Free-agent shortstop Kevin Newman agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Newman will give Arizona some veteran infield depth heading into the 2024 season. The 30-year-old veteran spent last season playing for the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .253/.311/.364 with three home runs, 16 doubles, 28 RBI, eight stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 253 trips to the plate over 74 games. In his six years in the big leagues (five with the Pittsburgh Pirates), Newman has hit .259 (459-for-1,770) with 23 home runs, 171 RBI, 38 stolen bases and 189 runs scored in 505 total games played. He isn't really going to have any fantasy appeal as long as he's in a utility role in Arizona.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent catcher Tucker Barnhart agreed to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invite to spring training, per FanSided's Robert Murray. The 32-year-old veteran slashed just .202/.285/.257 with one home run and nine RBI in 123 plate appearances last season with the Cubs. However, Barnhart brings defensive prowess with him, having earned a pair of Gold Glove awards throughout his career. As such, he may be in the mix for the backup catcher role with the Diamondbacks. While his defensive skills may help the team out this season, his recent lack of offensive production makes him an afterthought in fantasy leagues.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that the Seattle Mariners could be a potential trade destination for Chicago White Sox right-handed starter Dylan Cease. The 28-year-old's name has been at the center of trade talks this offseason, and while the Baltimore Orioles have been one of the teams popping up more frequently, Morosi said the Mariners could potentially trade for Cease and then trade away one of their younger pitchers for a hitter. Cease maintained his high strikeout numbers but regressed overall in 2023, going 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 27.3% strikeout rate, and 10.1% walk rate in 33 starts and 177 innings pitched. While there is a chance Cease does not end up getting traded, the consensus is that he will have a new uniform in 2024.

Free-agent right-hander Colten Brewer announced on his Instagram account that he has signed an undisclosed deal with the Chicago Cubs. Brewer made three relief appearances for the New York Yankees this past season and also spent time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball. The 31-year-old will give the Cubbies some relief depth to open the 2024 regular season but he will be well off the fantasy radar. In five years at the major-league level with the Yankees, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres, Brewer has a 4.98 ERA (8.42 FIP) and 1.77 WHIP with 61 walks and 92 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings over 84 appearances (four starts).

To make room on the 40-man roster for recent free-agent signing Frankie Montas, the Cincinnati Reds designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment on Tuesday. Wynns signed a one-year, $950,000 with the Reds in December as catching depth. If the 33-year-old backstop clears waivers, he'll likely return to the Giants and try to earn a roster spot in spring training. Wynns spent the 2023 season with the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies and hit .208/.268/.277 with one home run and 10 RBI in 145 plate appearances in 51 games. Forty five of his games played came with the Rockies. In five big-league seasons, Wynns has a career .226 batting average with only 13 home runs, 61 RBI and 63 runs scored in 653 plate appearances.