The Major League Baseball offseason remains quiet due to the holiday break, but activity is expected to pick up soon. CBS Sports has gathered the key moves and updates from Sunday for your convenience.
The Chicago Cubs have signed reliever Hunter Harvey to a one-year deal worth $6 million, as reported by ESPN. Harvey, 31, showed great promise early in his career but was hampered by injuries, which limited him to 185 innings pitched over seven seasons. Last year, pitching for the Royals, he delivered 10 scoreless innings with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11. Armed with a fastball in the mid-to-high 90s along with a splitter and two breaking balls, Harvey’s usage is uncertain under coach Craig Counsell, but if healthy, he could strengthen Chicago’s bullpen.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds have been active in acquiring outfield talent. On Saturday morning, they signed former Athletic outfielder JJ Bleday to a one-year contract and later secured Dane Myers from the Marlins in exchange for outfield prospect Ethan O’Donnell. Myers, 29, started last season strong with a .711 OPS in the first 66 games but struggled significantly afterward. Despite the slump, Myers shows enough potential with his hard hitting, plate discipline, speed, and defensive skills to be a valuable asset for the Reds. The team will likely rotate Bleday and Myers in the outfield alongside TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte.
Fan Take: These offseason moves highlight how teams are shoring up their rosters with a mix of experienced players and promising talent. For baseball fans, it signals an exciting upcoming season filled with players looking to bounce back and make impactful contributions on the field.
