With Spring Training just around the corner - less than two weeks out - MLB rosters are starting to take shape. But that doesn’t mean the hot stove has cooled off.
A few key moves are still going down as teams look to solidify their depth charts ahead of camp. Let’s break down the latest from around the league.
Goldy’s Back in the Bronx
Paul Goldschmidt is running it back with the Yankees. After a one-year stint in pinstripes, the veteran first baseman is finalizing a new one-year deal to stay in the Bronx, according to league sources.
At 38, Goldschmidt isn’t the MVP-caliber slugger he once was, but he still brings value - both at the plate and in the field. Last season, he posted a .274/.328/.403 slash line with 10 home runs and 45 runs scored.
Not eye-popping numbers, but solid production from a veteran presence in a lineup that needed stability. He also continued to provide dependable defense at first base, something the Yankees certainly appreciated.
Goldy reportedly prioritized staying in New York, and now he gets another shot at chasing a title with a team that’s clearly in win-now mode. For the Yankees, this is a low-risk move with upside. If he can replicate or even slightly improve on last year’s numbers, he’ll be a valuable piece in a lineup that’s looking to do damage in October.
Rangers Add Brasier for Bullpen Depth
The Texas Rangers are making a quiet but potentially savvy move, signing right-hander Ryan Brasier to a minor-league deal. It’s a depth play, but one that could pay off if Brasier can bounce back from a tough 2025.
Last season, Brasier battled groin injuries and never quite found his rhythm with the Cubs. He finished the year with a 4.50 ERA, struggling to find consistency on the mound. But the Rangers are betting there’s still something left in the tank.
With a minor-league deal, there’s no immediate pressure - Brasier will have to earn his way back to the bigs. But if he can stay healthy and regain some of the form that made him a valuable bullpen arm in years past, he could be a sneaky addition for a Rangers team that’s looking to build off recent success.
Dodgers DFA Banda, Bullpen Gets Crowded
The Dodgers made a bullpen move of their own, designating left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment. It’s a tough break for Banda, who actually had a solid 2025 campaign in Los Angeles. He went 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA and earned a bit of a cult following among fans for his gritty performances out of the pen.
But the Dodgers’ bullpen is getting crowded - especially after the acquisition of Edwin Díaz, who brings elite-level stuff and late-inning experience. With Díaz in the mix and several other arms vying for spots, Banda became the odd man out.
That said, a 3.19 ERA doesn’t just disappear. Banda could draw interest from other clubs in need of left-handed relief, and he’s shown he can be effective in the right role. Whether he stays in the Dodgers’ system or lands elsewhere, he’ll be one to watch as teams finalize their bullpens this spring.
With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, these late-offseason moves may not steal headlines, but they could end up making a difference when the games start to count. Whether it’s a veteran like Goldschmidt chasing one more run, a rebound candidate like Brasier, or a fan favorite like Banda trying to stick, the margins matter - and teams know it.