2 weeks agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole exercised his player option and opted out of his contract with New York on Saturday. The move had been expected and shouldn't be considered a shock by any means. The Yankees have the option to void his opt out by adding one year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million Cole has on his contract. If the Yankees do not void the opt out then Cole will become a free agent. The Yankees' ace originally signed a nine year, $324 million contract in 2020 and posted a 3.12 ERA in 759 innings as a Yankee. If he hits the open market the 34-year-old will likely be the top pitcher available. Dynasty managers shouldn't stress much about Cole's future as the former Cy Young award winner is likely to continue to produce regardless of where he ends up.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
2 weeks agoThe St. Louis Cardinals claimed starting pitcher
Roddery Munoz off of waivers. Munoz made his MLB debut last summer with the Miami Marlins. Across 82 2/3 innings of work (17 starts) the 24-year-old struggled with a 6.53 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, with a 42:70 BB:K ratio. In Triple-A last season, Munoz posted a 4.96 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Under the hood, the right-hander held a hefty 13.7% barrel rate and 45.0% hard-hit rate which were among the worst marks by qualified pitchers last summer. Fantasy managers should expect Munoz to either serve as a back-end starter or a long relief option in St. Louis but should be left off your fantasy radar given his struggles during his rookie campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
2 weeks agoOakland Athletics first baseman
Ryan Noda was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels off waivers. Noda had a disappointing 2024 campaign as he hit for a .137/.255/.211 line with just one home run, four RBI, and a 14:37 BB:K ratio across 36 games. This was a sharp decline from the encouraging .229/.364/.406 line he hit in his debut season in 2023. At Triple-A Las Vegas last season, Noda posted a .224/.391/.486 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to compete for a spot on the Opening Day in Los Angeles but is best to leave off your fantasy radar given his inconsistencies last summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Angels PR
2 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers exercised their 2025 club option on first baseman
Rhys Hoskins. After missing the entire 2023 campaign with a torn ACL, Hoskins posted a modest .214/.303/.419 line in 2024 with 26 home runs, 82 RBI, and a 53:149 BB:K ratio. Hoskins has now hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons he has played in but has seen his batting average drop lower in each consecutive year as well. Under the hood, the 31-year-old posted a strong 12.7% barrel rate but with a poor 26.3% whiff rate and 28.8% K rate. Hoskins remains a depth infield option heading into 2025 with an upside for power in category leagues. His hefty strikeout rate significantly lowers his value in points leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Adam McCalvy
2 weeks agoThe Seattle Mariners are declining the 2025 club option on second baseman
Jorge Polanco according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Polanco will receive $750,000 and become a free agent. the 31-year-old struggled in his first season in Seattle as he hit for an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, and four swiped bags. In 2024, he posted a career-worst 29.3% K rate. This was a stark decline from the .255/.335/.454 line he held in 2023 with the Minnesota Twins. Despite his drop in production, Polanco could find a starting role with a new club in 2025 and may be worth a look as a late-option in drafts this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Kramer
2 weeks agoNew York Yankees relief pitcher
Luke Weaver had his 2025 club option exercised according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. This deal is valued at $2.5 million. During the regular season, the 31-year-old emerged as a key contributor in the Yankee bullpen as he held a solid 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings of work. He generated strikeouts at an elite 31.1% rate. In the postseason, Weaver was deployed as the go-to option in the ninth inning as he tallied four saves with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP in 15 1/3 frames of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Yankee bullpen in the offseason as Weaver could open the 2025 campaign as the clear ninth-inning option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch
2 weeks agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks are picking up the 2025 club option on third baseman
Eugenio Suarez worth $15 million according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The veteran infielder had a tale of two seasons. During the first half, the third baseman hit for a mere .216/.302/.366 slash line with just ten home runs and 48 RBI. However, after the mid-summer classic, the 33-year-old posted a much-improved .307/.341/.602 line with 20 home runs and 53 RBI. He boasted an above-average 11.3% barrel rate and 42.4% hard-hit rate which suggests his power numbers should continue to be a factor in 2025. Suarez remains a safe bet for upside power as a corner infielder this upcoming season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Rogers
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw is set to undergo two surgeries on Wednesday, one on his toe and the other on his meniscus in his left knee according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 36-year-old was able to only log 30 innings of work this season as he was limited by numerous injuries. As a result the 36-year-old remains without a definite timetable heading into the 2025 campaign. Earlier in October, the three-time Cy Young Winner and now two-time World Champion noted that he intends to pitch in 2025 as he sits just 32 strikeouts away from 3,000. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the southpaw's progression over the offseason as he may have another delayed start to his season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
2 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have picked up the 2025 club option on second baseman
Brandon Lowe according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe is coming off another solid season where he hit at least 20 home runs for the second-straight campaign. He also held a .244/.311/.473 slash line with 58 RBI and five stolen bases. Under the hood, he held an above-average 44.7% hard-hit rate and a 12.4% barrel rate which suggest his power numbers should continue to remain stable heading into 2025. Fantasy managers should view Lowe as a solid late-round option for power as a middle infielder.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Martinez opted out of his contract and will test free agency according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Martinez is coming off the best season of his seven-year MLB career where he held a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with a 18:116 BB:K ratio. Martinez was deployed as both a starter and reliever but took significant strides this summer. He showcased elite command with a 3.2% walk rate and was able to limit hard contact at a strong 30.5% hard-hit rate and 5.1% barrel rate. Martinez will likely continue to operate as a back-end starter and could be worth a look in deeper formats this upcoming season given his progression.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds pitcher
Brent Suter signed a one-year extension with the Cincinnati Reds that has a club option for 2026 according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Suter typically operated a relief option for the Reds but did manage to make two starts this season. Across 65 2/3 innings of work this summer, the 35-year-old held a 3.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, with a 12:50 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, Suter boasted a stellar 30.2% hard-hit rate which is one of the best marks in the sport. Fantasy managers should expect Suter to continue to operate as a relief option in 2025 with the opportunity to earn a few saves.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
2 weeks agoThe New York Yankees and New York Mets and a few other organizations will be in a battle to sign superstar outfielder
Juan Soto according to Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post. Following his Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Soto told the media that, "I feel every team has the same opportunity" in relation to his pending free agency. With Scott Boras severing as his agent, baseball fans should expect the highest bidder to open their pockets in hopes of acquiring Soto as Boras has negotiated several of the largest contracts in recent history such as
Gerrit Cole's 2022 contract with the New York Yankees. With Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner at the forefront of the bidding, the 26-year-old should be in store for a record breaking deal coming off of his stellar 2024 campaign where he held a .288/.419/.569 line with 41 home runs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike Vaccaro
2 weeks agoThe Philadelphia Phillies have traded infielder
Scott Kingery to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 30-year-old has not appeared in a major league game since 2022 and has spent the past two seasons playing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Last season in the top level of the minor leagues, the former second-round pick held a .268/.314/.488 line with 17 doubles, 25 home runs, 67 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Kingery will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day Roster in Los Angeles but will more than likely spend most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
2 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Blake Snell is opting out of his two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants and will test the open market according to Alex Pavlovic. The 31-year-old had a tale of two seasons in his debut campaign in San Francisco. Through the first-half, the southpaw he held a 6.31 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP and was hindered by several injuries. However, after the All-Star break, Snell returned to his Cy Young form as he logged 68 1/3 innings to the tune of a stellar 1.45 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, with a 27:103 BB:K ratio. Given his performance down the stretch, Snell will likely be in line to receive a large contract and will be a popular starting pitcher taken early in drafts this upcoming offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic
2 weeks agoKansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder
Adam Frazier had his 2025 club option declined and will instead head to free agency according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Frazier had the worst season of his MLB career in 2024 as he hit for an underwhelming .202/.282/.294 slash line with just ten doubles, four home runs, and three swiped bags. From 2021 through 2023, Frazier hit at least 20 doubles in each season. The 32-year-old also saw his underlying metrics decline as he posted a 2.9% barrel rate and 22.8% hard-hit rate, which were both lower than his 2023 totals. Frazier should be left off your fantasy radar in 2025 given his drop in batting average and minimal power output.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
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