Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes is one of a group of players that received non-roster invites to major-league spring training this year. In addition to Skenes, the Pirates also invited top prospects Termarr Johnson, Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones and Anthony Solometo. Skenes is the biggest name after Pittsburgh took him first overall in last year's draft out of LSU. The 21-year-old is the consensus top pitching prospect in all of baseball and is considered the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. Skenes made it to Double-A Altoona in 2023 and is fully expected to join the Pirates' starting rotation for the first time in 2024. The strikeout upside alone is tantalizing enough for Skenes to be stashed in all fantasy formats this spring.

The Miami Marlins are still searching for a shortstop, and free-agent infielder Adalberto Mondesi is one consideration. Mondesi had surgery to fix his ACL in April of 2022 and was unable to get back onto the field while with the Boston Red Sox in 2023. The 28-year-old switch-hitter has plenty of speed when healthy, but he's a huge injury question mark after sitting out all of last season. He has stolen 133 bases in seven major-league seasons, all with the Kansas City Royals, but he's played in over 100 games just once in his career and has hit .233/.275/.392 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 44 stolen bases and 55 runs scored since the shortened 2020 campaign. At best, Mondesi will be a late-round fantasy flier for his speed on the basepaths if he were to land in Miami as their primary shortstop. As of right now, Jon Berti is penciled in at the 6 for the Fish.

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner signed a one-year deal with a $13 million base salary on Tuesday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. The deal includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses for the 2024 season. While Turner can play both third and first base, he's primarily expected to serve as Toronto's primary designated hitter as he heads into his age-40 season. After whiffing on some other big bats in free agency, Turner will provide excellent clubhouse leadership and some extra pop from the right side of the plate. He had a career-high 96 RBI for the Boston Red Sox in 2023 while also slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs. Staying in the American League East and moving to another hitter-friendly ballpark should help his cause as a corner infield option with good on-base skills and some modest power.

The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, along with prospects Gabriel Gonzalez and right-hander Darren Bowen, in a four-player package from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in exchange for second baseman Jorge Polanco, according to sources. Cash is also believed to be involved in the deal. DeSclafani and outfielder Mitch Haniger were acquired by the M's from the Giants for lefty Robbie Ray earlier this offseason. The 33-year-old made only 19 starts in 2023 and may not be ready for the start of the 2024 season due to a right flexor strain. He'll provide depth for the Twins' rotation when he's ready. Topa, 32, had a 2.61 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 61 K's in 69 innings over a career-high 75 appearances for Seattle in 2023. He should be tasked with a high-leverage role in the back of Minnesota's bullpen. Gonzalez, 20, made it to Single-A Modesto in 2023 and has some real promise at the plate as an outfielder. Bowen, 22, had a 3.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 59 K's in 55 2/3 innings at Modesto in his first minor-league season.

The Seattle Mariners acquired second baseman Jorge Polanco from the Minnesota Twins on Monday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Twins are receiving in return. The Twins exercised Polanco's $10.5 million club option for the 2024 season, even after he played in just 80 regular-season games due to ankle, knee and hamstring injuries. The 30-year-old hit well when he was on the field, though, slashing .255/.335/.454 with a .789 OPS, 14 home runs, 18 doubles, 48 RBI, four stolen bases and 38 runs scored in 343 plate appearances. The move opens up regular playing time at the keystone in Minnesota for Edouard Julien. Polanco squared the ball up often and had strong exit velocities, but he's moving to another pitcher-friendly park in the American League. He should play regularly in Seattle but will be a significant health risk for fantasy managers.