4 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
4
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...
4
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...
4 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
4 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
4
weeks
agoThe
Athletic's
Ken
Rosenthal
writes
that
the
Cleveland
Guardians
are
open
to
trade
offers
for
first
baseman
Josh
Naylor
and
outfielder
Lane
Thomas,
both
of
whom
are
entering
their
walk
years.
Naylor
is
projected
to
earn
$12
million
read more...
4 weeks agoThe St. Louis Cardinals are entering a rebuilding stage this offseason, but teams that have talked to the Cardinals have come away with the impression that they will not trade closer
Ryan Helsley. "It's something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have him be part of our organization," president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. Helsley is entering his age-30 season and is projected to earn $8.5 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. His value is as high as it will probably ever be after he saved a league-high 49 games in 53 chances in 2024 on his way to winning the award for best closer in the National League. Helsley also had a strong 2.04 ERA in his 66 1/3 frames. The Cardinals are open to trading third baseman
Nolan Arenado, but they aren't expected to go for a full teardown. The Cardinals also aren't considering moving Helsley to their starting rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
4 weeks agoESPN's Buster Olney writes that the perception of some MLB teams is that the Chicago White Sox are intent on trading outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. this offseason, which could be an indication that the White Sox want to cash out on Robert's diminished value now instead of waiting and seeing his value drop even further if he struggles again in the first half of 2025. Robert will make $15 million in 2025 with $20 million club options in 2025 and 2026. "If they really believed he would bounce back, wouldn't you hang onto him until next summer and look for him to rebuild his value?" asked one rival official. More injuries limited the 27-year-old to 100 games in 2024, and he hit just .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs and a strikeout rate over 30%. It's a big if for Robert staying healthy in 2025, but if he does and the White Sox hold him, he could bounce back nicely and fetch high-end prospects in a trade. It's a big risk.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Buster Olney
4
weeks
agoESPN's
Jeff
Passan
writes
that
free-agent
first
baseman
Pete
Alonso's
free-agent
market
this
winter
is
likely
to
take
more
time
to
develop
than
free-agent
shortstop
Willy
Adames'.
However,
there's
a
scenario
where
Alonso
doesn't
want
to
miss
out
read more...
4 weeks agoThe Toronto Blue Jays reportedly have had an in-person meeting with free-agent right-hander
Corbin Burnes. The Blue Jays are also in on free-agent outfielder superstar
Juan Soto and are looking to make a big splash in free agency yet again this offseason after another disappointing season that finished without a postseason berth. Burnes, 30, is at the top of the free-agent pitching market and turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Baltimore Orioles, so any team that signs him will be forced to give up draft picks. In 32 starts in his first and potentially only season in Baltimore, Burnes was outstanding, posting a 2.92 ERA, which was seventh-lowest among qualified starters in 2024. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 and with his strikeout rate dropping slightly, Burnes is going to be paid long term like the fantasy ace that he is.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
4 weeks agoThe Athletics agreed to a three-year, $67 million deal with free-agent right-hander
Luis Severino on Thursday, according to sources. It's the largest guarantee in the franchise's history. Severino had a bounce-back season in 2024 with the New York Mets, posting a 3.91 ERA over 182 innings, and now he'll head west to pitch for the A's, who will play in a minor-league stadium in Sacramento for the next three seasons before their planned move to Las Vegas. Severino will now anchor the A's rotation, but he can opt out of his deal after the second year. The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2017 and 2018 with the Yankees before missing most of 2019 with a lat strain and all of 2020 due to Tommy John surgery. Severino struck out 161 batters in 2024 with the Mets and had the fourth-hardest average fastball among qualified starters. Durability issues aren't going away, and his ceiling is lower with the A's.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
4 weeks agoThe Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) have posted right-handed pitcher Koyo Aoyagi, which means that a 45-day window has been opened during which time he can negotiate with MLB teams. Aoyagi is known for his sidearm throwing angle, and last season pitched to a 3.69 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in Japan's Central League, one of the two "major leagues" of NPB. The righty does not garner the same fanfare as Roki Sasaki, who is expected to sign with an MLB team this offseason, nor should he with a 5.2 K/9 in 12 Central League games in 2024. If an MLB team does sign the 30-year-old, it will most likely be in a relief role rather than as a starter. Until there is more clarity here, however, he doesn't move the needle for fantasy.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Morosi
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