The San Francisco Giants officials tossed the idea around of re-signing first baseman/designated hitter Brandon Belt, but signing the lefty-hitting DH would mean shifting lefty hitting Michael Conforto to the outfield and potentially sending Luis Matos back to Triple-A, reducing the team's overall range and athleticism. Belt hit 19 home runs in 339 at-bats in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays, and his 136 OPS+ would have matched Wilmer Flores for the highest on the Giants last season. The 35-year-old plans to continue playing in 2024 and is believed to be close to signing with a new team, but it won't be the Giants, and he's also unlikely to return to Toronto after they recently signed veteran Justin Turner, who at this point in his career will most likely be a full-time DH. The best-case landing spot for Belt is probably the World Series-champion Texas Rangers.

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent left-hander Richard Bleier to a minor-league deal on Thursday, according to a source. The 36-year-old southpaw spent last year with the Boston Red Sox before being designated for assignment in August. In 27 appearances out of the bullpen for the BoSox in 2023, Bleier had a 5.28 ERA (5.11 FIP), 1.37 WHIP, five walks and 16 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings pitched. In parts of eight major-league seasons with the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins and Red Sox, Bleier holds a career 3.27 ERA (3.64 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with five saves and 187 strikeouts in 330 1/3 innings over 335 appearances (two starts). He'll most likely end up starting the year at Triple-A Rochester while providing the Nationals with left-handed relief depth in the minors.

Free-agent right-handed reliever Ken Giles signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, according to the team. The deal includes an invite to major-league spring training, and he'll receive $1.75 million if he's in the majors in 2024. Giles impressed some teams during his showcase a month ago and will now join the Braves for spring training as he looks to get back to the big leagues. The 33-year-old veteran struggled at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2023, allowing 19 earned runs in 18 innings. Injuries have derailed his career, as he has thrown only eight innings in the majors since 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Giles was among the top closers in baseball in his prime and has 115 career saves in eight big-league seasons, but he'll just be hoping to stay healthy and give Atlanta some bullpen depth in 2024.

The Milwaukee Brewers "have entertained the possibility" of trading star closer Devin Williams, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This news comes on the heels of a big night for the Brewers as they traded starter Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. Milwaukee has already parted with Burnes and Brandon Woodruff this offseason, so moving on from Williams would be quite significant. A Williams trade would presumably signal a rebuild of sorts for the Brewers, though such a path would counter some of the moves they've made this offseason, like signing Rhys Hoskins. Nevertheless, it's no secret that the Brewers could fetch quite the haul for Williams, who accrued a phenomenal 1.53 ERA and 13.35 K/9 while locking down 38 saves in 2023. He figures to be an All-Star-caliber closer for several years to come.

Free agent reliever Keynan Middleton has agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The 30-year-old split 2023 with the White Sox and Yankees, posting a 3.26 xFIP, 11.37 K/9, and 56.5 percent ground ball rate over 51 appearances. On a less positive note, he struggled with walks (4.09 BB/9) and home runs (1.42 HR/9). Nevertheless, Middleton has repeatedly proven himself as a strong bullpen option, which makes him a great fit for the Cardinals. After all, St. Louis has repeatedly emphasized a desire to bolster its bullpen this winter, adding the likes of Middleton and Andrew Kittredge while also being linked to Ryan Brasier.