The weeks leading up to spring training—once a dull stretch of waiting, speculating, and maybe rewatching last year’s highlights. But these days? The MLB offseason doesn’t hit the brakes quite like it used to.
With a solid batch of free agents still out there and a few trade winds swirling, the hot stove is keeping things plenty warm.
Dodgers Looking to Move Some Arms
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are never ones to sit idle, have been busy this offseason. Even if they don’t finalize a deal with veteran reliever Kirby Yates, their roster is getting crowded.
According to USA Today, they’re looking to clear space by shopping some of their surplus pitching. One name seems to be floating around: Ryan Brasier.
The 37-year-old righty had a solid showing last season, putting up a 3.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 28 innings with 25 strikeouts. He also got his fair share of postseason action.
Though his 5.00 ERA in October suggests, he wasn’t exactly lights out when it counted most. Still, Brasier could offer value for teams in need of experienced bullpen help.
Cubs Still Searching for Bullpen Answers
After losing out to the Dodgers in the Tanner Scott sweepstakes and with Kirby Yates heading that way as well, the Cubs are still hunting for reinforcements.
The Athletic reports they’ve got their eyes on a number of names, including:
- Kenley Jansen
- David Robertson
- Ryan Pressly (who would require a trade from Houston)
- Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Brooks Raley
Raley, recovering from Tommy John surgery, would be more of a second-half addition, assuming his rehab stays on track.
The Cubs are clearly keeping their options open, balancing short-term fixes with long-term considerations.
Guardians Add a Veteran MLB Arm
Cleveland’s bullpen, which was arguably the best in baseball last season, just got another piece. The Guardians have inked Paul Sewald to a one-year, $7 million deal, with a mutual option for 2026.
Sewald, now 34, has been a steady presence in relief roles for several years. Last season with Arizona, he posted a 4.31 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 39 ⅔ innings.
His first half was rock-solid—11-for-11 in save chances—but things unraveled down the stretch, leading to his removal from the closer role.
He’ll join an already stacked Cleveland bullpen featuring Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Tim Herrin. If Sewald can rediscover his early-season form, this could be a sneaky-good pickup.
Angels Take a Flier on Tim Anderson
Talk about a rollercoaster career—former All-Star Tim Anderson has signed a minor-league deal with the Angels, per USA Today.
A few years ago, he was riding high, racking up 4.7 WAR in 2021 and batting .301 in 2022 with the White Sox. But things took a nosedive in 2023 when he posted a brutal -2.0 WAR, leading to his release.
Last season with the Marlins? Not much better. A .214/.237/.226 slash line (27 OPS+) in 65 games doesn’t exactly scream big league ready. But at 32 years old, Anderson still has time to turn things around. With their ongoing search for depth, the Angels hope to catch lightning in a bottle.
So, while MLB spring training hasn’t quite kicked off yet, the action isn’t slowing down. Expect a few more moves before teams finally take the field for the real deal.
