Free-agent pitcher DJ Peters signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers. The 28-year-old has been part of the Dodgers, Rangers, and Tigers organizations in the past and spent one season in the KBO as an outfielder. He's now a full-time pitcher and spent 2023 with the Tigers, pitching in the Florida Complex League. It didn't go too well last season, as he put up a poor 6.23 ERA and 2.031 WHIP over 21 2/3 innings, primarily as a reliever. It's unlikely he makes any sort of impact with the Rangers in 2024, but he's an interesting player, considering his former power-hitting chops.

The Miami Marlins and manager Skip Schumaker are expecting more out of catcher Nick Fortes offensively this year after the 27-year-old backstop worked on his stance and swing mechanics this offseason. In his third year in the big leagues in 2023, Fortes struggled at the plate, slashing .204/.263/.299 with six home runs, 10 doubles, 26 RBI, four stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 323 trips to the plate over a career-high 108 games played. While he's unlikely to make significant gains at the plate in 2024, Fortes should remain Miami's primary catcher this year for his work with the team's pitching staff now that Jacob Stallings is no longer around. He will split playing time with Christian Bethancourt in 2024. Fortes is a low-upside, low-floor catching option for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues.

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent right-hander Juan Then to a minor-league deal. Then made his major-league debut last year with the Seattle Mariners and pitched in 11 innings out of their bullpen, allowing six earned runs on 14 hits (three homers) while walking two and striking out five. The 23-year-old will almost certainly begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Charlotte to provide Chicago with relief depth. The Dominican hurler could eventually get another shot in the big leagues this year because of the fact that the White Sox don't have great depth in their bullpen, but Then won't be on the fantasy radar at all. In six seasons in the minor leagues, Then has recorded a 4.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, three saves, 88 walks and 250 strikeouts in 262 1/3 innings pitched in 95 appearances (51 starts).

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jared Triolo's versatility may keep him from being the "everyday" second baseman in 2024, according to MLB.com's Jake Crouse. Triolo impressed in his rookie season in 2023, hitting .298/.388/.398 with three home runs, 21 RBI, six stolen bases and 30 runs scored in his first 54 major-league games. He's also a minor-league Gold Glove defender at third base and basically can play any position on the infield dirt. The fact that Triolo carries four gloves because of his utility defensively makes it seem less likely that he sticks at second permanently versus bouncing around. The good news is that the 25-year-old should see plenty of playing time at multiple positions, although it's fair to wonder how well he'll perform after having a fortunate BABIP while striking out a third of the time in 2023. Triolo is most attractive in deep mixed and NL-only leagues because of his defensive versatility.

MLB.com's Jake Crouse thinks Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Liover Peguero is the likeliest candidate to see the majority of repetitions at second base in 2024 thanks to his power-speed combination potential in what will be a crowded battle at the keystone in spring training among the likes of Peguero, Ji-Hwan Bae, Nick Gonzalez, Jared Triolo and Alika Williams. But Peguero, 23, has the most power among the group and is also the second-fastest player on the team behind Bae. However, he only got on base in 2023 at a .280 clip and stole only eight bases in 59 games. Inconsistent contact let to a meager .374 slugging percentage as well. Still, there's still growth potential for Peguero, who was called up to the majors in mid-July last year. In NL-only leagues, Peguero is the best gamble at second base in Pittsburgh, but he's going to need to make more contact and keep the ball off the ground more to tap into more power.