The Pittsburgh Pirates and free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Sunday, according to a source. Grandal heads back to the National League for the 2024 season, where he should be expected to serve as Henry Davis' primary backup. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger slashed .226/.343/.375 with 44 home runs and 149 RBI in the last four seasons with the Chicago White Sox. The two-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career and will no longer be attractive in single-catcher leagues because his expected lack of regular playing time in one of the worst offenses in baseball. Grandal hit .234 (85-for-363) with only eight home runs and 33 RBI in 118 games in his final season in Chicago last year. Although he won't be much of a fantasy asset, he should be a good veteran presence in Pittsburgh's clubhouse.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Nick Gordon has been traded to the Miami Marlins for reliever Steven Okert, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Gordon, who just lost his arbitration hearing with the Twins, will earn $900,000 this upcoming season and is out of minor league options. He will need to earn a spot on Miami's roster and should have a chance to compete for a bench spot during spring training. Gordon is a career .250/.293/.392 hitter with 15 home runs, 80 RBI, and 16 stolen bases over 696 career at-bats. Okert worked a 4.45 ERA, 1.261 WHIP, and 73:24 K/BB ratio over 58 2/3 innings of relief last year with the Fish. He should work middle relief for the Twins this upcoming season.

San Diego Padres starting pitchers Yu Darvish (elbow) and Joe Musgrove (shoulder) have no lingering health concerns, according to manager Mike Shildt. The new Padres skipper shared the news with reporters on Sunday as pitchers and catchers are reporting for spring training. This is good news, as both Darvish and Musgrove dealt with season-ending injuries last season. Darvish was placed on the 15-day injured list in August with elbow inflammation caused by a bone spur. The injury ended up cutting his season short, and he finished the campaign with a disappointing 8-10 record, 4.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 141:43 K/BB over 136 1/3 innings (24 starts). Musgrove, who started the season late due to a toe injury, was shut down in early August due to shoulder-capsule inflammation in his right arm. Musgrove was effective when healthy, however, finishing with a 10-3 record, 3.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 97:21 K/BB over 97 1/3 innings (17 starts). Both pitchers will be key to the Padres' success in 2024, as they'll likely lose free agent and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, and Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha already signed with the Royals during the offseason.

Free-agent starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is garnering interest from the San Diego Padres, according to beat writer Kevin Acee. The Padres don't have much clarity or depth in their starting rotation behind incumbents Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish, who are both coming off injuries, so targeting someone like Syndergaard makes sense. San Diego has also been linked to free-agent Michael Lorenzen earlier this offseason. Syndergaard threw a bullpen session for interested teams back in January but hasn't received a ton of interest following that. Thor is coming off a disastrous 2023 campaign in which he registered a 6.50 ERA, 1.387 WHIP, and 56:19 K/BB over 88 2/3 innings between the Dodgers and the Guardians. San Diego could serve as a nice bounce-back spot for the veteran right-hander.

San Diego Padres relief pitchers Wandy Peralta and Luis Patino are both dealing with visa issues as pitchers and catchers are reporting for spring training. Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters on Sunday about the visa issues for the two aforementioned arms but did not expand beyond that. It's a fairly common issue with foreign players and it should be sorted out soon enough to give Peralta and Patino plenty of time to ramp up for the regular season. Peralta is coming off an excellent season with the New York Yankees in which he registered a 2.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 51:30 K/BB ratio to go along with four saves over 54 innings of relief. Patino, who started his professional career with the Padres, was optioned by the Rays last season before being traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash. The Sox designated him for assignment back in December before the Padres claimed him off waivers. He hasn't shown much in the majors so far (5.02 ERA, 1.496 WHIP in 136 1/3 career innings) but is still just 24 years old. Both players have a shot to contribute to the San Diego bullpen this season.