Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz, who was acquired in the deal that sent right-hander Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, is No. 58 on The Athletic's Keith Law's prospects list and could be part of Milwaukee's third base mix in 2024. He could also slide over to shortstop if the Brewers trade Willy Adames. Andruw Monasterio, who had a .330 on-base percentage but only a .348 slugging % in 2023, Owen Miller and Tyler Black are other options for the hot corner for the Brew Crew. Black can swing it, but there are questions about his defense. Brock WIlken, the 18th overall pick out of Wake Forest last year, is also an option in the pipeline for down the road. The 25-year-old Ortiz could end up being Milwaukee's Opening Day starter at third if he impresses in spring training.

The San Diego Padres continue to draw significant trade interest in second baseman Ha-Seong Kim this offseason, according to sources briefed on the discussions. Kim is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2024 season, but he was among the team's best players in 2023, so the acquisition cost would be high. The 28-year-old infielder's fantasy price is way up heading into spring drafts after his breakout last year that included a .260/.351/.398 slash line with career-highs in home runs (17), RBI (60), stolen bases (38) and runs scored (84) in 152 games played. Kim didn't look overmatched like he had in his first two big-league seasons and carried a disappointing Padres offense at times. His ability to play second, third and shortstop is also highly valuable in both real life and in fantasy.

With the San Diego Padres so thin on outfielders after trading both Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees this offseason, it's quite possible that the Padres will spend the spring auditioning young players such as Jackson Merrill, Jakob Marsee and Graham Pauley in the outfield. Merrill is baseball's No. 12 prospect, according to The Athletic's Keith Law, and will play both shortstop and outfield in spring training. He was the 27th pick in 2021, while Marsee, who became the first minor-league to have 15 homers, 90 walks and 40 steals since at least 2005, was a sixth-rounder in 2022. Pauley was a 13th-rounder out of Duke last year. All three prospects could have the ability to move quickly through the Padres organization. Defensive versatility will give the 20-year-old Merrill a clearer path to the big leagues in 2024.

Free-agent right-hander Zack Greinke wants to return for a 21st season in 2024, according to two sources briefed on his thinking. However, the Kansas City Royals' signings of right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha almost certainly will preclude him from returning to the Royals. Greinke was 2-15 with a rough 5.06 ERA last year, but he's only 21 strikeouts shy of becoming only the 20th pitcher in major-league history to record 3,000 strikeouts. His Hall of Fame case likely won't be affected by whether he retires now or some point in the future. In addition to winning the 2009 American League Cy Young award, the 40-year-old has made six All-Star teams and earned six Gold Gloves. Greinke and Justin Verlander are the only active pitchers who have worked more than 3,000 innings.

Houston Astros outfielder Mauricio Dubon's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday. When the two sides exchanged figures, Dubon asked for $3.5 million and the Astros countered at $3 million. The two sides could settle in the middle before actually going to a hearing on Monday. The 29-year-old was an effective super-utility player for the Astros in 2023, especially with regular second baseman Jose Altuve missing significant time last year due to injuries. Dubon slashed .278/.309/.411 with a career-high 10 home runs, 26 doubles, three triples, 46 RBI, seven stolen bases and 76 runs scored in a career-high 132 games in his first year in Houston. He's set to return in 2024 in a similar role, although he's unlikely to do as well for fantasy managers with less playing time projected.