MLB Update – January Trades, News, and Big Moves
With Spring Training just around the corner, January delivered a flurry of trades and signings, as teams across MLB looked to reshape their rosters. Here's a breakdown of the key moves and headlines from the past month.
Major Trades
The Chicago Cubs wasted no time strengthening their bullpen, acquiring veteran closer Ryan Pressly from the Astros. Houston sent Pressly and financial considerations to Chicago for right-handed prospect Juan Bello. After a disappointing 2024 season, the Cubs are clearly aiming to improve their late-game pitching.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds also bolstered their relief pitching by landing Taylor Rogers from the Giants. In return, San Francisco received reliever Braxton Roxby and cash. Expect the Reds to lean on Rogers in high-leverage situations as they aim to contend in a tight NL Central.
The Atlanta Braves pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire Shane Bieber from the Guardians. Cleveland received outfield prospect Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. and pitching prospect Spencer Schwellenbach. The Braves look serious about reinforcing their rotation to go deep into October again.
Elsewhere, the Detroit Tigers acquired versatile infielder Jake Cronenworth from the Padres, sending pitcher Ty Madden and a draft pick to San Diego. The Padres, constrained by payroll concerns, made this move to clear space for potential future signings.
Emmanuel Clase is headed to Baltimore, with the Orioles acquiring the elite closer from Cleveland. Top infield prospect Joey Ortiz and a draft pick go the other way. The Orioles have signaled their intention to compete with their AL East rivals by shoring up their bullpen.
Finally, Michael Busch of the Dodgers was traded to Miami for starter Jesús Luzardo. With Walker Buehler and Julio Urías both out of the picture for now, Luzardo will play a crucial role in the Dodgers' rotation.
International Signing: Roki Sasaki Joins Dodgers
The biggest signing of the month saw Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki join the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sasaki, known for his 100+ mph fastball and devastating splitter, drew interest from multiple teams but ultimately chose the Dodgers. His $6.5 million signing bonus was limited by international spending rules, but that didn’t stop LA from landing the star. Sasaki joins a rotation that already includes Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as the Dodgers look to defend their 2024 World Series title.
Key Signings and Headlines
Veteran ace Max Scherzer found a new home with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a one-year, $15.5 million deal. Despite his age, Scherzer remains a fierce competitor and will provide valuable experience to Toronto's rotation.
In entertainment news, MLB The Show 25 announced that Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, and Paul Skenes would share the cover. All three players had breakout seasons in 2024, with De La Cruz leading the league in stolen bases, Henderson slugging 37 home runs, and Skenes dominating on the mound with a 1.96 ERA.
Meanwhile, MLB achieved a record $12.1 billion in revenue last year, thanks to rising attendance, sponsorships, and media rights deals. This bodes well for the league’s future, though how teams invest this income remains a key storyline.
The Texas Rangers also made news by launching their own broadcast network, Rangers Sports Media & Entertainment. Their new streaming service, Victory+, will give fans more options to watch games live.
Finally, Jasson Domínguez continues to draw attention as the Yankees' top prospect. Domínguez, ranked #22 on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list, is poised to be a key figure for New York's future.
Odd Headlines: Rare Card Drama
In a quirky story, an 11-year-old collector turned down an offer from the Pirates and social media star Livvy Dunne for an ultra-rare Paul Skenes baseball card. The card, featuring an "MLB Debut" patch, could fetch a significant price at auction—but the young fan wasn’t ready to part with it just yet.
What’s Next?
As teams finalize rosters and prepare for Spring Training, expect more roster tweaks and drama. Will there be another blockbuster deal before pitchers and catchers report? Stay tuned for more updates next month.
That’s your January MLB recap! Keep following for daily updates, team analysis, and news as the 2025 season approaches.