Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez will be representing Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Tellez will be joined by other major-leaguers to represent Mexico, such as teammate Luis Urias, Julio Urias, Randy Arozarena, Joey Meneses and others. Tellez hit a whopping 35 home runs this past season with the Brewers and continues to emanate elite power. His slash line was underwhelming after molding a .219/.306/.461 triple line this past season, but that's typical for a sole power hitter. The first baseman accumulated a 115 OPS+ and drove in 89 runs. His .306 on-base percentage was at the root of his low average, but playing in the WBC could help him out. Not to mention, Tellez also received an offer to play for Israel in the WBC.

Carlos Beltran, who spent 20 years in the major leagues and at one point served as the New York Mets manager, will be leaving the YES network. Beltran received a job offer from the Mets as special assistant to general manager Billy Eppler. The 45-year-old spent some time with YES and broadcasted live games in 2022. Just three years back, Beltran was slated to become the Mets manager but was fired after he was linked to the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. According to the New York Post, manager Buck Showalter was considering Beltran to become the Mets assistant hitting coach, but he ultimately landed a job under Eppler. Additionally, Beltran placed sixth in Hall of Fame voting in his first year on the ballot with a 46.5% mark.

The writers at FOX Sports projected five landing spots for Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani when he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. The Angels were not one of the five teams. The teams consisted of the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. The optimal choice for the Angels is obviously to lure Ohtani back, but it seems that other teams will bid just as aggressively in the offseason. The Angels are all in on Ohtani, but with owner Arte Moreno at the helm, the odds may not be in their favor. The owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, will have no issues splurging on a perennial talent. The other aforementioned teams will pursue Ohtani with similar aggression, and the 28-year-old may become the first baseball player to bank upwards of $500 million.

The Boston Red Sox signed former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jake Faria to a minor-league deal on Saturday, according to a source. Faria began his MLB career mostly as a starter for the Rays in 2017 and 2018, but he's mostly served as a reliever in two seasons since then. The 29-year-old didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2022 and had a 5.51 ERA (4.58 FIP), 1.59 WHIP, 13 walks and 32 strikeouts in 23 appearances (three starts) over 32 2/3 innings pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Faria had a rough 7.48 ERA in 12 outings (nine starts) at Triple-A St. Paul with the Minnesota Twins in 2022. He'll give the Red Sox some starting and relieving pitching depth in 2023 but won't be on the fantasy radar at all if he's in the big leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent right-hander Juan Minaya to a minor-league deal on Saturday. The 32-year-old made six appearances out of the bullpen (9 2/3 innings) for the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and allowed six earned runs on eight hits while walking five and striking out 11. It took Minaya eight years to reach the majors after signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2008. In parts of six major-league seasons, he has a decent 3.69 ERA (4.08 FIP), 1.37 WHIP, 10 saves and 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 178 innings pitched (all in relief). Minaya might have a pretty decent shot at pitching in the big leagues for the rebuilding Pirates in 2023, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all.

The Minnesota Twins re-signed right-hander Aaron Sanchez to a minor-league deal. Along with the Twins, Sanchez also pitched for the Washington Nationals last year. When all was said and done, he had a career-worst 6.60 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.55 WHIP and weak 15.5 percent strikeout rate in 60 innings pitched over 15 appearances (10 starts). Sanchez was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016 and had a much more promising fantasy outlook earlier in his career, but lingering injuries (mostly finger/hand) derailed his career. The 30-year-old will be looking to impress Minnesota's coaching staff in spring training to see if he can win a role on the pitching staff entering the 2023 season. Sanchez can be ignored in most fantasy formats.

Former Minnesota Twins first baseman/designated hitter Miguel Sano will host a workout for scouts next Tuesday in Tampa, Florida. Sano became a free agent when the Twins declined his option last November for the 2023 season. A knee injury limited the 29-year-old slugger to just 71 plate appearances in 2022, and he hit just .083/.211/.133 with a .345 OPS, one home run, three RBI, one run scored and a stolen base in 20 games played. However, Sano reached the 30-homer mark as recently as 2021, so his raw power could attract some teams with spring training approaching if he can prove he's over the knee injury that slowed him down last year.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino will not pitch for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic because general manager Brian Cashman didn't allow him, according to a source. It makes sense with 2022 being Severino's first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander also missed two months last year due to a lat injury, but he had a solid 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 112 strikeouts over 19 starts and 102 innings when he was healthy for the Yanks. New York picked up Severino's $15 million option for 2023. RotoBaller currently has Severino ranked as the No. 38 fantasy starter heading into spring training. There is injury risk with him, but he should be a solid No. 3/4 starter otherwise.

The probability of the Minnesota Twins trading outfielder Max Kepler has been significantly reduced with spring training quickly approaching. The Twins are fully stocked on left-handed-hitting corner outfielders with Joey Gallo, Kepler, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner and Nick Gordon. The desired interest in Kepler just wasn't there this offseason after he produced a 2.0 wins above replacement despite hitting just .227/.318/.348 with nine home runs in 446 plate appearances. The 29-year-old continues to show great plate discipline, but his drop in power in 2022 was worrisome. But it could be attributed to multiple injuries that limited him to 115 games played. Kepler needs to put the ball in the air more to rediscover his power, but the ban on shifts should help his cause as far as overall average.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Diego Castillo lost his salary arbitration case against the team on Wednesday, according to a source. Castillo will make $2.95 million in 2023, instead of the $3.225 million he filed for. In his first full season with the Mariners in 2022, Castillo went 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA (3.68 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, seven saves, 22 walks and 53 strikeouts in 54 1/3 relief innings over 59 appearances out of the bullpen. The 29-year-old right-hander could see a handful of save chances again in 2023, but he'll mostly be serving as a late-inning setup man in Seattle's bullpen alongside Andres Munoz. Paul Sewald is coming off injury, but he's projected to begin the year as the M's primary closer.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent right-hander Matt Andriese to a minor-league deal on Tuesday. Andriese had a strong 2.86 ERA in 63 innings pitched for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan last year and will return to the States hoping to win an Opening Day roster spot with LA. The 33-year-old was more of a starter earlier in his career, but he last started a game in the big leagues in 2020 with the Los Angeles Angels, and it was only one start. In 2021 with the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners, Andriese had a 5.21 ERA (4.04 FIP), 1.61 WHIP, one save, 13 walks and 50 strikeouts in 48 1/3 relief innings over 34 appearances. Andriese is well off the fantasy radar entering the 2023 campaign.

The Tampa Bay Rays finalized a three-year, $24 million contract extension with infielder Yandy Diaz on Tuesday. Diaz will earn $6 million in 2023, $8 million in 2024 and $10 million in 2025. The Rays will also have a $12 million option for 2026 that doesn't include a buyout. The 31-year-old Cuban corner infielder should be a solid source of runs, average and on-base percentage near the top of Tampa's lineup again in 2023. He finished his sixth year in the majors and fourth with the Rays in 2022 by slashing .296/.401/.423 with a career-high .824 OPS, nine home runs, 57 RBI, 71 runs scored and three stolen bases in 137 games. Diaz is not flashy by any means and doesn't have a ton of power, but he's a nice complementary piece for fantasy managers as a corner infield option.

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent right-hander Wily Peralta to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Peralta was strong for the Detroit Tigers in 28 relief appearances last year, posting a 2.58 ERA (4.08 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, 24 walks and 32 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched. He was eventually released in August and didn't latch on with another team before the end of the year. Peralta has 10 years of big-league experience, including 16 career saves in 911 1/3 innings pitched, so he can offer the Nationals depth in either the rotation (139 career starts) or the bullpen in 2023.

Free-agent relief pitcher Jandel Gustave agreed to a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. Gustave had a 3.86 ERA in 27 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. The 30-year-old Dominican right-hander has five years of major-league experience with the Brewers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros. He has a 3.56 career ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, one save and 18.8 percent strikeout rate in 91 innings over 84 relief appearances. Gustave won't be fantasy relevant in 2023, even if he makes the Diamondbacks' Opening Day bullpen.

The Atlanta Braves signed free-agent infielder Adeiny Hechavarria to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The Braves also signed right-handers Daniel Martinez, Nolan Martinez, Zach Mort and Jon Olczack, left-handers Brian Moran and Domingo Robles and outfielders Kevin Pillar, Magneuris Sierra and Forrest Wall. The 33-year-old Hechavarria spent the last two years in Japan playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines. The utility infielder from Cuba last played in the big leagues in 2020 with the Braves and hit .254/.302/.305 with a .607 OPS, no homers, two RBI and seven runs scored in just 27 games. Hechavarria will strictly serve as infield depth for Atlanta and won't be on the fantasy radar.

Free-agent catcher Roberto Perez signed an undisclosed deal with the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, according to a source. Perez only played in 21 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 and hit .233/.333/.367 with a .700 OPS, two home runs, eight RBI and eight runs scored. The 34-year-old suffered a season-ending torn right hamstring, but he should be healthy for this year. Perez could stand a decent chance of backing up Joey Bart in 2023, but he won't really be on the fantasy radar, even in deeper leagues. In his nine-year major-league career, Perez has a .207/.298/.360 slash line with a .658 OPS, 55 home runs and 192 RBI. He's never come remotely close to replicating his 2019 season with the Cleveland Guardians, when he hit .239 with a career-high 24 home runs and 63 RBI.

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed free-agent relief pitcher Chad Green to a multi-year deal, per a tweet from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday. Rosenthal tweeted the following: "Source confirms: Free-agent reliever Chad Green to Blue Jays on 2-year, $8.5M deal. Second year is conditional player option that Green can exercise if Jays decline 3-year club option. If both decline, Jays get 2-year club option at higher AAV. First: @MarinoMLB, @ShiDavidi." Green appeared in 14 games for the New York Yankees this past season, pitching to a 3.00 ERA, a 2.85 FIP, 16 strikeouts, and five walks in 15 innings of work, logging a save, three holds, and a pitcher win in the process. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery early this past summer. For his career, the 31-year-old has logged a 3.17 ERA, a 3.37 FIP, 494 strikeouts, and 96 walks in 383.2 Major League innings to go along with 11 saves and 52 holds.

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young named several players currently on the roster as potential options to serve as the team's closer in an interview Saturday, per the Athletic's Levi Weaver. This included Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, Ian Kennedy, Danny Duffy, Brett Martin, and Brock Burke. Joe Barlow would also be considered in this mix. However, it sounded as though Leclerc would be the initial candidate given his history. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery, converting seven of nine save opportunities with a 2.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 27.3% strikeout rate. There are a number of players on the Rangers who have some closer experience, including Leclerc. The biggest issue for him has been walks, as he owns a career 5.32 BB/9 rate. The Rangers appear slated to be a more competitive team this season, so whoever is closing for them would hold fantasy value, although the role may not be consistent. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on further developments as things get closer to the start of the season.

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported Monday that the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a minor-league contract with free-agent utilityman Chad Pinder. The deal would include an invitation to big-league camp as a non-roster player. The 30-year-old spent most of his time in the outfield in 2022 with the A's, but he also saw time at first and third base. The Reds currently have an opening at third base, so Pinder would likely be competing for playing time at that position. Offensively, Pinder slashed .235/.263/.385 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 379 plate appearances. It sounds as though the Reds may still be looking to bring in additional players, and Pinder's recent offensive production has not been so great that he would be fantasy relevant even if he were to see somewhat regular playing time.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Monday that the New York Mets are expected to pursue Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in 2023 should he enter free agency. The 28-year-old phenom would be in high demand given his elite hitting and pitching talent. Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances in 2022 while also going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 33.2% strikeout rate in 28 starts. While the Mets and owner Steve Cohen have been one of baseball's spendiest teams of late, Cohen said of potentially going after Ohtani, "Hard to think about next year. I'm focused on this season." Ohtani will remain a top fantasy asset wherever he goes, but a move to the Mets would be a clear upgrade over his current team.