2 weeks agoThe San Diego Padres took pitcher
Juan Nunez from the Orioles' organization with the 12th pick in Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft. Nunez ranked as Baltimore's eighth-ranked prospect, now slotting in as San Diego's No. 11. Players taken in the major league phase of the draft have to put on the team's 40-man roster, paving the way to playing time in the big leagues and the hope is that they'll remain on the 40-man at the end of the season. Six of the 10 players selected in last year's Rule 5 Draft stayed with the team for the entirety of the season. Nunez is a 5-foot-11 righty who has been used as both a starter and a reliever. The Dominican has a mid-90s fastball with a curve, slider, and changeup. In 2024 at High-A, the 24-year-old pitched to a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and had 38 strikeouts in 29 1/3 IP. While he may make his major league debut at some point in 2025, he is not on the fantasy radar at this point.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2
weeks
agoEven
after
landing
the
crown
jewel
of
the
free-agent
market
in
outfielder
Juan
Soto,
the
New
York
Mets
are
still
trying
to
bring
back
fan
favorite
first
baseman
Pete
Alonso.
Even
after
a
few
other
big
names
have
made
the
read more...
2 weeks agoThe San Francisco Giants are said to be the "heavy favorites" for landing free-agent pitcher
Corbin Burnes. After seeing two-time Cy Young winner
Blake Snell head to their divisional foe the Dodgers, the Giants are looking for some help behind their current ace
Logan Webb. Burnes would certainly be an upgrade over any of their current rotation options as a former Cy Young winner himself (acknowledging that current projected No. 2 starter
Robbie Ray has also won the award). The 30-year-old is a four-time All-Star coming off a 15-9 season with a 2.92 ERA (3.55 xFIP), 1.10 WHIP, and a solid 17.0% K-BB%. While it was the first time since his rookie season in which the veteran averaged less than a strikeout per inning, a move to pitcher-friendly Oracle Park should allay any concerns over diminishing rates, especially since his career (and 2024) walk rate is better than average at 7.0%.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
2
weeks
agoOn
Wednesday,
the
Boston
Red
Sox
acquired
starting
pitcher
Garrett
Crochet
from
the
White
Sox.
Despite
that
move,
the
team
is
reportedly
still
interested
in
stockpiling
more
pitching
help,
more
precisely,
one
of
the
Mariners'
starters.
Seattle
has
a
plethora
of
young
talent
in
read more...
2 weeks agoColorado Rockies manager Bud Black said on Wednesday that he plans to bat outfielder
Brenton Doyle in the leadoff spot in 2025. Doyle saw most of his plate appearances from the three-hole in 2024. In fact, he only had 14 games out of the leadoff spot and hit a lowly .120 (6-for-50) with a homer, seven RBI and three runs scored. The 26-year-old will see more trips to the plate batting regularly out of the leadoff spot and should score more runs, but it will also limit his RBI opportunities. The former fourth-rounder had a breakout campaign in just his second season in the big leagues, slashing .260/.317/.446 with a .764 OPS, 23 home runs, 72 RBI, 30 stolen bases and 82 runs scored in 149 games. Doyle was one of the biggest surprise performers in 2024 and will now look to follow it up with another solid performance. His power/speed combo at hitter-friendly Coors Field after his 2024 breakout will make him expensive.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DNVR Rockies
2 weeks agoAccording to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels have expressed interest in free-agent second baseman
Gleyber Torres. However, if he were to sign in Washington, Torres would have to move to another spot in the infield with
Luis Garcia Jr. expected to operate as the starting second baseman. Last season, the Angels lacked consistent offensive production at the keystone. With the Yankees, Torres held a .257/.330/.378 slash line with 15 home runs and four stolen bases last season. Under the hood, he generated a weak 35.4% hard-hit rate and 6.3% barrel rate, both of which were a sharp decline from his 2023 production. Torres has been a reliable second baseman from a fantasy perspective throughout his career and has been able to contribute to all five standard categories and could be worth a look at a low ADP investment this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel Sherman
2 weeks agoAccording to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made starting pitchers
Jared Jones and
Mitch Keller available for trade at the Winter Meetings. Destin noted Jones is "very available." The Pirates have expressed interest in acquiring some offensive pieces, and moving one of these starting pitchers would put them in a good position to acquire a potent bat. Keller has typically operated as the workhorse in the Pittsburgh rotation, logging over 175 innings in each of the past two seasons. Last summer, Keller posted a 4.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Jared Jones made his major league debut last summer and showed great potential. In his first 121 2/3 big league innings, the young right-hander held a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while generating a strong 26.2% K rate. With
Paul Skenes looking like a clear ace and
Bubba Chandler nearing his major league debut, moving one of these starters could provide Pittsburgh a much-needed spark to their lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Destin
2 weeks agoAccording to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds have checked in on free-agent starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta. Sherman also noted that the Reds tried to acquire lefty
Garrett Crochet, who was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox earlier on Wednesday. Last season, Pivetta posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 145 2/3 innings of work. He generated an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate and showed great command with a 6.1% walk rate. However, he generated ground balls at a weak 33.4% rate and allowed hard contact at a high 38.9% mark. The Reds have already been active this offseason, acquiring starting pitching, as they've traded for
Brady Singer and re-signed
Nick Martinez, and adding a high-upside strikeout option in Pivetta would further strengthen this relatively weak rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel Sherman
2 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have acquired pitching prospect
Mike Vasil from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. Vasil was selected by the Phillies earlier on Wednesday during the Rule 5 draft from the New York Mets but will now take his talents to Tampa Bay. Vasil has spent his entire professional career with the New York Mets. He spent the past two summers pitching at the Triple-A level. Last season, the right-hander posted a 6.04 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP across 134 innings of work. The previous season, he held a slightly better 5.30 ERA and 1.48 WHIP at Triple-A. Before moving to a new club, Vasil was considered the No.18 prospect in the Mets system on MLB Pipeline. Fantasy managers should expect the 24-year-old to open the season at the Triple-A level once again.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
2 weeks agoAccording to Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Shane Bieber (elbow) is throwing from 90 feet three times per week. Withers noted that Bieber expressed that he is confident but still has "a long way to go." Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery last April and was only able to make two starts last season. Across these 12 frames, the former Cy Young winner held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.92 WHIP. During the 2023 campaign, the right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. While this is a great sign to see him progress in his throwing program, fantasy managers should not expect him to return to the major league mound at least a few months into the 2025 campaign. However, if he continues to progress without facing any setbacks, he could be worth targeting in deeper formats as a high-upside stash candidate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tom Withers
2 weeks agoAccording to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Drew Thorpe is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Thorpe underwent a shoulder operation late in the season to remove a bone spur but is progressing at the typical rate and should be a full-go for Spring Training. This is a great sign for the young starting pitcher, who likely has a good chance to make the Opening Day Roster. Thorpe opened the campaign by getting his second look at Double-A and performed quite well, boasting a 1.35 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 60 innings of work. Thorpe then got a small taste of the big leagues and held a 5.48 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 44 1/3 frames. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor his progress during Spring Training, as he could be worth a look as a late flier in drafts this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin
2 weeks agoAccording to Jorge Castillo of ESPN, the New York Yankees have signed relief pitcher
Jonathan Loaisiga to a one-year contract. This deal includes a team option in 2026. The 30-year-old was only able to log four innings of relief before suffering a torn UCL, which cut his season short. The right-hander held a modest 3.06 ERA and 4.17 ERA during 2023 and 2022, which was a stark drop compared to the stellar 2.17 ERA he posted during his 2021 breakout campaign. During this season, Loaisiga held a strong 1.02 WHIP with a 16:69 BB:K ratio across 70 2/3 innings of work. While he has battled the injury bug over the past few seasons he could be worth a look in deeper formats that score holds as he will likely operate as a high-leverage relief option during the 2025 campaign. However, given his recovery window, he may not be ready in time for Spring Training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jorge Castillo
2 weeks agoFree-agent relief pitcher
Jacob Webb and the Texas Rangers agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the deal. Webb will head to the American League West in 2025 after going 2-5 with a 3.02 ERA (3.52 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP, two saves, a career-high 58 strikeouts and 27 walks in 56 2/3 relief innings out of the Baltimore Orioles' bullpen in 2024. He became a free agent this offseason after the O's non-tendered him in November. The 25-year-old was originally an 18th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 2014 MLB draft. Webb made his major-league debut in 2019 with the Braves and spent three seasons in Atlanta before playing for the O's and Los Angeles Angels in 2023. In five big-league seasons, he has a decent 2.98 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with six saves and a 23.5% strikeout rate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
2 weeks agoThe Chicago White Sox acquired infield prospect
Chase Meidroth and pitching prospect
Wikelman Gonzalez from the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday as part of the package for left-hander
Garrett Crochet, according to sources. Catcher
Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery are also heading to Chicago. Meidroth (No. 11) and Gonzalez (No. 14) weren't the headliners in this trade for the White Sox but could still end up with significant roles with the big-league team in due time. Meidroth has experience at shortstop, second and third base and hit an impressive .293/.437/.401 with seven homers and 13 steals in 122 games for Triple-A Worcester in 2024. The 23-year-old is close to major-league ready, and his most immediate path to playing time might be at second. Gonzalez, a 22-year-old right-hander, needs more seasoning after posting a 4.73 ERA with 92 K's and 46 walks in 83 2/3 innings for Double-A Portland this past season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
2 weeks agoThe Chicago White Sox acquired outfield prospect Braden Montgomery from the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday as part of the package for left-hander
Garrett Crochet, according to sources. The White Sox also landed catcher
Kyle Teel, infielder
Chase Meidroth and right-hander
Wikelman Gonzalez. It's a huge haul for the Pale Hose, with Montgomery being listed by MLB Pipeline as Boston's No. 5 prospect. The 21-year-old was the 12th overall pick earlier this year despite fracturing his ankle late in his final collegiate season with Texas A&M. The switch-hitting outfielder has yet to make his professional debut, but as a former two-way star at Stanford, he still has lots of upside as a position player due to his athleticism. Montgomery has impressive raw power and a plus arm, making him likely to stick in right field. He needs more development, but Montgomery figures to be the future in right field for Chicago.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
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