2 weeks agoAccording to Francys Romero, free agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is not expected to make his decision until after January 20th. This is just 72 hours before his posting deadline expires. Romero noted that according to a source, the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the favorites to land the overseas superstar. In the 2024 season, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 129 batters across 111 innings of work in the NPB. He posted a strong 2.35 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. The 23-year-old is viewed as one of the top pitchers on the current free-agent market despite him not having pitched in an MLB setting. His agent Joel Wolfe has expressed that Sasaki has interest in pitching for a smaller market club which should continue to increase the bidding. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that there are almost 20 clubs interested in acquiring Sasaki. Sasaki will be a highly-coveted starting pitcher in drafts due to his elite strikeout ability and stellar ratios, even in his rookie campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Francys Romero
2
weeks
agoAccording
to
Derrick
Goold
of
the
St.
Louis
Post-Dispatch,
the
St.
Louis
Cardinals
are
in
the
market
for
a
set-up
reliever.
The
Cardinals
have
reportedly
had
discussions
with
other
clubs
regarding
a
trade
for
third
baseman
Nolan
Arenado
which
would
clear
some
salary.
read more...
2 weeks agoAccording to Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency, free-agent infielder Hye-seong Kim turned down a larger contract from the Los Angeles Angels when he agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday afternoon. According to Yoo, the Angels offered the 25-year-old a five-year contract worth $28 million. However, Kim opted to agree to the Dodgers' offer, which was a three-year deal worth $12.5 million. His deal with the Dodgers includes a two-year option for the 2028 and 2029 seasons worth $9.5 million. Yoo also noted that the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres were the other teams who sent an offer to Kim. Last season in the KBO, Kim held a strong .326/.383/.458 slash line with 11 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Kim won't be guaranteed an everyday role in the Dodger infield, though, given their stacked roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeeho Yoo
2 weeks agoAccording to James Fox of FutureSox, the Chicago White Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-handed pitcher
Jakob Junis. The 32-year-old has been deployed as both a reliever and starter throughout his big-league career. Last season, Junis spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Across 67 frames, the 32-year-old held a solid 2.69 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command with a stellar 3.2% walk rate but struggled to generate whiffs as he held an underwhelming 20.2% strikeout rate. In addition, he posted a poor 42.4% hard-hit rate and 38.7% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status, as he could be a viable low-end starting pitcher in AL/NL-only formats if he can sign a 2025 contract.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: James Fox
2 weeks agoAccording to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, free agent starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw intends to pitch in 2025. Morosi also noted that if Kershaw does return to the mound, he expects him to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 36-year-old was only able to log 30 innings of work last season due to an offseason shoulder surgery and an eventual bone spur in his toe that cut his season short in late August. During his limited stint, the southpaw held a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP with an underwhelming 18.0% K rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Spring Training as he will likely ink a one-year deal with the Dodgers if he is able to move past his most recent offseason toe surgery. The future Hall Of Famer is just 32 punchouts away from being the 20th pitcher in MLB history to tally 3,000 strikeouts. If he does return to the mound in 2025, he is worth a look in deeper NL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2 weeks agoAccording to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, free agent starting pitcher
Max Scherzer is likely to sign a one-year deal this offseason. Morosi noted that there are teams interested in signing the former three-time Cy Young winner. Last season, the right-hander was only able to log nine starts (43 1/3 innings) to the tune of a 3.93 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP for the Texas Rangers. He delt with numerous injuries such as shoulder fatigue, a back injury, and a hamstring strain. Earlier this offseason, the 40-year-old has expressed interest in pitching in 2025 and noted that a healthy offseason will prepare him well for the upcoming season. Even in a small sample size last summer, Scherzer still generated whiffs at a strong 29.2% rate and showed great command with a 5.6% walk rate. Even though he has numerous injury concerns, he is worth a look in deeper formats if healthy during Spring Training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2 weeks agoAccording to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, multiple teams are interested in free agent starting pitcher
Justin Verlander. Verlander had a disappointing campaign last summer, posting a high 5.48 ERA and a 1,38 WHIP across 90 1/3 innings of work. The 41-year-old opened the season in the injured list with a shoulder injury and then missed time later in the summer due to a neck injury. Last season, Verlander saw his strikeout rate continue to decrease and walk rate climb, in relation to his 2023 production. In addition, the right-hander generated a .301 xwOBA which was his highest mark since his 2017 season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Verlander's status as we approach Spring Training. Seeing that teams are interested suggests he will likely sign with a club in 2025, but fantasy managers should draft him with caution given his injury troubles last season and declining metrics.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2 weeks agoFree-agent infielder
Andrew Velazquez signed a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training with the New York Yankees on Friday. Velazquez, who was born in the Bronx, will return to the Yankees after playing for them in 2021, when he hit .224 (15-for-68) with a homer, six RBI and four stolen bases in only 28 games at the major-league level. The 30-year-old switch-hitter was originally a seventh-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012. Velazquez made his big-league debut in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays and has played for five teams over his six major-league seasons. He has hit just .189/.244/.293 with 12 homers, 40 RBI and 40 stolen bases in 275 games played in the majors. Velazquez will provide infield depth for the Yanks in 2025 after posting a .692 OPS with 16 homers and 33 steals at Triple-A Gwinnett in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: YES Network - Jack Curry
2 weeks agoAccording to Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Alek Manoah (elbow) hopes to return to the mound in August. The 26-year-old underwent a modified internal-brace procedure in his right elbow last June. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the first half of the campaign, as Manoah will likely begin facing live hitters sometime in June and embark on a rehab assignment in July. Last season across a small 24 1/3-inning stint with Toronto, Manoah held a 3.70 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. While he struggled during the 2023 season and posted a career-worst 5.87 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP, he held a strong 2.24 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP during the 2022 campaign. If Manoah can return to the mound and not face any setbacks during his recovery process, he could be a valuable fantasy asset during the second half of the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike Wilner
2 weeks agoAccording to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Dodgers are designating catching prospect
Diego Cartaya for assignment to open a roster spot for infielder Hye-seong Kim. Cartaya was a former top catching prospect but has never lived up to his prospect pedigree. Before the transaction, MLB Pipeline ranked Cartaya as the 16th-best prospect in the Dodger system. In 2023, the backstop held a mere .189/.278/.379 slash line across 93 games at Double-A. Last season across both Double-A and Triple-A, Cartaya posted a .221/.323/.363 slash line with just 11 home runs and a 47:113 BB:K. Cartaya may draw interest from another suitor but will likely need more time at Triple-A in 2025 before making his major-league debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jack Harris
2 weeks agoAccording to Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner, the Baltimore Orioles designated catcher
Rene Pinto for assignment to clear a roster spot for the newly-acquired right-handed pitcher
Charlie Morton. Pinto was signed by the Orioles earlier this offseason but no longer has a spot on the roster with
Gary Sanchez serving as the No.2 catcher behind
Adley Rutschman. Pinto has spent his entire professional career with the Tampa Bay Rays. Last summer, across 19 games in the majors, Pinto held a .214/.292/.429 line with three doubles and two home runs. Across 53 games with Triple-A Durham, the 28-year-old posted a .191/.257/.373 slash line with 11 long balls and a 16:84 BB:K ratio. Pinto will likely spend most of the 2025 season in Triple-A if he find a suitor, given his lack of success in the majors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Danielle Allentuck
2 weeks agoFree-agent starting pitcher
Charlie Morton signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday evening. The 41-year-old spent the past four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Last season, the right-hander held a 4.19 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP across 165 1/3 innings. Morton made at least 30 starts in each season during his four-year tenure with the Braves. Under the hood, Morton generated a modest 23.8% strikeout rate with a below-average 4.49 xERA last season. This was a decline from the 25.6% K rate he held during the 2023 campaign. After losing
Corbin Burnes to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Morton should have a permanent role in the Baltimore rotation throughout the 2025 season. However, given his declining metrics, he should only be targeted in deeper 15-plus team formats or AL-only leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
2 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to an undisclosed deal on Friday with Korean infielder Hye-seong Kim, whose posting window from the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization closes on Friday, according to a source. According to MBC Sports' Daniel Kim, the deal is for three years with club options for 2028 and 2029. The 25-year-old will turn 26 years old in late January and will head to the United States after slashing .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 steals for the Heroes in 2024. He has hit a cool .304/.364/.403 in his eight seasons in Korea. Kim is a very similar player to free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim, but without the power. In LA, Kim is unlikely to see regular playing time given their stacked roster, but the keystone is probably his best path to at-bats. Speed and contact are Kim's calling cards, which won't give him much upside in fantasy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
2 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers designated left-hander
Tyler Jay for assignment on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for the recently required right-hander
Grant Anderson. Jay made his major-league debut in 2024 but only appeared in relief in five games for the New York Mets and Brewers, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits while walking six and striking out six in 7 2/3 innings pitched. The 30-year-old southpaw went 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, three saves, 49 strikeouts and 12 walks in 56 2/3 innings combined at Triple-A Syracuse and Triple-A Nashville on the farm. Jay was originally drafted sixth overall by the Minnesota Twins in 2015 out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. If Jay clears waivers, he could return to the Brewers in a minor-league role to begin the 2025 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
2 weeks agoThe Texas Rangers announce that they acquired left-hander Mason Molina from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in exchange for right-hander
Grant Anderson. The Brewers selected Molina in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB draft from the University of Arkansas, and he made his professional debut last year with Low-A Carolina. The 21-year-old southpaw threw five shutout innings across two starts for the Mudcats and had a 3.97 ERA with an 11.74 K/9 in three collegiate seasons with Texas Tech and Arkansas. Molina is obviously at least several years away from a potential major-league debut, and he'll likely start the 2025 campaign at Single-A Hickory.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers PR
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