Pressly now figures to get the first shot at the closer role, which would presumably push Hodge into eighth-inning work. Brasier, Morgan and Thielbar are also all experienced relievers with successful track records, giving manager Craig Counsell some options to choose from toward the end of games. Miller was effective for the Cubs in 2024, posting a 2.15 ERA across 50.1 innings of relief, so he figures to still have a key role even with the added competition, though he may get knocked down a few rungs in the bullpen.

Tinoco will compete with Calvin Faucher for the Marlins' closer job this spring, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Faucher took over the job last August and proceeded to convert six straight save chances before blowing one against the Nationals on Sept. 4 and subsequently landing on the IL with a shoulder impingement that ended his season. In his absence, Tinoco got a look in the ninth inning and performed fairly well, going 3-for-4 in his September save chances with a 2.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Faucher will likely get the first chance to secure the role, but if he stumbles early, Tinoco figures to be the next man up once again. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.

Faucher will head into spring training as the favorite to close for the Marlins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander took over the closer role in early August last season and recorded six saves in eight chances, finishing the year with a 3.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and solid 26.8 percent strikeout rate, but he missed most of September with a shoulder impingement. In his absence, Jesus Tinoco went 3-for-4 in save chances over the final weeks of the campaign, and Tinoco likely represents Faucher's biggest competition for ninth-inning work. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.

New Marlins manager Clayton McCullough believes Cabrera can take a big step forward this season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 26-year-old has never been lacking in raw arm talent and has struck out 225 batters in 196 innings over the last two seasons, but Cabrera's shaky control and command have been the main thing holding him back so far during his big-league career, along with an inability to stay healthy. Despite McCullough's enthusiasm, it's hard to get too excited about Cabrera as a fantasy asset given his 4.95 ERA, 4.68 FIP and 1.40 HR/9 in 2024, but the Marlins are in dire need of quality innings and the right-hander is locked into a rotation spot as long as he can avoid another trip to the IL.

Perez (elbow) is hoping to rejoin the Marlins' rotation by the All-Star break, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 21-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last April, so a July 2025 return would be right on schedule. Perez displayed his considerable upside over 19 starts during his big-league debut in 2023, striking out 108 batters over 91.1 innings en route to a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. but a Marlins team that's highly unlikely to be in playoff contention in 2025 won't have much incentive to be aggressive with his recovery timeline.

Hill is expected to compete with Dane Myers for the Marlins' starting job in center field, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Both players hit from the right side, so a traditional platoon isn't on the table, but some sort of timeshare might be the most likely outcome of the spring job battle. Hill saw action for three different big-league teams in 2024, compiling a modest .241/.271/.420 slash line between the Giants, Rangers and Marlins with seven homers and six steals in 172 plate appearances, but he has more experience in center field than Myers does and might be the more reliable defender. Victor Mesa, who once had some prospect cache in the Marlins' system and showed signs of improvement at Triple-A last year, is out of minor-league options and could also push his way into the competition with a strong spring.