3 weeks agoAccording to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed outfielder
Cristian Pache to a non-roster invite. Pache spent the 2024 campaign playing in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Miami. Across 88 games, Pache posted a .200/.273/.279 slash line with eight doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. Across 48 games in 2023, he held a slightly higher .238/.319/.417 line. Through 169 games at the Triple-A level, the 26-year-old posted a .260/.325/.401 line with 33 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Pache will likely compete for a roster spot during Spring Training. Pache should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the 2025 season given his lack of consistent production in the big leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Steve Gilbert
3 weeks agoAccording to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets met with free-agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki on Thursday. Sasaki was officially posted earlier this month from Nippon Professional Baseball. Last season, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 129 batters across 111 innings of work. 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. Earlier this offseason, the Mets added right-handed pitcher
Clay Holmes, who is expected to transition to the starting rotation. They also added
Griffin Canning, who will likely compete for the No. 5 spot. Given
Kodai Senga's injury history, adding Sasaki would not only bolster this rotation, but also add some much-needed depth. Fantasy managers should closely monitor where Sasaki signs, as he will likely be drafted as a high-end SP3 this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
3 weeks agoAccording to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed free-agent outfielder
Max Kepler to a one-year contract. Kepler has spent his entire 10-year MLB career playing with the Minnesota Twins. Last season, he saw his campaign cut short due to left-knee tendinitis he suffered in early September. Across 105 games in 2024, the veteran outfielder posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 21 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBI and one swiped bag. Under the hood, he generated a below-average 36.8% hard-hit rate and 6.2% barrel rate. In addition, he posted a low .301 xwOBA, which was his lowest mark since the 2019 season. Fantasy managers should expect Kepler to operate as a depth outfielder in Philadelphia who will contend for a starting role in spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Todd Zolecki
3 weeks agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Washington Nationals have signed right-handed pitcher
Michael Soroka. Soroka spent last season pitching for the Chicago White Sox and operated as both a reliever and a starter. Across 79 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with an 0-10 record. However across 7 1/3 innings of relief in September, he held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.55 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to how the Nationals plan to deploy Soroka as he flashed decent upside when operating out of the bullpen. If he does find a permanent spot in the bullpen, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role given the lack of proven options in the Nationals bullpen with
Kyle Finnegan currently testing free agency.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
3 weeks agoThe Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent reliever
Nick Vespi to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 29-year-old left-hander had a 3.88 ERA (4.23 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, 46:13 K:BB and one save in 53 1/3 innings over 45 relief appearances for the Baltimore Orioles the last three seasons and will provide potential depth to Philadelphia's bullpen for the 2025 campaign. Vespi had his best season with the O's last year, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out nine in 12 2/3 relief innings. However, Vespi was hit around in the minors at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 7.23 ERA and 2.03 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 31 walks in 42 1/3 innings. Vespi will not be on the fantasy radar heading into next season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
3 weeks agoRyan Hamill, the agent for free-agent right-hander
Michael Lorenzen, is talking with teams that are interested in signing his client about his two-way abilities. Lorenzen, who turns 33 on Jan. 4, has not hit in a big-league game since 2021 and hasn't had more than one plate appearance in a season since 2019. Hamill is discussing with teams the possibility of getting Lorenzen the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status and then flipping him to a contender that would carry him as a 14th pitcher. A player with two-way designation (only
Shohei Ohtani right now) doesn't count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on the 26-man roster. Lorenzen was an All-Star in 2023 and also threw a no-hitter, and he finished with a 3.31 ERA in 130 1/3 innings in 2024 with the Rangers and Royals. The White Sox, Marlins and Rockies could be idea fits for what Hamill is proposing, but it remains to be seen if it will happen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
3 weeks agoTexas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien has been an iron man in his career. In his 12-year major-league career, he has played a full 162 games three times and played at least 155 games an additional five times. Semien played in 162 games in 2023 and 159 games last year. The last time he played fewer than 159 games in a full season was with the A's in 2017, when he played in 85 games due to a wrist injury. Semien is entering his age-34 season, though, and hit .237/.308/.391 in 2024, his worst offensive season since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Manager Bruce Bochy said the team has discussed giving Semien some built-in off days and also moving him around in the batting order. Semien's underlying metrics were on par with his recent seasons, so a bounce-back is entirely possible, especially if some more rest days give him more juice for the entire season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
3 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs' rumored trade talks with the Miami Marlins involving left-hander
Jesus Luzardo (back) are "dead," according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Talks were hot between the two clubs on Luzardo, but a deal "doesn't appear to be happening" now. The 27-year-old southpaw was shut down from throwing and placed on the injured list in late June due to back and shoulder issues, and he never returned to pitch for the Fish in 2024, so the Cubs could very well have been scared off by his medicals. He was limited to only 12 starts this past season (66 2/3 innings), and when he was healthy, he took a big step back with a 5.00 ERA and 21.2 percent strikeout rate, which was down from 28.1 percent. Luzardo's numbers likely took a hit due to his injuries, which offers hope he could bounce back in 2025. There remains upside, but keep in mind Luzardo has made 20 starts in a season only once in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
3 weeks agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Josh Naylor has been mentioned in trade talks between the Guardians and Seattle Mariners this offseason, according to sources. Naylor is one of multiple names under consideration by the Mariners as they look for an offensive upgrade at first base. Free-agent first baseman
Christian Walker is another name that the Mariners could consider as they look for another bat this winter. The 27-year-old Naylor was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and finished with career-highs in home runs (31), RBI (108) and runs scored (84) while stealing six bases and slashing .243/.320/.456 with a .776 OPS in a career-high 152 regular-season games. His drop in average can be attributed to him facing more left-handers over the course of a full season. Repeating his 30-homer season will be difficult, especially if he heads to T-Mobile Park with less protection in the lineup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
3 weeks agoFree-agent right-hander
Griffin Canning and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal on Wednesday, pending a physical, according to sources. The deal includes $1 million in potential bonuses. Canning spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in the deal involving outfielder
Jorge Soler in October. Canning became a free agent when the Braves non-tendered him. The 28-year-old was once again underwhelming for the Halos this past season, going 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA (5.26 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 130 strikeouts and 66 walks in 171 2/3 innings over 32 outings (31 starts). His 99 earned runs allowed were the most in the league. In Queens, he'll likely compete for the final starting rotation spot with
Tylor Megill. But even if he wins a spot, Canning won't draw much fantasy intrigue after posting a 17% strikeout rate with 31 homers allowed.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
3 weeks agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Akil Baddoo has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment last week, but will stick with the organization. Baddoo has struggled in each of the last three seasons after entering the MLB with a bang in 2021. Baddoo hit .259/.330/.436 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI with 18 stolen bases during his rookie season in 2021 with the Tigers. Last season, Baddoo posted his worst stats of his career with a .159 batting average with two home runs and five RBI in 31 games. He figures to start the season in the minors and could get another chance if he can prove himself in Toledo.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb transctions
3 weeks agoThe Detroit Tigers have signed relief pitcher
Ryan Miller to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels last season. He finished with a 4.15 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and a 11/8 K/BB ratio across 13 innings with the Halos. He looked better in the minors with a 2.45 ERA and 61/14 K/BB ratio in 34 appearances in Triple-A last season. At worst, Miller is decent bullpen depth for the Tigers, but he should get a chance to win a bullpen spot in spring training.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold
3 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have signed relief pitcher
Joey Gerber to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Many baseball fans might not know who Gerber is, which is fair considering he hasn't pitched in the MLB since 2020. The 27-year-old posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP across 15 innings in 17 appearances with the Seattle Mariners in shortened 2020 season. Since then, Gerber has dealt with a handful of injuries and really hasn't pitched too much. He posted a 2.43 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 26 appearances in the New York Yankees minor league system last season. He figures to compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
3 weeks agoThe Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals were in talks on a potential trade involving third baseman
Nolan Arenado, but Arenado informed the Cardinals that he will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Astros. The Cardinals were set to sent $15-20 million to the Astros in the deal to pay down Arenado's salary, as the eight-time All-Star will earn $74 million in the next three years. "It's definitely not close," a source said. As Arenado's offensive prowess continues to decline, the Cardinals have already acknowledged its "intention to try" to trade the defensive whiz as they look to get younger going into 2025. It's unclear exactly which teams Arenado would approve a trade to, but his agent, Joel Wolfe, said last week that his client would waive his no-trade clause to play for a team he thinks is ready to win now. The Phillies, Yankees, Mets and Red Sox could be in play.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand, John Denton and Brian McTaggart
3 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Angels acquired catcher
Chuckie Robinson from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Davis Daniel was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. In Anaheim, Robinson will serve as catching depth behind
Logan O'Hoppe and
Travis d'Arnaud heading into the 2025 season. The White Sox had no more room for him after acquiring prospect
Kyle Teel and
Matt Thaiss this offseason. The 30-year-old backstop is off the fantasy radar in all formats and will likely open next season at Triple-A Salt Lake. Robinson played in 26 games for the White Sox in 2024 in his second big-league season and hit a weak .129 (9-for-70) with no homers, no RBI, two runs scored, five walks and 20 strikeouts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Angels PR
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