The second week of December was a busy one across Major League Baseball, filled with signings and trades. More moves were made on December 12, as several AL teams continued to add to their teams. Texas, which already added Brandon Nimmo, picked up Danny Jansen. The Blue Jays traded for a reliever from Detroit, while the Marlins will reportedly take a flier on Christopher Morel.
Jansen to join Rangers
The Rangers added to their catching tandem on December 12, as Texas reportedly landed Danny Jansen on a two-year deal worth $14.5MM. Jansen spent 2025 between the Rays and Brewers.
Texas non-tendered catcher Jonah Heim in November. With Jansen, the Rangers get a veteran catcher who can hit for power and tandem behind Kyle Higashioka.
Jansen didn’t play much with the Brewers after he was traded there from Tampa Bay. He slashed .258/.351/.439 with three home runs and six extra-base hits with Milwaukee, playing behind William Contreras. Across 73 games with the Rays, Jansen slashed .204/.314/.389 with 11 home runs.
Morel to Marlins
The Marlins have reportedly signed Christopher Morel to a one-year deal. Per MLB.com, Morel will be a first base option for the Marlins next season.
Morel flashed potential in his first two MLB seasons with the Cubs, including in 2023 when he hit a career-high 26 home runs. However, swing-and-miss problems have been a hallmark of his game. Morel has a very long swing and routinely struggles squaring up baseballs, whether it be fastballs up or breaking balls away.
Last season with the Rays, he sported the second-highest K% (35.7%) in the Majors among players with 300+ PA. Only Michael Toglia (39.1% K%).
Blue Jays make trade with Tigers
The Tigers and Blue Jays made a trade on December 13. Detroit sent reliever Chase Lee to the Blue Jays in exchange for 24-year-old Minor League reliever Johan Simon.
Lee, a right-hander, is a sidearm pitcher who doesn’t throw hard. He only averaged 89 MPH on his four-seamer and sinker last season. However, he struck out almost a batter per inning (36 over 37.1 IP) last season and is a controllable arm. Plus, only one of his three options has been burned thus far.
Simon is a left-hander who works with three primary pitchers, a slower breaking ball, a mid-80s changeup, and a fastball that he can run up to 96-97 MPH. He did exceptionally well in Low-A this season; for those who follow our Minor League coverage, we noted that Simon ranked in the top 10 this past season in Barrel% in the Florida State League this past season.
That was a stepping stone for Simon, who struck out 79 over 71 last season and capped out at Double-A.
It wasn’t the only reliever move the Blue Jays made on December 13. Toronto also reportedly signed Tyler Rogers on a three-year deal.
Garcia extended
The Royals continue to remain busy, as Kansas City reportedly extended Maikel Garcia on a five-year deal, plus a club option for the 2031 season. He could make as much as $85MM with escalators and the option taken into account, per MLB.com.
Garcia was eligible for arbitration as a Super-Two player. The deal buys out all four years of his arbitration eligibility, plus two when taking the team option into account.
The Royals‘ infielder set career-highs in home runs and extra-base hits this past season. He also won the Gold Glove for third base this past season in the American League.
Other moves
Arizona DFA’d pitcher Bryce Jarvis, as the Diamondbacks made the Michael Soroka signing official.
Kansas City signed pitcher Jose Cuas to a Minor League deal.
The Dodgers claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Braves.
Baltimore outrighted Ryan Noda to Triple-A Norfolk.
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