With only a few weeks remaining till Main League Baseball’s exhibition season will get underway, groups have valuable time left to use the ending touches to their rosters. With that in thoughts, CBS Sports activities has gathered all of Saturday’s most notable information, rumors, and strikes under, in a single useful spot in your consuming comfort.
Purple Sox, Astros nonetheless in on Bregman
The Purple Sox proceed to be engaged with free-agent infielder Alex Bregman, in line with Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. There’s a caveat to Boston’s curiosity, nevertheless, because the Purple Sox would favor any settlement to be of the short-term selection — which means, per the Globe’s reporting, a contract now not than 4 years.
Because of this, it is unclear if the Purple Sox may be thought-about a critical menace to land Bregman on condition that he reportedly has different provides with a long term in hand.
On that observe, it is fascinating that Astros supervisor Joe Espada mentioned he was “optimistic” Bregman may nonetheless return to Houston on Saturday:
The acquisition of Isaac Paredes in commerce and Christian Walker by way of free company offers the Astros a crowded infield in the mean time. Thankfully for Houston’s Bregman aspirations, franchise second baseman Jose Altuve is prepared to assist make it work. Here is this from the The Athletic:
“Altuve is prepared to do something to maintain Bregman, even go away his middle-infield place. The face of Houston’s franchise acknowledged on Saturday he’s prepared to maneuver off of second base — and perhaps into the outfield — to accommodate a reunion with Bregman.”
Altuve may shift to, say, left discipline, which might enable Paredes to play second base and Bregman to be put in again at third base. After all, the Astros could have to maneuver some cash earlier than they’ll convey Bregman again, which brings us to the rumor under.
Tigers out on Pressly; Cubs stay in
If the Astros are to maneuver veteran reliever Ryan Pressly earlier than spring coaching begins, then it seems his vacation spot might be Chicago. In line with USA In the present day’s Bob Nightengale, the Tigers are now not in talks to acquire Pressly, leaving solely the Cubs within the image. Pressly, it must be famous, has a full no-trade clause, permitting him the facility to veto any deal that is not to his liking.
Pressly, 36, is a two-time All-Star contemporary off a marketing campaign that noticed him publish a 3.49 ERA (114 ERA+) and a 3.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio throughout 56 2/3 innings. Houston’s motivation for shifting him has extra to do together with his wage. He is owed $14 million this upcoming season, cash that the Astros may repurpose elsewhere — together with, doubtlessly, in a late effort to retain longtime third baseman Alex Bregman.
It is unclear if Pressly has signaled to the Astros his willingness to simply accept a commerce to the Cubs, or if these negotiations will finally show to be moot.
Mets signal former Cubs nearer
The Mets have signed right-handed reliever Adbert Alzolay to a two-year minor-league pact, in line with The Athletic’s Will Sammon.
Alzolay underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final August, making it unlikely that he’ll pitch a lot (if in any respect) throughout the 2025 marketing campaign — groups today like to offer their pitchers about 14 months to recuperate from the process, a window that might rule him out of the common season. This addition, then, is extra concerning the 2026 season.
Alzolay, 29, was restricted by arm points final season to simply 18 appearances. In 2023, nevertheless, he compiled a 2.67 ERA (160 ERA+) and a 5.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio throughout 58 appearances. He additionally notched 22 saves whereas serving as Chicago’s nearer.
