MLB news: Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Dodgers

The Chicago Cubs may have finally broken the dam on the remaining MLB relievers who still haven’t signed this offseason. That and tidbits about the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets highlights this quick roundup of MLB news and notes.

MLB news: Michael Fulmer added to Chicago Cubs bullpen

Fulmer was one of the top 10 free agents still remaining to be signed this winter, but the 29-year-old right-hander has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Cubs, boosting the bullpen on the North Side. The signing could also unleash what has become a very stagnant free agent reliever market as spring training is almost set to begin.

After posting a 3.17 ERA/3.51 FIP/1.320 WHIP over the past two seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins (in 133.1 innings covering 119 games), the former AL Rookie of the Year will pitch for a National League team for the first time in his six-year MLB career. It’s a boost for a Cubs bullpen that added veteran Brad Boxberger this offseason as well, setting up what could be a very interesting late-inning situation for the Cubs with Brandon Hughes (who had eight saves last season) also part of the mix for closer.

St. Louis Cardinals news: Projections for another division title

According to the projections for the 2023 season released on Friday by FanGraphs, the Cardinals could have a golden opportunity ahead of them in the NL Central.

Using the ZiPS model, FanGraphs projects the Cardinals to finish the season with a 91-71 mark, winning the division by eight games over the Milwaukee Brewers. Those 91 wins equals what the projections have for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres (sitting in a tie atop the NL West) while three games behind the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets (tied for the lead in the NL East).

If those pre-spring training projections hold true, the Cardinals would rule the one division that is projected to be a runaway in 2023. If so, will regular-season success finally lead to postseason success under the Gateway Arch?

Los Angeles Dodgers news: David Peralta signs

The Dodgers added to their outfield depth on Friday, inking David Peralta to a one-year deal. The 35-year-old Peralta has played all but 47 games of his nine-year MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, so he’s very familiar with the NL West.

That familiarity extends to Padres pitchers Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove, with Peralta posting a .417/.500/.792 slash line in 28 plate appearances against Darvish and a .350/.350/.750 slash line in 20 plate appearances against Musgrove. With the Dodgers and Padres expected to battle for the NL West crown, rest assured those numbers were known in Los Angeles before Peralta was signed.

Houston Astros news: Cristian Javier inks extension

Last season, Javier became a mainstay in the Houston rotation. Now the 25-year-old right-hander will continue to be a key piece for the Astros after agreeing to a five-year, $64 million extension on Friday.

Javier posted a 2.54 ERA/3.16 FIP/0.948 WHIP in 148.2 innings last season while logging a career-high 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. That dominance continued in the postseason as, in the ALCS and World Series, Javier threw 11.1 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.