The Baltimore Orioles have signed free-agent catcher Gary Sanchez to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Sanchez will back up frontline catcher Adley Rutschman, but could also DH if need be. The 32-year-old played for Milwaukee last season, slashing .220/.307/.392, including 11 home runs, with a .307 wOBA and 96 wRC+ in 280 plate appearances. The veteran backstop still has plenty of pop in his bat, registering a 10.5% barrel rate last season and a 15.4% rate with 19 home runs in 240 at-bats just two seasons ago in 2023. Coming to Baltimore brings him back to the AL East, the division in which he played in for his first several seasons up through 2021 as a member of the New York Yankees. Unless the Dominican gets regular at-bats, however, he won't be all that relevant for fantasy purposes.

The New York Mets have signed free-agent outfielder Edward Olivares to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring camp. The 28-year-old played the first half of last season for the Pirates before being optioned to Triple-A in July. He hit .263 with 12 home runs in 2023 for the Royals over 107 games, and while he hit .344 with three home runs over the first nine games in 2024, the right-handed hitter was unable to maintain that momentum over the course of the season. For his career, the Venezuelan has shown some better pop against left-handed pitching, with a .440 SLG and .199 ISO against them compared to a .389 SLG and .128 ISO versus righties, so he could fit into a platoon role were he able to make it back to the majors.

According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Boston Red Sox intend to pursue free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez if they do not sign Juan Soto. Feinsand noted that Boston is believed to have more interest in Hernandez than in another free-agent outfielder, Anthony Santander. In addition, Feinsand also stated the Blue Jays are in the mix for Hernandez but may prefer Santander. While Hernandez has hinted he prefers to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a sizeable contract offer from Boston may change his mind. Last season in Los Angeles, Hernandez posted a solid .272/.339/.501 slash line with 33 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a stellar 14.9% barrel rate and has continued to establish himself as one of baseball's best pure power hitters. The 32-year-old will be a popular pick in drafts this season simply off his power but may see a drop in RBI opportunities if he leaves the Dodgers.

According to Phil Rogers of Forbes.com, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet could be a potential trade target for the Baltimore Orioles with them signing outfielder Tyler O'Neill. With O'Neill added to the roster, the Orioles may decide to flip one of their young outfielders for Crochet in a larger package. With Ryan O'Hearn and potential top prospect Coby Mayo seeing time at the DH spot, Heston Kjerstad, Cedric Mullins, and Colton Cowser could all be potential options for the Orioles to trade to acquire Crochet. With Corbin Burnes on the free agent market, the Orioles will need to find a high-end pitching option to fill that void to compete this summer. Crochet showcased his elite potential last summer, logging a career-high 146 innings and posting a 3.58 ERA and stellar 1.07 WHIP. Crochet will likely be viewed as a top-20 starting pitcher in drafts, given his elite 35.5% K rate.

According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, free-agent catcher Austin Nola and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a non-roster invite to spring training. Nola spent last season in the Kansas City Royals organization but did not appear in a major league game. He spent most of his summer with Triple-A and held a .174/.260/.298 line and hit just five home runs. In 2023, he logged 52 games in San Diego and held an underwhelming .146/.260/.192 line with just three doubles and one home run. That season, he generated a poor .262 xSLG and .266 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during Spring Training as he may be able to capture the No.2 catching role. However, Nola should remain off all fantasy radars for now given his struggles in Triple-A last season.