3 weeks agoAccording to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, relief pitcher
Clay Holmes is nearing his free-agent decision. Stark noted that the clubs in talks with Holmes suggest he is nearing a final decision. However, it is still unknown whether Holmes will continue to operate as a reliever or consider moving to the rotation. Earlier this offseason, there was some speculation that teams were considering Holmes as a potential starting pitcher. In addition, Stark noted that several of the teams interested in Holmes are contenders. Last season, the 31-year-old opened the campaign as the Yankees closer but eventually lost his job later in the summer. In the second half, he posted a high 3.75 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. However, he still posted solid metrics under the hood, including a 5.6% barrel rate and a stellar 64.6% ground ball rate. Fantasy managers should monitor where Holmes signs, as he could find fantasy production either as a high-leverage option or as a starter.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jayson Stark
3 weeks agoFree-agent right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow) and the Cleveland Guardians agreed to a one-year, $14 million deal on Friday that includes a $16 million player option for the 2026 season, according to sources. Bieber has chosen to return on a one-year pact after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in April. He isn't expected to return until the middle of 2025, so it makes sense for him to return to the Guardians to try and boost his value once again before potentially hitting the open market again next offseason. The two-time All-Star and former American League Cy Young (2020) only made two starts in 2024 before going under the knife, but he was dominant with 20 strikeouts over 12 shutout innings. Bieber has been excellent in the past, but fantasy managers would be foolish to assume he'll suddenly regain velocity and whiffs in his return from TJ surgery in 2025. He'll be a risk/reward fantasy starter on the cheap.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
3 weeks agoMLB.com's Steve Gilbert wonders if the Arizona Diamondbacks would consider turning shortstop
Blaze Alexander into a
Chris Taylor-type of multi-positional player moving forward. Alexander has appeared at shortstop, second base and third base at the major-league level, but he has yet to play the outfield. The 25-year-old is an above-average athlete that can run, and he also possesses a strong arm, so he shouldn't have a ton of issues learning the outfield. Using Alexander at other positions in the outfield would make him much more valuable and give manager Torey Lovullo a lot more options in game. An 11th-round selection in 2018, Alexander made his big-league debut in 2024 for the Snakes and saw extensive action, appearing in 61 games and slashing .247/.321/.343 with a .664 OPS, three home runs, 21 RBI, three steals and 19 runs scored in 185 plate appearances.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
3 weeks agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks will likely look at right-hander
Drey Jameson (elbow) as a reliever in his first season back from Tommy John surgery in 2025. Jameson is one of the team's top prospects, but he had Tommy John surgery in September of 2023 and will be ready to go in spring training in February. He threw only 68 2/3 innings between Triple-A Reno and the majors before having surgery in 2023 and obviously didn't pitch at all in 2024, so he'll be on a strict innings limit in his return next year. If that's the direction the Snakes go in, Jameson will lack fantasy upside in 2025, but he could still be an extremely valuable piece out of Arizona's bullpen. The 27-year-old made 15 big-league appearances (three starts) for the D-backs in 2023 and had a 3.32 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP, one save, 37 strikeouts and 18 walks in 40 2/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
3
weeks
agoAs
the
St.
Louis
Cardinals
transition
this
offseason,
they
are
focused
on
letting
most
of
their
youngers
players
play
regularly
in
order
to
evaluate
their
roster
for
the
coming
seasons.
Infielder
Nolan
Gorman
is
one
such
young
player
set
to
play
regularly
in
read more...
3 weeks agoKansas City Royals infielder
Maikel Garcia (elbow) underwent a minor procedure to remove bone chips in his right elbow on Thursday. Garcia reported elbow soreness to the Royals after playing catch at home the week before Thanksgiving, which prompted the team to send him for an MRI exam, in which bone chips were found. Garcia is expected to be ready for spring training in February and is expected to return as the team's primary third baseman in 2025 after hitting .231/.281/.332 in 2024 with 27 doubles and 37 stolen bases. In addition to his 27 doubles and 37 stolen bases for the Royals in a career-high 157 games in his third year in the big leagues, the Venezuelan infielder hit a career-high seven home runs, drove in 58 runs and scored 84 runs in 626 plate appearances. The 24-year-old doesn't have typical home run power for a third baseman, but the speed is nice for a corner-infield target in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 weeks agoFree-agent catcher
Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a one-year, $8.5 million deal on Friday that includes a mutual option for a second season in 2026, according to sources. Jansen played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in 2024 and will remain in the American League East. In 92 games for the Jays and Red Sox this past season, Jansen struggled to the tune of a .205/.309/.349 slash line with a well below-average .658 OPS, nine home runs, 24 RBI and 35 runs scored in 324 total plate appearances. Injuries continue to limit the 29-year-old's playing time, but he did post double-digit home runs in the previous three seasons at the weak catcher position. Jansen could have a rebound season in Tampa in 2025 while splitting playing time with
Ben Rortvedt, but he's going to need to stay healthy, which has been an issue for him in his MLB career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
3 weeks agoThe Athletic's Ken Rosenthal suggests that free-agent first baseman
Christian Walker, who is from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, could be an ideal fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team looking for upgrades on offense. However, many other teams will be interested in Walker this offseason, including both New York teams if they lose out on superstar free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto. The Pirates expect outfielder
Bryan Reynolds to play some first base in 2025, but ideally, the Bucs are looking to add a first baseman and a corner outfielder this offseason. The 33-year-old Walker turned down the Arizona Diamondbacks' $21.50 million qualifying offer, so if Pittsburgh signs him, they'll give up draft compensation. Walker has been a model of power consistency in recent seasons, although an oblique injury hampered him down the stretch in 2024. A move to Pittsburgh wouldn't be ideal for fantasy, but he'll still be a decent target at the position once the elite names come off the board.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
3 weeks agoIf the Houston Astros are unable to re-sign third baseman
Alex Bregman this offseason, free-agent infielder
Jorge Polanco is at the top of their list as a contingency plan at the hot corner. Polanco will be looking for a rebound season in 2025 after coming off knee surgery. The veteran switch-hitter had a career-low .651 OPS in 118 games with the Seattle Mariners this past season but also had a .724 OPS with 11 of his 16 long balls on the year in 63 games from July 9 on. If the team loses Bregman and goes cheaper at third base, they could look to upgrade at first base, where they've discussed free-agent first baseman
Christian Walker. Polanco is capable of bouncing back and should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, but his health is a major question mark, as he's played in 120 games only three times since debuting in 2014.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
3 weeks agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, before signing
Luis Severino, the Athletics made a "big offer" to free-agent starting pitcher
Sean Manaea in hopes of bringing him back to his first MLB club. However, given the Athletics agreed on a hefty $67 million contract with Severino, Manaea will likely not return to his first home in 2025. This suggests that Manaea could be in store for a sizeable contract during free agency after posting a strong 3.47 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in Queens. During the second half of the season, Manaea held a stellar 0.94 WHIP. Under the hood, he boasted an above-average .277 xBA and 24.9% strikeout rate. Manaea is worth monitoring in free agency, as he should be a viable third or fourth starter during the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Bryan Reynolds is expected to see time at first base in 2025. While this will likely only be in a part-time role, this is a situation worth monitoring as it could provide Reynolds even more at-bats throughout the season. Rosenthal also noted that given Pittsburgh's offensive struggles last season, they would "ideally" like to add a first baseman and another corner outfielder. Last season, the 29-year-old posted a strong .275/.344/.427 line with 24 home runs and ten stolen bases. Reynolds enjoyed an impressive stretch during June and July when he held a stellar .328/.389/.566 slash line. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor who the Pirates bring in during free agency but should expect Reynolds to continue to serve as a staple in the starting nine in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
3
weeks
agoAccording
to
Ken
Rosenthal
of
The
Athletic,
San
Francisco
Giants
third
baseman
Matt
Chapman
is
open
to
moving
to
shortstop
if
the
Giants
sign
free-agent
infielder
Ha-Seong
Kim.
Chapman
has
spent
the
vast
majority
of
his
professional
career
playing
at
read more...
3
weeks
agoAccording
to
Bruce
Levine
of
670
The
Score,
Chicago
Cubs
outfielder
Cody
Bellinger's
trade
market
is
heating
up.
Levine
notes
that
since
the
Cubs
have
a
surplus
of
outfield
bats,
this
could
open
the
door
for
the
Cubs
to
shop
Bellinger
at
the
Winter
read more...
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman (ankle) underwent surgery on his right ankle, according to the team. This procedure will remove loose bodies from the ankle area. Freeman was a crucial part of the Dodgers' World Series run as he was named World Series MVP but played through this ankle injury in the process. However, it is a great sign to see that the 35-year-old should be expected to be ready by Spring Training following the surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the offseason in case he faces a setback during his recovery. While he did see a slight drop in production this past summer, Freeman still posted a solid 282/.378/.476 line with 22 home runs and nine stole bases. Under the hood, he boasted an impressive .287 xBA and .367 xwOBA, which were both well above the average marks. Freeman should still be viewed as a top option at first base heading into the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
3 weeks agoThe Houston Astros have offered free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman a six-year deal worth around $156 million, according to a source. If Bregman were to take the deal, it would be a club record contract in terms of dollars. However, Bregman is likely to reject it, depending on what other offers he gets, as he's believed to be seeking a deal closer to $200 million. Astros owner Jim Crane said last month that he prefers not to hand out lengthy contract extensions in free agency, which makes it unlikely they will be able to bring Bregman back in 2025 and beyond. The 30-year-old third baseman has been a core player for Houston during their run of two titles in 2017 and 2022. Last year, he hit .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers and 75 RBI while winning a Gold Glove. If Bregman signs elsewhere, free agent
Jorge Polanco is at the top of Houston's list to play third base.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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