3 weeks agoAccording to senior MLB writer Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez is "expected" to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier this offseason, Hernandez declined the qualifying offer, but that does not rule out a reunion, as a long-term extension could be in the works. Hernandez performed very well in his debut season in Los Angeles, as he posted a strong .272/.339/.501 slash line with 32 doubles, 33 home runs, 99 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. While he did carry a hefty 28.8% strikeout rate, he hit the ball very hard at an impressive 46.8% mark, which placed him in the top 81st percentile among qualified hitters. During the postseason, Hernandez held a solid .250/.352/.417 line with three long balls. Fantasy managers should closely monitor where Hernandez signs, as a reunion with Los Angeles could provide him with elite scoring opportunities once again in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
3 weeks agoMinnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) will have a "real chance" to contribute in the major leagues in 2025, according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll. Zoll spoke on Sirius XM MLB Radio and noted that the top prospect underwent a minor thumb procedure late last summer and will likely begin the season in St. Paul. However, Zoll said that if he starts off well, he should be in a great position to debut sometime this upcoming season. The No.2 prospect in the Minnesota system and No.21 overall on MLB.com spent most of 2024 with Double-A and held an excellent .298/.479/.621 line with 12 doubles, eight home runs, and nine stolen bases. He then appeared in nine games at Triple-A St. Paul before suffering his season-ending injury. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should pay close attention to his progress during Spring Training, as he may only require a minor tune-up at Triple-A before heading to Minnesota.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network Radio
3 weeks agoRight-handed pitcher
Hunter Dobbins was named MLB Pipeline's top pitching prospect of the Boston system of the 2024 season. Dobbins opened the summer by getting his second extended look at Double-A ball. Through 105 frames, Dobbins posted a solid 3.17 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 39:98 BB:K ratio. This was a nice improvement compared to the 4.27 ERA and 1.33 WHIP he held at Double-A in 2023. The Texas Tech product then logged his final 20 2/3 innings of the campaign at the Triple-A level and held a strong 2.61 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He struck out 22 batters and served up just nine free passes. Given his gradual improvement at Double-A, fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue monitoring Dobbins at the start of the 2025 season. He may only need a slight fine-tuning at Triple-A before reaching the big leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice New York's top hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Rice opened the summer by getting his second look at Double-A and performed quite well as he posted a .261/.382/.511 line with 13 home runs across 49 games. The 25-year-old then earned the call to Triple-A and continued to showcase his upside power as he hit another 12 long balls in a smaller 30-game stint and carried an impressive .661 SLG. The Dartmouth product then spent most of the remainder of the season in the major leagues. Rice got off to a hot start, launching seven home runs across his first 35 games. However, he then struggled over his last 15 contests, where he tallied just two total hits. Fantasy managers should closely monitor who the Yankees bring in during free agency, as Rice could compete for the starting first base job during Spring Training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named second baseman/outfielder
Kristian Campbell Boston's top hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Campbell, the No. 3 ranked prospect in the system and No.10 overall, began his 2024 season with his second look at High-A. Through 40 games, Campbell posted a .306/.418/.558 line with 13 doubles and eight home runs. He then earned the call to Double-A Portland, where he hit for an even better .362/.463/.582 line with 17 home runs and three home runs across 56 contests. The Georgia Tech product then ended his 2024 season by getting a brief 19-game taste of Triple-A. With Worcester, the 22-year-old held a .286/.412/.486 slash line. Given his steady improvement at each level of the minor leagues, Campbell should have a good opportunity to contend for a mid-season major league debut in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named outfielder
Chandler Simpson Tampa Bay's top-hitting prospect of the 2024 campaign. Simpson opened the season by getting his second look at High-A ball. However, he needed only 32 games to prove he was ready to move up to Double-A after posting a stellar .364/.431/.372 slash line. In his first 78 games with Double-A Montgomery, Simpson continued to showcase his elite hitting skills, as he posted a .351/.401/.407 slash line. In addition to his elite contact skills, Simpson also stole a remarkable 104 basses across 110 games last summer. However, he has yet to showcase any true power and has hit just one home run throughout his entire minor-league career. Given his strong production in his first look at the Double-A level, the No. 4-ranked prospect in Tampa Bay could spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named third baseman
Coby Mayo Baltimore's top-hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Mayo, who is currently considered the top prospect in Baltimore and No.8 overall, posted a strong .287/.364/.562 slash line across 89 games at Triple-A Norfolk. Mayo launched 23 doubles, 22 home runs, and 67 RBI in this span, with a 40:97 BB:K ratio. This was Mayo's second extended look at the top level of the minors, as he logged 62 games at this level during the 2023 campaign. Mayo was then rewarded with a big league promotion later in the summer but struggled to adjust as he held an underwhelming .098/.196/.098 line with no extra-base hits. Given his stellar performance at Triple-A, his brief slump at the majors presents an intriguing buy-low window in dynasty formats. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his progress during Spring Training as he could make the 2025 Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named outfielder
Alan Roden Toronto's hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Roden, the No.12 ranked prospect in the system, opened the campaign by getting his second extended look at the Double-A ball. He performed well, hitting for a solid .267/.373/.432 line with seven home runs, 11 doubles, and a 29:34 BB:K ratio with six stolen bases. He then spent most of the second half of the summer with Triple-A Buffalo and posted a stellar .314/.406/.510 line across a 71-game stint. At the top level of the minor leagues, Roden hit nine long balls with a solid 35:41 BB:K ratio and eight swiped bags. Given his ability to adjust rather quickly to Triple-A pitching, Roden could be a strong candidate for an early season promotion to the major leagues in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoAccording to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, free-agent outfielder
Randal Grichuk is viewed as an "intriguing" free-agent option for the Baltimore Orioles. Kostka reported that Grichuk could be deployed in a platoon role as he performed at an elite level against southpaws last season. Facing left-handers, the 33-year-old boasted an impressive .319/.386/.528 line with six home runs and 32 RBI. However, facing right-handed pitcher, Grichuk held a modest .242/.274/.527 line. With how well
Ryan O'Hearn hit right-handed pitching last season (.439 SLG/.777 OPS), Grichuk could be deployed as a great alternative option facing southpaws. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during the offseason, as he could be a viable option in deeper five-outfielder formats, albeit in a limited role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Kostka
3 weeks agoFree-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman is reportedly drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet. While the Blue Jays have reportedly made an offer to
Juan Soto, they are considered "dark horses" in that race, which could open the door for Bregman. Bregman is also represented by the Soto's agent, Scott Boras, which could also present a good opportunity for Toronto to inquire about the infielder. Earlier this offseason, Bob Nightingale of USA Today reported that Bregman could also be interested in moving to second base with his new club. Last season in Houston, the 30-year-old posted a .260/.315/.453 line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. Bregman should still be viewed as a viable third baseman in standard formats, given his stellar eye at the plate and proven production for counting stats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
3 weeks agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, free-agent starting pitcher
Corbin Burnes is drawing interest from the San Francisco Giants. Feinsand noted that with
Blake Snell signing with their rival Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants are now believed to have "significant interest" in the former Cy Young winner. The 30-year-old is widely considered to be the top starting pitcher available on the market. Last season, in his debut season in Baltimore, Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Under the hood, he boasted an excellent 31.6% hard-hit rate, 6.7% barrel rate, and 48.8% ground ball rate, which are all significantly above the average marks. No matter where Burnes calls home in 2025, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end starting pitcher during draft season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
3 weeks agoAccording to Francys Romero, the Seattle Mariners and relief pitcher
Yunior Marte have agreed to a minor-league deal. This deal also includes an invite to spring training. Marte spent the past two seasons pitching in Philadelphia after making his debut in San Francisco in 2022. Last summer through 26 innings of work, the right-hander held a 6.92 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with an 18:25 BB:K. In Triple-A, he posted a 6.88 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. Through the summer, Marte generated a rough 6.53 xERA and a hefty 42.7% hard-hit rate. Given his struggles in 2024, Marte will likely face an uphill battle to make the Opening Day Roster, but he could earn a middle-relief role if he has a successful spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Francys Romero
3 weeks agoAccording to Francys Romero, six clubs have "real interest" in free agent relief pitcher
Aroldis Chapman. Last summer, the hard-throwing southpaw spent the entire campaign in the Steel City and held a solid 3.79 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP with a 98:39 BB:K ratio through 61 2/3 innings of work. He also tallied 14 saves. He posted stellar metrics under the hood with a 2.98 xERA and .165 xBA, which placed him in the top 90th and 99th percentile, respectively. He also showcased elite swing-and-miss upside with a 32.3% whiff rate and 37.1% K rate. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to where the 36-year-old signs in the offseason, as he could be a favorite to earn save opportunities given his ability to generate whiffs at an elite rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Francys Romero
3 weeks agoThe NC Dinos announced on Thursday that they signed designated hitter
Matt Davidson to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The deal is for a $1.2 million salary plus $300,000 in incentives, and the Dinos will have the option to extend him in 2026 for $1.7 million ($1.3 million salary and $400,000 in incentives). Davidson, the former 35th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009, will stick around in Korea after playing well there in 2024. In 131 games for the Dinos, the 33-year-old hit an impressive .306/.370/.633 with a 1.003 OPS, 46 home runs, 119 RBI and 90 runs scored in 567 plate appearances. He made his major-league debut in 2013 with Arizona and has a .220/.290/.430 slash line with 54 homers and 157 RBI in six MLB seasons. Davidson hasn't appeared in the bigs since 2022, when he played in only 13 games with the Diamondbacks and Athletics.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MyKBO.net - Dan Kurtz
3 weeks agoThe KT Wiz of the Korean Baseball Organization re-signed right-hander
William Cuevas to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday. Cuevas will return to Korea for a seventh season with the Wiz. In his sixth season with the organization in 2024, Cuevas went 7-12 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while striking out 154 and walking 59 in 173 1/3 innings over 31 starts. The 34-year-old veteran hurler pitched in the minors for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, but he hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2018, when he had a 7.41 ERA and 1.82 WHIP for the Boston Red Sox in 17 innings pitched in nine outings (one start). At this point in his career, the Venezuelan righty is a long shot to reappear in the big leagues in the United States.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MyKBO.net - Dan Kurtz
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