Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file felony charges against free-agent starting pitcher Julio Urias in connection with his September arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, per the Orange County Register. Urias was placed on administrative leave by MLB shortly after the incident while he was on the Dodgers. The case has instead been referred to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for consideration as a possible misdemeanor case. This is his second domestic violence offense, as he was suspended for 20 games after the first incident in 2019. While Urias has been a higher-end fantasy option throughout his career, it remains to be seen if any MLB teams will be willing to offer him a contract.

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that left-hander Garrett Crochet is preparing to work in a starting role in 2024. "It's going to take a little bit of time to appropriately stretch him out, but we're going in with the intention of him to be a starter in 2024," Getz said. The rebuilding White Sox are going to need all the help they can get in their starting rotation, especially with it being likely they'll trade Dylan Cease before the start of the regular season. Injuries have limited the 24-year-old southpaw in recent years, as he didn't pitch at all in 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and made 25 appearances in total last season due to a shoulder issue. A starting role could make him more attractive in fantasy if he can stay healthy, but he's going to need to show better command and will almost certainly be on an innings limit.

Free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler said he has not been in contact with the Miami Marlins this offseason. "There has been no contact with the Marlins," Soler said. Soler opted out of the final year of his deal with Miami, making it unlikely that he'll return to South Beach in 2024 and beyond. The 31-year-old right-handed slugger managed to hit 36 home runs with an .853 OPS over 580 plate appearances in his second season with the Fish in 2023 and has a handful of teams interested in his services as a corner outfielder/designated hitter. Among the teams interested in him include the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays. Soler is an elite target for power in fantasy drafts as long as he can stay healthy, and a move to a more hitter-friendly ballpark in 2024 could make him even more attractive.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering, charges that carry up to 30 yards, 10 years and 20 years of prison respectively. He now stands accused of sexual and psychological abuse. He has not been formally accused, but if found guilty, he could face between two to five years in prison. Franco was released from jail on Monday but is required to meet with authorities once a month in the Dominican as the investigation continues, and he's unlikely to be allowed back into the U.S. anytime soon, which means he's unlikely to play for the Rays by Opening Day. There's a high probability the 22-year-old won't play major-league baseball again.

In a 2024 MLB Pipeline poll of front-office executives from all 30 organizations, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was voted the best defensive prospect. Crow-Armstrong has been considered the top defensive player in the minor leagues for a while now, and he made his major-league debut in Chicago in 2023, going hitless in 14 at-bats with an RBI and two stolen bases in 13 games. There should be multiple Gold Gloves in his future at the big-league level. The 21-year-old probably isn't going to hit for a high average in the Show, but he did bat .283/.365/.511 with 20 home runs and 37 steals in 107 games at the top two levels of the minors last season before getting his first major-league call-up. If he has a strong spring, Crow-Armstrong could be starting in Chicago's outfield on Opening Day, and his power/speed combination will make him a highly coveted prospect in all fantasy drafts.