4 weeks agoMLB executives believe that the New York Mets are the clear-cut favorites to sign free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto, simply because nobody thinks anyone will outbid owner Steve Cohen, possibly before the winter meetings end in early December. The Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox are the only serious suitors for Soto. The Phillies haven't had a single conversation with agent Scott Boras to date. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that teams involved with Soto will start forwarding him offers this week, according to sources. The 26-year-old generational talent is expected to sign a deal for 10-plus years and potentially over $600 million after posting a career-high 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored in his first year with the Yankees in 2024 while helping them advance to the World Series. It's believed that Soto would prefer to stay on the East coast as well.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 weeks agoFree-agent left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels continue to be the most aggressive team early in free agency this offseason. Kikuchi gives the Halos a much-needed addition to their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and 206:44 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024. He was much better down the stretch in Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. The Japanese hurler had a career-best 31.8% strikeout rate and career-low 5.9% walk rate to help his cause and will look to continue that success in 2025 in his new digs in southern California.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
4 weeks agoThe San Diego Padres have non-tendered right-handed pitcher
Luis Patino, according to the team. Patino underwent Tommy John surgery last April, which will sideline him for likely the entire first half of the 2025 campaign. In 2023, Patino logged 21 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.57 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Patino has bounced between both the rotation and bullpen throughout his major league career. He logged a career-high in innings (77 1/3) during the 2021 season and held a 4.31 and a 1.27 WHIP during this campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor Patino's progression while he recovers from Tommy John, as he could have a path to operating as a starting pitcher during the second half of the 2025 campaign with his new club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
4 weeks agoThe San Diego Padres have non-tendered outfielder
Bryce Johnson and shortstop
Mason McCoy, according to the team. Johnson appeared in 47 games at the major league level last season and posted a .206/.286/.238 line and hit just two extra-base hits. With Triple-A El Paso, Johnson carried a solid .288/.407/.431 line across 74 games. McCoy appeared in only 19 games in the big leagues in 2024 and posted a .204/.278/.245 line. In Triple-A, McCoy held a .260/.329/.382 slash line. While both players have shown potential at the top level of the minors before, they have yet to earn a consistent opportunity in the major leagues. Fantasy managers should expect both players to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during Spring Training with their new club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
4 weeks agoAccording to Maddie Lee of the Sun Times, right-hander
Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs have agreed on a contract to avoid salary arbitration. Thompson battled injuries in 2024 but flashed solid potential when he was on the major-league mound. Across 30 1/3 innings on the Northside, the right-hander posted a strong 2.67 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with two saves. Thompson generated an excellent 28.3% strikeout rate but struggled with control as he held a rough 14.2% walk rate. With Triple-A Iowa, Thompson posted a 2.96 ERA and a 0.91 ERA in 27 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor Thompson's development during spring training, as he could eventually become a candidate to operate as a high-leverage option given the upside he has flashed at times.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
4 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered left-handed pitcher
Richard Lovelady's contract, according to the team. Lovelady opened the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Cubs and eventually moved over to Tampa Bay. Across 34 1/3 cumulative innings in the big leagues, the southpaw held a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He carried a weak 17.7% K rate and a 46.3% hard-hit rate. However, he did generate a strong 51.9% ground ball rate which was significantly above the average marks. Through 22 innings in Triple-A, Lovelady posted a 4.09 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Lovelady to continue to operate as a middle relief option out of the bullpen in 2025 if he can find a potential suitor.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
4 weeks agoRelief pitcher
Erik Swanson and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Swanson struggled last season as he posted a rough 5.03 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 39 1/3 frames. In 2023, Swanson was one of the top options in the Toronto bullpen, and carried a strong 2.97 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. This past summer, Swanson saw his hard-hit rate jump up ten points and barrel rate double compared to his 2023 production. In addition, he saw his K rate drop by six points. Even though he struggled in 2024, fantasy managers in holds leagues should consider targeting Swanson late in drafts this offseason, as he will likely return to his typical eighth-inning role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Shi Davidi
4 weeks agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Chicago Cubs have non-tendered relief pitcher
Adbert Alzolay, which will send him to free agency. Alzolay opened the 2024 season as the Cubs closer but struggled as he posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.44 WHIP and tallied only four saves while blowing five opportunities. He was then optioned to Triple-A Iowa and eventually had to undergo Tommy John surgery. His recovery process will keep him sidelined through all of the 2025 campaign. As a result, fantasy managers in keeper and dynasty formats do not need to hold the 29-year-old on their roster, as he is at least an entire season away from returning to the mound. In addition, given his unstable production as a closer, he may only find a middle-relief role with a potential suitor in 2026.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
4 weeks agoRight-handed pitcher
Jose Ruiz and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Ruiz spent the past season operating out of the bullpen and held a 3.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, with a 17:52 BB:K ratio in 51 innings of work. He also tallied one save. Under the hood, the 30-year-old generated a 27.6% whiff rate and 24.0% K rate, which were both slightly above average. However, he struggled to limit hard contact at a 42.2% rate. Fantasy managers in holds leagues should monitor where Ruiz is deployed in 2025 as he could eventually earn a permanent role as a high-leverage option. However, given his lack of experience as a closer, he should not be projected to see any save situations early on.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies
4 weeks agoThe Philadelphia Phillies and catcher
Garrett Stubbs have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Stubbs has operated as the No. 2 catcher in Philadelphia over the past three seasons and will likely remain in that role in 2025. During this span, Stubbs posted a .222/.305/.324 line with seven home runs, 39 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Last summer, Stubbs struggled in the batter's box as he held an underwhelming .192 xBA, 9.6% hard-hit rate, and 26.7% K rate. Given this extension, fantasy managers should expect
J.T. Realmuto to continue to operate as the workhorse behind the dish and see the vast majority of starts. Stubbs is best left for a high-risk play in favorable matchups in DFS formats in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies
4 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs and relief pitcher
Eli Morgan have reached a contract agreement to avoid arbitration. Morgan was acquired by the Cubs on Wednesday from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for outfield prospect
Alfonsin Rosario. Last summer in Cleveland, Morgan posted a stellar 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings. Morgan was typically deployed as middle relief but did see several opportunities in the seventh inning in high-leverage relief. Under the hood, the right-hander boated a stellar 2.51 xERA, .200 xBA, 2.5% barrel rate, and 28.1% hard-hit rate, which were all significantly above the average marks. In addition, he showed strong command with a 6.6% walk rate. Fantasy managers should expect Morgan to have a high-leverage role with the upside to earn save opportunities in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Cubs
4 weeks agoThe Atlanta Braves are declining to tender right-handed pitcher
Huascar Ynoa's contract, which will make him a free agent. The 26-year-old pitcher has spent most of the past two seasons on the injured list as he logged just 29 2/3 during this span and has not returned to the big leagues since the 2022 campaign. Across 122 1/3 innings in Atlanta, Ynoa sometimes showed high-strikeout potential but struggled with an overall 5.22 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Through 185 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett, Ynoa carried a similar 5.55 ERA and 1.48 WHIP while striking out 199 batters in 185 frames. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor Ynoa's status during the offseason, as he could find a potential suitor willing to take a chance on him, given the swing-and-miss upside he has shown.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
4 weeks agoThe Atlanta Braves have declined to tender
Ramon Laureano's contract, which will make him a free agent. The Braves signed the veteran outfielder to their roster in late May after the Cleveland Guardians released him. Through 67 games in Atlanta, Laureano posted a solid .296/.327/.505 line with 13 doubles, ten home runs, 29 RBI, and five stolen bases. Earlier in the summer with Cleveland, Laureano held a mere .143/.265/.229 line in a 31-game stint. Under the hood, he generated a strong 12.6% barrel rate and an above-average 40.8% hard-hit rate. Given his strong play towards the end of the season, the 30-year-old will likely find a suitor and could be worth a look in deep 5-outfielder leagues if he has a full-time role out of Spring Training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
4 weeks agoThe Texas Rangers and relief pitcher
Josh Sborz agreed on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, according to the team. The 30-year-old battled numerous injuries this past summer and logged only 16 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander had a 3.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP during this limited sample size. The relief pitcher is set to miss some time during the start of the 2025 campaign as he is still recovering from his shoulder operation. Sborz was a crucial member of their World Series run in 2023, as he posted a near-perfect 0.75 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP in 12 frames of work. Fantasy managers should expect Sborz to return to his typical high-leverage role in the Texas bullpen in 2025, and he could be a viable option for holds if he can return to form following his recovery.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Texas Ranger PR
4 weeks agoAccording to SNY, relief pitcher
Sean Reid-Foley and the New York Mets have agreed on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration. The 29-year-old logged only 21 2/3 innings in Queens last season as he battled numerous injuries all summer. During this small stint, he posted a strong 1.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a stellar 27.8% K rate. In addition, he boasted a 62.7% ground ball rate and a 1.98 xBA. This past summer, Reid-Foley typically pitched in the seventh and eighth innings, and fantasy managers should expect him to return to that similar role in 2025. With
Edwin Diaz expected to see the vast majority of save opportunities, fantasy managers in holds leagues should still consider drafting Reid-Foley as he could become the bona fide set-up man on a competing Mets team.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: SNY
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