The Minnesota Twins claimed right-hander Daniel Duarte off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday and designated right-hander Ryan Jensen for release or assignment to make room for Duarte on the 40-man roster. Duarte has a minor-league option remaining, so he could start the 2024 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul if he doesn't win a bullpen role out of spring training. He appeared 31 times out of the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen in 2023 and had a 3.69 ERA (5.84 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with a save, 20 walks and 23 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings pitched. In his two big-league seasons with the Reds, he has a 4.19 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 23 walks and 25 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings. Jensen was claimed on waivers by the Twins in early January but could be on the move again if he's released or claimed by another club.

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to a source. Pillar will make $3 million if he's on the major-league roster. The 35-year-old veteran hit .228/.248/.416 with nine home runs in 208 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves in 2023. He's no longer the plus-plus defensive center fielder he once was, but he still rated well defensive in the corner outfield spots last year. The rebuilding White Sox may offer more playing time for Pillar, but at best, he'll likely be in some sort of platoon in right field with Oscar Colas. Pillar can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues in 2024. He has only reached the 20-steal and 20-homer marks once in his 11-year big-league career.

The Boston Red Sox are interested in a reunion with free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Red Sox could use some more offense heading into the 2024 season. Pham spent part of the 2022 season with the Red Sox, hitting .234 (50-for-214) with six home runs and 24 RBI in 53 games. The 35-year-old veteran was better last year between the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks and had some crucial hits in Arizona's unlikely run to the World Series. He finished the 2023 campaign with a .256/.328/.446 slash line, 16 home runs, 68 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 55 runs scored in 129 regular-season games. Pham still has something left in the tank, although he won't be a lock to return to the 20-steal mark, especially if he lands with a team where he's platooning in the outfield.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are among the teams considering ex-New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, who had a fantastic year with the San Diego Padres in 2023 while become left-hander Blake Snell's personal catcher. The Pirates are expected to move Henry Davis to full-time catching duties in 2024, but maybe they'd like some insurance behind him in Sanchez. The 31-year-old backstop produced a .780 OPS -- his best mark since 2019 -- and hit 19 home runs in 75 games after joining the Padres midseason. He was somewhat of an offensive savior for a Padres All-Star lineup that fell flat. Sanchez hit only .217 but squared the ball up often and should at least be able to land a role somewhere in a timeshare at the catching position. Expecting a repeat of 2023 would be foolish, but Sanchez could land a timeshare role somewhere and be useful as a No. 2 catcher in fantasy for his power.

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said that right-handers Mason Miller, Trevor Gott and Dany Jimenez will be in the closer mix with spring training approaching quickly. The A's want to see Miller get through a full season healthy, and Forst didn't rule out a return to a starting role for Miller after 2024. The 25-year-old missed most of his rookie season in 2023 due to a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Aside from being a major injury risk -- he has gone over 60 innings only twice since college -- Miller has elite stuff on a really bad team in a favorable pitcher's park. He has the most upside but also the most risk out of Gott and Jimenez, and a closer committee in Oakland is about as unattractive as it gets for fantasy managers speculating on saves from a high-leverage bullpen role.