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Player Notes

  • Nelson Cruz takes job with Dodgers
    The newly retired Nelson Cruz is signing on with the Dodgers organization as an advisor.

    Advice: Usually, we think of players going to work for one of their former teams in situations like this, but the Dodgers were not one of the nine teams to employ Cruz during his 23 years as a pro. Obviously, they’ve admired him from afar anyway. Cruz retired earlier this month after hitting 464 homers in 19 major league seasons. Rotoworld Today, 10:04 am
  • Tigers still looking to add pitching after Maeda
    Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris told reporters on Tuesday that he’s still looking to add starting pitching — even after their addition of Kenta Maeda.

    Advice: That means that the Maeda addition shouldn’t dampen the Tigers’ interest in Seth Lugo. The 34-year-old hurler was terrific in 2023 — posting a 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 140/36 K/BB ratio over 146 1/3 innings in 26 starts with the Padres. If they’re able to land Lugo as well, it would really help to solidify a starting rotation for a Tigers’ team that could compete in the American League Central if things break right in 2024. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:48 pm
    Seth Lugo SD - SP,RP
    Player Note
    NA
  • Cody Bellinger takes N.L. Comeback POY honors
    Cody Bellinger was named as the Comeback Player of the Year in the National League for the 2023 season.

    Advice: The 28-year-old superstar bet on himself — taking a one-year deal with the Cubs after several disappointing seasons to end his Dodgers’ tenure — and that gamble paid off in a big way as he slashed an outstanding .307/.356/.525 with 26 long balls, 95 runs scored, 97 RBI and 20 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances in his 130 games. He’s expected to land an extremely lucrative multi-year contract this winter — with MLBTradeRumors.com projecting that he’ll wind up in the neighborhood of 12 years and $264 million. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:53 pm
    Cody Bellinger CHC - 1B,OF
    Player Note
    NA
  • Liam Hendriks named as Comeback Player of the Year
    Liam Hendriks was named as the Comeback Player of the Year in the American League for the 2023 season.

    Advice: The 34-year-old hurler battled his way back after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January, returning to the White Sox’ bullpen at the end of May after undergoing months of treatments. Hendriks ultimately had his season cut short after just five appearances after suffering a devastating elbow injury that led to Tommy John reconstructive surgery. He’ll miss the entire 2024 season, and will have a shot at making another comeback for the start of the 2025 season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:50 pm
    Liam Hendriks CWS - RP
    Player Note
    IL60
  • Tigers, Kenta Maeda finalize 2-yr, $24M contract
    Tigers signed RHP Kenta Maeda to a two-year, $24 million contract.

    Advice: The deal is now official. It’s a phenomenal landing spot for Maeda, who should benefit from Comerica Park’s hitter-friendly dimensions moving forward. There are some legitimate durability concerns given his injury history, but he’s a borderline top-50 starting pitcher heading into fantasy drafts next spring. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander, who posted a solid 4.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 117/28 K/BB ratio across 104 1/3 innings (21 appearances, 20 starts) this past season for the Twins in his return from Tommy John surgery, joins an intriguing Tigers’ starting rotation that also includes Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Reese Olson and Casey Mize. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:11 am
  • Dropped from 40-man roster
    Haseley was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Tuesday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

    Advice: This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Paul DeJong, whose one-year, $1.75 million agreement with Chicago has now been made official. Haseley, 27, slashed just .222/.282/.278 over 39 major-league plate appearances in 2023 and also had underwhelming numbers with Triple-A Charlotte. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:09 am
  • Brewers ink RHP Easton McGee to minors contract
    Brewers signed RHP Easton McGee to a two-year minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

    Advice: McGee made one outstanding start for the Mariners in late April before requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery just a couple weeks later. The 25-year-old right-hander represents a worthwhile multi-year gamble for the Brewers as a potential back-end starting rotation option or versatile swingman. He’ll presumably be ready to contribute at some point around midseason, barring any setbacks in his rehabilitation process. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:58 am
  • Brewers sign OF Brewer Hicklen to minors contract
    Brewers signed OF Brewer Hicklen to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

    Advice: It’s fitting that Brewer wound up in Milwaukee at some point during his career. Hicklen got into six contests for the Royals during the 2022 campaign and split last year between the Royals and Phillies at the Triple-A level, slashing .236/.350/.455 with 10 homers and 21 steals across 286 plate appearances in 72 games. The 27-year-old represents valuable organizational outfield depth heading into the 2024 season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:54 am
  • Robert Dugger signs one-year deal in Korea
    Robert Dugger has signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization.

    Advice: Dugger can earn up to $900,000 through performance-based incentives. The 28-year-old righty takes his talents to Korea after spending this past season in the Rangers’ minor league system. He made four appearances during the 2022 campaign between the Reds and Rays. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:12 am