2 weeks agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer to first baseman
Christian Walker this past week and he has two weeks to decide on whether or not to accept it. Should he not, it is reported that there are at least six teams that will "aggressively pursue" the would-be free agent, although most major league clubs would be interested in his services. The Yankees and Mets appear to be the most likely landing spots if he doesn't return to Arizona, as the Yankees will likely need to replace
Anthony Rizzo and the Mets will likely need to replace
Pete Alonso. With Walker entering the 2025 season at age 34, he's not expected to cost as much as Alonso would, but can bring some good pop with his bat and just earned his third consecutive Gold Glove award.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
2 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the front runners and heavy favorites to sign young Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki. However, it seems the San Diego Padres also have a shot to sign the 23-year-old, not only because of their location and recent success, but also because of the Japanese connection to pitcher
Yu Darvish, who is signed with the team through 2028. Sasaki will be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines and assuming he signs with a team this offseason, the righty is expected to pitch in the majors in 2025. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented pitchers in the world and as such he'll likely carry a hefty price tag in fantasy drafts for the upcoming season, especially if he were to sign with the Dodgers.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
2 weeks agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop
Wander Franco, who remains on the team's restricted list, was arrested on Monday in the Dominican Republic. This time, the arrest was related to an incident that happened on Sunday in which an altercation occurred and "guns were drawn." Franco is currently out on bail based on a deal related to his other charges connected to his relationship with a minor. According to the story, the 23-year-old is permitted to carry a gun so long as he has a license for it and it is registered, but it is not currently known whether or not the one in Sunday's incident was either licensed or registered. Franco is still awaiting trial in the other case and has not played in the majors since August of 2023.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
2 weeks agoSt. Louis Cardinals second base prospect
Thomas Saggese has been performing exceptionally well in the Arizona Fall League. The No.4 ranked prospect in St. Louis currently boasts an impressive .391/.524/.594 line with seven doubles, two home runs, three swiped bags, and a 16:15 BB:K ratio across 18 games. Last season, Saggese spent most of the summer playing with Triple-A before earning a brief taste of the big leagues. In 125 games with the Memphis Redbirds, the 22-year-old held a solid .253/.313/.438 line with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, and nine stolen bases. In his brief 18-game stint in St. Louis, Saggese posted a .204 AVG with just three extra-base hits. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress over the offseason as he could be a favorite to earn a spot on the Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants first base/outfield prospect
Bryce Eldridge has posted a solid .293/.348/.512 slash line through 10 games in the Arizona Fall League. The top prospect in the Bay Area has tallied three doubles, two long balls, six RBI, and carried a 3:16 BB:K. Last season, the 2023 first-round selection opened the campaign in Single-A but was able to finish the summer at Triple-A. Through 116 total games in the minor leagues, Eldridge posted a stellar .291/.374/.516 slash line with 27 doubles, 23 home runs, and 92 RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Eldridge to open the 2025 campaign in the upper levels of the San Francisco system, but given how quickly he progressed, a 2025 major-league debut is not out of the question.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Angels first base prospect
Niko Kavadas has been showcasing an upside for power in the Arizona Fall League. Through 17 games, the Notre Dame product has launched six long balls and five doubles and carried .373/.500/.797 slash line. Across 94 games at the Triple-A level last summer, Kavadas hit 19 home runs and 22 doubles with a .521 SLG. He earned a brief taste of the majors but struggled as he posted an underwhelming .183/.283/.333 line with four home runs and two doubles across a 30 game stint. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development over the offseason as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day Roster and provide some upside for power in deeper formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoAtlanta Braves catching prospect
Drake Baldwin has carried an impressive .377/.452/.491 line through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. The backstop has tallied one double, one home run, nine RBI, and held a strong 8:9 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the No.5 prospect in the Atlanta system held his own through his first look at Triple-A. Through 72 games with the Gwinnett Stripers, the former third-round pick posted a solid 298/.407/.484 slash line with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and a 52:54 BB:K ratio. It is a promising sign to see the backstop continue to show a great eye at the plate in the AFL. With
Travis d'Arnaud no longer under contract in Atlanta, Baldwin could have a viable path on making the major league roster directly out of Spring Training if he continues to develop well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoAccording to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the Miami Marlins are hiring former Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager. McCullough has spent the past four seasons working under Dave Roberts and is coming off a World Series victory. Last season, Skip Schumaker served as the Marlins' manager and led them to a disappointing 62-100 record which was a stark contrast to their 2023 success as they reached the Wild Card series that campaign. However, this past season, the Marlins had several of their starting pitchers on the injured list which greatly impacted their success this summer. While this move does may not have a significant impact on the fantasy outlook of the Miami offense, it does suggest that the team will be entering a new phase and a new voice in the dugout could help them return to October.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alden Gonzalez
2 weeks agoSeattle Mariners shortstop prospect
Colt Emerson has carried a stellar .370/.435/.537 line across 13 games at the Arizona Fall League. He has also tallied nine doubles, ten RBI, and eight stolen bases. He currently holds the highest AVG out of all shortstops participating. This is a great sign for the former first-round pick as he enjoyed a fantastic extended look at Single-A ball last summer. Across 40 games, Emerson posted a .293/.440/.427 line with 12 doubles. He then earned a brief taste of High-A ball but posted a modest .225 AVG. Dynasty managers should continue to follow his progression as he is considered the top prospect in Seattle and No. 27 overall on MLB Pipeline.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoSan Diego Padres catching prospect
Ethan Salas went 1-for-1 with a walk and two stolen bases in the 2024 Fall Stars Game. The backstop was able to swipe second and third base after drawing a lead-off walk in the third inning. At only 18 years old, Salas has been holding his own in the Arizona Fall League as he carried a solid .256/.366/.449 slash line with three home runs, six doubles, 19 RBI, and four stole bases. Last season, the top prospect in San Diego spent the entire campaign with High-A Fort Wayne and faced some growing pains as he posted an overall .206/.288/.311 line with just four home runs in 111 games. Despite his underwhelming performances last summer, Salas remains one of the top catching prospects in the sport and could spend most of the 2025 campaign with Double-A if he continues to progress during the offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoTampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Tre' Morgan went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base during the 2024 Fall Stars Game. Morgan's lone hit went for extra bases. Through 17 games in the Arizona Fall League, the 22-year-old has posted an impressive .347/.405/.528 slash line with eight doubles, 15 RBI, and an 8:8 BB:K. Last season, the No. 10 prospect in the Tampa Bay system opened the season in Single-A but was able to reach Double-A by the final month. Across all three levels, the LSU product carried a stellar .324/408/.483 line with 23 doubles, 10 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and a 48:48 BB:K. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during spring training, as he may only need another brief look at Double-A before reaching Triple-A later this summer given his current trajectory.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoKansas City Royals first base prospect
Jac Caglianone went 1-for-1 with a double, stolen base, and two walks during the 2024 Fall Stars Game. Caglianone drew a walk in the second frame and then scored on a double by Caleb Durin. Later in the game, Caglianone hit a double to left field and then proceeded to swipe third base. Throughout the Arizona Fall League, the top prospect in the Kansas City system has hit four home runs with a .247/.314/.442 slash line. The 21-year-old was selected with the sixth-overall selection in last year's draft and was only able to spend a brief stint in High-A. During this 29 game sample, the Florida product posted a .241/.302/.388 line with nine doubles and two home runs. Caglianone remains a top prospect to stash in dynasty formats but is likely several seasons away from his major league debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoAccording to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times, the Rays have interest in free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto. Topkin noted that New York Post reporter Jon Heyman broke this news first and described the Rays as a "surprise" and a "mystery entrant" in the Soto sweepstakes. This is quite a surprise, as the Rays typically do not offer large contracts during the free-agency period. However, a superstar like Soto could change their mindset. Last season, Soto enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign in the Bronx and posted a stellar .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs and 109 RBI. He once again held an incredible 18.1% walk rate and 57.0% hard-hit rate. No matter where Soto plays during the 2025 campaign, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end, first-round selection during draft season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
2 weeks agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
Joe Ryan (shoulder) is progressing well, according to Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. Falvey noted that the reports about the right-handed pitcher have been "nothing but positive." Ryan sustained a right teres-major strain in August and was unable to return to the mound before the end of the regular season. Before the injury, the 28-year-old posted a 3.60 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 23:147 BB:K in 135 frames of work. Ryan showcased stellar command with a near-perfect 4.3% walk rate. In addition, he was able to generate whiffs at an above-average 26.6% mark and strikeouts at a strong 27.3% rate. If Ryan makes a full recovery in time for spring training, fantasy managers should target him as a great option to boost your team's WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Yency Almonte has cleared waivers and will test free agency, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports. The right-hander was only able to log 15 2/3 innings of work before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. In the short stint, Almonte posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 8:20 BB:K with one save. Under the hood, Almonte boasted stellar metrics with a 3.15 xERA and a .198 xBA. In addition, he generated a strong 29.9% strikeout rate and 30.9% whiff rate. Almonte is worth monitoring during the offseason, as he could earn a role as a high-leverage option in 2025 given his ability to generate a high number of strikeouts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martinez
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