Top MLB Free Agents Still Available as Spring Training Approaches
with just two days remaining in January, several high-profile Major League Baseball free agents remain unsigned, including All-Stars Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. Four of the top 12 ranked free agents are still on the market, along with a considerable pool of other talented players.
Although spring training looms closer every day, the lack of movement for these top talents raises questions.
Padres’ Cease a Potential Trade Target
The San Diego Padres, reportedly looking to cut payroll, are rumored to be shopping ace pitcher Dylan cease. Cease, 29, is a year away from free agency and is projected to earn $13.75 million in 2025,a meaningful bargain given his performance.Last season, he posted a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 innings, earning a fourth-place finish in Cy Young voting.
the Chicago Cubs have emerged as a potential suitor for Cease, according to MLB Network reports.Cease would be a strong addition to a Cubs rotation that already features Shota Imanaga,Justin Steele,Jameson taillon,and Matthew Boyd. If the Cubs choose not to pursue further rotation depth before the season, Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, and Colin Rea are all vying for spots.
Mets Linked to Dylan Cease in Trade Talks
The New York Mets are reportedly in pursuit of Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease,according to sources.
It’s unclear what the Mets would offer in exchange for Cease, who broke onto the scene with an impressive 2022 season, posting a 2.20 ERA and striking out 236 batters in 184 innings. Cease followed that performance with another solid year in 2023, maintaining a strong strikeout rate despite a slightly elevated ERA.
Teams Explore Lance Lynn as Relief Option
As free agency progresses, several teams have expressed interest in a potential shift for veteran pitcher Lance Lynn.
Lynn, who spent last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, has historically been a starting pitcher. However, teams are reportedly inquiring about his willingness to transition to a bullpen role. The 37-year-old pitched 117 innings in 2023, registering a 3.84 ERA and a 2.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Lynn hasn’t primarily pitched in relief as the early stages of his career, back in 2011 and 2012.## Mariners Re-Sign Polanco, Lynn Open to Closing
The seattle Mariners are bringing back infielder Jorge Polanco on a new contract, according to reports from The Athletic.Meanwhile, veteran pitcher Lance Lynn, who was recently acquired by the Mariners, has expressed interest in perhaps closing games.It remains to be seen weather he will transition to the bullpen or continue as a starter.
Lynn’s openness to closing presents an intriguing possibility as the Mariners look to solidify their bullpen for the stretch run. Polanco’s return provides stability and experience to the infield.
White Sox Send jorge Polanco to Blue Jays in Trade
The Chicago white Sox have traded infielder Jorge polanco to the Toronto Blue Jays, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. In exchange for Polanco, the White Sox will receive minor-league prospect Yopifer Rivero, a 19-year-old infielder currently ranked as the Blue Jays’ No. 20 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
This trade comes after the White Sox saw a deal to send All-Star center fielder Luis Robert to the Cincinnati Reds fall through. The White Sox were actively seeking to unload salary as thay enter a rebuilding phase, and Polanco’s $12 million salary for the 2024 season made him a prime candidate for a trade.
Polanco, 31, had a disappointing season with the Seattle Mariners last year. He hit .213/.296/.355 (93 OPS+) with 16 home runs and four stolen bases across 118 games, marking his lowest OPS+ since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
this move represents a fresh start for Polanco with a contending team in Toronto, while the White Sox continue to reshape their roster for the future.
White Sox Explored Trading Luis Robert
The Chicago White Sox reportedly engaged in discussions to trade outfielder Luis Robert this offseason,although no deals materialized. Cincinnati Reds were interested in Robert but talks faltered over how much of his remaining salary the Reds were willing to absorb. Ultimately, the Reds signed Austin Hays in free agency.
The San Francisco Giants also reportedly expressed interest in Robert earlier in the offseason.The reports indicate the White Sox were open to moving Robert, but not desperate to do so.
Robert, 27, is owed $15 million in 2025 before a pair of $20 million team options. He has a history of injury and inconsistency, but enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, hitting .264/.315/.542 with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, 90 runs, 20 stolen bases and a 5.0 WAR.
Tigers Aim for Continued Betterment
The Detroit Tigers, fresh off a surprise playoff push, are looking to build on their recent success. President of baseball operations Scott Harris stated, “We’re not done. We’re going to try to find new ways to make this team better.” Harris identified the bullpen and lineup as areas for potential upgrades.
Free agents Kenley Jansen and David Robertson could bolster the bullpen on short-term deals. Third baseman Alex Bregman remains a potential target to further enhance the Tigers’ heavily left-handed lineup.
Millions More Americans Now Eligible for Relief Through Expanded Child Tax credit
The Biden governance announced a major expansion of the Child Tax credit, providing financial relief to millions of American families. the changes, enacted as part of the American rescue Plan, increase the credit amount, extend eligibility to more families, and deliver monthly payments directly to households.
Previously capped at $2,000 per child,the credit is now worth up to $3,600 annually for children under 6 years old and $3,000 for children between ages 6 and 17. The expanded credit is fully refundable, meaning eligible families can receive the full amount even if they owe no federal income tax.
A key change is the introduction of monthly payments. Starting in July, families will receive checks for half of their total credit amount spread across six monthly installments. the remaining half will be claimed on their 2021 tax returns.
The expanded credit also raises income limits for eligibility. For single filers, the income threshold increases to $75,000, while joint filers can earn up to $150,000 and still qualify. The White House estimates the expanded credit will benefit more than 39 million households, lifting millions of children out of poverty.
The changes are temporary, applying only to the 2021 tax year. However, the Biden administration has signaled support for making the expanded credit permanent.
Xbox Game Pass adds six New Games, Including ‘Persona 5 Royal’
Xbox Game Pass subscribers are in for a treat this month with the addition of six new games, including the highly anticipated role-playing game ”Persona 5 Royal.” The popular subscription service continues to expand its libary, offering a diverse selection of titles across various genres.
‘Persona 5 Royal’ Leads the Lineup
“Persona 5 Royal,” a critically acclaimed JRPG, is undoubtedly the highlight of this month’s additions. The game features stylish visuals, an engaging story, and deep turn-based combat. Players take on the role of a high school student who leads a group of rebellious teenagers known as the Phantom Thieves. Together, they explore the Metaverse, a distorted reflection of reality, and fight to change the hearts of corrupt adults.
Diverse Lineup Expands Game Pass Library
Beyond ”Persona 5 royal,” the other new titles arriving on Game pass are:
- “Dordogne:**” A hand-painted narrative adventure game that follows a woman revisiting her childhood memories.
- “Backfirewall_: ** A first-person puzzle game with a unique setting inside a smartphone.
- “Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones:**” A stealth platformer where players must navigate dangerous facilities and avoid detection.
- “The Cuphead Show!: ** A new animated series based on the popular run-and-gun video game “Cuphead.”
- “Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse:**” A point-and-click adventure game that follows the continued adventures of George Stobbart and Nico Collard.$li>
Continuous Updates Keep Subscribers Engaged
The addition of these six games reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to providing Game Pass subscribers with a constant stream of fresh content. The diverse lineup ensures there’s something for everyone, from RPG enthusiasts to puzzle solvers and fans of animated adventures.
Free Online Tool helps Remove Plagiarism
A new tool promises to help writers avoid plagiarism by rephrasing existing text. The article Rewriter Tool, a free online service, is designed to rewrite any text in a different way, making it a potentially valuable resource for students, professionals, and anyone working with writen content.
The tool claims to be fast and powerful, offering users a way to quickly and easily update their writing while ensuring originality. By rephrasing content, users can avoid unintentional plagiarism while still conveying their intended meaning.
Here’s a summary of the key points from the various articles:
White Sox Trade Polanco to Blue Jays, Explore Robert deal
The Chicago white Sox have traded infielder Jorge Polanco to the Toronto Blue Jays, sources confirmed to CBS Sports.In exchange for Polanco, the White Sox will recieve minor-league prospect Yopifer Rivero, a 19-year-old infielder currently ranked as the blue Jays’ No. 20 prospect, according to MLB pipeline.
This trade comes after the White Sox saw a deal to send All-Star center fielder Luis Robert to the Cincinnati Reds fall through. The White Sox were actively seeking to unload salary as they enter a rebuilding phase, and Polanco’s $12 million salary for the 2024 season made him a prime candidate for a trade.
Polanco, 31, had a disappointing season with the Seattle Mariners last year. He hit .213/.296/.355 (93 OPS+) with 16 home runs and four stolen bases across 118 games, marking his lowest OPS+ sence the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
This move represents a fresh start for Polanco with a contending team in Toronto, while the White Sox continue to reshape their roster for the future.
White Sox Explored Trading Luis Robert
The Chicago White Sox reportedly engaged in discussions to trade outfielder Luis Robert this offseason, although no deals materialized. The Cincinnati Reds were interested in Robert, but talks faltered over how much of his remaining salary the Reds were willing to absorb. Ultimately, the reds signed Austin Hays in free agency.
The San Francisco Giants also reportedly expressed interest in Robert earlier in the offseason. The reports indicate the White Sox were open to moving Robert, but not desperate to do so.
robert, 27, is owed $15 million in 2025 before a pair of $20 million team options. He has a history of injury and inconsistency, but enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, hitting .264/.315/.542 with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, 90 runs, 20 stolen bases and a 5.0 WAR.
Tigers Aim for Continued Betterment
The Detroit Tigers, fresh off a surprise playoff push, are looking to build on their recent success. President of baseball operations Scott Harris stated, “We’re not done.We’re going to try to find new ways to make this team better.” Harris identified the bullpen and lineup as areas for potential upgrades.
Free agents Kenley Jansen and David Robertson could bolster the bullpen on short-term deals. Third baseman Alex bregman remains a potential target to further enhance the Tigers’ heavily left-handed lineup.
Millions More Americans Now Eligible for relief Through Expanded Child Tax Credit
The Biden administration announced a major expansion of the Child Tax Credit, providing financial relief to millions of American families. The changes, enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan, increase the credit amount, extend eligibility to more families, and deliver monthly payments directly to households.
Previously capped at $2,000 per child, the credit is now worth up to $3,600 annually for children under 6 years old and $3,000 for children between ages 6 and 17.The expanded credit is fully refundable, meaning eligible families can receive the full amount even if they owe no federal income tax.
A key change is the introduction of monthly payments. Starting in July, families will receive checks for half of their total credit amount spread across six monthly installments. The remaining half will be claimed on their 2021 tax returns.
The expanded credit also raises income limits for eligibility. For single filers, the income threshold increases to $75,000, while joint filers can earn up to $150,000 and still qualify. The White House estimates the expanded credit will benefit more than 39 million households, lifting millions of children out of poverty.
The changes are temporary, applying only to the 2021 tax year. However, the Biden administration has signaled support for making the expanded credit permanent.
Xbox Game Pass adds six New Games, Including ‘Persona 5 Royal’
Xbox Game Pass subscribers are in for a treat this month with the addition of six new games, including the highly anticipated role-playing game “Persona 5 Royal.” The popular subscription service continues to expand its library, offering a diverse selection of titles across various genres.
‘Persona 5 Royal’ Leads the lineup
“Persona 5 Royal,” a critically acclaimed JRPG, is undoubtedly the highlight of this month’s additions. The game features stylish visuals,an engaging story,and deep turn-based combat.Players take on the role of a high school student who leads a group of rebellious teenagers known as the phantom Thieves. Together, they explore the metaverse, a distorted reflection of reality, and fight to change the hearts of corrupt adults.
Diverse Lineup Expands Game Pass Library
Beyond “Persona 5 Royal,” the other new titles arriving on Game Pass are:
- “Dordogne:” A hand-painted narrative adventure game that follows a woman revisiting her childhood memories.
- “Backfirewall_: ** A first-person puzzle game with a unique setting inside a smartphone.
- “Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones:” A stealth platformer where players must navigate dangerous facilities and avoid detection.
- “The Cuphead Show!: ** A new animated series based on the popular run-and-gun video game “Cuphead.”
- “Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse:” A point-and-click adventure game that follows the continued adventures of George Stobbart and Nico Collard.
Continuous Updates Keep Subscribers Engaged
The addition of these six games reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to providing Game Pass subscribers with a constant stream of fresh content. The diverse lineup ensures there’s something for everyone, from RPG enthusiasts to puzzle solvers and fans of animated adventures.
Free Online Tool Helps Remove Plagiarism
A new tool promises to help writers avoid plagiarism by rephrasing existing text. The Article Rewriter tool, a free online service, is designed to rewrite any text in a different way, making it a perhaps valuable resource for students, professionals, and anyone working with written content.
The tool claims to be fast and powerful, offering users a way to quickly and easily update their writing while ensuring originality. By rephrasing content, users can avoid unintentional plagiarism while still conveying their intended meaning.
Q&A
**Q: Why did the White Sox trade Jorge Polanco?**
A: The White Sox are entering a rebuilding phase and sought to shed Polanco’s $12 million salary for 2024.
**Q: What is notable about “Persona 5 Royal”?**
A: This critically acclaimed JRPG features stylish visuals, an engaging story, and turn-based combat, making it a standout addition to Xbox Game Pass.
**Q: How does the expanded Child Tax Credit help families?**
A: It provides up to $3,600 per child under 6 and $3,000 per child ages 6-17, with payments distributed monthly. The credit is fully refundable, benefiting even families with no federal income tax liability.
**Q: What type of gamer woudl enjoy the new “Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones”?**
A: Fans of stealth platformers who enjoy navigating treacherous environments and avoiding detection will find this game appealing.
**Q: Is the Article Rewriter Tool free to use?**
A: Yes, the Article Rewriter Tool is a free online service accessible to anyone.
**Ready to explore these new games, tools, and financial opportunities? Head over to the links provided in the original articles for more information!**
