Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Kyle Manzardo, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was one of 12 non-roster invitations to major-league spring training. Right-hander Tanner Burns (No. 20) and outfielder Petey Halpin (No. 21) are the others being invited to spring training that are among the team's top prospects heading into the 2024 season. Manzardo, 23, hits from the left side and is considered one of the best pure minor-league hitters, which is why he has a chance to crack Cleveland's Opening Day roster. Initially, he'll most likely be in a platoon at first base against right-handed pitchers whenever he makes his big-league debut. He hit a combined 17 home runs with 55 RBI at Triple-A Durham and Triple-A Columbus in 2023 -- he was traded midseason from the Rays to the Guardians. Manzardo should not only hit for average but also power at the next level.

The New York Yankees claimed infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the New York Mets on Friday and designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Castillo has been passed around from the Arizona Diamondbacks, to the Mets, and now the Yankees in a matter of three weeks. The 26-year-old Venezuelan had just one at bat in the big leagues for the Diamondbacks in 2023 and hit .206 (54-for-262) with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 96 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in his rookie season in 2022. In 124 games at Triple-A Reno in 2023, Castillo hit .313/.431/.410 with three home runs, 72 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 556 trips to the plate. He's going to serve as utility depth in the minors for the Yankees to open the 2024 campaign.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Foul Territory on Friday that as of now, he'd probably put outfielder Juan Soto second in the team's lineup and outfielder Aaron Judge in the three-hole. It sounds as though infielder DJ LeMahieu would be a primary leadoff hitter, too, although Boone also mentioned second baseman Gleyber Torres and outfielder Alex Verdugo for the top of the order. Whoever is leading off could impact the order of Soto/Judge in the second and third spots. The only thing we know for sure is that Soto and Judge will be hitting back-to-back. Either way, this is a huge boost in protection for Judge after he set the American League home run record in 2022. Soto's already high fantasy value also gets a boost with his move from San Diego to the Bronx and the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.

The Houston Astros have signed Josh Hader to a historic five-year, $95 million contract. While the total sum does not surpass the five-year, $102 million deal Edwin Diaz netted from the Mets prior to the 2023 season, it is the largest present-day value contract for a reliever in MLB history as it does not contain referrals. It had been reported recently that the Astros were making a strong push for Hader and they have now landed the best free-agent relief pitcher available. The left-hander struggled in the 2022 season but delivered an eye-popping 1.28 ERA and 36.8 K%, albeit alongside a 13% BB%, across 61 appearances for the Padres in 2023, locking down 33 saves in the process. The 29-year-old owns a career 2.50 ERA across 349 career appearances, posting a 42.2% K% and 32% K-BB% along with 165 saves in that time.

The St. Louis Cardinals have transferred reliever James Naile to the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization. The right-hander made 10 relief appearances for the Cards in 2023 but surrendered 15 earned runs and nine walks against just seven strikeouts across 10 appearances and 15 1/3 innings of work. Add in his seven outings spanning nine innings from 2022 and the 30-year-old owns a 7.40 ERA and -2.5 K-BB% in 17 MLB appearances. However, he did fare much better at Triple-A in 2023 as he posted a 3.66 ERA and an 18% K-BB% across 31 appearances with Memphis. He was designated for assignment last offseason but returned to the organization for the 2023 season.