It's hard to believe, but we're just three weeks away from Opening Day (and less than two from the Cubs-Dodgers series in Tokyo).
Still, there's plenty of news flooding the airwaves as teams deal with the fallouts from injuries, underperformance from prospects, and free agent signings getting used to their new digs.
These are the biggest stories from around the league from the first week of March.
Athletics hire Las Vegas Raiders executive as team president
The Athletics have had a wild offseason that may put them in a position to be a dark horse contender for a playoff spot in their first year away from Oakland, but they've been needing to fill their team president role since Dave Kaval resigned in December.
They've finally filled that all-important position just ahead of Opening Day, and they're pulling from a unique source to do so. According to Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the A's are hiring formers Las Vegas Raiders president Marc Badain.
Badain notably served a key role in the Raiders' relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas, which is a journey the A's are currently undertaking themselves.
“We are excited to welcome Marc to the Athletics,” A’s owner John Fisher said in a statement, as relayed by Akers. “His vast experience, particularly his work on the opening of Allegiant Stadium and overseeing the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, makes him a great addition to our team at this pivotal moment. His leadership, commitment to the community, and ability to oversee transformative projects will be key as we look to build a strong and successful future in Southern Nevada.”
Cleveland Guardians bringing back Tyler Naquin... as a pitcher
Tyler Naquin spent five seasons in Cleveland as a part-time outfielder, including his 2016 rookie campaign when he served a key role on the team that won the American League pennant.
After wandering around the league for a few seasons, he didn't play at all in 2024. Now, he's returning to the Guardians... as a pitcher.
The Guardians have signed Tyler Naquin … as a pitcher! He has reported to the team’s facility in Goodyear and is converting to a right-handed pitcher.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 6, 2025
There have been a few position players that have made successful switches to the mound, but the stories are so few and far between that it's hard to believe 33-year-old Naquin will be the next one to do it. Rick Ankiel is the oft-cited example of a player who had success in both facets of the game (besides Shohei Ohtani, who obviously does both at an obscenely high level), but he went from being a pitcher to a hitter.
For Guardians fans hoping for this to work out, there is some good news: in Naquin's last three seasons with sufficient data, he ranked in the 99th, 98th and 94th percentiles in arm strength. If he can develop an offspeed offering to go with a big heater, there may be a quality reliever waiting to be unearthed.
MLB News Lightning Round:
Luis Gil injured, pushing Yankees' rotation depth early
The New York Yankees have a loaded rotation this year, but their depth isn't the best. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Ródon make for an imposing threesome atop the staff, with Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt expected to take up the back-end. However, Gil has a lat strain which will keep him out for at least six weeks, likely pushing Marcus Stroman or Will Warren into early-season spot starting duties.
Brewers land Jose Quintana to pad out rotation
As a durable veteran, Quintana will give the Milwaukee Brewers some much-needed stability in the latter half of their rotation in 2025 after signing a one-year, $4.25 million deal. He should continue his recent stretch of success from the mound, especially thanks to the Brewers' sterling infield defense.