The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory on Tuesday that he expects the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler to agree on a contract extension before the start of the regular season. Wheeler will be turning 34 years old this May, but the veteran hurler has been everything the Phillies had hoped he'd be when they signed him as a free agent before the 2020 season. In his four years with the team, Wheeler has gone 43-25 with a 3.06 ERA (2.90 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 135 walks and 675 strikeouts in 629 1/3 innings over 101 starts in the regular season. He's managed to stay healthy and has been one of the best all-around starting pitchers in the game in his time in Philadelphia, and he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down in 2024.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee) is expected to open the 2024 season on the injured list due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Bard opened last year on the injured list and also ended the 2023 campaign on the injured list due to a right flexor strain. The 38-year-old veteran wasn't really going to be much of a fantasy option to begin with due to the fact that Justin Lawrence is the team's projected closer. In 50 appearances out of Colorado's bullpen last year, Bard had a 4.56 ERA (6.13 FIP) and 1.70 WHIP with one save, 49 walks and 47 strikeouts. He had 54 saves in 2021 and 2022 after returning from a case of the yips, but some of his anxiety issues returned last spring. Fantasy managers should stay away from Bard in all leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Sunday, according to a source. Grandal heads back to the National League for the 2024 season, where he should be expected to serve as Henry Davis' primary backup. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger slashed .226/.343/.375 with 44 home runs and 149 RBI in the last four seasons with the Chicago White Sox. The two-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career and will no longer be attractive in single-catcher leagues because his expected lack of regular playing time in one of the worst offenses in baseball. Grandal hit .234 (85-for-363) with only eight home runs and 33 RBI in 118 games in his final season in Chicago last year. Although he won't be much of a fantasy asset, he should be a good veteran presence in Pittsburgh's clubhouse.

Free-agent infielder Chris Owings has signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has received an invite to MLB spring training. The 32-year-old has spent minimal time in the big leagues over the last several seasons, appearing in just 76 games from 2020-2023. The light-hitting middle infielder has been far better with his glove than his bat throughout his big-league career. Owings is a .239 career hitter with 37 home runs, 79 stolen bases, and a .650 OPS across 723 games between the D-backs, Royals, Red Sox, Rockies, Orioles, and Pirates. That production has graded out 32% below the league average, as per Owings' career 68 wRC+. He will likely serve as depth in major league camp and will be hard-pressed to get any reps on a loaded Dodgers team in the 2024 season.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team really wants to bring back right-hander Zack Wheeler as he heads into the final year of his five-year contract. "Well, we would love to sign Zack today if we could. I think it's important we re-sign him. I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball...I know Wheels loves it in Philadelphia." The 33-year-old has been an ace for the Phillies in his time with the team and had another strong year in 2023 with a 13-6 record, 3.61 ERA (3.15 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 39 walks and 212 strikeouts in 192 innings over 32 starts in 2023. There's little evidence to suggest that Wheeler won't be a fantasy ace again in 2024 after reaching the 200-strikeout threshold in two of the last three seasons in Philly.

Veteran relief pitcher Heath Hembree has signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners. The 35-year-old righty had worked just 23 1/3 innings at the major league level over the last two seasons, compiling a poor 6.94 ERA and 1.886 WHIP in the process. He was with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, appearing in just one game. He will likely just serve as organizational depth in Seattle.

The New York Mets agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent left-handed reliever Jake Diekman on Friday, pending a physical. It was reported that the two sides were close to a deal on Thursday. The Mets also added Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami to their bullpen on Friday. The 37-year-old Diekman will give the Mets another experienced left-handed reliever alongside Brooks Raley in 2024. Diekman wasn't very good with the Chicago White Sox early on last year before being released and landing with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he excelled to the tune of a 2.18 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 25 walks in 45 1/3 relief innings. Diekman has the ability to generate plenty of swings and misses with an 11.4 career K/9 in 12 big-league seasons, but he also has control issues (5.3 career BB/9), which can get him in trouble at times. Diekman has a career 3.82 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 15 career saves.

The New York Mets are close to an agreement with free-agent left-handed reliever Jake Diekman on Thursday, according to league sources. Diekman is an affordable lefty veteran who has had some success in the majors. The 37-year-old southpaw was great after joining the Tampa Bay Rays in May, posting a 2.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. Prior to joining Tampa, he had a terrible 7.94 ERA in 13 appearances with the Chicago White Sox. In his 12-year career, Diekman has a 111 ERA+ and 3.82 ERA. Brooks Raley is currently the Mets' top lefty option in the bullpen. Diekman would give New York another experienced left-hander to pair with Raley, but he won't have much fantasy appeal in 2024.

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner signed a one-year deal with a $13 million base salary on Tuesday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. The deal includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses for the 2024 season. While Turner can play both third and first base, he's primarily expected to serve as Toronto's primary designated hitter as he heads into his age-40 season. After whiffing on some other big bats in free agency, Turner will provide excellent clubhouse leadership and some extra pop from the right side of the plate. He had a career-high 96 RBI for the Boston Red Sox in 2023 while also slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs. Staying in the American League East and moving to another hitter-friendly ballpark should help his cause as a corner infield option with good on-base skills and some modest power.

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner slashed a strong .276/.345/.455 with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 and is widely regarded as a great clubhouse presence. However, evaluators think most of Turner's playing time needs to be at DH, which is how he was used in Boston. He had 98 games at DH, 41 at first base, 10 at second base and seven at third. Turner's hard-hit rate of 38.7% in 2023 was his lowest mark since 2018, a season in which he hit .312. It's never really been a strength of his, though, as his highest hard-hit rate was 44% in 2020. The 39-year-old had a career-high 96 RBI in a career-high 626 plate appearances and also came one short of his career-high in runs scored with the Red Sox, but his age and playing-time concerns (he's still a free agent) are big concerns for his fantasy profile as a corner infield option in deep-mixed leagues.

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner is expected to make a decision on free agency this week regarding where he will be playing in 2024. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs in 146 games played, posting a 114 wRC+ last year with the Boston Red Sox. Turner has maintained a wRC+ of at least 114 every season since 2014, showcasing his ability to remain a productive hitter despite his age. The Giants, Mets, Blue Jays, and Cubs are all seeking to add an impact corner outfielder, and Turner is likely to land with one of those teams after spending 2023 with the Red Sox and the previous nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, pending a physical, on Saturday. Ottavino became a free agent this offseason after declining a $6.75 million player option, with $4 million of it being deferred. The 38-year-old veteran will return on a cheaper deal and will return in a high-leverage role as a setup man ahead of closer Edwin Diaz, who missed all of 2023 due to a knee injury. Ottavino had a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and a career-high 12 saves in 61 2/3 relief innings in Queens last season. His velocity dipped in 2023, though, and opponents squared him up much more often, meaning he might not be as effective in 2024 if that trend continues. Ottavino also won't be in line for nearly as many save chances as long as Diaz is healthy.

The New York Mets have reportedly considered free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino as an option to bolster their bullpen this offseason. The 38-year-old veteran pitched well for the Mets last season, going 1-7 with 12 saves and 12 holds along with a 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 23.8% strikeout rate in 61 2/3 innings pitched. Ottavino's fantasy relevance would most likely come in saves-plus-holds leagues wherever he ends up, although he likely would not see as many save opportunities if he rejoined the Mets, as Edwin Diaz will be returning from a right patellar tendon repair.

Veteran right-hander Collin McHugh announced his retirement from professional baseball on Monday on his Instagram account. The 36-year-old spent his final season in the big leagues in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, recording a 4.30 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, 22 walks and 47 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings over 41 appearances (one start) during the regular season. In his 11 seasons in the big leagues, he had a 3.72 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with a save and a 23.3 percent strikeout rate in 992 2/3 total innings over 346 appearances (127 starts) with the Braves, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies. His two best seasons came in 2014-15 with the Astros, when he went a combined 30-16 with a 3.39 ERA (3.38 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 94 walks and 328 strikeouts in 57 starts.

Free-agent catcher Sandy Leon and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a minor-league deal with an invite to 2024 spring training. The veteran split the 2023 season between the Guardians and Rangers organizations, appearing in 22 games with the world-champion Rangers. He hit just .146 without zero homers, a 2.3% walk rate, and a 45.5% strikeout rate across just 44 trips to the plate in that time. Known for his defense, Leon again posted positive defensive metrics in the small sample size. A veteran of 557 big-league games, Leon is a career .208 hitter with 31 home runs and a .587 OPS across 1,729 trips to the plate. With Salvador Perez likely to get more rest behind the plate and MJ Melendez slated for full-time outfield duty, Leon could perhaps find his way to the majors but will likely serve as Triple-A mentorship and depth in 2024.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent catcher Rob Brantly to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Rene Pinto is currently the only catcher on Tampa's 40-man roster, so Brantly should have a chance to earn the backup catching gig in spring training. The 34-year-old veteran left-handed hitter was with the Toronto Blue Jays this past season but never appeared in the big leagues. Instead, he hit .271/.390/.361 with a home run and 16 RBI in 46 games at Triple-A Buffalo before he was cut in July. Brantly has eight years of major-league service with five different teams and has a career .225/.287/.326 slash line with only seven home runs and 37 RBI in 134 games played over 456 plate appearances.

Free agent infielder Justin Turner and the New York Mets are engaged in talks on a potential reunion. The 39-year-old produced a .276/.345/.455 slash line with 23 homers and 96 RBI in 146 games for the Boston Red Sox. These talks come on the heels of losing third baseman Ronny Mauricio to an ACL tear. Turner hasn't shown much in the way of falling off because of age. He could be of use in a starting or part-time role. The veteran played for the Mets between 2011-2013. 2012 was the last time Turner posted an OPS+ under 100. His 96 RBI last season was a career-high. Keep in mind Turner's standing going into Spring Training to see where to draft him.

Right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson has agreed to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday on a minor-league deal, according to sources. The 36-year-old missed most of this past season with knee injuries and will earn $2 million if he makes the team with up to $2 million more in performance bonuses. It might be more of a long shot for Hudson to return to his previous form at his age, but the Dodgers were willing to take a low-cost chance on it happening as extra depth for their bullpen in 2024. Before his knee issues, Hudson was strong for the Blue in 2022 with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and five saves in 25 appearances out of the bullpen. He also has 14 years of major-league experience and 33 career saves on his ledger.

The Cleveland Guardians have agreed on a trade to send catcher Christian Bethancourt to the Miami Marlins. It's being reported that the Guardians will get cash considerations in exchange for Bethancourt. That's not too bad, considering the Guardians picked up Bethancourt off waivers last month. However, they no longer needed his services after signing catcher Austin Hedges on Sunday. Last season, Bethancourt slashed .225/.254/.381 with 11 homers and 33 RBI. At the moment, Bethancourt is expected to split time behind the plate with Nick Fortes. He won't be a fantasy relevant player in most fantasy formats.

The Los Angeles Angels signed free-agent reliever Luis Garcia to a one-year, $4.25 million deal to help bolster their bullpen on Tuesday. Garcia spent the last two years pitching for the San Diego Padres. The 36-year-old veteran right-hander wasn't all that great in 2023 for the Friars, but he's an upgrade over what the Halos were working with last year. In his two seasons in San Diego, Garcia went 6-9 with a 3.73 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with three saves, 41 walks and 121 strikeouts in 120 2/3 relief innings. Garcia was hurt by walks and poor control more than anything, and his strikeout rate also dropped from a career-high 26.3% in 2022 to 19.9% in 2023. He could be of some use in deep holds leagues as a setup man in Anaheim, but not much else.