Texas Rangers infielder Justin Foscue, who is ranked as the team's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is in a prime position to break camp with the big-league club in 2024 and has been focused on playing both third and first base this offseason. The 24-year-old is a natural second baseman and could contribute at the big-league level for the first time in his career this year, especially with the Rangers having a glaring hole at designated hitter. Versatility might be the quickest way for him to reach the big leagues. He made starts at every infield position except shortstop with Triple-A Round Rock in 2023 and hit .266/.394/.468 with 18 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 122 games. The former first-rounder will most likely be a utility infielder for the Rangers if he's in the big leagues this year, but he currently lacks the power upside to be attractive if he's eventually eligible as a first baseman.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell was told to prepare to be a starter in spring training after signing a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2024 season. The 27-year-old has pitched in just 12 major-league games, with 10 of them coming in relief in 2023 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Criswell said the Red Sox told him to be "prepared to be a starter," and he could begin the year in Triple-A Worcester's starting rotation, but he'll also compete for a role out of Boston's bullpen. His sweeper has been his most effective pitch in the big leagues, holding opponents to a .211 average (8-for-38) and .166 expected batting average last year. Criswell also started throwing a cutter for the first time in a game last season. He'll provide the Red Sox with starting-rotation depth but will mostly serve in a long-relief role in 2024.

The Baltimore Orioles acquired infielder Tyler Nevin on Monday from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Nevin made his major-league debut with the Orioles in 2021 and also played for them in 2022, hitting a combined .205 (35-for-171) with three home runs and 19 RBI in 64 games played. The 26-year-old corner infielder went 19-for-95 (.200) with two home runs, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored in 41 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2023. Nevin was more productive at Triple-A Toledo with a .326/.400/.543 slash line, 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 87 games. He'll return to the Orioles organization before the 2024 campaign, but Nevin probably had a much better shot at making an impact at the major-league level in Detroit.

Free-agent Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, according to sources. Chapman started last year with the Kansas City Royals before joining the eventual World Series-champion Texas Rangers. In 61 total relief appearances, the seven-time All-Star reliever had a 3.09 ERA (2.52 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, six saves, 36 walks and 103 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. He's now been with four different teams in the last three seasons and is no longer a shutdown closer in the ninth inning. However, Chapman does have 321 career saves and should serve as a late-inning setup man in Pittsburgh in 2024 in front of closer David Bednar, giving him fantasy value for strikeouts and holds. The hard-throwing southpaw reached 100 strikeouts in 2023 for the fifth time in his career.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow, shoulder) missed most of the 2023 season due to elbow and shoulder injuries that dated back to spring training. McKenzie had a right teres-major strain in his shoulder to begin the year and made two starts in June before going on the injured list with a right-elbow strain. He returned to make two starts at the end of September. The 26-year-old said has had a more gradual buildup to the 2024 season and is feeling great heading into spring training. Given the fact that McKenzie had a sharp 2.96 ERA in 30 starts in 2022, he'll be a worthwhile buy-low option for fantasy managers this spring, albeit one that comes with some injury risk and an innings limit.