2 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Robbie Ray did not exercise his player option with the San Francisco Giants and will remain with the team. Ray has two years and $50 million remaining on his contract, keeping him a Giant through 2026. The lefty will look to bounce back in 2025 after two injury-riddled seasons have held back the former Cy Young winner. In his first year with the Giants Ray posted a 4.70 ERA in seven starts. His first start didn't come until after the All-Star break as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Ray's last start was shortened due to a hamstring injury. The lefty is in a spot where he needs to get himself back to normal form before he can expect another big payday. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the lefty going forward given his recent injury issues as he may be well beyond his prime at this point in his career.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
2 weeks agoThe New York Yankees are expected to pursue
Pete Alonso as a backup plan to any
Juan Soto fallout during the offseason, according to Jon Heyman. After declining a $17 million option for first baseman
Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees are aiming to save money for a big free-agent signing. Alonso is expected to be the prime backup option if Soto chooses not to re-sign with the Yankees. The 29-year-old will be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market this season after posting yet another solid season at the plate with a 123 OPS+ and 34 home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to target Alonso in drafts regardless of where he lands, as his xwOBA of .345 -- ranking in the 79th percentile in 2024 -- should translate to offensive success regardless of where he lands.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
2 weeks agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea opted out of his contract with the Mets on Saturday and is now a free agent. Manaea had one year and $13.5 million remaining on his contract and is clearly eyeing a bigger payday after a resurgent second half of the season fueled by tweaks to his mechanics. The lefty posted a 3.47 ERA in 2024, his best ERA in a season with 10 or more games started. The lefty will certainly be in demand on the free agent market after his second half success transferred to the postseason. Fantasy managers should expect similar results in 2025 with slight negative regression coming as his 3.47 ERA was buoyed by a 3.75 xERA.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
2 weeks agoChicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder
Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
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
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