3 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants right-hander
Justin Verlander (back, shoulder) said on a video call with the media that he started throwing earlier this offseason and is up to 92 mph and is feeling good. Verlander was limited to 17 starts with the Houston Astros last season in his 19th year in the big leagues due to back and shoulder ailments, but he said he's addressed the physical issues that cut his season short in 2024. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Gigantes last week and will hope to stay healthier in his 20th MLB campaign. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP will be hoping to rebound in his new digs in a good pitcher's park in the Bay Area in 2025, but with his strikeout rate continuing to fall and with injuries now a big issue, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
3 weeks agoBoston Red Sox designated hitter
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) could play some outfield if he remains with the team in 2025, according to manager Alex Cora. However, the left-handed hitter is a potential trade candidate this offseason as the BoSox look for more right-handed bats for their lineup, so there's no guarantee Yoshida will even be in Boston by Opening Day. But the Red Sox could have trouble finding a team willing to take Yoshida, who is due $55.8 million over the next three years and is coming off surgery to fix a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder in October. He was limited to designated-hitter duties in 2024 but made 84 starts in left field as a rookie in 2023. Yoshida never went on the injured list in 2024, but his lingering shoulder issue limited him to just one inning in left field. He's been mediocre for fantasy managers in his first two years with a .280 average, 25 homers and a .775 OPS in 248 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
3 weeks agoBoston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said over the weekend that infield prospect
Kristian Campbell and
Vaughn Grissom will focus on second base in spring training, with shortstop prospect
Marcelo Mayer playing multiple positions. Campbell, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, played at High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2024 and slashed a combined .330/.439/.558 with an impressive .997 OPS, 20 home runs, 77 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 94 runs scored in 115 total games. The 22-year-old finished the year on the injured list due to a lat injury, but he should be fully healthy for spring training as he competes for a job at the keystone with Grissom. Boston also has
David Hamilton as an option at second, but Campbell has the highest ceiling of any of the BoSox's options for the position. Campbell's fantasy stock will continue to rise if he looks good this spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
3 weeks agoThe New York Yankees have been told that Japanese free-agent right-hander Roki Sasaki will not sign with them, according to a source. Sasaki is one of the most prized free-agent arms this offseason and has already met with the Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. Since Sasaki is under 25 with less than six seasons played professionally overseas, he's subject to the international bonus pool and its signing window, which opens on Wednesday. He will end up signing for something more in the range of
Shohei Ohtani's $2.3 million bonus with the Angels in 2017. The Dodgers and Padres have been considered the front-runners for Sasaki's services all offseason, with a resolution likely coming later this week. Sasaki should be fantasy relevant immediately, although he comes with durability concerns.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: YES Network - Jack Curry
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jeff Hoffman (shoulder) failed two physicals due to concerns with his right shoulder with the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles this offseason before eventually signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. Both the Braves and Orioles had deals in place with Hoffman before he failed physicals with their medical staffs, with the O's having a three-year, $40 million deal set with Hoffman. The 32-year-old has been healthy since 2021, but he has gone on the injured list twice in his career with shoulder-related issues. Despite the physical concerns, the Blue Jays signed him to a three-year, $33 million deal, which means he's expected to serve as their closer in 2025, with
Yimi Garcia and
Chad Green serving as setup men. Given the concerns about his shoulder and the fact Hoffman only has 12 career saves in nine seasons, he'll be a shaky closing option for fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
3 weeks agoAccording to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres have "entertained" trade discussions for several key players, including closer
Robert Suarez. The other players mentioned have already been circulating around trade discussions, such as second baseman
Luis Arraez and starting pitcher
Dylan Cease. The 33-year-old enjoyed a career season in 2024, posting a 2.77 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP with 36 saves. Over his first two major league seasons, Suarez tallied just one save. In 2024, he logged a career-high 65 innings and generated a strong 3.05 xERA and .291 xBA, which were both significantly above the average marks. He also showed solid command with a 6.2% walk rate, which placed him in the 78th percentile among qualified pitchers. For now, fantasy managers should view Suarez as the top option for saves in San Diego entering the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Dennis Lin
3 weeks agoAccording to John Denton of MLB.com, the St. Louis Cardinals claimed left-handed pitcher
Bailey Horn off waivers. Horn was designated for assignment earlier this offseason by the Detroit Tigers when they signed second baseman
Gleyber Torres. The Auburn product made his major league debut last season with the Boston Red Sox and posted a 6.50 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP across 18 innings of work. During this stretch, he struck out 13 batters and severed up ten free passes. Across 39 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level last season, Horn held a 4.54 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He struck out 50 batters and tallied three saves. Fantasy managers should expect Horn to open the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level, given his lack of proven success in the major leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: John Denton
3 weeks agoAccording to Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports, the Washington Nationals have designated right-handed pitcher
Amos Willingham for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for
Jorge Lopez, who signed a contract with the Nationals earlier this weekend. Willingham logged just one inning of work in the majors last season and allowed two runs. In 2023, Willingham logged 24 1/3 innings and held a 6.66 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP. Across 68 1/3 innings with Triple-A Rochester last summer, Willingham posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He struck out 71 batters and served up 31 free passes. Fantasy managers should expect Lopez to have a high-leverage role in the Washington bullpen. Willingham will likely spend most of the 2025 campaign in the minor leagues, given his struggles in the majors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Blanco
3 weeks agoAccording to Jeff Young of FanSided, the San Francisco Giants have signed right-handed pitcher
Miguel Diaz to a minor-league contract. Diaz logged just one inning in the major leagues last summer with the Houston Astros. He then spent the remainder of the season with Triple-A Toledo and posted a 4.30 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 46 innings. Diaz has spent the majority of his major league career with the San Diego Padres. Across 127 1/3 big league frames, the right-hander had held a 4.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Through 204 2/3 innings at Triple-A, the 30-year-old has posted a 4.93 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Given his lack of proven success in the majors, Diaz will likely open the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Young
3 weeks agoAccording to MiLB Central, the Minnesota Twins have signed third baseman
Armando Alvarez to a minor-league contract. Alvarez made his major league debut last season with the Oakland Athletics. Across 16 games in the bigs, the 30-year-old posted a .242/.282/.270 slash line with one double and one stolen base. Across 75 games with Triple-A Las Vegas last summer, Alvarez held a .315/.407/.560 line with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, and five stolen bases. Through 412 career games at the Triple-A level, the Eastern Kentucky product has posted a .280/.345/.492 line. Fantasy managers should expect Alvarez to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training, given his productive play at Triple-A last season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB Central
3 weeks agoAccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Yankees have been in discussions with free agent second baseman
Brendan Rodgers. Earlier this offseason, Rodgers was non-tendered by the Rockies. The Yankees did not choose to resign
Gleyber Torres, leaving a hole in their starting nine. While there have been reports of the Yankees looking to fill this gap with internal options such as
DJ LeMahieu,
Oswald Peraza, and
Oswaldo Cabrera, they have also expressed interest in acquiring a hitter from another club. They have shown interest in trading for
Luis Arraez and
Nolan Arenado. Rodgers enjoyed a solid campaign in 2024 as he posted a .267/.314/.407 line with 13 home runs. He generated a strong 44.1% hard-hit rate. If Rodgers were to sign a contract with the Yankees, he would likely be deployed as the everyday second baseman.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
3
weeks
agoAccording
to
Bob
Nightengale
of
USA
Today,
Toronto
Blue
Jays
shortstop
Bo
Bichette
has
"no
real
interest"
in
re-signing
with
Toronto,
according
to
a
source.
Bichette
is
currently
in
the
final
year
of
his
contract,
and
it
looks
like
the
infielder
will
test
free
read more...
3 weeks agoAccording to Andy Martino of SNY, the Tampa Bay Rays are not expected to trade first baseman
Yandy Diaz. According to Martino, the Rays plan to hold onto Diaz for the time being as he is one of the top options for offensive production. The 33-year-old enjoyed another strong season in 2024 as he posted a .281/.341/.414 line with 14 home runs and 31 doubles. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 15.3% K rate and a 14.2% whiff rate, which were among the top marks in the sport. He also generated a strong 48.7% hard-hit rate, suggesting his power production could see some positive regression in 2025. This was a slight drop in production compared to the stellar .330/.410/.522 line he posted in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Diaz to have a consistent spot in the Rays lineup, and he is an excellent target for points leagues, given his elite contact and low strikeout rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
3 weeks agoAccording to Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated right-handed pitcher
Brett de Geus for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for right-handed pitcher
Jeff Hoffman. De Geus logged 11 1/3 innings at the major league level last season. Across this small stint, he posted a hefty 7.15 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. De Geus spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in the minor leagues after making his major league debut in 2021. During his debut season, the right-hander held a similar 7.56 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Across 50 career frames at the Triple-A level, the 27-year-old has held a 6.66 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to spend most of the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, given his lack of proven success in the major leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
3 weeks agoAccording to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Atlanta Braves signed first baseman/outfielder
Garrett Cooper to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Cooper spent time with the Cubs, Red Sox, and the Orioles during the 2024 campaign. Across 36 in the bigs, the 34-year-old posted a .206/.267/.299 line with one home run, five doubles, and a 7:35 BB:K ratio. Across 20 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Cooper posted a .310/.393/.521 line with four home runs. During the 2023 season, Cooper logged 123 games at the major league level and posted a .251/.304/.419 line with 17 long balls and 18 doubles. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during spring training as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day roster if he performs well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
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