The Yankees traded Higashioka to San Diego on Wednesday alongside Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Higashioka slashed .236/.274/.413 with 10 homers and 34 RBI across 260 plate appearances last season -- his best season at the plate since 2020. However, with Luis Campusano virtually locked in as San Diego's main backstop, the 33-year-old Higashioka will have to compete with Brett Sullivan for a backup role.

Caratini signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Caratini spent two seasons as Milwaukee's backup catcher, and he seems primed to take on the same role behind Yainer Diaz in Houston. The switch-hitting Caratini slashed .259/.327/.383 with seven homers and 25 RBI across 226 plate appearances last season, and his reputation as an excellent framer should help him earn occasional starts behind the dish.

The Mets claimed Heineman off waivers from the Blue Jays on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Heineman is a career .218/.297/.282 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons. With Francisco Alvarez and Omar Narvaez back in 2024, the 32-year-old Heineman would appear pegged for Triple-A Syracuse to begin next season.

The Mariners acquired Zavala from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday along with Carlos Vargas in exchange for Eugenio Suarez, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Zavala was a waiver claim by the Diamondbacks in September but made just four starts during his three and a half weeks with the team. The 30-year-old catcher has a career .622 OPS over parts of four major-league seasons spent mostly with the White Sox. He could open 2024 as Cal Raleigh's backup.

Atlanta re-signed Tromp to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Tromp was non-tendered by Atlanta last week but will return to the organization. The 28-year-old catcher has put up a .640 OPS with five home runs over 102 plate appearances at the major-league level. He'll likely begin 2024 at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Stubbs avoided arbitration Friday with the Phillies on a one-year contract.

Stubbs slashed just .204/.274/.283 over 41 regular-season games in 2023 and drew only one postseason plate appearance, but the backup catcher figures to return to that role behind J.T. Realmuto in 2024.

Atlanta outrighted White (hip) to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

White was just acquired from the Mariners on Sunday as part of the Jarred Kelenic trade, but the 27-year-old former top prospect has already lost his 40-man roster spot. White is a career .165/.235/.308 hitter in 306 major-league plate appearances and missed the majority of the 2023 season following May hip surgery.

Steer is in line to play regularly in the outfield following the Reds' signing of Jeimer Candelario, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati made a crowded infield situation even more crowded with its acquisition of Candelario. Steer is an infielder by trade, but he made 38 starts in the outfield in 2023 and would appear pegged for regular left field duty in 2024. Even with Steer slated to play mostly in the outfield next season, the Reds would still appear to have at least one more infielder than they have starting spots. Jonathan India remains a good bet to be traded.

Candelario signed a contract with the Reds on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Adding Candelario is an interesting move for the Reds, who already have a plethora of young infield talent at the major-league level. Candelario slashed .251/.336/.471 with 22 homers and 70 RBI between the Nationals and Cubs last season. He's capable of playing either corner infield position -- though he has far more experience at third -- and his arrival could signal a potential plan for the Reds to move on from Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Noelvi Marte (hamstring).

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Rizzo (concussion) was probably "game ready" by the end of the regular season and is expected to be fine for spring training, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

This tracks with what Rizzo told reporters in late September. The veteran first baseman wound up being limited to just 99 games during the 2023 season and didn't play after early August due to a concussion, which he initially suffered back in late May. It sounds like Rizzo has put the issue in the rearview mirror, though, and will look to bounce back in 2024.

White (hip) was traded from Seattle to Atlanta on Sunday along with Jarred Kelenic and Marco Gonzales in exchange for Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.

White is entering his age-28 campaign and is owed $8 million over the next two seasons, but Seattle didn't use him in the majors in 2022 or 2023. Last season was a lost campaign for White, who ended up having hip surgery in May. He hasn't been a league-average hitter since his stint at Triple-A in 2021, and this was primarily a salary dump move by Seattle. White has a career .165/.235/.308 MLB slash line in 306 plate appearances.

Blandino signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday.

Blandino joined the Giants on a minor-league deal ahead of the 2022 season before being traded to the Mariners. He was let go by Seattle in August of 2022 and didn't play last year, but he's slated to get another opportunity to provide organizational depth for the Reds in 2023. The 31-year-old played in 135 major-league games with the Reds between the 2018, 2019 and 2021 seasons and hit .226 with two homers, 29 runs, 16 RBI and a steal. He should play mainly in the minors in 2023.

Lowe (knee) has fully recovered and doesn't expect to be limited in his winter workouts, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe was placed on the 10-day injured list at the end of the 2023 campaign after suffering a fractured right patella, but the injury won't alter his offseason program much. The Maryland product should report to spring training with a clean bill of health.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns indicated Monday that he expects the team's starting third baseman to come out of the group of Mauricio, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Stearns also noted that he's not viewing any of the trio of players as a frontrunner for the gig, and it's possible no winner will be declared by Opening Day. The Mets have said Jeff McNeil will be confined mostly to second base, which would indicate that if Mauricio receives everyday at-bats then it would likely come at the hot corner. It's certainly a position battle to keep a close eye on during spring training.

The Mets plan for McNeil to see the bulk of his playing time at second base in 2024, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

McNeil started 57 games in the outfield in 2023, but it sounds like that number probably won't be nearly as high in 2024. He missed the final weekend of the season after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, but Nimmo is healthy now and having a normal offseason, per Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. McNeil was going to be playing every day regardless, but the fact that it will come at second base could impact the playing time of Brett Baty and/or Ronny Mauricio.

Mathias (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Nov. 29.

Mathias, 29, sports a career .246/.317/.391 batting line over parts of three major-league seasons for four different teams. His 2023 campaign ended in mid-August due to a shoulder injury and it's not clear what his current health status is.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Garcia is not guaranteed the second base job going into next season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Garcia battled through a disappointing 2023 campaign, slashing just .266/.304/.385 while spending some time back in the minors. The 23-year-old remains talented and would seem to be the odds-on favorite to man second base on Opening Day for the Nationals, but the gig won't be handed to him. Jake Alu, Ildemaro Vargas and Jeter Downs represent potential alternatives to Garcia at the keystone.

Urias is currently projected as the Mariners' starting third baseman following their trade of Eugenio Suarez, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle acquired Urias from Boston last week and he's now at the top of the team's depth chart at third base, although it's possible the Mariners bring someone else in at the position this offseason. Urias had a dreadful 2023, posting just a .636 OPS with three homers in 52 games while spending a chunk of the year in the minors. He looked like a solid regular a couple years ago, though, and is just 26 years of age.

Senzel signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He'll have the opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives and will still be under team control in 2025. Senzel was non-tendered by the Reds last month after they decided they were unwilling to pay him a raise in arbitration. The former top prospect hasn't had even a .700 OPS since his rookie season and has dealt with numerous injuries. However, Senzel should at least have a short-side platoon role after slashing .348/.389/.619 against left-handers in 2023.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that LeMahieu will be the club's starting third baseman in 2024, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu has bounced around all over the infield during his time with the Yankees, but it sounds like the club would like to have him focus mostly on third base next season. What that means for Oswald Peraza isn't clear, as the rest of the Yanks' infield spots already appear spoken for.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Walls (hip) is on track to be ready for the beginning of the 2024 season, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Walls underwent surgery in late October to repair a labral tear in his right hip and relieve discomfort caused by an impingement, but he has progressed well in the early stages of his rehab program and could resume workouts sometime in February. The 27-year-old racked up 22 stolen bases over 99 games in 2023, though he finished with a rough .201/.305/.333 overall slash line.

Miranda (shoulder) started hitting within the past week, but he's not expected to begin throwing until January, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Miranda underwent surgery on his shoulder in September, which was a cleanup procedure, according to the Star Tribune. That development is considered a positive, since his shoulder issues were thought to be more serious. Miranda struggled last year by hitting just .211/.263/.303 in 40 games before his season ended in July due to the shoulder injury. Miranda began last season as Minnesota's everyday third baseman, but his struggles and shoulder injury have clouded his outlook for 2024. He'll potentially compete for a role at first base this spring, but he may need to prove himself again at Triple-A.

Marte suffered a strained hamstring while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Marte will no longer be able to participate in winter ball, but he should be ready to go for the start of spring training. The 22-year-old infielder slashed .316/.366/.456 across 123 big-league plate appearances last year and is expected to begin 2024 as Cincinnati's primary third baseman.

Atlanta re-signed Williams to a minor-league contract Nov. 18.

Williams was non-tendered by Atlanta and elected free agency last month but then immediately re-signed. The 27-year-old utility player has batted just .225/.281/.295 during parts of three seasons in the majors.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Monday that Cruz (ankle) has resumed participating in instructional games in the Dominican Republic this offseason, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz hasn't yet taken part in any official Dominican Winter League games and may not before the 50-game regular season ends in late December, but the fact that he's taking live at-bats again as well as playing the field suggests that he's made a full recovery from the fractured left ankle he suffered April 9. Assuming the 25-year-old avoids any setbacks in his offseason program while he continues to train in the Dominican Republic, he should report to spring training with no restrictions. Though he essentially lost a season of development at the big-league level while recovering from ankle surgery, Cruz has youth in his favor as he looks to bounce back from the major injury. His impressive bat speed and sprint speed has been matched by few players during his time in the majors and should translate to some solid power and stolen-base numbers in 2024 even while he shakes off some rust, but Cruz's lengthy absence didn't do anything to quell the concerns about his plate discipline that existed even before he fractured his ankle.

Grissom could platoon in left field with Jarred Kelenic while also serving as Atlanta's top reserve infielder, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta wants to get Grissom's bat in the lineup, but it just needs to find a spot for him. He is playing left field in the Puerto Rican Winter League beginning this month, and it seems like he and the lefty-hitting Kelenic will be legitimately competing for at-bats this season. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Sunday that Kelenic's arrival from Seattle signals an end to their left-field pursuits this winter. If any of Atlanta's infielders get injured, the righty-hitting Grissom could step into more playing time.

McLain said Thursday that his late-season right oblique strain is fully healed, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

McLain landed on the injured list Aug. 28 after straining his right oblique and then suffered a setback just as he was about to return to the Reds in late September. He began light workouts in late October, however, and is now back to full strength here at the end of November. "Things are going good," said the 2023 breakout infielder. "I started to swing, no problems. Lifting, no problems."

Wendle signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

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.

Hampson signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Wednesday.

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.

Velazquez signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday.

Velazquez was claimed by Atlanta in early September after beginning the 2023 campaign in the Angels organization. He hit .217 with four runs, four RBI and a steal over 14 games at Triple-A Gwinnett but elected free agency in early November. However, after testing free agency for a few weeks, he'll rejoin Atlanta and could compete for a reserve spot on the team's Opening Day roster this spring.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that Judge's toe injury is "a resolved issue," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Judge tore a ligament in his right big toe when he crashed through a wall June 4 at Dodger Stadium and spent about two months on the injured list, but it has healed on its own without surgery, and he should be 100 percent steering into the 2024 campaign. The 31-year-old slugger projects to serve as the Opening Day center fielder for New York, with recent trade acquisitions Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo flanking him in the corners. Trent Grisham will be an active fourth outfielder.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that he has not had any talks with Soto regarding a contract extension, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The revelation comes as no surprise, as the full expectation for a while now has been that Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, plan to test out free agency next offseason. Soto famously rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer from the Nationals in 2022, which led to him being traded the first time to the Padres. The 25-year-old will surely be looking for at least that much next winter, although a lot can happen between now and then.

Cordero signed a contract Thursday with the Seibu Lions in Japan.

The news was reported by Cordero's agency (Republik Sports) on Instagram. The 29-year-old outfielder never quite got it going at the MLB level, but he's always torn it up in the minors and his offensive profile could wind up translating well to Nippon Professional Baseball. Cordero leaves behind a career .678 major-league OPS.

The Padres traded Grisham and Juan Soto to the Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Grisham finished with 13 homers and 50 RBI last year, but he has hit below .200 in each of his last two seasons. His recent performance combined with the presence of Aaron Judge, Alex Verdugo and now Juan Soto in New York's outfield almost certainly locks Grisham into a reserve role with the Yankees in 2024.

The Padres traded Soto to the Yankees on Wednesday alongside Trent Grisham in exchange for Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

A massive trade that had been previously reported as "close to being finalized" is now official. Soto will likely serve as New York's primary right fielder, shifting Aaron Judge to center field while the recently-acquired Alex Verdugo mans left field. Soto slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 homers and 109 RBI last season with the Padres, though the lefty slugger could easily set a new career-best home run total in 2024 thanks to the shallow right-field fence in Yankee Stadium.

Yepez signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Presumably, Yepez will be given an invitation to the major-league side of spring training as part of the contract. The 25-year-old was non-tendered by the Cardinals last month following a disappointing 2023 season, but Yepez slugged 28 homers between the majors and minors in 2022. He will compete for the Nationals' first base job.

The Yankees traded Brito, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez and Kyle Higashioka to the Padres on Wednesday in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Brito logged a 4.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 90.1 innings in his first major-league season last year. While his stats may not jump off the page, he showed promise toward the end of the season when the Yankees moved him to the bullpen. However, considering the Padres are currently thin on major-league rotation arms, Brito may resume duties as a starter in 2024.

Rodriguez signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Rodriguez blocked a trade during the season that would have sent him to the Dodgers. Roughly four months later, his journey to the NL West has come to fruition as he joins the reigning National League-champion Diamondbacks. Rodriguez put up career-bests with a 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 152.2 innings in 2023, and he joins Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to form one of the more formidable three-headed monsters in the majors. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2028 that would increase the total value to $100 million if Rodriguez pitches at least 150 innings in 2027.

Oviedo (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It was announced in late November that Oviedo would require the reconstructive elbow procedure, and the long road back to full health can now get underway. The 25-year-old right-hander is certain to miss the entire 2024 campaign.

The Red Sox acquired Slaten from the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Ryan Ammons and cash considerations.

New York just plucked Slaten away from the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft, but the 26-year-old right-hander is once again on the move. He registered a 2.87 ERA and 86:20 K:BB in 59.2 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2023.

The Mets selected Slaten during the 2023 Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Slaten spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.16 ERA and 76:16 K:BB over 51.1 innings, and he gave up just one run in his five appearances at Triple-A down the stretch. That apparently wasn't enough for the Rangers to justify adding him to the 40-man roster, allowing the Mets to select him. The 26-year-old has plenty of strikeout potential and will need to be with the big-league club for all of 2024 in order to stick in Queens.

Drohan was selected by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Drohan is a lefty with a plus changeup who contributed a 5.05 ERA and 129:72 K:BB over 123 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2023. The White Sox figure to keep him stretched out as a starter in spring training but could wind up stashing him in long relief if he makes the roster.

Houston signed Suero to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Suero was lit up for seven earned runs over just eight major-league innings with the Dodgers in 2023 and did not reach the MLB level at all in 2022. The 32-year-old right-hander will likely be Triple-A bullpen depth for the Astros.

Perdomo (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Thursday.

Perdomo was non-tendered by Atlanta last month, a few weeks after being claimed off waivers from the Pirates, but he's back now to continue his Tommy John rehab with the reigning NL East champs. The 29-year-old underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure in October, so he's doubtful to pitch at all in 2024.

Kansas City signed Long to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Long was outrighted off the 40-man roster in Oakland at the end of the 2023 regular season after struggling to a 5.60 ERA and 32:21 K:BB across 45 innings. The 28-year-old left-hander joins the Royals as organizational bullpen depth for the 2024 campaign.

Duffey signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Royals.

Duffey made only one MLB appearance with the Cubs in 2023 and held a 3.77 ERA and 53:23 K:BB in 45.1 innings with their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The 32-year-old right-hander owns a career 4.57 ERA in the big leagues.

Andriese signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Nov. 29.

Andriese hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, having spent 2023 at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization where he held a 6.05 ERA over 21 appearances (19 starts). It's not clear whether the Marlins intend to have him starting or relieving, but either way he's likely to begin the year at Triple-A Jacksonville.

The Yankees traded Vasquez, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Kyle Higashioka to San Diego on Wednesday in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Vasquez appeared in 11 games and made five starts for the Yankees in 2023, registering a 2.87 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 37.2 innings. His numbers were worse in Triple-A (4.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 80.1 IP), but the Padres' depleted rotation presents an opportunity for Vasquez to be a part of San Diego's Opening Day roster.

Pittsburgh selected Beer from the Diamondbacks in the minor-league phase of Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft.

Beer never quite got it going at the major-league level in Arizona, but he holds a career .863 OPS on the farm and is only 27 years old. He could get a legitimate look with the Pirates at first base or DH at some point in 2024.

Buxton (knee) is expected to begin baseball activities next week and the Twins plan for him to be the team's starting center fielder next season, the Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "We're going to go into spring training planning on, if everything continues to go well, having him out there in center field and very hopeful that the procedure he had puts him in the spot he needs to be in," manager Rocco Baldelli said, "but we also have to plan for everything, as usual."

Buxton underwent an arthroscopic procedure in October on his right knee to clean up scarring from a 2022 surgery that led to irritation. Buxton had a workout at Target Field last week and was able to do some activities that he was unable to last season. Buxton wasn't able to play in the field last season due to his knee issues (aside from one game during a minor league rehab stint). While the Twins are optimistic he'll be able to play in the field, the team will seek to find options for a backup given that Buxton hasn't played more than 100 games in any of the past seven years and Michael Taylor elected free agency.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez revealed Monday that Meneses played through a knee injury this season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's not clear when Meneses' knee began bothering him, but Martinez indicated it's a big reason why the 31-year-old was basically a full-time designated hitter. With Dominic Smith no longer around, Martinez would like to use Meneses some at first base in 2024 and possibly even some in the outfield. As for how Meneses is progressing in his recovery from the knee problem, Martinez said the right-handed hitter is "doing a lot of agility stuff" this offseason and "looks good so far."

The Mets claimed Hummel off waivers from the Mariners on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hummel, 29, went 2-for-23 at the plate during his time with the Mariners in 2023 but slashed .262/.409/.435 with eight homers and 26 steals at Triple-A Tacoma. He offers unique versatility with an ability to catch and also play the outfield. New Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was the Brewers' general manager when they drafted Hummel in 2016.

Ford became a free agent Friday after being non-tendered by the Mariners.

Ford was designated for assignment Tuesday and will now officially head to the open market. He was productive at times for Seattle in 2023 but struggled badly down the stretch. The 31-year-old owns a career .211 batting average and .309 on-base percentage in 234 total major-league games.

Lewis became a free agent after being non-tendered by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Lewis won American League Rookie of the Year honors with the Mariners in 2020, but he's slashed just .150/.216/.280 over 116 major-league plate appearances since the beginning of the 2022 campaign. The 28-year-old played in only 16 games with the NL champions in 2023.