Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Curtis Mead, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 3 prospect for a reason, has crushed the ball wherever he's played and had a .302/.376/.514 slash line in the minors. However, MLB.com's Adam Berry says it's difficult to envision a consistent path to playing time for Mead as the Rays' roster is currently constructed. Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe and Isaac Paredes are set around the infield, and unless the team has another trade in the works, Harold Ramirez seems to be in line for right-handed designated hitter work. "That is one hungry, motivated player. Curtis is driven to be really, really good, and he is going to do everything he can," manager Kevin Cash said. The 23-year-old is a pure hitter and should be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues in 2024.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Pinto, who is the only catcher currently on the team's 40-man roster, "is going to get a lot of reps," manager Kevin Cash said. Pinto's pitch-blocking was a concern last year, but he graded out well in other defensive areas. His low on-base percentage and high strikeout rates as a hitter could be further exposed in an expanded role, but some of that could be offset by his power, as he hit 15 homers in 265 plate appearances between Triple-A Durham and the majors in 2023. The Rays are going to need to spell Pinto so that he doesn't break down over a long season, but with strong defense and 20-homer power, Pinto could capitalize on a big opportunity in 2024 for both the Rays and fantasy managers.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team expects "a much more comfortable version of Taj Bradley" this year. Both Bradley and Ryan Pepiot should have an opportunity to settle into the starting rotation behind Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell. Bradley made his major-league debut in 2023 and finished with 21 starts, ending up with a 5.59 ERA and 23 home runs allowed in 104 2/3 innings pitched. He'll only be 23 years old this year, though, and his electric fastball averaged 96.1 mph, while his developing changeup produced a 41 percent whiff rate and his curveball was also effective. Expectations were high for Bradley as one of the team's top prospects, so he was more of a disappointment. However, if he can display better command and keep the ball in the yard more in 2024, Bradley could be much more productive.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (knee) underwent successful left-knee arthroscopic debridement surgery with Dr. Steven Cohen in Philadelphia on Friday morning. It's expected that Marsh will return to playing at three to four weeks and be ready for Opening Day. The surgery wasn't all that invasive, but if the 26-year-old has any setbacks at all during spring training, he'll most likely have the start of his 2024 campaign delayed slightly in the season's first month. When healthy, Marsh should see most of the playing time for the Phils in left field, and he's also an option to play in center field if Johan Rojas isn't ready for an everyday role. Marsh played well in 2023 in his first full season in Philly but struck out a third of the time and is still slightly more valuable for his glove than his bat. He'll give fantasy managers modest totals in homers and speed.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw's new deal includes $10 million guaranteed with a chance to make more, according to league sources. It's a one-year deal with a player option for 2025 and includes a base salary of $5 million each year with a chance for the 36-year-old southpaw to boost his salary based on the number of starts he makes this year. His salary can max out at around $12 million in 2024. The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer had the capsule and gleno-humeral ligaments in his left shoulder repaired in November and will not pitch at all in the first half of the season. Kershaw is in the second week of a throwing program and is targeting a "July-ish, August-ish" timetable to return later this year.