Free-agent right-hander Brooks Kriske on X earlier this week that he has signed a minor-league deal with his childhood team, the Chicago Cubs. At the Triple-A levels with the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles in 2024 for Louisville and Norfolk, respectively, he went a combined 5-0 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 81 strikeouts and 35 walks in 58 1/3 innings pitched in his 50 appearances out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old former sixth-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2016 out of USC made his big-league debut in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. He has only appeared in 20 games in relief since then with the Yankees, Orioles and Kansas City Royals and has been hit around to the tune of a rough 11.22 ERA and 1.85 WHIP while striking out 25 and walking 17 in 21 2/3 frames. Kriske will be trying to win a bullpen role for the Cubbies in spring training in 2025.

Free-agent catcher Max Stassi (hip) agreed to a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants earlier this week, according to sources. Stassi hasn't seen action in the big leagues since 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels due to personal issues and after undergoing left-hip surgery in June. In the last two seasons, he's managed to play in just five rehab games in the minors. The 33-year-old veteran backstop declined his option for the 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox to land on the open market before joining the Giants. Health will obviously be a big issue for Stassi as he tries to make a return to the big leagues, and given all the time away the last two years, he figures to begin the 2025 season rehabbing in the minors. In parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues since debuting in 2013 with the Astros, Stassi has a career .212/.295/.361 slash line with 41 homers and 128 RBI in 403 games played.

As he looks to land with a team in free agency this winter, first baseman Ty France is reportedly willing to catch, according to sources. Over 10 teams have shown interest in France, according to sources, and at least one club has offered him a guaranteed offer. The 30-year-old right-handed slugger has primarily played first base in his career, but he's also seen time at second and third base in the majors and initially made the San Diego Padres' major-league roster as a utility man and third-string catcher early in his career. France is on the open market this offseason after he hit a combined .234/.305/.365 with a career-low .670 OPS, 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 140 games with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds in 2024. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2022, though, and should get a look as at least a platoon bat at first base/designated hitter with whatever team he joins.

Free-agent right-hander Connor Gillispie signed an undisclosed one-year major-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Gillispie, a former ninth-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of Virginia Commonwealth, made his major-league debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and gave up two earned runs while walking five and striking out eight in only eight relief innings. The 27-year-old hurler made 27 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A Columbus and went 5-7 with a 4.05 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and a 119:48 K:BB in 113 1/3 innings thrown. Gillispie will probably enter spring training in 2025 as a long shot to make Atlanta's Opening Day starting rotation, but he can at least provide them with some bullpen depth to open the year. In five minor-league seasons, he has a 4.01 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 9.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

Free-agent infielder Jose Devers agreed to a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, according to sources. Devers is the cousin of Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers. He spent the last six seasons in the Miami Marlins organization and appeared in 24 games at the big-league level, posting a weak .611 OPS. The 24-year-old Dominican only played in three games for the Fish in 2024 and hit .239/.304/.362 with three home runs, 17 RBI, three stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 54 games at Triple-A Jacksonville. Devers is mostly useful for his glove in the middle infield and he's likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett as infield depth for the Braves. In seven minor-league seasons, Devers has slashed .261/.324/.362 with a .686 OPS and only 13 home runs.