The San Diego Padres have considered re-signing catcher Gary Sanchez, but there is a big gap in contract talks. Sanchez kept the Padres' offense afloat in the middle of last season and was one of their biggest offensive contributors despite not even starting the year with the club. Despite the strong season for the Friars, the Padres were fully expected to move on from Sanchez heading into 2024, especially after they acquired Kyle Higashioka from the New York Yankees in the blockbuster deal involving outfielder Juan Soto. If he can stay healthy, Luis Campusano has a clear path to regular catching duties this season. Sanchez hit 19 home runs and had a .780 OPS in just 75 games in 2023 but finished the season on the injured list due to a fractured wrist. He'll most likely be looking at a part-time role in 2024 with whichever team signs him.

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly listening on outfielder Masataka Yoshida, but for now a trade isn't seen as especially likely. The Red Sox have also checked in on free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler, but there's suspicion they'll be outbid again, maybe by the rival Toronto Blue Jays. Former Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez and third baseman Justin Turner should be candidates to fill Boston's need for a right-handed hitter, but they could seriously consider a less costly option like Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk or even Enrique Hernandez. The 30-year-old Yoshida showed great contact skills, but his on-base prowess was lacking and he showed only moderate power. His defense is going to need to improve in the outfield if he's going to remain as an everyday player moving forward.

Although one general manager said the Cleveland Guardians are still talking about star right-hander Shane Bieber, the latest word is that a trade involving Bieber is very unlikely. The Guardians have a shot to win the weak American League Central division in 2024. The 28-year-old had a down season in 2023, mainly due to an elbow injury, going 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP while walking 34 and striking out 107 in 128 innings over just 21 starts. It's the second time in three years he's missed significant time due to injury, and although Bieber was the Cy Young winner in 2020 and one of the best pitchers in the game in 2022, it's concerning that his strikeout rate (20.1%), hard-hit rate (47.6%) and average exit velocity (91.6 mph) were all career-worsts. Bieber could still bounce back in 2024 with better health, but he could also be in the beginning of his decline.

The Seattle Mariners and infielder Michael Chavis have agreed on a minor-league deal for the 2024 season. The deal comes with an invite to big-league spring training. A former top prospect with the Red Sox, the 28-year-old is now with his fourth organization as he's struggled to put it together at the plate at the MLB level. He owns a career .238 average with a decent 42 home runs and eight stolen bases across 357 big-league games played. He's brought a decent amount of pop to the table but he has walked in just 5.4% of his career plate appearances to pair with a bloated 31.9% K%. As a result, his bat has graded out 20% below the league average for his career, as per his 80 wRC+. He was designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier this offseason.

The Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Aaron Civale have settled on a one-year, $4.9 million pact for the 2024 season, avoiding arbitration in the process. The right-hander was acquired by the Rays mid-season from the Cleveland Guardians and posted a healthy 3.46 ERA in 23 starts between the two clubs, although he limped to a 5.36 ERA across 10 starts after being acquired by Tampa Bay. The veteran's bread-and-butter lies within his control as he sports a 6.1% BB% for his career in which he has posted a 3.92 ERA across 86 appearances, all of which have been starts. Capped by a career 22% K%, Civale's fantasy value is middling, especially with his 23 starts in 2023 representing a career-high.