#Dbacks are signing OF Oscar Mercado to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp, I’m told. He hit .249/.369/.373 with 40 steals in AAA last year. Can play all three OF spots. Had a low 14.3 K%. He’s played parts of 5 MLB seasons, mostly in Cleveland.

The problem with them choosing this as their primary talking point is that nearly every in Minnesota personally knows someone who has been taken by ICE. And they all had either a spotless criminal record or an entirely non-violent one. These are lies. They are going to lose. MN will not quit.

Arbitration is confusing and boring to most people like 99% of the time, and that indifference has probably led to the largest number of bad takes (re Skubal) I’ve ever seen in this, the 1% case where fans actually perk up and show interest.

2 more and we have FIVE HUNDRED businesses shut down for the Minnesota General Strike. bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...

I just offhandedly referred to Brujan as “Vida Bru” when talking with @darraghm.bsky.social about this move, and I think Brujan might now be my favorite player in the sport. Please make this nickname stick. Thanks so much.

This tracks.

11 hours ago 😂 cc: @darraghm.bsky.social

#Yankees signed RHP Yerry Rodriguez to a minor league deal, as first indicated on the MLB transaction log. It’s a two-year minor league deal, per agent Kelvin Nova. Rodriguez had Tommy John surgery last spring and is aiming for a midseason return.

#Rays are signing veteran RHP Jake Woodford to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, I’m told.

Maybe this is a Weekend at Bernie’s situation? With Grayson in the Bernie position?

I do not comprehend what the Orioles are doing here.

I feel like this "Harper needs better protection to see better pitches" thing has become canon & stats just don't match. Look at it this way.. 3 guys hit behind him >100 times. Harper's zone%, by next-batter: Schwarber: 48.6% JTReal: 49.7% Bohm: 55.1% (!) Was Bohm protecting more than Schwarbs?!

Putting the “gas” in “gaslighting.” Gas station two blocks from my house hit $3.39/gallon today — highest I’ve seen it at any point in 2025. (And Minnesota is low relative to other parts of the country)

Source: #Guardians declined their 2026 option on LHP John Means

The #Cubs and RHP Colin Rea agreed to terms on a new one-year deal for 2026, I’m told. He’s guaranteed $6.5M and has a 2027 club option. Would earn a total of $13M over the next two seasons if that’s picked up.

The ghost of Alex Cobb got a one-year, $15M contract last offseason. Shane Bieber just took a net $12M to pass on a return to the open market. Unless he is severely injured — and hopefully that’s not what is happening here — I am so profoundly puzzled.

I know Manoah is a project/probably just bad now, but how on earth did the Rockies look at their in-house pitching and think, “Nah we’re good here. Let’s pass.”

Don’t think #Cubs formally announced it but they DFA’ed RHP Nate Pearson on Thursday, source confirms. (Move first noted on their transaction log.) He’s the corresponding move for Eli Morgan returning from 60-day IL. Pearson was placed on waivers today. Waiver window ends Tuesday

Source: Veteran OF Rafael Ortega opted out of his minor league deal with #Mets and is a free agent. He missed time earlier with a hamstring injury and has hit .231/.301/.418 in 103 minor league PA Career .245/.322/.349 in the majors (1301 PA) and can play all three OF spots.

Outfielder Oscar Mercado opted out of his minor league deal with the #Phillies today, per source. They’re granting him his release. He’s swiped 35 bags this year and hit very well against lefties in AAA.

Is Nick Fortes not enough for you?

Source: INF/OF Jose Barrero, who was recently designated for assignment by the #STLCards, cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment in favor of free agency. Barrero has interest from a team in Japan’s #NPB but will explore options around MLB as well.

Alternate title: “Sneak peek at the Angels’ draft board”

Remember like three weeks ago when people were trying to make “what’s wrong with Juan Soto” a thing because he had a two-week slump?

The #Cubs are signing right-hander Jake Woodford to a minor league deal, per source. He’ll head to Triple-A Iowa and start there tomorrow night.

Source: Right-hander Jake Woodford triggered an out in his deal with #Yankees and is now a free agent.

Source: Right-hander Cory Abbott is signing a minor league deal with the #Rangers. He’ll work as a starter. Abbott has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons with #Cubs and #Nationals. Opened 2025 with Dos Laredos in Mexico and allowed four runs in 15 innings.

Left-hander Ty Blach has signed a minor league deal with the #Rangers, I’m told.

Source: Left-hander Walter Pennington, whom the #Rangers designated for assignment last week, has been claimed off unconditional release waivers by the #Orioles. Likely headed to Triple-A Norfolk

Source: Former #Astros, #Dbacks RHP Peter Solomon signed a minor league deal with the #Cubs. He’ll head to Triple-A Iowa.

The #Rockies firing Hensley Meulens so Clint Hurdle can take over as hitting coach for the rest of the season is the most Rockies thing I’ve ever seen. They’re one “we’ve reassigned Bill Schmidt and hired Dan O’Dowd as GM” away from reaching their final form.

I dunno… I think even Gob has more self-awareness. At least he occasionally realizes that he’s made a huge mistake.

Right-hander Jake Woodford is headed to the #Yankees on a minor league deal, I’m told. He’ll give them a depth arm in AAA.

Source: Right-hander Jake Woodford didn’t make the #Rockies’ roster and has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract.

Same administration that had repeated conniptions over taking down statues of treasonous, pro-slavery Civil War generals — because it’s important to “preserve history” — now need to scrub Jackie Robinson and the Holocaust (?!) from the Internet because they’re too woke, or some bullshit

Crazy day for the team at @prohockeyrumors — if you’re an NHL fan you should be following them!

This is the best thread of spring training coverage from anyone covering any camp so far, and I’ll hear nothing to the contrary. Need someone to ask if Boots is in the best shape of his/her life. Looking lean. Baseball + cats. This is what the internet is for.

Nick Pivetta AAV: $13.75M Dylan Cease salary: $13.75M 👀 🤷🏻‍♂️

Source: Tyler Alexander’s one-year deal with the #Brewers guarantees him $1M. He can earn another $1M of incentives based on innings pitched.

Rhys Hoskins: Owed $22M ($18M salary, $4M option buyout) Jordan Montgomery: Owed $22.5M Just saying.

“…The Los Angeles Times—currently in a race to the bottom with The Washington Post to determine which of the two venerable institutions can sell out to Donald Trump the hardest…” 🔥🔥🔥 newrepublic.com/article/1910...

👇🏻Join our team!👇🏻

Free agent righty Kendall Graveman was cleared to begin throwing late last season and has had a normal offseason throwing program. He’s expected to be ready for spring training/opening day. As ESPN reported the other day, he’s drawing late interest now that the bullpen market has finally picked up.

Gray has elected free agency in lieu of the outright. He had that right as a player who was outrighted once previously in his career.

#Pirates infielder Tristan Gray cleared waivers following last week’s DFA. He’ll head to AAA and be in camp as a non-roster invitee this spring.

Estevez’s market has picked up a bit recently. No indication anything is imminent, but multiple clubs who’ve been frustrated with price of FA hitters have started to pivot to bullpen. Estevez among those who’s gotten some new/renewed interest from teams.

I stopped fretting over HOF voting and its very broken process long ago. But the fact that one of the best defensive players in history, who happened to also hit 434 homers and handily top 60 WAR, isn’t a shoo-in … man, I will never understand that. Andruw Jones is an all-timer.

Rea will earn $4.25M in 2025. Cubs have a $6M club option for 2026 or 750k buyout.

Free agent right-hander Colin Rea and the #Cubs have agreed to a one-year, $5MM deal, I’m told.