4 weeks agoAccording to Shi Davidi of SportsNet, the Toronto Blue Jays are releasing catcher
Nick Raposo to open a roster spot for relief pitcher
Yimi Garcia. The Blue Jays agreed to a two-year contract with Garcia earlier this offseason. Raposo opened the 2024 campaign playing in the St. Louis organization before joining Toronto in August. Across 78 games at the Triple-A level last summer, the 26-year-old held an underwhelming .206/.280/.340 line with eight home runs, ten doubles, and a 25:59 BB:K ratio. In 2023, Raposo held a slightly higher .232/.334/.368 line across 27 games at Triple-A. Fantasy managers should not have Raposo on their radar heading into the 2025 campaign, as he has yet to turn the corner at the top level of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Shi Davidi
4
weeks
agoAccording
to
Chandler
Rome
of
The
Athletic,
the
Houston
Astros
are
acquiring
Chicago
Cubs
third
base
prospect
Cam
Smith
in
exchange
for
outfielder
Kyle
Tucker.
Smith
was
drafted
by
the
Chicago
Cubs
with
the
14th
overall
pick
in
last
year's
draft
out
of
Florida
read more...
4 weeks agoAccording to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are sending right-handed pitcher
Hayden Wesneski to the Houston Astros in a package to acquire star outfielder
Kyle Tucker. Wesneski was initially drafted by the New York Yankees but has spent his entire big-league career with the Chicago Cubs. Across his first three seasons in the majors (190 innings), the right-hander posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Wesneski saw time as both a starter and a reliever and logged 22 starts over his 68 total games. Last summer, the 27-year-old generated a modest 4.17 xERA and .234 xBA. In addition, he posted a 23.7% K rate and 7.4% walk rate, which were both just above the average marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Spring Training as he may earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome
4 weeks agoThe Houston Astros acquired infielder
Isaac Paredes, right-hander
Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith from the Chicago Cubs on Friday in exchange for All-Star outfielder
Kyle Tucker, according to sources. This trade certainly gives the Astros a couple fallback options in case they cannot re-sign
Alex Bregman this offseason. The 25-year-old Paredes could play either third or first base next year in his first with the Astros. The Mexican infielder took a step back with 19 homers and 80 RBI with the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024 after setting career-highs in homers (31) and RBI (98) in 2023 with Tampa to make his first All-Star team. Paredes probably is never going to be a batting-average asset for fantasy mangers, but he's a good bet to bounce back in the power department at Minute Maid Park, especially with his pull-heavy offensive approach from the right side of the plate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
4 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs have acquired star outfielder
Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for infielder
Isaac Paredes, right-hander
Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith, according to sources. The Cubs and New York Yankees were the most aggressive suitors for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 campaign. With Tucker now in tow, the Cubs will move to trying to offload
Cody Bellinger's bloated contract. In addition, Chicago could quickly look to get Tucker signed to a long-term contract extension if they want to keep the three-time All-Star around for more than just one season. The 27-year-old Tucker was limited to only 78 games in 2024 due to a fractured shin, but he still managed 23 homers and 11 stolen bases. From a power/speed perspective alone, Tucker is a first-round fantasy talent, and his move to Chicago shouldn't do anything to change that.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
4 weeks agoThe Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday that they signed free-agent right-hander
Dan Altavilla to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invitation to big-league spring training camp. Altavilla will stay in the American League Central heading into the 2025 campaign after making five appearances (one start) for the Kansas City Royals in 2024 in his first action in the big leagues since appearing in only two games with the San Diego Padres in 2021. In his five outings for the Royals this past season, Altavilla gave up six earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five in just 3 2/3 innings of work. The 32-year-old veteran hurler had a 3.51 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 41 innings in the minors at Triple-A Omaha. Altavilla will compete for a bullpen spot with the White Sox in spring training but will most likely start at Triple-A Charlotte.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
4 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs are close to acquiring All-Star outfielder
Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros on Friday for a package led by infielder
Isaac Paredes, right-hander
Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith, according to sources. The Astros have also been looking closely at prospect
Matt Shaw, but it's unclear if he'll be included if this trade goes down. If Chicago is able to land Tucker, one of the best all-around players in the game, they will most likely look to sign him to a long-term contract extension as well, as he's set to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign. Despite missing half of the 2024 season due to a fractured shin, Tucker still managed 23 home runs and 11 stolen bases and walked more than he struck out. The three-time All-Star has an incredibly high fantasy floor and should remain a first-round fantasy asset if he's moved to the Windy City. Stay tuned.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
4
weeks
agoThe
Chicago
Cubs
continue
to
work
hard
on
acquiring
All-Star
outfielder
Kyle
Tucker
from
the
Houston
Astros,
and
corner
infielder
Isaac
Paredes
and
third
baseman
Cam
Smith
are
the
primary
names
being
discussed.
In
addition
to
the
Cubs,
the
New
read more...
4 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers acquired second base prospect
Caleb Durbin and left-hander
Nestor Cortes from the New York Yankees on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever
Devin Williams, according to sources. Durbin was not among the Yankees' top-25 prospects per MLB Pipeline, but his prospect stock has risen dramatically since the end of the 2024 season, mainly because of his impressive production in the Arizona Fall League. The 24-year-old infielder was expected to have a big role for the Yankees in 2025, but now he'll head to the National League Central, where he could also have a big role in the middle infield for the Brew Crew after they just lost
Willy Adames to free agency. Durbin doesn't have a ton of power, but his high contract rate makes him a good bet to hit for average in the big leagues. He slashed .287/.396/.471 with 10 homers and 29 steals in 82 games at Triple-A in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
4
weeks
agoThe
Milwaukee
Brewers
acquired
left-hander
Nestor
Cortes
and
second
base
prospect
Caleb
Durbin
from
the
New
York
Yankees
on
Friday
in
exchange
for
right-handed
reliever
Devin
Williams,
according
to
sources.
Cortes
became
expendable
for
the
Yankees
read more...
4
weeks
agoAccording
to
Jeff
Passan
of
ESPN,
the
New
York
Yankees
have
traded
for
Milwaukee
Brewers
relief
pitcher
Devin
Williams.
In
exchange,
the
Brewers
are
acquiring
infield
prospect
Caleb
Durbin
and
starting
pitcher
Nestor
Cortes
Jr.
Williams
read more...
4 weeks agoAccording to Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner, Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) began a throwing program. Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery last June but still faces a long recovery process. Baltimore has noted that they hope Bradish can rejoin the starting rotation sometime in the second half of the 2025 campaign. Across 39 1/3 innings last season, the right-hander posted a solid 2.75 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. During his 2023 breakout campaign, the 28-year-old held a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across a career-high 168 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the first half of the season, and he is a name to keep an eye on as he could be a reliable starting pitcher during the final months of the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Danielle Allentuck
4
weeks
agoAccording
to
David
O'Brien
of
The
Athletic,
free-agent
starting
pitcher
Charlie
Morton
is
unlikely
to
return
to
Atlanta
in
2025.
O'Brien
noted
that
the
team's
interest
in
the
41-year-old
has
been
"put
on
the
back
burner"
and
that
Morton
has
been
open
to
hearing
read more...
4 weeks agoAccording to Buster Olney of ESPN, free agent starting pitcher
Walker Buehler is looking for a multi-year deal with opt-outs on the market. After having a rocky regular season holding a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, Buehler played an integral role during Los Angeles' World Series run, posting a solid 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 15 innings of work. Earlier in his career, the right-hander showed high upside, making two All-Star games and logging a career-high 207 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in the 2021 campaign. Olney notes that given his strong finish, the 30-year-old could enjoy a nice bounce-back campaign in 2025, which could set him up for a nice payday in 2026 if his contract includes opt-outs. Olney also stated that the Yankees expressed interest in him before signing
Max Fried and that the Red Sox, Tigers, and Giants have also kicked the tires on him.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Buster Olney
4 weeks agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado would approve of a trade to the New York Yankees. While the Yankees were not on Arenado's six-team wish list, a source told Feinsand that the former Gold Glover would approve of a trade to New York. The Yankees have been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman this offseason, including free agent
Alex Bregman. Acquiring a new third baseman, would allow
Jazz Chisholm Jr. to shift primarily to the keystone. Arenado saw his power production drop last season, posting a career-low .394 SLG and hitting just 16 home runs. However, he did still hold a strong .272 AVG. If Arenado is traded to the Yankees, fantasy managers should expect him to have prime RBI opportunities batting in a competitive lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
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