3 weeks agoArizona Diamondbacks designated hitter
Joc Pederson has declined the end of his mutual option and will test free agency, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The 32-year-old slugger enjoyed a fantastic season in the desert in 2024, posting a career-best .275/.393/.515 slash line with 23 home runs and 64 RBI. Even though Pederson was in a strict platoon, he was still a valuable fantasy contributor during the entire season. He boasted a stellar 12.8% barrel rate and 46.2% hard-hit rate under the hood. Fantasy managers should expect Pederson to continue to be deployed on the strong side of a platoon in 2025, but he should still be a popular target for power, given his excellent underlying metrics.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Rogers
3 weeks agoThe New York Yankees are declining their 2025 club option on first baseman
Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo had one of the worst seasons of his career this summer as he posted an underwhelming .228/.301/.335 line with eight home runs, 35 RBI, with a 27:65 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, Rizzo saw his metrics dropped to career lows with a 33.2% hard-hit rate and a mere .239 xBA. In addition, since hitting 32 home runs in 2022, Rizzo has hit just 20 long balls over the past two summers with a season-low of eight in 2024. Fantasy managers should expect the former World Series Champion to find a new home in 2025, but he is best left for deeper formats, given his sharp decline.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
3 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers will be picking up their 2025 club option on starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. The 28-year-old operated as the ace of the Milwaukee rotation in 2024 and held a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, with a 68:200 BB:K ratio across 173 2/3 frames of work. Under the hood, the right-hander boasted a solid 36.9% hard-hit rate and a 27.6% K rate. However, he held a below-average 8.7% barrel rate and a 37.4% ground-ball rate. Fantasy managers should expect Peralta to continue to operate as the lead of the Milwaukee rotation and be a safe bet to improve your WHIP ratio as he sits with a strong career 1.15 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoAccording to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim has declined his mutual option with the team and will enter free agency. The infielder ended his campaign early after suffering a shoulder injury in August, which caused him to undergo surgery in October. Through 121 games this season, the 29-year-old held a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 12.3% walk rate, which is one of the best marks in the sport among qualified hitters. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during the offseason as he will likely miss time during the start of the 2025 campaign due to the shoulder surgery. Fantasy managers should view him as a safe option for speed with excellent on-base skills.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Dennis Lin
3 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs declined their 2025 club option on left-handed pitcher
Drew Smyly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Smyly operated exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and held a modest 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, with a 25:56 BB:K ratio across 58 2/3 innings of work. This was a significant improvement over the 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should expect Smyly to continue to serve as a long-relief option or an occasional starter if he decides to continue his major league career this upcoming season. However, with his lack of upside, he should be left off of your fantasy radar.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Robbie Ray did not exercise his player option with the San Francisco Giants and will remain with the team. Ray has two years and $50 million remaining on his contract, keeping him a Giant through 2026. The lefty will look to bounce back in 2025 after two injury-riddled seasons have held back the former Cy Young winner. In his first year with the Giants Ray posted a 4.70 ERA in seven starts. His first start didn't come until after the All-Star break as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Ray's last start was shortened due to a hamstring injury. The lefty is in a spot where he needs to get himself back to normal form before he can expect another big payday. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the lefty going forward given his recent injury issues as he may be well beyond his prime at this point in his career.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
3 weeks agoThe New York Yankees are expected to pursue
Pete Alonso as a backup plan to any
Juan Soto fallout during the offseason, according to Jon Heyman. After declining a $17 million option for first baseman
Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees are aiming to save money for a big free-agent signing. Alonso is expected to be the prime backup option if Soto chooses not to re-sign with the Yankees. The 29-year-old will be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market this season after posting yet another solid season at the plate with a 123 OPS+ and 34 home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to target Alonso in drafts regardless of where he lands, as his xwOBA of .345 -- ranking in the 79th percentile in 2024 -- should translate to offensive success regardless of where he lands.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea opted out of his contract with the Mets on Saturday and is now a free agent. Manaea had one year and $13.5 million remaining on his contract and is clearly eyeing a bigger payday after a resurgent second half of the season fueled by tweaks to his mechanics. The lefty posted a 3.47 ERA in 2024, his best ERA in a season with 10 or more games started. The lefty will certainly be in demand on the free agent market after his second half success transferred to the postseason. Fantasy managers should expect similar results in 2025 with slight negative regression coming as his 3.47 ERA was buoyed by a 3.75 xERA.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoChicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder
Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
3 weeks agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole exercised his player option and opted out of his contract with New York on Saturday. The move had been expected and shouldn't be considered a shock by any means. The Yankees have the option to void his opt out by adding one year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million Cole has on his contract. If the Yankees do not void the opt out then Cole will become a free agent. The Yankees' ace originally signed a nine year, $324 million contract in 2020 and posted a 3.12 ERA in 759 innings as a Yankee. If he hits the open market the 34-year-old will likely be the top pitcher available. Dynasty managers shouldn't stress much about Cole's future as the former Cy Young award winner is likely to continue to produce regardless of where he ends up.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
3 weeks agoThe St. Louis Cardinals claimed starting pitcher
Roddery Munoz off of waivers. Munoz made his MLB debut last summer with the Miami Marlins. Across 82 2/3 innings of work (17 starts) the 24-year-old struggled with a 6.53 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, with a 42:70 BB:K ratio. In Triple-A last season, Munoz posted a 4.96 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Under the hood, the right-hander held a hefty 13.7% barrel rate and 45.0% hard-hit rate which were among the worst marks by qualified pitchers last summer. Fantasy managers should expect Munoz to either serve as a back-end starter or a long relief option in St. Louis but should be left off your fantasy radar given his struggles during his rookie campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
3 weeks agoOakland Athletics first baseman
Ryan Noda was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels off waivers. Noda had a disappointing 2024 campaign as he hit for a .137/.255/.211 line with just one home run, four RBI, and a 14:37 BB:K ratio across 36 games. This was a sharp decline from the encouraging .229/.364/.406 line he hit in his debut season in 2023. At Triple-A Las Vegas last season, Noda posted a .224/.391/.486 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to compete for a spot on the Opening Day in Los Angeles but is best to leave off your fantasy radar given his inconsistencies last summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Angels PR
3 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers exercised their 2025 club option on first baseman
Rhys Hoskins. After missing the entire 2023 campaign with a torn ACL, Hoskins posted a modest .214/.303/.419 line in 2024 with 26 home runs, 82 RBI, and a 53:149 BB:K ratio. Hoskins has now hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons he has played in but has seen his batting average drop lower in each consecutive year as well. Under the hood, the 31-year-old posted a strong 12.7% barrel rate but with a poor 26.3% whiff rate and 28.8% K rate. Hoskins remains a depth infield option heading into 2025 with an upside for power in category leagues. His hefty strikeout rate significantly lowers his value in points leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Adam McCalvy
3 weeks agoThe Seattle Mariners are declining the 2025 club option on second baseman
Jorge Polanco according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Polanco will receive $750,000 and become a free agent. the 31-year-old struggled in his first season in Seattle as he hit for an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, and four swiped bags. In 2024, he posted a career-worst 29.3% K rate. This was a stark decline from the .255/.335/.454 line he held in 2023 with the Minnesota Twins. Despite his drop in production, Polanco could find a starting role with a new club in 2025 and may be worth a look as a late-option in drafts this offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Kramer
3 weeks agoNew York Yankees relief pitcher
Luke Weaver had his 2025 club option exercised according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. This deal is valued at $2.5 million. During the regular season, the 31-year-old emerged as a key contributor in the Yankee bullpen as he held a solid 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings of work. He generated strikeouts at an elite 31.1% rate. In the postseason, Weaver was deployed as the go-to option in the ninth inning as he tallied four saves with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP in 15 1/3 frames of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Yankee bullpen in the offseason as Weaver could open the 2025 campaign as the clear ninth-inning option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch
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