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Player Notes

  • Agrees to terms with Cincinnati
    Martinez agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Martinez opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Padres in early November and will head to Cincinnati on a deal that includes an increased salary and an opt-out after the 2024 campaign. The right-hander was reliable in San Diego over the past two seasons, posting a 3.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 216.2 innings over 110 appearances (19 starts). Although he converted just nine of his 16 save chances, he picked up 23 holds, including a career-high 15 last year. The Reds already have one of the top closers in baseball in Alexis Diaz, and they signed Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract Wednesday. Pagan should be available as a setup man, and Cincinnati has been rumored to be in the market to acquire several other pitchers during the offseason. However, Martinez could also see some setup duties ahead of Diaz and will also be available to serve as a starter or long reliever when needed. Rotowire.com 51 minutes ago
  • Back in Atlanta
    Stephens (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

    Advice: Stephens joined Atlanta's big-league bullpen in mid-September and made five appearances before landing on the injured list shortly ahead of the postseason with right elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old righty holds a 3.56 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 65.2 innings since initially joining Atlanta in 2022, though it remains unclear if he will be ready to go for the start of spring training. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:36 pm
  • Braves re-sign RHP Penn Murfee to one-year contract
    Braves re-signed RHP Penn Murfee to a one-year contract.

    Advice: No word on the exact financial terms, but it’s a split contract for Murfee, who was non-tendered by the Braves just a few weeks ago after being claimed off waivers from the division-rival Mets. The 29-year-old righty reliever isn’t expected to be ready to contribute until midseason after undergoing right elbow surgery back in late June. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:27 pm
  • Finds work with Guardians
    Barria signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Barria rejected an outright assignment from the Angels and became a free agent earlier in the offseason, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself with the Guardians. The 27-year-old righty posted a 5.68 ERA and 1.47 WHIP last year -- a sharp decline from his 2.61 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 2022. Barria's deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training, and a good spring could be enough for him to earn a spot in Cleveland's Opening Day bullpen. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:06 pm
  • Latches on with Mets
    Wendle signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

    Advice: After two seasons with the Marlins, Wendle will remain in the NL East and presumably serve in a utility role with the Mets. The 33-year-old infielder had his worst season at the plate in 2023, slashing .212/.248/.306 across 318 plate appearances. While Wendle's defensive versatility may get him in the lineup fairly often next year, his poor bat puts a low ceiling on his fantasy value. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:57 pm
    Joey Wendle NYM - 2B,3B,SS
    New Player Note
  • Heads to Mets on one-year pact
    Severino (oblique) agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: The 29-year-old right-hander will make the short move to Queens after a rollercoaster eight-year run with the crosstown Yankees. He arrived in the Bronx with loads of promise back in 2015 but has battled a range of injuries over the last handful of seasons. It was a high-grade oblique strain that cut short his 2023 campaign, and he stumbled to a 6.65 ERA in 89.1 innings when healthy. That said, Severino should be 100 percent by the beginning of spring training in 2024 and figures to have a spot in the Mets' Opening Day rotation if he gets through camp without any physical complications. His career ERA in the majors is 3.79. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:44 pm
  • Félix Bautista earns AL Reliever of the Year Award
    Félix Bautista was named the 2023 American League Reliever of the Year.

    Advice: Bautista takes home the top honor in the America League, despite missing the final five weeks of the 2023 campaign due to a partially-torn UCL in his right elbow, after posting a sublime 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110/26 K/BB ratio across 61 innings (56 appearances). The hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander will likely remain sidelined until the outset of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:30 pm
  • Inks one-year deal with KC
    Hampson signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Wednesday.

    Advice: The deal is worth $2 million guaranteed, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Hampson was non-tendered by the Marlins earlier this month despite posting a career-best .276/.349/.380 batting line over 98 games in 2023 while appearing defensively at shortstop, second base, third base and all three outfield spots. The 29-year-old should be a useful super-utility option for Kansas City in 2024. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:43 pm
    Garrett Hampson KC - 2B,3B,SS,OF
    New Player Note
  • Report: Emilio Pagán’s Reds deal worth $16 million
    The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says Emilio Pagán’s two-year deal with the Reds is worth $16 million and includes an opt out after the first year.

    Advice: It doesn’t seem like Pagán is a player a team should have to give an opt out, too, but then, it’s not easy for the Reds to sign pitchers, given their ballpark. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:14 am