The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are two big-market teams that have expressed interest in veteran free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek this winter. In his third season for the Houston Astros and seventh overall in the big leagues, Stanek had a 4.09 ERA (4.60 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 21 walks and 51 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings during the regular season last year. Stanek has the ability to operate as solid relief depth near the back end of a bullpen after recording a 2.90 ERA (3.91 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with three saves, 89 walks and 196 strikeouts in 173 2/3 relief innings over the last three campaigns for Houston. The Red Sox, in particular, could use more bullpen depth, especially if they end up trading closer Kenley Jansen.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg said he doesn't think he's a lock to make the team's Opening Day roster, so he will come to spring training ready to compete for a spot this year. "100%. I don't think I solidified anything in my role. I'd love to win a job," Westburg said. He's probably right after he went 54-for-208 (.260) with three home runs, 17 doubles, two triples, 23 RBI, four stolen bases and 26 runs scored in his first 68 major-league games for Baltimore in 2023. His minor-league numbers were very impressive though, so if he has a strong showing in camp this spring, Westburg could easily win the starting second base job for the upstart Orioles. The 24-year-old's plate discipline could use some work, but with more playing time in a strong Baltimore offense, his power could come through in his first full big-league season in 2024.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he saw right-hander Dillon Tate (forearm) in Sarasota, Florida, a few days ago and said Tate looks "unbelievable" and healthy. The skipper is hoping that Tate will be a contributor again in 2024 after a forearm injury kept him out for the entire 2023 season. Barring a setback, the 29-year-old should be ready for the start of the upcoming season, but he'll surely be on an innings limit after missing all of last year due to injury. Tate, the former fourth overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2015 out of the UC Santa Barbara, should operate in a setup role in Baltimore's bullpen this year. In his fourth year with the O's in 2022, Tate had a career-low 3.05 ERA (3.48 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with a career-high five saves, 16 walks and a career-high 60 strikeouts in 73 2/3 relief innings.

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent right-hander Tommy Romero to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Romero made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Rays and also saw action with the Washington Nationals, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits (seven home runs) while walking nine and striking out seven in 8 1/3 innings over four appearances (two starts). He didn't pitch in the majors at all last year and went 5-7 with a 5.44 ERA and 1.68 WHIP with 61 walks and 82 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings over 36 outings (10 starts) for Triple-A Rochester in the Nationals organization. The 26-year-old will most likely open the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Sacramento as pitching depth for the Gigantes.

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he fell on hard times the last two seasons, hitting a combined 19 home runs, and injuries limited him to 39 games in 2023 before he was cut. If Walsh can get healthy, he could find his way back to the big leagues as a bench bat for the World Series champions. Duffy, 33, hit .251/.306/.325 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 78 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2023. He'll give the Rangers defensive versatility as not much more than infield depth in 2024.