The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder Adalberto Mondesi and a player to be named later from the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in exchange for pitcher Josh Taylor, according to a source. Mondesi could open the 2023 season as Boston's primary shortstop now, which would allow utility man Enrique Hernandez to shift over to second. The BoSox also have Christian Arroyo as an option for the keystone, so the addition of Mondesi affords them more insurance and flexibility in the middle infield with Trevor Story (elbow) expected to miss the beginning of the season. The 27-year-old Mondesi tore his left ACL last May, but all indications are that he'll be ready for the upcoming campaign. Injuries have caused Mondesi's fantasy and real-life stock to take a major hit, but a bounce-back isn't out of the question considering his overall talent.

Chicago White Sox outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez said on a Monday Zoom call that he does not want to serve as the team's primary DH in 2023. Jimenez did serve that role in 2022, as he was recovering from surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee. The good news is that the 26-year-old performed exceptionally well at the plate, slashing .295/.358/.500 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI in 327 plate appearances. How Jimenez gets his at-bats is not much of a fantasy concern, as long as he plays enough outfield to maintain position eligibility for future seasons. What is a concern is his overall health, as he saw just 558 plate appearances over the 2021-22 seasons.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported Monday that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks will likely be the team's starting left fielder for the 2023 season. General manager Brian Cashman said of Hicks, "I suspect he will be the guy that emerges, because he's still really talented and everything's there." The 33-year-old has spent much of his career with the Yankees in a platoon role and slashed an uninspiring .216/.330/.313with eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 453 plate appearances in 2022. While the Yankees do have a strong lineup overall, Hicks' speed and benefit of hitting in that lineup do not provide enough to make him a compelling fantasy option, except perhaps in deep five-outfielder leagues.

It was reported over the weekend that free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel was moving toward a deal with the Miami Marlins, according to sources. The soon-to-be 39-year-old suffered a sprained right MCL in Game 5 of the World Series, although he should be ready to go for Opening Day in 2023. Gurriel's numbers dropped in his seventh big-league season in 2022, as he slashed .242/.288/.360 with a career-low .647 OPS, eight home runs, 53 RBI, 53 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 584 plate appearances and 146 games. Other than a 31-homer season in 2019, Gurriel hasn't been much of a power hitter and would be moving to a pitcher-friendly park in Miami while also serving in a platoon at first base/designated hitter.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (knee) had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right knee before he signed with the team, but pitching coach Ethan Katz said it's currently "not a factor" in Clevinger's preparation for 2023. In his first season back from Tommy John surgery in 2022 with the San Diego Padres, Clevinger had the worst ERA (4.33) since his rookie year and declining velocity in the second half was attributed to his knee injury. The White Sox's focus is returning Clevinger's delivery to what it looked like before his injury, and he could also add more breaking pitches to his arsenal. Working with his former coach in Single-A, Clevinger could find success again in the weak American League Central if he can stay healthy, and he'll come cheap in fantasy drafts.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that he isn't sure if outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is hitting yet or if he'll be ready for Opening Day. Baker said he plans on treating Brantley like NBA star Kawhi Leonard, welcoming him back when he is ready so he can "carry" the team. Brantley missed the final three months of the 2022 season after having surgery to fix the labrum in his right shoulder in August. The 35-year-old veteran is back on a one-year deal, but there's a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the season. When healthy, he should be a lineup regular between left field and designated hitter duties. Brantley doesn't have much pop -- only two 20-homer campaigns in 14 MLB seasons -- but he's a solid asset for average and on-base percentage.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (finger), who broke his left index finger in Game 6 of the World Series, said he's been swinging a bat since Jan. 1 and that it has healed well. It's good news for Bregman and anyone that plans on drafting him this spring, although his spring training performance will be worth watching to see if the finger is negatively affecting him in any way. The 28-year-old slugger reached the 20-homer mark for the third time in his career in 2022, finishing with a .259/.366/.454 slash line, .820 OPS, 23 home runs, 93 RBI, 93 runs scored and a stolen base in 656 plate appearances and 155 games played. Despite the injury, Bregman should be considered a top-10 fantasy third baseman heading into the 2023 season.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that left-hander Chris Sale (wrist) has thrown off a mound this offseason. Sale just has not been able to stay healthy for Boston in the last few seasons. He got a late start to 2022 and then broke his wrist in a bicycle accident in August. The 33-year-old southpaw only ended up making two starts for the Red Sox, but it sounds like he's getting his work in this offseason. However, we have no idea if Sale will be ready for the 2023 regular season, and quite honestly, fantasy managers shouldn't be holding their breath. The seven-time All-Star has had plenty of swing-and-miss stuff when healthy (career 11.1 K/9), but the injury risk now far outweighs the rewards with Sale.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (back) said his back has been a "non-issue" for the last four months and it hasn't factored into his offseason much at all. That's excellent news for the Angels and fantasy managers as we approach the start of spring training. The 31-year-old played in only 119 games last season due to a condition called costovertebral dysfunction, which could be a long-term issue for him. The good news is that he was able to return to finish the 2022 campaign and hit .283/.369/.630 with a .999 OPS, 40 home runs, 80 RBI, 85 runs scored and one stolen base when it was all said and done. As long as he's healthy heading into the 2023 season, Trout will be a costly fantasy selection, but he now has much more risk than ever before if his back injury resurfaces.

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated infielder Miguel Andujar for assignment on Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for the recently signed Andrew McCutchen. The former New York Yankee, Andujar appeared in only 36 games in 2022 (27 with the Yankees) and slashed .235/.257/.311 with a .568 OPS, one home runs, 17 RBI, 13 runs scored and four stolen bases in 140 plate appearances. The 27-year-old hit .297 with an .855 OPS, 27 home runs and 92 RBI in his first full big-league season in 2018 with the Yankees, but he's struggled to come anywhere near that mark since. If Andujar goes unclaimed on waivers, there's a good chance he could return to Pittsburgh's organization and serve as infield depth in 2023.

Free-agent right-hander Aaron Slegers officially announced on his Twitter account on Thursday that he is retiring from professional baseball. A right shoulder injury that limited him to two rehab outings last season is the big reason why he's decided to hang up his cleats after just five years in the big leagues. In his final MLB season in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels, Slegers had a career-high 6.97 ERA (5.62 FIP), 1.87 WHIP, 15 walks and a career-high 25 strikeouts in 31 relief innings. The 30-year-old reliever will finish his short MLB career with a 3-4 record, 5.46 ERA (5.01 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, three saves, 28 walks and 59 strikeouts in 89 innings covering 49 appearances (six starts) with the Angels, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.

The New York Yankees have discussed signing free-agent infielder/outfielder Jurickson Profar, but the Yankees are also adamant about staying under the "Steve Cohen tax" threshold of $293 million. They are currently at around $290 million. In addition to Profar, the Yankees have also checked in on Josh Harrison. The 29-year-old Profar reached free agency after declining his $8.33 million player option with the San Diego Padres for 2023. He became the Friars' everyday left field option in 2022 and hit .243/.331/.391 with a .723 OPS, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 82 runs scored and five stolen bases in 152 games. Profar's bat might be slightly more attractive at Yankee Stadium, but he also wouldn't be guaranteed the playing time that he saw in San Diego.

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent first baseman Ronald Guzman to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Guzman spent the first four years of his major-league career with the Texas Rangers, slashing .227/.304/.414 with a .718 OPS, 31 home runs, 104 RBI, 91 runs scored and three stolen bases in 243 games played. He ended up playing in only three games with the New York Yankees in 2022, going hitless in six at-bats with five strikeouts. The 28-year-old will provide the Giants with some depth at the first base position after veteran slugger Brandon Belt left in free agency this offseason.

Free-agent left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, according to a source. The hard-throwing 34-year-old veteran reliever had one of his worst seasons in the big leagues in 2022 with the New York Yankees with a career-worst 4.46 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, nine saves and career-low 26.9 percent strikeout rate in 36 1/3 relief innings. Chapman was on the injured list late in the season due to an infected tattoo on his leg and was left off New York's playoff roster for missing a team meeting. Scott Barlow had an excellent year for KC in 2022 and is penciled in to open the year as the primary closer, but Chapman has his fair share of closing experience and could eventually take over the job if he pitches well and Barlow struggles. But it's an understatement to say that Chapman's fantasy value has cratered.

Right-handed pitcher Adam Warren announced his retirement from professional baseball on Wednesday after eight seasons. Warren last pitched in the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2019 and hadn't pitched since due to a shoulder injury and Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old began his MLB career in 2012 with the New York Yankees and spent seven of his eight seasons pitching in pinstripes. He had a decent career in mostly a relief role, posting a 3.53 ERA (4.02 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, six saves and 20.9 percent strikeout rate in 492 1/3 innings pitched over 323 appearances (21 starts) in the regular season.

Right-handed pitcher David Phelps officially announced his retirement from professional baseball. The 36-year-old reliever spent 10 years in the big leagues, three each with the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays. He finished up the 2022 season in Toronto with a strong 2.83 ERA (3.16 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, one save, 31 walks and 64 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings over 65 appearances (one start). Phelps made the decision to hang up his cleats after having surgery to reattach his lat muscle to his right shoulder. Over the span of his 10-year career, Phelps went 34-40 with a 3.80 ERA (3.87 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, seven saves and 22.9 percent strikeout rate in 682 2/3 innings thrown in the regular season.

The Atlanta Braves agreed to a minor-league deal with veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar on Wednesday, according to a source. Pillar will earn $3 million if he makes the big-league roster. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Pillar only played four games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and eventually had left shoulder surgery in June. In his last full season with the New York Mets in 2021, he slashed .231/.277/.415 with a .692 OPS, 15 home runs, 47 RBI, 40 runs scored and four stolen bases in 347 plate appearances and 124 games. The 34-year-old defensive stalwart is nearing the end of his career and is unlikely to have much fantasy value at all if he's in the big leagues in 2023 with Atlanta.

Free-agent relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session for the Miami Marlins on Wednesday at Nova Southeastern University, according to a source. Miami's interest in the hard-throwing left-hander was reported on Tuesday, and the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres are also interested in signing him. The Cuban southpaw probably isn't returning to the New York Yankees after missing a mandatory meeting late last season and being kept off the playoff roster. The 34-year-old veteran lost the closing job in 2022 and showed signs of decline when he posted a career-worst 4.46 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, nine saves and career-low 26.9 percent strikeout rate. Chapman could regain closing duties if he lands in Miami, but it wouldn't be a guarantee.

Per a tweet from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Wednesday morning, the Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres are reportedly interested in free-agent relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman. Feinsand tweeted the following on Wednesday: "The Marlins, Royals and Padres are among the teams interested in Aroldis Chapman, per sources." The 34-year-old made 43 appearances for the New York Yankees during the 2022 season, pitching to a 4.46 ERA and a 4.57 FIP in 36.1 innings of work for the American League East franchise. He also registered nine saves and a hold while collecting 43 strikeouts compared to 28 walks allowed.

The Chicago Cubs claimed right-hander Julian Merryweather off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Merryweather was designated for assignment by the Jays recently so that they could make room on the active roster for first baseman Brandon Belt, but the 31-year-old reliever didn't make it through waivers. In his third MLB season in 2022, Merryweather tossed a career-high 26 2/3 innings (26 appearances, one start) and had a career-worst 6.75 ERA (4.35 FIP), 1.42 WHIP, 23 strikeouts and seven walks for Toronto. An oblique strain may have been to blame for his poor performance last year, but the Cubs will be hoping he can bounce back with better health as bullpen depth.