Free-agent right-hander Carlos Carrasco signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training on Saturday with the Cleveland Guardians, according to sources. The 36-year-old veteran pitched for the Guardians from 2009-20. He spent the last three seasons with the Mets, going 19-20 with a bloated 5.21 ERA (4.55 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 97 walks and 268 strikeouts in 295 2/3 innings over 61 starts. He was even worse in 2023, posting a 6.80 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 90 innings over 20 starts before fracturing his finger in September. The Guardians' starting rotation is already pretty set heading into the 2024 season, so Carrasco could open the year in a middle-relief role out of Cleveland's bullpen, making him unattractive in the majority of fantasy leagues.

The Detroit Tigers signed infield prospect Colt Keith to a six-year, $28.64 million contract extension that runs through the 2029 season on Sunday, followed by club options for the 2030, 2031 and 2032 seasons. If all of Keith's options are exercised, the 22-year-old would make $82 million over nine years, which would buy out all of his arbitration years. The Tigers are locking up one of their young prospects early for the long term. Keith is Detroit's top position-player prospect and hit an impressive 13 home runs with an .890 OPS in 67 games after his promotion to Triple-A Toledo. His big extension likely secures him a spot on the team's Opening Day roster in 2024. Keith's defense is nothing to write home about, but if he continues to hit the ball hard like he did in the minors, the Tigers will find a spot for him in their lineup.

Free-agent left-hander Alex Wood agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, pending a physical, according to sources familiar with the deal. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw should be a part of Oakland's starting rotation to open the 2024 campaign after he went 5-5 with a 4.33 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, 42 walks and 74 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings over 29 appearances (12 starts) in his third year with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. Wood's days of being fantasy relevant are in the past, although he could have some deep-league streaming appeal in a pitcher-friendly ballpark in the right matchups now that he should be in a full-time starting role with his new squad. With his velocity down, Wood relies even more on deception from his funky delivery than ever before.

Free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, pending a physical, on Saturday. Ottavino became a free agent this offseason after declining a $6.75 million player option, with $4 million of it being deferred. The 38-year-old veteran will return on a cheaper deal and will return in a high-leverage role as a setup man ahead of closer Edwin Diaz, who missed all of 2023 due to a knee injury. Ottavino had a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and a career-high 12 saves in 61 2/3 relief innings in Queens last season. His velocity dipped in 2023, though, and opponents squared him up much more often, meaning he might not be as effective in 2024 if that trend continues. Ottavino also won't be in line for nearly as many save chances as long as Diaz is healthy.

To make room on the 40-man roster for recently signed right-hander John Brebbia, the Chicago White Sox designated infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez for assignment on Friday. If Gonzalez clears waivers, he could be outrighted to the minors and remain in the White Sox organization. The 27-year-old utility man played in a career-high 44 games in Chicago last season and slashed just .194/.208/.376 with a career-high three home runs, 14 RBI, seven stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 97 plate appearances. Gonzalez had surgery in July to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and it remains to be seen if he'll even be ready for Opening Day in 2024. In his three big-league seasons with the White Sox, he's gone 51-for-230 (.222) with five home runs, 27 RBI and seven steals in 86 games played.