3 weeks agoArizona Diamondbacks infield prospect
Jordan Lawlar missed most of the 2024 regular season due to injury, collecting only 67 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. In order to make up for lost time and hopefully make a push for a 2025 roster spot, the club's top prospect (MLB No. 9) is spending time in the Dominican Winter League, getting much-needed at-bats to knock off the rust. While the 22-year-old started off hot, slashing .407/.481/.773 in his first 27 plate appearances, that line now stands at .237/.315/.355 in 108 PA. Importantly, however, he's still shown the pop and speed combination we've been accustomed to seeing from the healthy version of him, with three home runs and eight stolen bases thus far. It's not clear where exactly he would play on the infield at this point, but if he can make the roster next spring, the former sixth-overall draft pick could be an overlooked multi-category fantasy contributor after an unremarkable 2023 debut and lost 2024 season.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoThe Toronto Blue Jays have signed infielder
Michael Stefanic and pitcher
Kevin Gowdy to minor-league deals with invitations to spring training. Stefanic has played his entire professional career in the Angels' organization, having a successful minor league career that has yet to translate to the big league level. The 28-year-old has a career .331/.416/.445 slashline in the minors (1749 ABs), however, that line drops to .232/.317/.275 in the majors (233 ABs). Gowdy has yet to make his major league debut despite being drafted in 2016 after Tommy John surgery and the COVID season delayed his advancement. Over his minor league career, the righty owns a 5.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 270 strikeouts over 305 2/3 IP. Stefanic and Gowdy both figure to provide the Jays organizational depth for now.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoOn Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals signed outfielder
Ryan Vilade to a minor league contract that also includes a non-roster invitation to spring training. The former second-round pick was drafted by the Rockies back in 2017, briefly debuting with the club in 2021. Since then, the 25-year-old spent time at Triple-A in Pittsburgh and Detroit's farm systems, while making 17 major league appearances for the Tigers in 2024. In 442 Triple-A plate appearances last season, the right-handed hitter slashed .278/.346/.449 with 13 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Without a starting role for the Cardinals though, Vilade is off the fantasy radar for now.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are said to be possible trade partners that are interested in acquiring the services of White Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet. Talks of the lefty leaving Chicago swirled around the trade deadline last season, but nothing ever came to fruition. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in 2024, posting a 3.02 ERA and 0.95 WHIP prior to the break (107 1/3 IP), but slowed considerably and had his innings limited in the second half, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.40 WHIP after the break (38 2/3 IP). The strikeout rate remained elite throughout the season, finishing with a 29.6% K-BB% in 32 starts. Both teams have already made attempts to bolster their rotation this offseason, with the Cubs landing LHP
Matthew Boyd from the Guardians and the Reds acquiring RHP
Brady Singer from the Royals. Provided he can stay healthy and somewhat dependent on his landing spot, Crochet should be one of the top pitchers for fantasy in 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
3 weeks agoKorean infielder Hyeseong Kim is expected to be posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization around noon ET on Wednesday. After Kim is posted, it will begin a 30-day window for the infielder to work out a contract with a major-league team this offseason. He will turn 26 years old in January. If he's unable to reach a deal with an MLB team in 30 days, he'll return to the Heroes for the 2025 season. Kim is not expected to sign a deal like
Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers last offseason, but he should attract interest and is already being connected to the Seattle Mariners. His profile is similar to fellow countryman
Ha-Seong Kim as an excellent defender that can play multiple spots in the infield. Hyeseong doesn't have as much power, but he did slash .304/.364/.403 in his eight seasons in Korea.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
3
weeks
agoMost
teams
interested
in
free-agent
right-hander
Michael
Soroka
prefer
him
as
a
back-end
starting
pitcher
with
front-line
potential
and
not
as
a
reliever
despite
his
better
numbers
in
a
relief
role
with
the
Chicago
White
Sox
in
2024,
according
to
league
sources.
The
read more...
3 weeks agoThe Chicago White Sox have a very high price tag on outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. in trade discussions this offseason and don't think they are overreaching, according to a source briefed on their thinking. "I don't think they understand what his value is," an MLB executive said. Chicago isn't asking for multiple prospects but do want a "meaningful piece" in return. The 27-year-old is no doubt physically gifted, but he's played in over 100 games just once in the past four seasons back in 2023, when he clubbed 38 long balls, had an .857 OPS and finished 12th in the American League in MVP voting. But outside of that season, he has struggled to stay healthy and was out from April 6 to June 4 with a hip-flexor strain in 2024. He's guaranteed $15 million in 2025 and has $20 million club options for 2025 and 2026. The shortage of center field options and quality bats has kept interest in Robert high.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal
3
weeks
agoThe
Kansas
City
Royals
plan
to
use
left-hander
Kris
Bubic
as
a
starting
pitcher
next
season,
although
he'll
most
likely
be
on
an
innings
limit
of
around
140
to
150
in
his
first
full
season
back
from
Tommy
John
surgery.
At
the
read more...
3 weeks agoThe bidding for free-agent superstar outfielder
Juan Soto has reached $600 million, according to two people briefed on the negotiations who were not authorized to speak publicly. Soto's agent, Scott Boras, said on Tuesday that his client has also started the process of eliminating potential teams. The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers are reportedly the most serious about Soto, and all the remaining contenders have made offers above $600 million. The MLB winter meetings begin on Sunday in Dallas, and the expectation is that Soto will make his decision by the end of the meetings. The 26-year-old generational talent is expected to sign for at least 12 years, with the present-day value of his new contract almost certainly beating the record
Shohei Ohtani set last offseason with a deferred 10-year, $700 million contract. Wherever Soto is playing, he should continue to be an offensive beast.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal, Evan Drellich and Brendan Kuty
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that right-handed reliever
Evan Phillips (shoulder) is "fine" and should be good to go for spring training in February. Phillips missed the World Series in October due to a right-shoulder injury but didn't require surgery. He has yet to start a throwing program, but as a reliever, he still has plenty of time to do so and still be ready for the start of spring training. The 30-year-old was officially shut down in the postseason with arm fatigue. Phillips wasn't quite as good in his third year in LA in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, 18 saves and 63:17 K:BB in 54 2/3 regular-season innings out of the bullpen. Despite the disappointing numbers, Evans saved a career-high 24 games for the Blue in 2023 and should have a high-leverage bullpen role yet again in 2025 for the best team in baseball.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Mike DiGiovanna
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) sounds unlikely to be ready for Opening Day in 2025, according to general manager Ross Atkins. "I don't want to limit him, but based on history, that could be unrealistic," said Atkins. Nothing is guaranteed at this time in the offseason, but it sounds like the Blue Jays aren't going to rush the 28-year-old in his recovery from surgery that he had on his right shoulder in late September. We'll have a better idea of his recovery timeline when the calendars flip to 2025, but Varsho's fantasy value will obviously take a hit if he's not ready for Opening Day. The former second-rounder had another below-average offensive season in Toronto in 2024, slashing .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home run, 58 RBI, 10 steals and 73 runs scored in 136 games. Varsho's declining offensive profile and recovery from shoulder surgery won't make him very attractive in fantasy drafts next year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that free-agent reliever
Jordan Romano (elbow) should be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Atkins said that Romano "will be back physically... We have no medical concerns." However, after being non-tendered by Toronto, Romano is a free agent this winter and will explore the open market. The Blue Jays have a lot of interest in a reunion, though. The 31-year-old right-handed veteran missed four months of the 2024 season due to right-elbow issues, but if he's healthy heading into next season, he should garner plenty of attention in free agency as a late-inning, high-leverage arm. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will largely depend on where he's pitching and whether he's given closing duties. In three seasons in Toronto before 2024, Romano was one of the best closers in baseball with 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 230 K's in 186 innings pitched.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said on Tuesday that shortstop
Bo Bichette (finger) is on track to be ready for Opening Day in 2025. Bichette had season-ending surgery in late September to have a pin inserted into his fractured right middle finger. The 26-year-old had an awful 2024 season between poor performance and injuries and was limited to 81 games for the Blue Jays. Barring a setback during his offseason workouts, though, Bichette should be ready to play in spring training and for Opening Day as he looks for a bounce-back campaign in what could be his final season in Toronto. He hit .225 on the year after never hitting blow .275 at any professional level of his career. Yes, he was a massive fantasy bust. Despite the terrible year, with good health, Bichette can absolutely rebound and could come at a nice value in spring drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Ben Nicholson-Smith
3 weeks agoThe New York Mets re-signed outfielder
Alex Ramirez to a minor-league deal on Monday, according to a league source. Once considered a top prospect in the organization, Ramirez's development with the bat has stalled at the Double-A level, but they will keep him around for another year. Despite his offensive struggles, Ramirez had a strong market as a free agent. The 21-year-old Dominican spent all of this past season with Double-A Binghamton, slashing .210/.291/.299 with a career-low .590 OPS, five home runs, 46 RBI, a career-high 40 stolen bases and 62 runs scored in 542 trips to the plate over 123 ballgames. Ramirez's offensive decline has been a disappointment, but the Mets will take another chance on him as he heads into his age-22 season. His speed on the basepaths certainly gives him a higher floor if his bat continues to struggle in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
3 weeks agoFree-agent outfielder
Cal Mitchell and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a minor-league deal on Sunday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, according to sources. The 25-year-old outfielder has a .627 career OPS in 71 career big-league games with the Pittsburgh Pirates but did hit an impressive .277/.359/.512 with an .871 OPS, a career-high 22 home runs, 70 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 69 runs scored in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League for Triple-A El Paso in the San Diego Padres organization in 122 games this past season. Mitchell went hitless in five plate appearances over two games for Pittsburgh in 2023 and batted .226 (48-for-212) with five homers and 17 RBI in 69 games in his rookie season with the Bucs back in 2022. He'll have a better chance to make an impact again at the major-league level in 2025 with the White Sox as a reserve outfielder.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Aram Leighton
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