2
weeks
agoSan
Francisco
Giants
president
of
baseball
operations
Buster
Posey
said
on
Monday
that
he
views
infielder
Tyler
Fitzgerald
as
the
team's
starting
second
baseman
going
into
the
2025
season
and
has
already
discussed
it
with
the
young
infielder.
read more...
2 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants president of baseball operations
Buster Posey said on Monday at the winter meetings that right-hander
Jordan Hicks will remain in the starting rotation in 2025. In his first full season as a starter in the big leagues in his first year with the Giants in 2024, the hard-throwing Hicks did very well but broke down in the second half and was then shifted to the bullpen to monitor his workload. He finished 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA (4.37 FIP), a 1.45 WHIP, one save, a career-high 96 strikeouts and 47 walks in a career-high 109 2/3 innings over 29 outings (20 starts). The 28-year-old should be better positioned to handle the elevated workload next year, but he'll fantasy managers shouldn't forget about his shoulder injuries from this past season. In his first 12 starts in 2024, Hicks had a 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB before falling apart in his final eight starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
2 weeks agoThe Houston Astros are receiving trade inquiries on outfielder
Kyle Tucker this offseason, according to multiple people familiar with the talks. It could cause a bidding war for one of the best overall players in the game. Sources think that general manager Dana Brown is open to trading one of Tucker or left-hander
Framber Valdez, both of whom are set to make more than $15 million during their final year of arbitration eligibility. Houston is already shopping reliever
Ryan Pressly as they look for ways to clear payroll. No trade discussions are currently serious for Tucker. A trade of Tucker or Valdez would bring the kind of prospect talent that would help the Astros replenish their floundering farm system. Although Tucker missed considerable time in 2024 with a shin injury, he'll still be a highly coveted fantasy bat next year. The three-time All-Star has 20.9 wins above replacement since becoming a regular in 2020, which is fourth-best among MLB outfielders.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
2 weeks agoFree-agent veteran right-hander
Alex Cobb agreed with the Detroit Tigers on an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, according to sources. The contract is pending a physical. The Tigers had been looking for a cheap one-year deal for a starting pitcher this offseason, and they'll land on the 37-year-old Cobb, who has familiarity with president of baseball operations Scott Harris from their time together with the San Francisco Giants. Cobb began 2024 with San Fran but then joined the Cleveland Guardians in the second half, but he appeared in just 16 1/3 regular-season innings due to multiple injuries. He was good when healthy, though, with a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his three starts. Cobb has the track record to be a solid midrange starter for Detroit, but he's injury-prone late in his career and doesn't strike out many batters, limiting his fantasy upside.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
2 weeks agoFree-agent catcher
Carson Kelly and the Chicago Cubs are making progress toward a deal, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Cubs currently have
Miguel Amaya as their primary catcher while being backed up by former Angels backstop Matt Thais. If Chicago were to add Kelly, he'd be Amaya's primary backup in 2025. The 30-year-old was a former second-rounder by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 and has nine years of MLB experience with four different teams. He's bounced around a lot the last two years and spent 2024 with the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, slashing a combined .238/.313/.374 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 91 games. Most of his production came back in Arizona, particularly in 2019, when he hit .245 with a career-high 18 homers. Kelly has decent pop and is a decent defender but won't have much fantasy appeal in a backup role to Amaya.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
2
weeks
agoThe
Detroit
Tigers
have
kicked
the
tires
on
free-agent
first
baseman
Christian
Walker
this
offseason
as
they
search
for
a
right-handed
bat.
However,
the
Tigers
may
not
be
willing
to
get
aggressive
enough
for
Walker
if
big-market
teams
get
involved
in
the
bidding.
Walker
read more...
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers are interested in signing free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) as they look to add a right-handed bat this offseason. Kim hits from the right side and has the ability to play shortstop, third base or second base, although he's also recovering from surgery on his right shoulder to fix a torn labrum. Because of the surgery, the 29-year-old Korean infielder won't be ready for the start of the 2025 season, although he should make his season debut in the first half. Kim could opt to settle for a one-year deal this offseason and then look to reset his market and re-enter free agency at age 30. In his last three seasons with the San Diego Padres, Kim hit .250 with a .336 on-base percentage, 11% walk rate and 17.9% strikeout rate. Kim's best asset is his speed, but his middling power and injury will drive hi price down in fantasy drafts this upcoming spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers would love to add a right-handed bat this offseason, but they don't want to pay $200 million for free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman. However, if Bregman's market crashes this winter, the Tigers would be enticed to swoop in and sign him before spring training in mid-February. The Houston Astros' offer to re-sign Bregman has been reported to be for six years and around $156 million, but Bregman is looking for at least $200 million on the open market. It's unlikely that Detroit will get into a bidding war with Houston or any other team for Bregman's services, especially since they already have concerns about his long-term productivity. The 30-year-old also rejected a qualifying offer from Houston, so if Detroit wanted to sign him, they'd have to give up draft picks. Bregman missed some time late in 2024 due to a bone spur in his right elbow but should be ready for 2025 after having surgery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers have interest in starting pitchers who are candidates for one-year deals this offseason, which includes left-hander
Andrew Heaney and right-hander
Kyle Gibson. President of baseball operations Scott Harris tried to sign Heaney in November of 2021 when he was the general managers of the San Francisco Giants. In the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers, Heaney has posted a 4.22 ERA with 310 strikeouts over 307 1/3 frames. Another player Detroit could be watching is right-hander
Michael Soroka, who had a 4.74 ERA with 84 K's and 44 walks over 79 2/3 innings in 25 games (nine starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2024. In his final 11 games in relief, Soroka was stellar with a 1.84 ERA, 41 K's and only nine walks in 24 1/3 frames. Because free-agent right-hander
Nick Pivetta would require forfeiting draft picks, the Tigers are unlikely to pursue him.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers have interest in signing free-agent right-hander
Walker Buehler this offseason. However, Buehler has the potential to command a two-year deal with an opt-out clause after the first year, which isn't really what the Tigers are looking for. Starting pitching isn't cheap this offseason, and although Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 during the regular season, he's a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. The 30-year-old had a rough 5.38 ERA with 28 walks and 64 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings (16 starts) for LA in his return from his second Tommy John surgery of his career. Most of his issues came from his fastball velocity being down, but if Buehler can find his fastball again, he could easily be one of the best values on the starting pitching market this offseason. Buehler did toss 10 scoreless innings in his final three games in October.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez has told people that he prefers to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a few sources, but he also has long been intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox. Hernandez is also a fan of Boston manager Alex Cora. The Toronto Blue Jays have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Hernandez, but it could come down to the Dodgers and Red Sox for his services this winter. It was reported in early December that the 32-year-old and the Dodgers were working on a new deal, but nothing has been finalized, and LA has since signed left-handed-hitting outfielder
Michael Conforto. The Conforto signing shouldn't close the door on a Hernandez reunion with the Dodgers after he helped them win the World Series in his first season in Hollywood. Despite a high strikeout rate, Hernandez was one of the better sluggers in baseball in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
2 weeks agoFree-agent right-hander
Jordan Romano (elbow) agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday for above his projected salary arbitration number of $7.75 million, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical, which is more important after he was limited to only 15 appearances in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays due to a right-elbow injury that required surgery. The 31-year-old right-hander became a free agent when Toronto non-tendered him in November, but Romano quickly finds a new landing spot in the National League and could certainly bounce-back as a high-leverage fantasy arm with one of the best teams in baseball next season if he's past his elbow issues. From 2021 to 2023 with the Jays, Romano was one of the most dominant closers in baseball with a 2.37 ERA, 30.3% strikeout rate and 95 saves. If healthy, he should be Philly's primary ninth-inning guy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
2 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Anthony Santander is drawing strong interest from the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees -- all teams who missed out on the
Juan Soto sweepstakes. Santander is a switch-hitting power hitter who has hit 105 home runs over the last three seasons combined, including a career-high 44 last season. The 30-year-old also set career-best marks for RBI (102), runs scored (91), contact rate (82.2%), and barrel rate (11.7%), with a .345 wOBA and 129 wRC+. The veteran has spent his entire career with Baltimore, so moving to any of those teams would keep him with some familiar company. With no signs of slowing down, he figures to be a strong offensive fantasy option in 2025 drafts, regardless of landing spot.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
2
weeks
agoThe
Milwaukee
Brewers
are
"engaged
with
the
White
Sox"
for
the
services
of
pitcher
Garrett
Crochet.
While
other
teams
like
the
Red
Sox,
Cubs,
and
others
have
been
viewed
as
the
likeliest
landing
spots
for
the
lefty,
the
Brewers
could
use
another
strong
starter
read more...
2 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back reliever
Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million contract. The 36-year-old had a fantastic season coming out of the 'pen for the Dodgers, recording 16 holds and a save on the back of a 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and an 11:56 BB:K over 46 2/3 IP. It was a superb bounce-back performance after missing all of 2023 and most of 2022 with a shoulder injury. The 2024 campaign culminated with two-and-a-third innings of one-hit ball in Game 5 of the World Series where he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three, going down as the winning pitcher in the series finale. For his career, the righty owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 24.8% strikeout rate. For fantasy in 2025, he'll be relevant in any league that rewards holds and could be considered in other leagues were he pressed into a closer role.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
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