2 weeks agoAccording to the team, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop prospect JJ Wetherholt is receiving an invite to spring training. Wetherholt was drafted with the seventh-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of West Virginia. The 22-year-old got a brief look at Single-A ball last summer. Across 29 games with Single-A Palm Beach, the infielder posted a strong .295/.405/.400 line with five doubles, two home runs, and two stolen bases. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 16:15 BB:K ratio. MLB Pipeline has tabbed him as the top prospect in the St. Louis system and the No.18 overall in the entire sport. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 22-year-old's progression, but he is still several seasons away from his major league debut. However, if Wetherholt carries this success into High-A ball and potentially Double-A, he could see his value in dynasty formats rise significantly.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
2 weeks agoBoston Red Sox left-hander
Patrick Sandoval (elbow) clarified recently that he had an internal-brace procedure, not full Tommy John surgery, on his left throwing elbow in early July of 2024. Red Sox chief baseball officer
Craig Breslow said he hoped that Sandoval could join the starting rotation at some point in the second half of the 2025 campaign. The former Angels hurler started his throwing program a few weeks ago and is progressing nicely with spring training around the corner in three-plus weeks. "I'm in a good spot and I feel really good," Sandoval said. The 28-year-old southpaw's 5.08 ERA in 16 starts last year likely had a lot to do with his arm injury, and he was also pretty unlucky with a high .341 batting average on balls in play (BABIP). There's bounce-back potential, but fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can probably ignore him in drafts since he'll miss at least half the season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
2 weeks agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent third baseman
Alex Bregman is still seeking a long-term contract on the market. Rosenthal noted that Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, has said that teams are showing interest in offering Bregman a "long-term" deal. The veteran third baseman is one of the top free agents remaining on the open market. Earlier this offseason, he rejected a contract offer from the Houston Astros and opted to test the market. Throughout the offseason, sources have indicated that the Detroit Tigers have emerged as favorites. Last week, it was also reported that the Chicago Cubs have entered conversations with Bregman. Last summer in Houston, Bregman posted a .260/.315/.453 line with 26 home runs. He remains a top target in points leagues, given his elite 13.6% K rate and a top-12 option in standard rotisserie leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
2
weeks
agoAccording
to
Bob
Nightengale
of
USA
Today,
the
Toronto
Blue
Jays
have
no
intention
of
trading
first
baseman
Vladimir
Guerrero
Jr.
Nightengale
noted
that
even
if
the
Blue
Jays
sign
free
agent
Pete
Alonso,
Guerrero
is
expected
read more...
2 weeks agoAccording to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres have signed catcher
Martin Maldonado to a minor-league deal that contains an invite to spring training. The 38-year-old opened the 2024 season with the White Sox but held a disappointing .119/.174/.230 line through 48 games before being released. Under the hood, he generated a low .222 xwOBA and .288 xSLG. Across 117 games with the Astros during the 2023 season, the backstop held a .191/.258/.348 with 15 home runs. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during spring training as he could have an outside chance of making the Opening Day roster as the Padres only have two catchers on their current roster,
Luis Campusano and
Brett Sullivan. Sullivan posted a poor .188 AVG across a small stint in the majors last season, which could open the door for Maldonado to operate as the No.2 option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Dennis Lin
2 weeks agoAccording to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, free-agent first baseman
Pete Alonso rejected a three-year contract from the Mets. Sherman noted that the offer was for around $68-$70 million and was a "last-ditch" effort by the Mets to keep him in Queens. However, the slugger turned the offer down, encouraging the team to pursue other options. Earlier on Thursday, the Mets signed outfielder/designated hitter
Jesse Winker to a contract. According to Sherman, the current plan for the Mets is to shift third baseman
Mark Vientos to first base and have
Ronny Mauricio,
Brett Baty, and
Luisangel Acuna compete for opportunities at the hot corner. Alonso saw his power production drop slightly last season, as he just 34 home runs, compared to the 46 and 40 he hit during the 2023 and 2022 campaigns, respectively. Sources have suggested that the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as one of the favorites to sign Alonso.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel Sherman
2 weeks agoAccording to Jesse Rogers of ESPN,
Kyle Tucker and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year contract worth $16.5 million to avoid arbitration. Earlier this offseason, both sides were unable to come to an agreement, but both sides were able to sign a contract before spring training. The Cubs traded for the superstar earlier this offseason in exchange for top prospect Cam Smith, infielder
Isaac Paredes, and right-handed pitcher
Hayden Wesneski. Tucker battled a shin injury throughout the 2024 season, which limited him to just 78 games of action. However, the 27-year-old performed to his typical level as he posted a stellar .289/.408/.585 line with 23 home runs and 11 stole bases. In 2023, Tucker posted a .284/.369/.517 line with 29 long balls and 30 stolen bases. Tucker should be considered a top outfielder in all formats and a consensus first-round selection.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Rogers
2 weeks agoThe Baltimore Orioles designated right-hander
Roansy Contreras for assignment on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder
Jacob Amaya, who was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Contreras was just claimed off waivers by Baltimore last week but quickly finds himself without a team with spring training quickly approaching. The 25-year-old reliever has already been with four different organizations since October after going 2-4 with a 4.35 ERA (5.16 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, a career-high two saves, 56 strikeouts and 31 walks in 68 1/3 innings over 49 appearances (three starts) with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Angels in 2024. In parts of four seasons at the big-league level, Contreras has a 4.72 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, a weak 19.7% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate in 234 2/3 frames.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
2 weeks agoThe New York Post's Mike Puma reports that New York Mets infield prospect
Ronny Mauricio (knee) continues to rehab his knee but might not be ready for the start of spring training next month. Mets officials are taking things day-to-day with Mauricio, who had a second surgery on his right knee last year. The 23-year-old started doing baseball activities in December, but the Mets aren't going to rush the young infielder, and he's most likely not going to be ready to go for the start of the 2025 campaign. He has promising upside offensively for the Mets and fantasy managers, but the fact that he hasn't played in over a year should raise concerns about his ability to contribute at the big-league level in 2025. When he's ready to go, Mauricio will almost certainly start in the minors this year after he tore his ACL playing winter ball last offseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Mike Puma
2 weeks agoThe Baltimore Orioles claimed infielder
Jacob Amaya off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday and designated right-hander
Roansy Contreras for assignment in a corresponding move. Amaya gets picked up by another team in the American League after he was recently designated for assignment by the White Sox. In his second year in the big leagues in 2024, Amaya went 12-for-68 (.176) with no homers, three RBI, four runs and 28 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances over just 24 games played with the Houston Astros and White Sox. He played in just one game in Houston. Since he's out of minor-league options, the 26-year-old infielder will be exposed to waivers again if he doesn't make Baltimore's Opening Day roster out of spring training. He made his big-league debut in 2023 with the Miami Marlins but appeared in just four games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
2 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Jesse Winker re-signed with the New York Mets on Thursday on a one-year deal worth $7.5 million. With bonuses, Winker has a chance to make a maximum of $9 million. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed hitter began last season with the Washington Nationals and was acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline. He had a solid year overall, slashing a combined .253/.360/.405 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, a career-high 14 stolen bases and 63 runs scored in 145 games played. He hit .243/.318/.365 with a .683 OPS, three long balls, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 44 regular-season games after joining the Mets. Winker was better in 10 playoff games, sporting a 1.168 OPS and a home run. Winker should see consistent at-bats against right-handers in the outfield and at DH, but he's only hit 20 homers once in eight big-league seasons and probably won't steal double-digit bases in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Joel Sherman
2 weeks agoThe Athletic's Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal report that free-agent first baseman
Pete Alonso's market is heating up, and the Toronto Blue Jays have engaged in discussions for the power-hitting first baseman, according to league sources. According to a person familiar with Toronto's thinking, they'd prefer to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr, even if they landed Alonso. Guerrero can also play third base, and he and Alonso could split designated-hitter duties. The New York Mets want a resolution soon, and SNY's Andy Martino reports they have pivoted to Plan B while considering the most likely outcome at this juncture that Alonso will sign elsewhere. A financial hurdle still exists between the Mets and Alonso, and it will be tough to re-sign him if the team strikes a deal with other players. For example, the Mets just re-signed outfielder/DH
Jesse Winker on Thursday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal
2 weeks agoAccording to the team, the Seattle Mariners have designated second baseman
Samad Taylor for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for catcher
Blake Hunt who the team acquired on Wednesday. Taylor has appeared in 34 big league games over the previous two summers. During his small stint, he has held a .215/.288/.277 line. However, through 295 career contests at the Triple-A level, the infielder has posted a solid .273/.370/.417 line with 52 doubles, 28 home runs, and 116 stolen bases. Given his lack of production at the major league level, fantasy managers should expect Taylor to spend most of the 2025 campaign in the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Mariners
2 weeks agoAccording to the team, the Seattle Mariners have acquired catcher
Blake Hunt from the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. The 26-year-old began the 2024 season in the Seattle system but was eventually shipped to Baltimore. He spent most of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level. Across 66 games, Hunt held a .217/.272/.363 line and hit eight doubles, seven home runs, and a 13:60 BB:K ratio. Through 135 career games at Double-A, Hunt posted a .232/.310/.364 slash line. Hunt has yet to reach the major leagues, and fantasy managers should expect the 26-year-old to open the campaign at Triple-A Tacoma. He could eventually earn a call to Seattle if he continues to develop.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Mariners
2 weeks agoAccording to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets are "holding the line" on both the length and dollars of their proposed offer to free agent
Pete Alonso. Martino noted that this proposed contract is a short-term offer that likely includes an opt-out after the first year. The Mets have been linked to several alternative options, such as
Jesse Winker and
Anthony Santander if they could not sign Alonso. In addition, the Mets could also deploy several younger options in the infield, such as
Brett Baty and
Ronny Mauricio, if Alonso were to sign somewhere else. Last summer, Alonso went deep 34 times and posted a .240/.329/.459 line. While this was his lowest home run total during a full season, he still generated an elite 13.2% barrel rate and 46.4% hard-hit rate, which suggests he could be due for some significant regression in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
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